The grumpy meowing of my nameless Pallas’s cat suddenly startles both of us. There is a scratching against the door, and then another even grumpier meow. Felix throws his head back and laughs. “The noises this cat makes are hilarious.”
“They are known to be very grumpy cats,” I grin. “I guess we need to get up.”
“Is this really okay?” he asks, worried.
“I am fine,” I reassure him. I really am. Cuddling and talking with him was amazing and helped my mind settle, too. “More than fine, actually.”
“Then how about you go and freshen up, and I feed our indoor pets.”
“Really?” I beam. “You would do that?”
“Of course,” he says. “They areourpets, obviously. I need to make sure they accept me as your mate.”
“Tiger already loves you,” I say. “She is their pack leader. If she loves you, all the others will.”
He grins before jumping out of the bed and grabbing a pair of boxers. “We’ll see.”
I make sure not to take too long in the shower. With Brandon, I always took longer in there because I needed the warmth of the shower to help me come down, because he wouldn’t give me the warmth I truly needed. But Felix gave it to me, and I realize that there is no need for me to indulge in my shower. I never knew a relationship could be like that!
Once I am dried off and dressed, I look for Felix, noticing he has indeed fed all our pets. Sending him to the bathroom, I take over and check on the outdoor animals. All of this has such an incredible domestic feel to it. I never imagined I would ever livein a pack, be mated to a wolf who accepted me and then live together with him like this.
It feels like a dream. And whenever I think it can’t be real, I can now reach out to the bond I clearly feel inside of me. Felix marked me, and I can feel his presence whenever I need to reassure myself.
Felix swings our arms playfully as we walk hand in hand to breakfast in the packhouse. I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt so lighthearted. It gives me the courage I need to tell him something else about me. “Felix, I need to tell you something.”
He grins. “That sounds serious. Hit me with it!”
“I don’t eat any meat,” I admit. “I am a veggie. I know it’s weird, being half wolf and living in a pack and all. I didn’t say anything sooner, because when we arrived here, there were so many vegetarian options for lunch, but I don’t want to hide it from you either…”
“Oh,” he chuckles. “I figured you were.”
“Really?”
“Yes, with your love of animals, I thought it made sense. I told my mom before we arrived to make sure we had some veggie dishes just in case.”
I stare at him in shock. “You did that?”
“Yes.” There is a flash of insecurity in his eyes. “Was that wrong?”
“Not at all!” I tug my hand free to hug him and squeeze him. “You are the best.”
“I know,” he laughs, twirling us around. “I am just such a catch.”
I let myself be engulfed in his joy and bask in it until I feel eyes on us. Someone clears his throat. “I hope we didn’tinterrupt anything,” Dario says, sounding serious at first, before he chuckles.
“We wanted to pick you up,” Gisela adds. “And see if you want to have breakfast with us.”
I smooth my clothes and smile at them. “Thank you.”
Felix beams. “Let’s go.”
Dario tilts his head, his eyes on my neck for a moment before his face lights up with a smile.
Gisela must have spotted my mark, too, because she squeals all of a sudden. “You are marked! I am so happy for you.”
She pulls me into a hug, while Dario squeezes Felix’s arms. Their eyes gloss over, indicating that they are linking each other.
Fortunately, Gisela is hungry and ushers us to the packhouse instead of asking too many private questions. On our way, we meet several pack members. It doesn’t take long for them to notice I am marked. I don’t like being on the spot usually, but everyone is so genuinely happy for us that I can’t help but be happy, too.
