“It’s really pretty.” I spy adorable, multi-colored houses.
“The town square is up that way.” Riven’s finger is directed to my right. “That’s where all the restaurants and stores are.”
“There’s not much here,” Hale says. “But we do have one of the best pancake houses in the state.”
“Fuck yeah.” Ezra licks his lips. “I need some of Pearl’s pancakes stat. Since Delilah’s muffins, I’ve been craving something sweet.”
The pack devoured her muffins in one bite apiece within the first hour of the journey with zero difficulty at all.
“Maybe later,” Hale replies.
“So where are we heading?” I ask as we continue past the buzz of the harbor, swapping the kitsch streets for denser woodland. “I assumed you lived in town.”
“We live in a cabin just outside of it.” Hale continues driving. “It gives us a little space from the townsfolk.”
“If you think the SVU rumor mill works fast, Rose Harbor is on another level,” Calder chimes in. “By now, everyone will already know we’ve come home.”
“Did you all live here together before coming to SVU?”
“Yep. It’s close to the city, so we could easily commute for work,” Calder answers my question. “We all liked being here.”
“Look up there.” Riven gestures toward a break in the woodland as we climb higher. We’re surrounded by tall trees, rolling hills, and aside from an apple picking farm that I spotted some miles back, I haven’t seen any other houses for ages. “See?”
I squint, unable to determine what I should be looking at until a rooftop emerges from out of nowhere.
“I thought you said you lived in a cabin.”
I watch in awe as a sprawling building comes into view. I expected something similar to the cabins close to SVU that you can rent during heats, not this. The front of the house is a glassy architectural feat with windows that wrap around its edges. It’s set over two floors with solar panels on the roof and an extensive outdoor seating area. It’s a blend between a Beverly Hills mansion, a mountain retreat, and a greenhouse.
“Well, it started as a cabin.” Hale grins as the truck rattles up a gravel drive before coming to a stop. “We might have made some improvements.”
Ezra winds down the window then inhales deeply. “Smells like home.”
Riven hurries around to open the door for me, fallen leaves drifting around my ankles as I step out. The air smells amazing, of wet earth and fresh leaves after a rainstorm.
“Let me take that for you.” Riven takes Larry from my hands. The little guy is still asleep in his carrier, lulled into a deep slumber during the drive.
Calder’s already busy removing my luggage from the bed. After refusing his help to put it in, apparently, he’s not letting me try to remove it myself.
“I’m going for a walk.” Ezra stretches, bending from side to side in a way that shows off his lean muscles in his light tee. “Check out the fungi.”
“Already?” Hale frowns. “But we just got here. We need to show Kady the house.”
“I’m sure three alphas can handle a house tour,” Ezra replies, striding away into the ferns.
I fiddle with the hem of my coat. “Are you sure he’s okay with me being here?”
“Of course.” Hale is quick to try to reassure me. “We invited you. Ezra just likes his own space. He spends most of the time hiking and looking for plants when we’re home.”
I chew on my inner cheek, still wondering whether I’ve made a mistake.
“Come on.” Calder nudges me toward the door, lugging my bag behind him. “This way.”
We walk into a spacious hallway, where there are a row of coats hanging and muddy boots lined up.
“Let me take that.” Riven helps me out of my jacket, hanging out with the others before leading me into the living area.
My jaw drops. Despite its cavernous size, the interior is as impressive as the outside. The humongous living area with plush sofas, a hammock, theater-size TV, and fireplace create a cozy space. There are a few blankets messily slung over thefurniture, game controllers abandoned on the floor, and books left propped open on the table. It looks lived in, homey. The high ceilings and tremendous views from the windows make it feel like we’re sitting in the forest.
