“Look, I never meant to lie?—”
“No need to explain.” Tak twirled the flower between his fingers. “The man he described is not the same man I know. You work hard, look after your packmates, and treat our women with nothing but kindness and respect. They talk about you.”
Archer’s face flushed. “What do they say?”
“Needn’t worry. It’s all good.” Tak canted his head. “They tell me that despite your flirtatious ways with ladies in town, you are a brother to them. You watch over them in public. I listen. I pay attention. I’ve heard you asking women if they’re mated. I’ve seen you walk away from the ones who are.” He flicked the flower onto the grass and squared his shoulders. “What really provokes me is knowing this man who took your arm is still trying to ruin your life.”
Shocked by the news, Archer rubbed his face. “I had no idea.”
“You paid more than what was owed, but alphas like him have egos like peaches—easily bruised.”
“You should know the reason behind what happened.”
“Are you that same man?”
Archer shook his head.
“Then I don’t care. He told me his side, but all that was in the past.”
“What did you say to him?”
A smile touched Tak’s lips. “I told him he can lick my horse’sass. And if he ever calls my home again or further slanders your name, I’ll put a knife in his cock.”
Archer blinked in surprise.
“He does own chickens, doesn’t he?” Tak tossed his head back and laughed. “I can see how he might have misunderstood my innocent threat. We’ll have to get over ourlanguage barrier.”
When Tak stepped up to the fence again, Archer faced him. “But what do you really think about it all?”
After a heavy sigh, Tak said, “I don’t know what I would have done in his shoes, but I trust Hope. We have a bond. If she’s ever strayed, I missed the signs. I would be more broken if she fell in love with someone else, but that’s just me. Did those women love you? Did you deceive their hearts?”
“No.”
“You paid for your sins, more than you deserved. I too have paid a heavy price for my selfishness. You can’t undo the past. You have to learn from your mistakes and find a way to better those around you. There’s no room on this land for ghosts.”
Archer nervously scratched his neck. “Are you going to tell anyone?”
“It’ll stay between us. This is your life now. I don’t want that shadow haunting you.”
Archer stumbled when Cecilia’s mare playfully nudged him and then trotted off. He smiled at the way she briefly looked back and whinnied.
Tak climbed the fence and sat on top. “Have you not considered why your soulmate is a woman who was victimized by someone she trusted? The spirits or fates or whatever you want to call them guide us in our lives. They teach us. And they put us in positions where we can help others. She’s on a healing path you’ve already taken, and you can guide her down that path. You can walk it together. When she’s restored, she’ll be able to share that gift with another.”
Lakota opened a gate and led Luna, Tak’s white mare, into the field.
Tak watched on with interest as the two animals introduced themselves. Then he chuckled, his countenance alight with joy. “They’ll get along well. See how their ears are relaxed and heads low? Like they are old friends. Luna needed a companion, and now she has a friend for life. It’s fate.”
The black mare nipped at the white one, and they gave chase through the field. As he watched them gallop across the grass before slowing down to graze, Archer beamed with joy. Even the pride he’d once felt with his archery paled in comparison to the knowledge that he would share his life with this amazing woman. That they would have adventures together and share dreams.
He slipped his hand beneath his left sleeve and touched the tattoo. Cecilia was the embodiment of courage and freedom. She was his heart in an open field.
Once Tak learnedthat Archer and I had made promises, he gave us his blessing, and I moved into Archer’s room. Our first night sleeping together was absolute bliss. Archer held me until we fell asleep. Later in the night, I’d woken up and found him rolled onto his side. So I spooned him from behind. My arm hugging his chest, my face nestled against his warm neck.
Snuggling was the best.
After a long day with my mare meeting the pack, I went upstairs to change. My animal had never experienced unfettered access to free land, and while roaming around today with Luna, her contentment left a peaceful feeling in my soul.
Archer had placed a fresh pear—my Shifter craving—on the windowsill. The bedside table also had a jar of strawberry suckers. Those thoughtful gestures were why I continued falling deeper inlove. His thoughtfulness knew no bounds. He never sought praise for his kindness or created a reward-and-punishment system.
