“I forgot footwear,” Oakley said, wincing. “Sorry. I’ve been dating this girl, and my brain hasn’t been where it should be.”
“You’re fine,” Konrad said. “You’ve got this.” He smiled at Nadia. “I’ve got to patrol the left side. We’ve had some incursions from Ravencall wolves lately. I’d love to catch up later.”
Nadia practically bounced on her bare feet. “I’d love to catch up. How’s everybody?”
“Perfectly fine. We love it in the Copper Pack.” Konrad glanced at Caidrik and then back at her. “You should come home.”
Caidrik barely kept a growl from escaping.
Nadia laughed. “I am home with the Slate Pack, but once we get things settled, it’d be fun to have a couple of get-togethers with everyone. I’d like to see all of the packs draw a little closer together.”
“I’d like that,” Konrad said, flicking his gaze to Caidrik and back. The male clearly had no problem with his nudity. “Anyway, welcome to Copper territory.” Konrad turned and bounded into the forest, shifting as he went.
The air brushed past Caidrik. Nadia smelled lighter here. Happier. It hit him harder than it should have. He wanted her happy. He just hadn’t expected to feel so much of it on land that would never be his.
Oakley quickly pulled on a heavy sweater and jeans before hopping into the truck. “Come on in. I’ll take you to Erik.”
Caidrik motioned for Nadia to take the front seat with the kid and then climbed into the back. The truck warmed fast, and frankly, he didn’t mind not having shoes. It was easier to move without them.
“So you’re still working as an enforcer?” Nadia asked, smiling at Oakley.
“Yeah, I am. Once I graduate, I’m going to college for a while to study strategy and stuff. For now, I like the job.”
The kid was young. Seventeen at most. Still, Konrad had seemed experienced.
Caidrik glanced at Nadia. “You’re telling me Konrad’s a farmer?”
“Pretty much. He does protection detail too. Or at least he did when we were just a farming co-op.” She looked genuinely happy saying it, her eyes bright.
Something warmed in Caidrik’s chest. It was good to see her like this. He wanted to be the one who gave her that feeling. If they became Alpha and mate, he’d make sure the packs did more together. She deserved to feel this way. Or maybe, this was where she really belonged. It wasn’t like she’d grown up with the Slate pack. While she and Emily appeared close, Em had moved away. Unease settled in Caidrik’s chest.
The truck pulled up in front of a sprawling lodge at the center of town. People milled around despite the cold.
“You can go on in,” Oakley said. “I’ve got to get to study group.”
“It’s so nice to see you,” Nadia said, hopping out.
“Thanks,” Oakley said. He glanced back at Caidrik. “Are you really going to be the Alpha of the Slate Pack?”
Such a good question. “So far,” Caidrik said. “We’re still in the middle of the trials.”
Oakley frowned, his eyes earnest and his young body muscled. “Yeah. I heard about that. Sounds weird.”
“It is,” Caidrik agreed.
“Maybe you should get rid of them once you’re Alpha.”
That seemed to be the consensus. “I fully plan to.”
“Also, the Slate Pack doesn’t get to do much,” Oakley said as Caidrik stepped out. “The rest of us are modernizing. Don’t you think it’s time you let some of them go to college? Study the world, then come back with new skills?”
Caidrik needed to start thinking long term. “I imagine Nadia’s got some ideas.”
“I do,” Nadia said, looking up at the lodge. Her eyes were bright, almost eager. “I really, really do.”
“That’s what I thought,” Caidrik said, watching her instead of the building. He couldn’t miss how different she looked here. Buoyant and cheerful. Like something inside her had finally unclenched. He wanted that for her. He just hadn’t expected it to hit him this hard. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Anytime,” the kid replied.
