Caidrik nearly groaned out loud.
Nadia’s eyes lit. “You are? I’ve heard of you.”
“Isn’t that delightful?” Helena smiled. “I’m so glad our name is getting around. We work among humans. Carnivals. Festivals.”
“They’re grifters,” Caidrik said dryly.
Nadia turned toward him. “Grifters?”
“They steal,” he said, surprised that rumor hadn’t made its way to Nadia. He needed her to understand his mother and her people. “For money.”
“Oh please,” Helena said. “We don’t hurt anyone. We never take what someone can’t afford to lose.”
Nadia stared at her for a moment. Then she laughed. Quietly. “Well. That’s… impressive.”
Helena smiled, clearly pleased. “However, I’m tired of traveling. If Caidrik becomes the Alpha of this delightful pack,” she went on, “I wouldn’t mind settling down.”
“Mom,” Caidrik warned.
“I’m ready to retire,” Helena said. “I want grandchildren.”
He hadn’t even decided if Nadia truly wanted to stay in the territory, and if she didn’t, he wasn’t going to mate once he became Alpha. Maybe for centuries. But it was good to lay down the law with his mother. “You are not teaching my future kids how to pick pockets,” he said flatly.
Helena laughed outright. “Everyone needs a hobby, Caidrik. I just don’t understand why you’re so serious.”
“You don’t need that hobby any longer, if you ever did,” he said. “I’m serious because I didn’t have a choice.”
For a split second she looked genuinely taken aback. Then she sighed. “All right. Being raised with my lifestyle probably wasn’t easy. I’ll grant you that. But you didn’t both have to run off and become mercenaries.”
“We kind of did,” he said. He loved his mother. Fiercely. But becoming the adult in the family at six years old had carved grooves into him that never quite smoothed out. Somebody had needed to be steady. Somebody had needed to watch the edges. “You’re welcome here,” he said. “But if you break a law, I’ll kick you out.”
She laughed softly. “Honey, I don’t need to break laws.” She waved a hand. “I’ve got more gold than I could ever spend.” Her gaze slid to Nadia. “I’m happy to contribute to the pack if money’s ever tight.”
Caidrik nearly smiled. The faintest trace of a Southern drawl crept into her voice before she caught it. His mother liked to play worldly. Exotic. Nobody would’ve guessed she’d been raised in southern Georgia.
“Oh, we appreciate that,” Nadia said. She shot Caidrik a look that was half amusement and half disbelief. “But I think we’re okay.”
“You’re welcome to stay as long as you want,” Caidrik said. “But this pack follows rules. If you steal from anyone here, you’ll be out fast.”
Helena nodded once. “I find it good to know where one stands.”
Solomon appeared in the doorway, carrying that stupid leather grimoire, like always. “Please do forgive my interruption.”
Nadia glanced up at him. “Hi, Solomon. Please meet Helena McGregor, Caidrik’s mother. Helena, this is Solomon Rowland, our pack librarian.”
“Hello,” Helena purred. “The librarian? That’s quite a title for someone so young.”
Solomon blushed a deep crimson and gave a half bow, his eyes wide. “That’s kind of you to say, Mrs. McGregor. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Call me Helena,” she said. “I’m sure an impressive wolf like you is attached?”
He gurgled something.
“Mom,” Caidrik warned, standing. “Stop it. Right now.”
Helena’s eyes widened. “Stop what? I’m single, you know.”
Somehow, Solomon straightened so tightly he looked taller.
