Work was busy, both my job at the resort and I had ten private clients. After being in the city and being a witness at the trial, I was content to stay home.
“A babymoon. I’ve spoken to Antonia and she can spare you for a few days.”
He asked about my other clients, and I was on top of the work, though I might not be if I took off for a vacation.
“Mmmm, maybe.”
But when Riven got excited, telling me about a lake with hot springs on pack land, my objections fell away. Being pregnant, my body ached in places I didn’t know I had, even though I was only six months along and hot springs would be great for my back.
“How about this weekend?” He raised a brow as he studied my face. “The full moon is Saturday. Maybe... it could be a chance for you to bond more with my wolf.”
Though I'd seen Riven partially shifted on Christmas Eve, and in wolf form many times since coming back, it was always a hello and goodbye before and after a shift—not that his beast could speak to me.
“I’d like that.”
An hour later we were at the doctor’s, and Dr. Allardipronounced me and the baby in perfect health, though she reminded me to take frequent breaks during the hike and to stay hydrated. She didn’t mention liver, and I didn’t ask about yelling at the moon.
After warming the gel, she ran the probe over my belly and asked if we wanted to find out the sex, but we preferred to be surprised.
“See you next month.” She printed off the image.
I was regrettingmy decision about our three days away when Riven’s alarm went off at five in the morning. But he insisted I’d love the hot springs, so I showered before dozing during the one-hour drive.
“How do you remember where everything is?” The pack land was riddled with trails and small tracks big enough for a car.
My mate told me he and the other pack members never got lost because of scent markers. “Plus, I've run through these woods since I was a child.”
The road ended at a small clearing, just large enough for our vehicle, and a small trail disappeared into the forest. He might have to carry me if it was a long way or I’d stay in the car for three nights and he could dip himself into the hot springs.
“It’s not far, about a hundred yards.”
That was manageable if I hung onto his arm so I didn’t trip.
I no longer jumped or hid behind him when I glimpsed wildlife in the trees or if a wolf howled, though I might not be so brave if I was alone.
The trail opened onto a small beach of tiny pebbles and beyond stretched a lake. My mate had led me to many places on pack land, and each one was more stunning than the last.
“It’s beautiful.” The water shimmered in the sun and reminded me of glass.
He pointed out the hot springs around a rocky outcrop, but he grabbed my shoulders and turned me forty-five degrees. Turned out he’d snuck up here yesterday and set up a campsite.
Camping? Sleeping in a tent and peeing behind a bush wasn’t what I’d planned when I was six months along. While he hadn’t fibbed about our accommodation, Riven had hinted we’d be staying in a cabin.
But instead of a rickety tent, my mate had constructed a shelter furnished with a bed, a thick duvet, battery-powered lanterns, a small stove, and a portable heater for the cool mountain nights. Some distance away was a portapotty.
“This isn't camping.” I surveyed the setup. “This is glamping.”
“My pregnant mate deserves the best.” He wrapped his arms around me from behind and rested his hands on my belly. “And the temperature in the springs is not too hot for the baby. I checked.”
As I slid into the water, the mineral-rich watersoothed my aches, and I told my mate we should come here more often. My eyelids became heavy, and I rested my head on Riven as the tension in my shoulders melted away. After being office-bound for days, this was what I needed.
We soaked until just before sunset, and my fingers and toes were pruney when we got out. Riven refused to let me help with dinner. He cooked a stew, made bread in the campfire, and had brought a small container of the apple crumble I’d been craving from the lodge kitchen.
“Yum.” Maybe we should come glamping more often.
The full moon appeared over the tree tops, and Riven lifted his face toward it. “My wolf hovers close to the surface on a full moon, especially here, away from other people.”
I encouraged him to shift because the purpose of the trip was for me to bond more with his beast and for Riven to run under the full moon. He kissed my cheek and stripped off his clothes. I relished watching him transform, unlike that first time on Christmas Eve. Fur sprouted across his skin, a tail appeared and extended, and his canines elongated and glinted in the moonlight.
