“I know.” He smiled widely. “I’m not jealous, don’t worry. I’m just being a nit ‘cause I’m gonna miss you while you’re gone, is all.”
I stopped walking and gave him a big hug. “I know. I’ll miss you, too.”
As we drew closer to the border, tall pines dotted the landscape until their canopy blocked out the overbearing sun. The earth turned rich and cool with a light carpet of dry pine needles that felt soft beneath my feet.
A particularly tall pine marked the official border. Three wolves with West Pack scent flanked the tree, looking in our direction like they had been waiting for us to arrive.
Then I noticed they weren’t alone. Behind them, blending into the shadows, was a massive black wolf with familiar amber-brown eyes.
Eric.
My step quickened until I fell under the shadow of the tall pine. Ramsay caught up with me, eyeing the West Pack guards.
“I know you’re not in any danger, but I still feel protective over you,” he mumbled to me.
I smiled. “I’ll be fine. Besides, I know where to find you--and you, me.”
Ramsay leaned down and nuzzled my cheek with his. When the guards glanced away to give us a moment of privacy, Ramsay kissed me. His tongue slipped into my mouth and sent a ripple of pleasure down my spine.
“Don’t make me horny before I have to leave,” I mumbled with a smirk.
He gently bit my lower lip before drawing away. “Sorry. Just can’t help myself around you.”
The guards parted as the black wolf stepped forward. The next moment, he’d shifted to human form. He stood tall with his chin held high, but the rest of his body language was open and welcoming.
“Hello Matheson,” Eric said. He nodded to Ramsay. “Good to see you again, Ramsay.”
Ramsay didn’t make any smart remarks. He just smiled before handing the bags over. “You too.”
Before Eric could take them, one of the guards ran over, shifted, and took the bags from Ramsay instead. Eric watched him do it, but didn’t say anything.
“I hope you enjoy your time here,” Eric said to me. “If you’re ready, let’s get settled.”
I gave Ramsay one last hug before going to Eric’s side.
“Don’t forget,” Eric said in a lower voice, looking at Ramsay. “You’re welcome here, too.”
Ramsay seemed a bit surprised that he specifically brought it up, but he nodded. “Thanks, man. Bye, Mathe.”
With one last grin, he shifted into wolf form and took off in an easy trot, his red-brown tail swaying behind him.
Eric cleared his throat and offered his arm to me. “Shall we?”
* * *
Compared to South Pack,which was full of open clearings and always took the sun’s beatings, West Pack was cool and shadowy. The abundance of pine trees filled the air with their fresh scent, and the pleasant smell of damp soil always tickled my nose.
Part of the guard entourage followed Eric and I through the territory, while others I had seen remained behind, likely permanent border guards.
“Why do you keep the borders so well protected?” I asked.
“Our border with South Pack isn’t highly guarded,” Eric replied. “The North Pack border is more so. The outermost border is the biggest priority.”
“Oh,” I said simply. “But… why?”
He glanced at me. “Doesn’t East Pack patrol its borders?”
“It does, but not like here.”
