“I understand,” I said. “But I didn’t bring anymoney…”
Flint furrowed his brow. “I’m not letting you pay for anything. I’ll be the one buyingthem.”
“Flint!” I gasped. “You can’t dothat!”
“I can, and I will,” he growled, but he was wearing a good-naturedsmile.
“Yay! Free clothes!” Casey yelled, throwing her hands happily into theair.
I sighed. There was no winning with these two. “Fine.But let me do something foryou, Flint. I don’t want to be aburden.”
“You’re not a burden, so don’t ever think of yourself like that,” he muttered. “But I understand how you feel.” He stopped and took a moment to think. “I’ll tell you what. If I buy you and Casey new outfits tomorrow, and you start a herb and vegetable garden in the yard. How isthat?”
“A garden?” I echoed. “I’d love to,but…”
“What is it?” Flint askedgently.
“I’ve never gardened before,” I admitted. “It wasn’t allowed in my old pack. Omegas weren’t allowed to do - well, anything, basically. We were only good for one thing, and expected to just sit there and look pretty all thetime.”
His eyes widened in surprise, but his face eased back into a gentle, sympathetic expression. “That’s okay, I’ll teach you. I promise it’s easy, even for an alpha like me. Is thatalright?”
A burst of affection bloomed in my chest. I’d never had anyone - especially not an alpha - take precious time out of his day to teach meanything.
“Of course that’s alright,” I said. “Thank you so much, Flint. I’d lovethat.”
He grunted and looked away. “Anytime.”
The surroundings grew quiet as we got farther away from the town. The sun descended behind the trees, and on the other end of the sky the half moon hung low. A chilly breeze ruffled through my clothes and Ishivered.
Flint glanced at me before he stopped and took off his jacket, then draped it around my shoulders without a word. Before I could thank him, he looked away and walked quickly ahead. I stood there in shock. Did that really justhappen?
I caught up to Flint’s side and was about to thank him when I realized his face was staring ahead and his mouth was tight with anger. I followed his gaze to see what he was looking at, and thengasped.
Standing there in front of Flint’s front porch, waiting for us, was an alpha from Scarlet Ridgepack.
