Page 74 of Sawyer

"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.