Knox's POV
I stood in front of the mirror and adjusted my collar for what felt like the hundredth time. The suit was perfectly tailored, the tie neatly knotted, but something still felt off. I felt I needed to look perfect, I needed to look like I was good enough for her. I wasn't sure why I was suddenly so concerned about my appearance, but deep down, I knew that at the end, it had everything to do with Melissa. As I stepped out of my room, Andrew, my Beta, passed by and halted to give me a once-over. "Woah, Alpha, who are you trying to impress? You look like you're about to propose or something." He teased. I shot him a glare. "Shut up, Andrew." He was a little too close to the truth for my liking. My beta just chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "Alright, alright, calm down sir, I was just playing. But seriously though, I have not seen you this polished since… well, ever." I chose to ignore him and walk past, but not before hearing him mutter, "Good luck with her, boss," with a smirk in his voice. I quickened up my pace so he wouldn't see how right he was. By the time I arrived at Melissa's house, my nerves were starting to shake. It wasn't just about how I looked, I already knew I looked good—it was everything. The tension of being so close to her, the memories of the past that seemed to suddenly resurface, an then there was my unresolved feelings for her. But all of that faded into nothing the moment when I saw her. Melissa was standing in the living room, her back to me as she worked on her hair in the mirror. She was so freaking beautiful, and effortlessly so, and I soon found myself momentarily lost for words, just standing there, absorbing the beauty she radiated. Melissa finally caught my reflection in the mirror and turned slightly. "Hello, Knox," she said, her voice calm and composed, as if my presence didn't faze her at all. She wasn't feeling what I was feeling for her. Before I could respond to her greeting, the door burst open and her twin boys, Tyler and Dylan, bolted in. They spotted me immediately and their faces practically lit up with mischievous grins. "Hey, it's the kidnapper!" Tyler announced though his voice was full of playful accusation. "Yeah, the big bad Alpha who took us from home!" Dylan added, clearly enjoying the game. I blinked, totally caught off guard by their boldness. I wasn't used to anyone, let alone five-year-olds, talking to me like that. "Uh, I… apologize for that, boys," I said, unsure of how to navigate this awkward and unexpected situation. It was as if the boys just didn't have any mental filters. To my surprise, the twins just laughed. "It's okay, it was like an adventure!" Tyler said, shrugging as if being kidnapped was no big deal to him. "Yea, it was so cool to be taken to a big pretty land surrounded by werewolf soldiers and mummy's friends. This place is cool." Dylan agreed and I found myself smiling. Their energy was chaotic but infectious. "Well, I'm glad you see it that way boys. How about I show you both around the pack sometime? We can make it a real adventure." Dylan's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? That would be awesome!" Melissa, who had been silently watching the exchange, quickly stepped in with a frown. "Boys please, don't bother the Alpha," she said, her tone was firm but gentle. "Remember, he's a very busy Alpha, not your uncle." But the twins were unfazed by her logic. "But we want him to be our uncle too!" they said in unison, "Sir will you be our uncle too please?" their begged with hopeful expressions. I glanced at Melissa, who looked embarrassed and torn between maintaining her composure and restraining her sons. Before she could decide, I stepped in. "Do you boys really want me to be your uncle?" I asked, crouching down to their level. "Yes!" they chorused with enthusiasm. "Like your other uncle back at home?" I said daringly. "Yess!" The boys innocently shouted but Melissa quickly shook her head and I noticed she was blushing now. It seemed she didn't want me to be as close to her as their Uncle Sam was. That hurt me more than I would have expected. The boys though, kept innocently begging for me to be their Uncle so Melissa finally sighed, clearly outnumbered. "Fine," she relented with a small smile playing on her lips. "But you two need to be respectful and call him Alpha, okay?" The twins nodded, though I had a feeling they'd slip up on purpose. I didn't mind that at all. In fact, the idea of being as close to them as their 'uncle' felt strangely… appealing. As if on cue, Dylan sat up, "Uncle! Uncle Knox! remember you planned to take us to the cinema right?" He asked and I nodded, then he turned to his mother with a grin. "And guess what? Mom wants to come too! Isn't that cool?" He asked and my heart skipped more than several beats. The thought of spending time with Melissa and the boys, like a family, was something I hadn't allowed myself to consider until now. It's not that I didn't want to, it was just that I didn't think Melissa would even let me. "Is that so?" I asked with a fake casualty, then I turned to Melissa, trying to check her reaction. She blushed and her gaze flicked away from mine. "I'm still thinking about it," she grumbled softly, and a soft blush appeared on her cheeks yet again. My chest Immediately filled with warmth and excitement when I pictured us sitting in the Cinema together. My arms would be around Melissa while she fed the boys popcorn. It would be perfect . "Well, I hope you decide to come," I said, trying to keep my tone light even though pure excitement was pumping through my blood. Our eyes locked, and I felt something pass between us, but Melissa suddenly cleared her throat, and quickly changed the subject. "It's time to go, Knox," she said, turning toward the door, which I hurriedly opened for her. I let her pass before following because I wanted to take a minute to admire her beautiful curves as she walked infront of me. Everything single thing about her seemed to draw me in, making me forget about the all the problems waiting for me outside the door. As I was about to step outside, I caught Tyler and Dylan watching me with knowing grins. "What?" I asked in surprise and their grins widened. "Uncle Knox, are you staring at Mom's butt?" Tyler asked, his voice was innocent but his words anything but. I nearly tripped over air, and my face heat up as I struggled to maintain my composure. "No! I—uh—let's just get going, alright?" I stammered, feeling flustered in a way I hadn't felt in many years. The twins giggled, clearly delighted by my discomfort, while Melissa glanced back at me, in confusion. I sighed inwardly, realizing that spending time with these boys was going to be more challenging— and more chaotic—than I'd anticipated.