“Yes. I like how it makes me feel, I guess,” I admitted quietly. “She likes bright, happy sounding songs.”
“That gives us a place to start,” he replied. “Personally, I’m a big fan of classic rock. I’ll introduce you to some of the greats when we get back. Maybe you’ll find something in there you like too.”
“That would be nice,” I agreed.
We got quiet again, just walking through the woods. I knew it was my fault. I was giving him nothing to work with.
I cleared my throat, glancing at him. “I like to read when I get the chance.”
“Really?” he replied. “What kind of books do you like to read?” “Usually, it’s a lot about war and battle tactics to keep me sharp, but…uh, but my favorite books to read are…uh, romances,” I admitted with a blush.
There were a couple of romance novels stashed under my pallet back at Thunder Moon. Sunny had told me to donate them to the library when she’d finished them, but I’d kept them, reading them in secret whenever I got the chance.
“There’s nothing wrong with a little romance,” he remarked with a smile. *** “There it is,” he exclaimed as he hurried forward.
I gasped at the sight before me. A tall tower made of large natural stones, meticulously stacked together, stood before us, rising high above the treetops like it could touch the sky.
“Wow!” I breathed.
“The watchtower has been around since Harvest Moon was first established. We’re actually near the pack’s original borders, but obviously, we’ve grown a lot since then. From the top, you can see our territory stretching out in all directions. It’s breathtaking,” he explained.
He took my hand, leading me toward the arched doorway.
“Are we actually going to go inside?” I asked as I stared at the multicolored stonework. “Am I even allowed?”
“Of course,” he chuckled. “We didn’t come all this way just to look at it from here. I wanted you to get a bird’s-eye view of the grounds since you missed out on the pack tour.”
My cheeks heated.That is really thoughtful. I can’t believe he did this just for me.
“The entire building is made of stone pulled from the pack lands. It doesn't serve much of a defensive purpose any longer, but we’ve maintained it because it’s part of our history and the view from the top is unmatched.”
He kept a hold of my hand as he led me up the winding staircase, our fingers intertwined. I didn’t mind. I was growing more and more comfortable with his touch. I actually felt safe to be myself around him.
I gasped when we finally stepped out onto the viewing platform. It wrapped around the tower, offering a spectacular view from any angle.
It was stunning. I stared across the land over the treetops. I could see for miles in every direction.
I can only imagine what the view must be like in the autumn when all the trees change their leaves. I bet it’s spectacular.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“It’s beautiful,” I admitted softly, my tone full of reverence.
“Good,” he sighed happily as though my response had lifted a weight from his shoulders. “I’m really glad you like it.”
“You have a very beautiful territory, Alpha… I mean, Caelan.”
He shifted on his feet. “It could be your territory too, if you wanted it to be,” he commented quietly, almost as though he wasn’t certain whether or not he wanted me to hear him.
I forgot myself and faced him, my eyes locking with his for the first time. They were a kaleidoscope of colors. Greens, tans, browns, blues, and grays all blended together beautifully within his beckoning gaze.
I inhaled sharply as a sudden and intense feeling rushed through me. My heart pounded in my chest, and I forgot how to breathe for a moment as something inside me ignited. It felt as though an invisible tether had snapped into place, tying my soul to his.
The wordminerang through my mind, intensifying the longer we stared at one another. I couldn’t bring myself to turn away even though I knew I should.
What does this mean? This feeling? What was it Taffy said? The mate bond cements into place the first time you look directly into each other’s eyes. Does that mean… But it can’t be. It’s not possible, right?
“We’re m-mates,” I stammered.
