The house wasn’t large, but it had everything we needed.
There were two bedrooms, an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area, a bathroom that had been updated recently, and large windows that looked out to the woods. All the homes in our Longreach Pack overlooked the forest, making it easy for members to shift.
“Whatcha thinking?”
Stan was in the middle of the living area in a familiar pose, with one hand on his protruding belly. Morning sickness was in the rearview, and he was enjoying the pregnancy.
“I can’t believe this is happening. A baby on the way, a detour to an adjacent career, and you being able to commute when you’re not traveling.”
I placed a hand on his over the bump.
“It’s all I ever dreamed of and more.” He’d told me how after working a double shift in the ER, he’d never expected tocombine a simpler life with what he loved and doing good in the community.
My wolf was half awake, with one eye open, but he was already dreaming of a rabbit he’d eat this evening.
My mate patted his belly.
“Is the baby awake?”
“No, our little one is sleeping peacefully. My fox is eager to shift later.”
Both our beasts had been restless when we were looking at pack houses. There had been so much change in our lives and they were reluctant for any more. But when we explained how this move would allow us to live together when I wasn’t traveling, they calmed.
“Ready to make this house our home, babe?”
He nodded.
We’d rented a truck and packed Stan’s possessions. My stuff would stay in town because I’d crash there if I was too tired to drive the hour home. And I’d need it for early-morning practice and late games.
I lugged furniture and boxes while Stan directed me where to place each item. By afternoon the living room was done, and I was on the floor assembling a new bookcase.
Stan’s couch was against the wall, and my coffee table that had been in storage was in front of it. He put books on the completed shelves while I unpacked the boxes of kitchen utensils and crockery.
We made the bed together, and the scent of my mate’s favorite fabric softener wafted off them. Stan lay down, and I told him to stay there while I made sandwiches.
His eyes were closed when I brought in the lunch, but his belly rumbled and he sniffed.
“You used my favorite mustard.”
“You’d think I’d forget something like that?” Not in a million years.
I loved how he always ate his sandwiches in small bites, savoring each morsel, whereas I chomped down on mine and swallowed, having barely tasted the ham and cheese.
“Have you always eaten a sandwich like that?”
He side-eyed me. “Clarissa used to tell me when I was a kid that I reminded her of a rabbit-shifter friend.”
That was cute.
He picked at the crumbs on his plate. “I was worried that being a fox on pack land would be awkward at best and maybe problematic.”
This was the first time he’d voiced fears about being othered in the pack.
“I hope no one has made you feel as though you didn't belong.”
“No, my worries were for nothing. Everyone has been so welcoming.”
Though my mate’s situation wasn’t common, our pack believed that nothing was more sacrosanct than the mate bond.
