“Thought you might like to stop and listen to the sounds of the woods before moving on.” They stood there for a moment enjoying the sound of the running water, then he asked, “Ready?”
Rowan only glanced his way for a second before nodding, then pulling back from the rock wall and heading towards the other end of the bridge.
For the most part, the trail they followed was relatively even, though there were some gentle curves around stone outcroppings and a few dips and rises, but they still walked all the way to the lake which separated their homes from the resort the Whitfell family owned.
They emerged from the forest into a wide clearing that had been there as far back as Mikhail could remember—most likely it was one of his ancestors who had created this private spot. In the middle of the clearing, there was a large log gazebo with a fire pit surrounded by rockers and benches.
It was one of his favourite spots in Whitfell.
“Wow,” Rowan breathed, his voice breaking the silence, “it’s beautiful out here. I haven’t walked this way before.”
Mikhail nodded. He knew his mate had yet to see their lake since he had followed Rowan out on all his walks.
“Mmm.” Mikhail watched his mate as he took in the view. “When I was a pup, my parents would let us run all the way here, then we would get a fire going and warm up, sometimes as wolves and sometimes like this.”
His voice trailed off when he realised what he’d said. He knew Rowan knew they were shifters, but he wasn’t sure how he felt about it.
“I mean…” His brow crinkled because he wasn’t sure exactly how to finish that sentence.
“I bet you were a cute as a pup.” When he glanced over at Rowan, it was to find his eyes on him.
It was the last thing he’d expected to hear from Rowan, and it made him smile.
“Maybe I’ll get a chance to show the photos to you someday.”
Rowan walked into the gazebo and lowered himself to the rocker in the middle that faced the lake. He stared at the still waters for a moment while Mikhail was trying to come up with something to say, but then his mate spoke.
“Maybe.”
Mikhail was probably reading too much into it, but for some reason, it gave him hope that perhaps his mate was possibly open to them. It could be that Axel was right… he just needed to be patient. And maybe they could take their time to get to know each other. Mik wanted to know everything about Rowan.
“Axel mentioned you’re a nurse.” Mik walked over and lowered himself to the rocker that gave him the best view of Rowan without directly facing him.
His mate leaned back in his seat and there was a small smile on his face. “I am... and a midwife too.”
“And should I take it from the smile on your face that you love your job?”
Rowan tilted his head to the side without actually moving his body so they were facing each other. “I do. Very much.”
Mikhail’s lips curved into a smile he couldn’t contain. Axel was right. Apparently, this was a good topic to draw his mate out.
“Did you always want to be one?” Mik asked. “A nurse, I mean.”
Rowan stared at him, and Mik could almost see his mate’s brain working like he was trying to decide how much to tell him. The ‘should I, shouldn’t I’ sign was flashing in neon, and Mik couldn’t help the little prayer to the goddess it landed on ‘I should.’
Or maybe Rowan was wondering if Mikhail was even really interested. Rowan might not have realised it yet, but when it came to him, Mikhail would always be interested.
Mik didn’t have to wait long before he was rewarded.
“I’m not sure, to be honest. I guess after I finished college, it seemed like the way to go.” Rowan’s voice was thoughtful.
“But Axel said you always wanted to be a nurse.” Mikhail’s brow crinkled as he tried to recall the conversation, and then he nodded. “I remember he said you loved it so much you became a midwife.
He was watching Rowan closely, so he saw the slight smile that appeared on his face, although it wasn’t quite a happy smile. It was more pensive than anything.
“I do love my job, and I love helping bring new life into the world.” This time, when Rowan spoke, there was a definite smile. “Babies are adorable, and I can’t imagine what it’s like to have that connection with another soul, feel them inside you.” Rowan held his gaze for a moment and added, “I’d love being a part of that.”
Mikhail held himself back from pointing out that Rowan didn’t have to imagine that. He could actually go through it himself… they could go through it together when they had their own child. Instead, he asked, “But it wasn’t what you wanted to be when you grew up?”
