The morning light spills into the room, golden and soft, casting a gentle glow on the two tangled bodies wrapped in the white sheets.
Jess stirs first, his lashes fluttering against flushed skin, limbs still loosely draped over Tanner's.
"Good morning," Tanner murmurs, his voice thick with sleep and affection. He presses a lingering kiss to Jess's forehead, then gazes at his face with quiet wonder.
A genuine smile tugs at his lips as if the sight alone brings peace. "You are impossibly beautiful," he whispers, almost like a confession.
Jess flushes at the compliment, cheeks warming. He turns away, shy under the weight of Tanner's adoring gaze, but Tanner gently pulls him back.
"Let's take a shower together," he says, trailing his fingers down Jess's spine, "and get going before my dad starts blowing up my phone."
Jess's brows knit slightly, barely noticeable, but there. Disappointment shadows his eyes.
Tanner pauses, then realizes what he just said. His words hang in the air, heavier than he intended.
His father.
Always his father. It's like his life is sculpted by someone else's hands, molded to please, to obey, to follow. And Jess doesn't like it, neither do Tanner, but what could he do?!
In that quiet look, Tanner understands. Jess doesn't want him to be a puppet. He wants him to be a leader, to stand tall in his own name, to stop shrinking under someone else's shadow.
Tanner exhales slowly and changes the subject. "How are you feeling? Still nauseous?" he asks, pulling Jess close again, protective.
Jess hesitates for a breath, then shakes his head. "No, it's fine. I'm fine now," he lies. His stomach still feels uncomfortable, coiled tight, but he doesn't want to worry Tanner, not today. "And I'm not showering with you because it'll take forever. So go." He pushes Tanner toward the edge of the bed, a playful scowl on his lips.
Tanner grins, protesting, "Why would it take long?!"
"Because I can't resist you," Jess retorts, hiding beneath the sheets, a smile playing at his lips despite himself.
Tanner chuckles under his breath as he walks to the bathroom. He knows Jess meant what he said. Truth is, the feeling is mutual, he's just as hopelessly drawn to him.
In the shower, Tanner forces his mind to focus. But the moment his father's looming expectations creep in, he remembers Jess's voice echoing from the night before—"Who is the Alpha now?!"
"I am," Tanner murmurs aloud, the words grounding him. He repeats them like a mantra, each time more solid, more sure. "I am."
When he finishes, Jess enters the bathroom in silence. Tanner doesn't speak; he gives him space.
Later, Jess emerges, his features composed, but his actions speak louder. He walks over, picks up the dress without hesitation, fingers brushing the soft fabric. Tanner's heart clenches.
He hates this, seeing Jess do something he clearly dislikes, something that isn't him, all to help Tanner.
Jess dons the wig next. Once he's fully dressed, he's flawless, every detail immaculate.
There's not a single trace of the boy beneath. No one would suspect. And yet, in Tanner's eyes, the disguise only highlights the strength Jess carries, the quiet courage it takes to become someone else to protect someone you love.
Tanner crosses the room and gently kisses him. His lips linger, soft and full of apology. "I'm sorry for making you do this," he says against Jess's mouth.
Jess says nothing as the walk to the car.
The drive is short, but the silence stretches long. When they arrive at the pack house, Tanner's hands grip the steering wheel a little too tightly.
Who is the Alpha now? I am. He repeats it again. And again. He is not sure how... what he is going to do will end.
Jess reaches out and pecks his lips, saying nothing. It's his way of saying, I'm with you.
"Ready?" Tanner asks, voice low.
"Yeah," Jess replies simply.
They step out of the car, hand in hand. The air is different here, sharp, cold, laced with tension.
Tanner's expression hardens instantly. His shoulders square. His posture shifts. Jess sees it happen like a switch. Tanner becomes the Alpha.
Wolves bow their heads as they pass, acknowledging his authority.
Yet despite the firm set of his jaw and the unyielding steps, Jess can feel everything_ Tanner's pulse racing, the storm of nerves beneath the surface.
Tanner's grip tightens around his hand.
Inside the pack house, they barely make it a few steps before a familiar voice rings out.
"Well, look who's here. My adorable babies," Tanner's mother says, emerging down the hall, her smile wide, palms reaching for their cheeks.
Without waiting, she cups Jess's face, her tone affectionate but firm. "I'm going to borrow her from you. No need for her to attend that shameful council," she says, tugging Jess's hand with her.
Then she looks to her son. "Have you decided what you're going to do with them?"
Tanner lifts his chin. "Yes," he says, voice steady.
Inside, his mantra whispers: I am the Alpha.
Jess looks back at him. Nods. A small, encouraging smile curls his lips.
On impulse, he stands on tiptoe and kisses Tanner.
Tanner softens, returning the kiss before turning toward the council hall.
Jess allows himself to be led down the hallway by Tanner's mother.
They are moving in different directions now, but they're still side by side.