Page 88 of Knot Her Beta

Another crash draws our attention. Quinn has escaped her time-out to race circles around the coffee table with Sprinkles in pursuit. Blake and Leif exchange exasperated looks as they move to intercept from opposite sides of the room.

Chloe shouts directions from her chair without moving, cutting through the chaos with the practiced command of a woman who manages four Alphas on a daily basis.

Dominic strides out of the back hallway, empty boxes flattened under one arm, his French braid coming loose at the temple. “Jared, there’s more on the barge. Holden’s bringing the next load.”

“I’m on it.” I squeeze Grady’s shoulder as I pass. “Don’t move, or she’ll catch you again.”

“Maybe I want to be caught.” But he doesn’t move.

Outside, the March air bites at my exposed skin as I hurry down to the docks to where Holden is already unloading another stack of boxes onto the back of the cart attached to a four-wheeler. The barge rocks gently against the pilings, salt spray misting the air.

We make quick work, and soon we’re heading back up to the cabin, Holden driving and me perched behind him.

As soon as he pulls up in front, I hop off and grab two boxes, hefting them as I turn toward the cabin.

Through the front window, I spot Emily directing Nathaniel, her hands moving in short, clear gestures. She pauses to look toward the kitchen. When she finds Grady still sitting where she left him. Her expression goes soft, just for a second, before she turns back to the chaos in the other rooms.

I bring my new kitchen boxes inside and settle them beside Grady. I pull my pocketknife and slice through the packing tape, folding the flaps back to reveal stacks of plates wrapped in newspaper, mugs nested in each other, and a colander wedged along one side.

“Dominic outdid himself,” I say, reaching for a white ceramic plate with a thin blue rim. “This place is four times the size of Leif’s cabin.”

Grady unwraps a mug, his fingers working the newspaper loose. “I’ve never actually been inside his.”

I pause, a plate halfway to the cabinet. “Seriously?”

“He hasn’t invited me.” He sets the mug down and reaches for another. “I’m not sure why they gave me so much space. I won’t even use the second story.”

The kitchen stretches around us, wide and airy, with quartz countertops and cabinets that reach the ceiling. The west window frames a slice of the harbor between two pines, the water glinting silver in the morning light. It’s the kind of kitchen built for people who cook together, not for one man living alone.

“Chloe gave you the Taj Mahal of cabins,” I say.

Grady’s mouth quirks. “She was hoping it would entice me to stay.”

“And it worked.”

“I didn’t stay for the cabin,” he says dryly as he unwraps another mug. “Honestly, this place is excessive for one person.”

I’ve seen the upstairs. I took a quick look while putting a few boxes marked for storage into one of the spare bedrooms. There’s a second master bedroom up there, with three smaller rooms, a bonus space, and another office.

It’s what I’ve been picturing for our pack, already built, and I suspect Chloe had more than just Grady in mind when she had Dominic design it, but I stay quiet. For now. I don’t want to scare off the Beta.

“Chloe means well,” I say.

“She’s let her newfound fortune go to her head.” But there’s no heat in it. Grady sets the last mug on the counter and reaches for the colander. “Leif mentioned hosting dinners on the island during the week. Once everything’s unpacked, maybe we could take turns so this kitchen gets some proper use.”

“We might have to put some beds in upstairs, then,” I say, aiming for casual. “The couch above the garage at the Homestead is comfortable, but not that comfortable. Leif mentioned setting up a guest room, but he needs the spare room for his office.”

Grady pauses before taking the colander out of the box. “Is that so?”

“Wherever we sleep wins the bonus of my amazing breakfast sandwiches,” I wheedle.

“Wow. That’s super tempting.” Grady’s lips twitch. “If only I didn’t have the Homestead’s kitchen right next door.”

“You’re a hard man to woo, Grady,” I grumble. “For the record, my breakfast sandwiches earned Emily’s stamp of approval.”

“Well, that changes everything.”

I wave a spatula at him. “Sir, what are you implying?”