She’s actually socializing! I knew she would eventually, but each animal moves at their own pace.
As Jasper rubs Dini’s cheeks, making sure she scents him, he turns to me. “So, what’s the plan with the sanctuary, now that we are getting donations and people are starting to know who we are?”
The “we” makes me grin. Itis“we.” Jasper’s been saying that all along about everything, and it’s finally sunk in.
Jasper, Adam, and Ezra have all been helping me and the sanctuary. We’ll eventually mate and mark each other, bond with one another, and be together. Forever.
It’s only right that we discuss this as a family unit.
“I have ideas. But I want your input.” I look to either side of me, make eye contact with each of them, then go on. “I already said that I want to expand the grounds and upgrade everything. My goal is to be able to take in more animals. Maybe even go to shelters eventually.”
“I love that plan.” Adam reaches down to scratch Crooze’s ear as the furry guy lays his body across Adam’s feet in the grass.
“If we can get a copy of the plot map so we know exactly how far this land goes, we can even expand the equine area. If you want.” Ezra adds that last part fast, like he’s unsure if I’d be in with that plan. But I love it.
“I’ll go tomorrow to Town Hall and get a copy. I’d love to be able to take in more horses and other large animals. There are plenty in need, I’m sure.”
Even in the low light, I can see the joy on Ezra’s face.
I know that being a pack means we’re supposed to be together, but hearing the most resistant of us make plans for the long term brings a sense of ease to my chest.
“We still need to fix up this house.” Jasper’s not wrong, but he does say it with a tone I can’t quite read.
“I won’t use the donations for that, even if the house is kind of our base of operations,” I tell them. “The house is paid off, but I can get a mortgage to pay for remodeling.”
“Now, hold on a second. Let’s not be hasty with a mortgage.” Jasper is now scratching Dini’s belly as she has astoundingly rolled over onto her back and settled in the divot of his joined thighs. “Let’s plan this out. I mean, I know we aren’t an official pack yet, but one day, we will be. One day, this will be all our home.” His head tilts as he regards me. “If you’re looking to stay here, anyway.”
I can’t hold back the giant smile stretching across my face. “Of course. Yes, to all of that. This is the perfect place to keep running the sanctuary.”
“Good.” He lets out a breath that sounds like relief. “Then we all need to plan this together and help pay for it together. It can’t be all on you, Ads.”
Okay. Not only is my heart warmed by his words, but it’s singing over my new nickname.
I look at Adam, who’s lovingly peering back at me. “We could really make this house something amazing if we all work together. Something we all will love to stay in forever.”
When I look at Ezra, even in the moonlight, he’s white as a ghost. He looks hesitantly at each of us before rising from his seat and clearing his throat. “This was a lovely night. Please excuse me.”
I’m frowning as he walks back into the house, my heart cracking as he exits the front door, closing it with a thud.
“What the fuck?” Adam stands up just before Jasper gently puts Dini and Odin on the ground.
“We’ll talk to him,” Jasper says softly before the two of them go into the house after Ezra.
When I hear the front door close again, there’s a terrible pain in my chest.
A whine at my feet draws my attention to Nikki, who rears up on her hind legs, placing her front paws on my knee. I reach down and scoop her up, holding her tight in my arms, gently rubbing the back of her soft neck around her collar, grazing the little sheriff star securely pinned to the side of it.
It should be me out there talking to Ezra. Setting things straight. Making things right.
But right now, it’s all I can do not to break down crying.
Why won’t Ezra accept his pack?
Chapter Twelve
“For a giant, that guy moves really fast,” I grumble to Adam as we make our way to the shiny new trailer Ezra is living in. “He should’ve played ball.”
“Look, let’s maybe not be too angry with the guy right away. We don’t know what’s going on.”
