19. Sawyer

Chapter 19

Sawyer

I sat across from Cooper in his office.

"How's your leg?" Cooper asked, leaning back in his chair. His voice was casual, but his eyes betrayed concern.

"Already healed. Garth went for it during our fight in the alleyway," I explained.

I flexed the leg under the table just to prove the point. Cooper grimaced.

"How's Casey?"

"Surprisingly well. He's in the dining hall with Benny and Miles," I said with a small smile. "Casey's strong. He'll move past this."

"I'm glad to hear that." Cooper sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. "Sawyer, why didn't I foresee this? I'm lead alpha. I really thought things with Garth were going to work out."

"Don't be too hard on yourself," I replied, my tone firm. "After everything the pack went through under Ryder's reign, you simply wanted to avoid any further bloodshed. That's not a weakness."

Cooper leaned forward, elbows on his desk.

"Why did Garth go after Casey?" Cooper asked.

I exhaled slowly. "Garth's ambitious. He thought if he took Casey out of the picture, he could weaken me. He had this crazy idea that, after getting rid of both of us, he could challenge you for alpha. But even if he managed to get rid of Casey and me, there's no way he could defeat you in the challenge circle," I said.

Cooper let out a humorless chuckle.

"Garth always did overestimate himself," Cooper said.

"It's a good thing you took care of him. I prefer you and Casey alive," Cooper said, his smile returning.

"Who else would want to be your second, right?" I countered. "I can't imagine anyone else putting up with you."

We shared a laugh, the tension in the room dissipating slightly.

As we moved on to pack matters, discussing patrol routes, the upcoming festival, and other day-to-day concerns, I found my thoughts drifting back to Casey.

The way he had looked at me when I found him in that alleyway, the trust in his eyes despite everything that had happened... It made what I was about to do all the more important.

Cooper's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"What's going to happen to Casey's shop?" he asked, tilting his head.

"Most likely the land deed will pass to another relative of Garth's. Hopefully, they'll be a better landlord," I shrugged. "We'll have to wait and see."

"I hope so too," Cooper said. Then a grin spread across his face. "So, you have it with you?"

I patted the bulge in my jean pocket. Thankfully, Casey hadn't noticed it during our drive here.

"Yeah, I've got it," I answered.

"Good luck," Cooper said, his grin widening.

"I'll need it," I replied, feeling a flutter of nerves in my stomach.

My wolf was calm, but the human part of me was a bundle of anxious energy. This moment was huge—life-changing.

"No, you don't," Cooper said, standing and clapping a hand on my shoulder. "He'll say yes."

I nodded, the reassurance helping, but the nerves still simmered beneath the surface.

We wrapped up our conversation, and I thanked him before heading out.

My heart pounded in my chest, not from fear but from excitement. I'd faced down rogue shifters and even handled a psychopath like Garth, but proposing to Casey? That was a whole new level of terrifying.

The dining hall was buzzing with the sounds of pack members chatting and laughing. My eyes immediately found Casey, sitting at a table with Miles and Noah. Benny was curled up by his feet, tail wagging lazily.

The sight of my mate, relaxed and comfortable among my pack, sent warmth through my chest.

Casey looked up as I approached, his face lighting up with a smile.

"How did your conversation go?" he asked, scooting over to make space for me on the bench.

"Pretty good," I answered, standing beside him but not sitting down. My hands were practically shaking. I glanced over at Miles, who gave me a subtle thumbs-up.

He had been the one to help me pick out the ring over the weekend, and now it was time.

"Is something wrong?" Casey asked, studying me with those sharp, knowing eyes.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. This was it.

"Casey, there's something I need to ask you," I told him.

He tilted his head in curiosity, his lips curving up in a soft smile.

"What's going on?" Casey asked.

I reached into my pocket and felt the cool metal of the ring against my fingertips.

My heart pounded, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

But then I looked at Casey—his bright eyes, his caring nature, the way he had stood by my side even after all the chaos—and I knew.

I knew this was the right thing to do.

Slowly, I lowered myself onto one knee. The dining hall around us seemed to fall silent, though it was probably just in my head.

Casey's eyes widened in surprise, his hands coming up to cover his mouth.

"Casey," I began, my voice a little rougher than I intended. "From the moment we met, you changed my world. You've brought me so much joy, and every day I'm reminded how lucky I am to have you in my life. You've accepted me, all of me, even when I've been at my worst. And now, I can't imagine a future without you."

I pulled the ring from my pocket, holding it up to him.

"Will you marry me?" I finally asked.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Casey's eyes glazed with unshed tears, and his hands trembled slightly as he lowered them.

Then, a radiant smile spread across his face, and he nodded, tears spilling over as he whispered, "Yes, of course, yes."

I slipped the ring onto his finger, my heart swelling with love and relief. The entire hall erupted into cheers, and I barely registered it.

All I could see was Casey—my mate, my future.

He pulled me up from the floor, and I wrapped my arms around him, holding him close.

His body fit perfectly against mine, like he had always belonged there.

Our lips met in a soft, tender kiss, and I poured everything I had into that moment—love, gratitude, hope for the future.

When we finally pulled apart, I rested my forehead against his, both of us breathing heavily, overwhelmed by the emotions of the moment.

"I love you," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.

"I love you too," Casey replied, his hands gripping the front of my shirt like he never wanted to let go.