We hadn’t really talked about that. But he had a point. My mate changed into a polar bear. He wouldn’t exactly blend in in the city. “Yeah, I’m going to stay wherever he is.”
“Just make sure wherever that is it’s safe.” It didn’t feel like a threat. It felt more like a regret, maybe something he wished he’d said to his brother.
We chatted for a few more minutes and then hung up. I grabbed my small garbage can to take outside, the smell of the lunch trash starting to get to me. I didn’t want to wait for housekeeping, not when I could easily take it out myself. Getting used to my nose leading the way was going to take some adjusting, but it really had been lately, especially today.
I stepped outside, the cool air slapping against my cheek. Could I really live here in this climate?
“Afternoon!” Someone I’d met at Mike’s Place my first night waved at me as they walked by with their dog.
Yeah, I think I probably could. I think I probably could.
“Afternoon.” I waved back, and as they passed by, my mate’s vehicle came into view.
I couldn’t wait to be back in his arms.
15
ASHER
“Your adopted family, the wolf pack, doesn’t trust humans, just as your den doesn’t. Have I got that right?” Weston was staring out at the large expanse of snow and drumming his fingers on the armrest. I reached out to squeeze his thigh.
“They base that opinion on their past experiences, and until now, they’ve had no reason to change it.”
Growing up, my pack never went near the den because of what Kipp had done to me. Now that he was dead, and I’d been the one to avenge the hurt he’d wrought on me and Father, this was a new beginning, one where I had a human mate.
And going to the site of the incident, which I’d considered doing with Weston, was no longer necessary.
“It’s not surprising because humans are in the process of destroying the planet. Not sure why any animal would trust us to keep them and their habitat safe.”
He sighed. “Fun fact.” Weston shifted his butt into the corner of the seat so he was looking at me as I drove. “While I can’t speakof the dynamics in a shifter wolf pack—and from what you’ve told me, hierarchy is a thing—wild wolves are more of a family unit. Leadership is more situational than hierarchical.”
I’d never studied a wild wolf pack because they stayed away from us because of the human scent tangled in with our wolves. But I was a little embarrassed that my human mate had to point that out. Perhaps having a human life partner would open my eyes to new experiences, not just with humans but with the animals who shared this land.
“Nearly there.” I pointed out where I’d built a treehouse with Anita and the place where I’d first shifted after being brought to safety.
“Were you othered by the pack?”
I hadn’t been, but that was possibly because I was so young when I arrived.
“Not at all.”
“Here we are.” I pulled up in front of my cabin, and we carried our bags inside.
“Oh, this is cute.”
I tried to see it through Weston’s eyes. It didn’t look much different from Zach’s place, with a fireplace and plenty of well-thumbed books. But I also had indoor plants and my artwork. During the long winter months when there was little daylight, I sketched how I imagined my beast. It was ironic that he was part of me and yet I’d never seen his face other than a watery vision on the surface of the nearby lake.
“We have to meet Alpha.” But when we emerged, Anita was waiting for us, saying she’d escort us to her father.
I did the introductions, and my eyes darted from my mate to my bestie, hoping they’d get along. When we were growing up, pack members used to point out how Anita and I finished one another’s sentences, which was kinda annoying to other people, so we’d been told.
We chatted about superficialities as we strode to the communal kitchen where Alpha was having his mid-morning coffee. Usually at this time of day, people were at work, but this morning, everyone was congregated in the kitchen.
Way to make my mate nervous.
They want to meet Weston!
I bobbed my head at Alpha, and Weston did the same because I’d prepared him for this visit. When the formalities were over, Alpha addressed him.
