“Here’s something I’ve learned,” he began in earnest. “You can’t do anything about gossip. We all make mistakes. It’s what you do after that matters. If anyone’s to blame, it’s the wolf who had the balls to seduce the Packmaster’s daughter behind closed doors. Even if you wanted it, you were too young to understand the consequences. He used his position to coerce and mislead you. It’s not easy being the Packmaster’s child. That much I know. People take advantage and judge you harder for every mistake.”
When I shivered, he held me close until the heat from his chest warmed me.
“How old are you?” I asked.
“Fifty or so.”
“You look it.”
I giggled when he tickled my ribs. Tak appeared in his thirties since wolves age slowly. A number really didn’t matter in terms of compatibility in relationships or friendships, but it was a way to find out how seasoned they were. One could tell a lot about a man’s life choices based on his age.
“What are you going to tell your father about my store?” I asked.
“I’m going to tell him the truth.”
“Which is what?”
“That I’ve never seen anyone honor his gemstones the way you have. You don’t cheapen them. I noticed how you carefully arranged each piece in and around the counter. His name is prominently displayed, and I know that’s not in your contract. I’m also going to let him know that you’re stingy about who you sell them to.”
I laughed. “You didn’t really want that necklace.”
“Didn’t I?”
I traced the lines in his large wrists. He was a giant, and I should have felt small in his arms. But Tak had a way of making me feel important and valued. “Thank you for sharing your story with me,” I said respectfully. “It means a lot that you trusted me with the truth.”
Tak had probably shared that story a dozen times with his tribe, but something told me he’d never broken down and revealed his suffering. His anguish didn’t make him weak in my eyes, and his tears revealed his strength of heart, allowing me to see his courage and fortitude.
Tak didn’t answer; he simply hugged me tighter against him and kissed my head. I also appreciated that he’d given me the truth about the conflict between him and Lakota.
“How long are you going to stay in town?” I dared to ask.
“I’ll stay until Lakota returns, but only if you scratch my back.”
I smiled and didn’t give him the satisfaction of an answer.
Though I had only known Tak a short time, I wanted to spend the whole week in his arms… just as we were. But my thoughts were drifting, and I realized I couldn’t even stay until dawn. My car was still parked outside Howlers, and I had to open the store early, which meant going home to shower and change.
But for the next few hours, I allowed myself to be a woman held by a man who thought me brave and beautiful.
Chapter 16
After the harrowing ordeal at Howlers two days ago, my life returned to a normal routine. Though Tak had promised to stay in town, I hadn’t spoken to him. My hours at the store were long, and by the time I made it home, all I wanted to do was sleep. As much as I missed his company, I needed the space to clear my head. Inviting him to sleep over behind my brother’s back would have been a mistake. Maybe Tak understood the position it put me in, or maybe he didn’t want to pursue me as anything more than a lover. But either way, he was still around. I’d glimpsed him walking by the window every so often, and I’d spotted his wolf in the shadows last night when I closed the store later than expected.
I slumped down in my chair and admired the view out the living room window. Dusk approached, the colors changing from burnt orange and gold to a hypnotizing shade of indigo.
Instead of sending a message, I found Melody’s number in my contact list and only had to wait through two rings. “How’s everything going up there?”
Melody sounded like herself again. “We’re having a blast. I’ve never eaten so much food in my life. His dad made the most amazing lemon cake. There must have been some inside joke I didn’t get, but the cake was scrumptious. Why didn’t you tell me how awesome their home is? I love how they each have their own floor. It’s so different from living with a pack of wolves. I practically had to make reservations to use the bathroom at my old place.”
I chuckled softly. “Did Lakota’s parents have a coronary over your hair?”
She snorted. “Okay, maybe I overreacted just a little bit. They accepted me the second I walked through the door. They’re so easy to talk to that it’s like having a second family. My parents are impressed with the building and the way they live together like a pack. Did you know his uncle’s a Shifter?”
“Of course. Who do you think carved the wolf totem in our store? I knew everything would work out just fine.”
“I guess if it wasn’t my hair I would have been nervous about something else. Meeting the family and all. By the way, your dad’s butting heads with Justus. They were arguing this afternoon. Something about which is faster, a Ferrari or Porsche. Then they both took off in their cars. I thought for sure their mates were going to lock them out for the night.” Melody laughed, hinting there was more to the story. “Anyhow, it’s not the same here without you.”
I steered my gaze up to the heavens. “I wish I could have come, but we’ll make the trip another time when things settle down with the store. I’m so glad everyone’s getting along and having a good time. That’s all I wanted for you. Maybe we can invite everyone down for a peace party.”
