Page 13 of Taken By the Pack

The house looms in front of me like a damn museum, all towering columns and pristine landscaping. Owning Bennett Real Estate clearly has its perks.

The family empire, built brick by brick by my father, is plastered all over this town.

The front door opens before I can knock. Liam’s standing there in a navy suit that probably costs more than my entire wardrobe. He gives me a once-over, his brow lifting.

“No suit?” he says, his tone dripping with judgment.

“It’s dinner, not a board meeting,” I reply, pushing past him into the foyer.

The place smells like roasted meat and money. Crystal chandeliers glint overhead, and the sound of laughter drifts from the dining room.

I walk in, and they’re all there. Dad is at the head of the table, looking like a king in his tailored three-piece suit.

Mom is as elegant as ever in a navy silk dress, her pearls catching the light.

Liam’s wife, Rachel, is a vision of perfection in her designer cocktail dress, sipping from a wine glass like she’s on the cover of a magazine.

“Look who finally decided to show up,” Liam announces, his voice carrying through the room.

Dad looks up, his piercing blue eyes—my eyes—settling on me. “Ash. On time for once.”

“Barely,” Liam grumbles under his breath.

“Liam,” Mom says, shooting him a look before turning her warm smile on me. “Ash, sweetheart, come sit. It’s been too long.”

I sit at the far end of the table, the wine bottle clutched in my hand. I set it down, and Rachel’s perfectly plucked brows rise.

“Oh,” she says, her voice sweet and cutting, “you brought… wine.”

“Yeah, Rachel,” I say, matching her tone. “It’s what people do at dinner.”

Mom waves it off. “Thank you, Ash. It’s a lovely gesture.”

Dinner is served—something fancy involving lamb and truffle risotto. Everyone dives in, the conversation quickly turning to business.

Liam’s closing a big deal on a new high-rise downtown. Rachel is launching some boutique partnership.

“And you, Ash?” Dad finally asks, cutting into his lamb. “Still… chasing crabs or whatever it is you do?”

“It’s called marine biology,” I say, keeping my voice even. “And yeah, I’ve been working on some exciting stuff. Actually, I just got assigned to a six-month study at Driftwood Cove.”

“Driftwood Cove?” Liam snorts. “What the hell’s in Driftwood Cove?”

“Tide pools,” I say. “Unique ecosystems. It’s a big deal. Dr. Lowe was impressed with my work.”

“It sounds… quaint,” Rachel says, twirling her fork in her food.

“It sounds like a demotion,” Dad says. “Six months in some backwater town? What kind of career trajectory is that?”

“It’s research,” I say, voice tightening. “Important research. Not everything’s about climbing the corporate ladder.”

“No, but everything’s about results.” Dad’s gaze is sharp. “And you’re not getting any younger, Ash. You can’t keep wasting time.”

I grip my fork, the metal cool against my fingers. “I’m not wasting time. I’m doing what I’m passionate about. It’s what I’m good at.”

“Passion doesn’t pay bills,” Liam chimes in.

“Not everything’s about money,” I snap.

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