“We’ve been in the city so long,” his mom said. “I’m not sure if I’ll adjust to the peace and quiet of small-town living.”
“Imagine being able to walk out your door and actually smell nature,” his dad said. “Instead of people and trash and old food.”
“It was an adjustment, for sure,” Jonas threw in. “But I think you would like it. And if you change your mind, you change your mind. You’re not signing your lives away. And if making the move, changing packs, and retiring all at the same time is too much, maybe keep working for a little while, on your own terms. Cut back, enjoy life.” All the things that he had done, that his mother didn’t really understand, but would make more sense to them at their stage of life than what they considered appropriate for their thirty-seven-year-old son.
“What do you do?” Myra asked.
“Candace is a dentist, and I’m a high school social studies teacher.”
Jonas halfway tuned out of the conversation to watch Cindy chatting with a small group of people by the appetizer table. She was listening to a woman talking animatedly, her hands swinging wildly with whatever story she was telling. Cindy’s smile was big and genuine.
“What do you think, Jonas?” his mom asked.
“I think you guys should open a gastropub.”
He focused on his parents again, nearly laughed at the shock on their faces. “You’ve always been foodies, you want some peace and quiet out here, but you also want some of the energy and activity you’re used to. It’s a small town, so it might not be a huge money maker, but that’s not what you’re looking for, anyway. You can hire managers and be as involved as you like, and step back when you like.”
His mom began telling Myra and Adam about some of her favorites of his dad’s recipes, and he turned his attention back to Cindy. She was talking now, but she glanced up, caught his look and gave him a bright smile before looking away again.
He excused himself from the conversation, worked his way around the room, meeting the others. It was an interesting energy, sort of like a group interview. Everyone trying to put their best foot forward but also reserving judgment on those they met. He noticed that Myra, Adam and Cindy made a point to talk with everyone, and he was curious about what their opinions would be. What were they looking for in new members? Did they have specific goals or were they just open to anyone who wasn’t an obvious asshole? It was a fascinating position to be in.
Myra announced that it was time for the run and they all made their way to the backyard. There were several areas set up with sweats for after the run, and room to place your clothes and shoes before the change. He looked around but didn’t spot Cindy. He wasn’t concerned. He would know her wolf when he found her.
He let the wolf take shape, shaking his whole furry body when the change was complete.
He trotted into the center area, found Myra and Adam greeting the wolves as they approached. His parents came into view, so he greeted them, then went with them to the alpha pair. He’d met his share of alphas over the years, generally respected and liked them. But choosing to live under them was a whole different consideration. When he’d decided to leave New York, he’d visited three packs before meeting Zach in Mountain View. The location had been good, but it was the alpha who had sealed the deal.
A tantalizing scent distracted him, and he knew Cindy had found him. The stunning wolf was gray, like himself, but where his fur stuck to the lighter end of the pallet, hers contained all the gray’s imaginable. He offered her muzzle a little lick, received one in return. Then it was time to run.
They chased each other, taking turns being in the lead, playing with the other wolves, but always coming back to each other. The scenery was beautiful, and he guessed that their hosts had selected a route that would show some of the best the area had to offer. It was very different from what he’d known, either in Idaho or New York, somewhat similar to a run he’d gone on when visiting California once.
Chapter Three
All of the visiting wolves had enjoyed a simple breakfast at the pack house before splitting up into groups, some of the wolves going off on their own, some hanging with new friends. Jonas had rented a car for his stay. He spent the morning driving his parents around town so that they could check everything out. They’d explored the library—which hadn’t taken long—driven past the schools—there weren’t many—and taken a look at the restaurants and bars in the area, as it seemed his idea had taken root for them.
“You’re taking Cindy to lunch, but tell me you’ve arranged something more special than that, Jonas,” his mom said as he drove them back to the pack house after their explorations.
“I’d say there is a distinct possibility that she’s my mate. Of course I made other plans.”
His mom smiled over at him. “I knew I raised you right, I just wanted to be sure you were thinking straight.”
“I’ve got it covered, Mom.”
“We chatted with her for a while last night,” his dad added.
His look of comic fright had his mom laughing. “Don’t scare the boy, Robert.”
“I’m not the one who offered to scan his baby photos if she gave you her email address,” Robert said. Jonas was pretty sure he wasn’t joking. He took a deep breath.
“Mom, if she’s my mate, you’ll have plenty of years to get to know her, you don’t need to spew my life at her in one go.”
“Mmm-hmm. What does she do?”
“Candace, let them go on one date before you interrogate him.”
“The next time I see him, he might be mated to her!”
“And how will your knowing what she does now have any effect on that?”
