Wow! I couldn’t imagine how hard that was for my uncle to say.
“And Indigo, you made a decision to remove yourself and not let your attraction to my nephew cloud your judgment. I admire your strength.”
“Thank you… sir.” My mate nibbled his bottom lip and added, “Uncle Lionel.”
“And now we have a baby on the way. New life is always something to celebrate.” He left as abruptly as he arrived.
When we were alone, my mate did a jiggly dancearound the room. “I've been back less than an hour and I already have an apology of sorts from your uncle and a job offer? Woo-hoo. Go me!”
We high-fived and walked into the kitchen. “The pack takes care of its own.”
“So I’m pack now?”
“You’re the Alpha Omega Apparent.”
“That’s a mouthful.” He saluted. “Alpha Omega Apparent, reporting for duty, sir.”
I flicked his butt with a dishtowel before unpacking the groceries we'd picked up on the drive from the airport.
My mate leaned on the counter. “What exactly does shifter accounting entail?”
I pulled out ingredients for dinner. “The same as regular accounting, but with a few differences.” I explained about moon cycle payroll adjustments and other shifter-related expenses, such as pack tax calculations. I began chopping vegetables. “Nothing you couldn't handle.”
“Moon cycle payroll adjustments?”
“Shifters who work certain jobs get hazard pay during full moons. The pull to shift is stronger then, requiring more control.” I added the vegetables to a pan. “Those who work in town and interact with humans get a monthly bonus.”
“That... kinda makes sense.” Indigo tapped his lips. “What about pack taxes?”
“Each pack maintains land, which requires resources to defend and manage. Pack members contribute basedon income and usage.” I picked up a slice of red pepper and popped it in my mouth. “It's similar to property tax.”
“Fascinating.”
I hardly dared hope that he’d be at home with me and the pack and the baby. The more comfortable Indigo was with his life here, the less he’d miss what he’d left behind. That was the theory, anyway.
We ate dinner on the deck despite the cold, wrapped in blankets with the outdoor heaters on, and my mate rubbed his foot on mine. “Guess what?”
“I can’t begin to imagine.”
“I've missed this place.”
“The mountains get into your blood.” I reached for his hand and brought it to my lips. “They call you back.”
“Trust me, I adore the scenery and the people, but it's you. You’re my home.”
My heart expanded, and I was convinced it was going to explode.
“I can't ask you to leave here.” He outstretched his hand toward the mountains. “This is where your pack is.”
“And while I want to, more than anything, I can’t expect you to leave the city and give up everything you’ve worked toward.” The words hurt, but we were equals in this relationship, and I wasn’t going to pull the alpha card.
“So where does that leave us?” His voice wavered.
“At an impasse?”
“Or maybe at a beginning. What if I kept the apartment in the city, at least for now, and worked part-time at the lodge and part-time remotely for clients in the city?”
“That sounds like a plan.”
