Brannon had the biggest grin on his face.

“You finally did it, claimed your woman. Took you long enough. Now maybe you’ll chill on the late-night texts to go for a run to work off that excess energy,” Caelan said as he dropped into the chair across from Brannon at the small bakery.

“Sometimes the best things come to those who wait. Kasey was worth it and so much more.”

Caelan smirked. “No offense, dude, but I don't want any details.”

“Like I’d tell you shit about my mate. Claim yours and see for yourself. How’s that going anyway?”

“It’s not. Her father is making this impossible. I’ve asked Layla to let me talk to him, but she refuses. I’m lucky she’s seeing me at all, and even then, it’s only around others. Most of the time Elias is there. Like a chaperone or something.”

“How is he doing? He adjusting?”

“Getting better every day. I’ve got him working with some of the older pack members, teaching him control and the ins and outs of being a shifter. He’s spending more and more time on the mountain. Honestly, I’ve heard he’s got a mate waiting for him to get things figured out. Pretty girl, about a year younger than him. She’s already doting on him and helping him. Layla loves her, too.”

“So what’s next for you two?”

“Hell if I know. Keep trying, I guess. Find a way to get Roberto to change his mind or for Layla to stand up to him.” Caelan shrugged. “What about you and Kasey?”

“I’m planning on kidnapping her from work in a few minutes and making her go away for the weekend with me. My wolf isn’t keen on this whole separation thing, though he’s eased now that we’ve marked her.”

“How are things with Isaac? You going to take him up on his offer for the resort and your clubs?”

“Probably, as long as the whole thing is on the up and up. What about you?”

Caelan shrugged. “Same. Can’t beat the steady work if it's trustworthy.”

They lapsed into silence, both lost in their thoughts for a minute as they contemplated the chances of Isaac being sincere.

“Have you heard from Chris and Jeff?” Caelan blurted suddenly.

“Artemis and Elias’s mothers are in custody. They have a laundry list of charges against them. Trial won’t be for a long while, but there is no doubt they’ll be staying in lockdown until then. Artemis isn’t saying shit, of course. Isaac declined a paternity test. Said it didn’t matter to him—it was his.”

“You know, since she’s human and they carry for nine months, if Kasey gets pregnant soon, she could have a child older than her sibling. That’s kind of a mindfuck, you know?”

“Well, thanks for pointing that out, dick,” Brannon grunted. “Don’t ever say that to her. I don’t want her to flip out on either of us. And if she does get pregnant, just remember how hormonal the others got. Do you want to see Kasey like that?”

Caelan shuddered in mock horror. “Fuck no. I’m not suicidal.”

“On that note, I’ve got to go steal my mate for some much needed alone time. With any luck, my wolf will have calmed down by the time we get back and I can tolerate being more than a mile from her without wanting to shift and race back to her.”

“I never thought it would be like this,” Caelan agreed. “I’m going insane. It’s all I can do to keep my tiger from peeing on her leg to mark her in our scent.”

“Damn, boy. That’s just wrong. Please don’t ever say shit like that again, ever.” Brannon walked away laughing as Caelan shot him the bird and muttered asshole.