I glanced around the cabin that was pretty basic by most people’s standards. It had a double bed, an old sofa and closet, a rug on the floor, an electrical kettle, and a small bar fridge. The bathroom was tiny, but there was hot water. If we didn’t want to go to the dining hall, we’d have to buy provisions at the small store I’d passed on my way here. But sandwiches, cereal, fruit, and salads would be as much as we could manage without a stove or microwave. Not that I expected the pack to provide those.
I’d also passed a library and planned to spend an afternoon there when I wasn’t working.
“Come here.” I held out his arms, and Roland fell into them.
Neither of us moved or tried to kiss. Roland’s now familiar heartbeat pattered against my chest, reassuring me we were safe for now. If I were Creven, I’d have doubts about allowing us tostay here. But we had perhaps three days where we wouldn’t be looking over our shoulder.
“Wanna go outside and walk beside the creek?” Roland pulled away and pointed out the window.
“Isn’t it a river, as in Stoney River?”
He giggled. “It’s a large body of running water, so whatever it calls itself, I’m good with that.”
“Let’s name it the river creek.”
My mate gave me a thumbs-up.
We’d been tramping around outside for weeks, and now when we had four walls, my mate wanted to galavant in the open air.
“Being outside without constantly scenting the air for danger is stressful. And this could be our permanent home. I want to enjoy it.”
I agreed, but we had to stay within the pack boundaries.
We held hands as we walked toward the river, now forever known as the river creek. Kids were splashing about in the water as their parents looked on. Roland had discovered that Torin’s mate, Otto, was an otter shifter.
I hoped to see him in his fur if we stayed here long enough. There was an otter den close to my den, and Emerson and I had otter shifter friends. Our bears used to stand in the water and act as goal posts while the otters dribbled balls and tried to score.
I breathed in the scent of wildflowers and fish drying on open racks beside the river creek. We wandered away from the swimmers and strode along the bank. The woods encroached on either side, and the tree canopy shielded us from the sun.
Up ahead was the fence that marked the end of Stoney River territory. I tossed off my clothes and dived into the water while Roland watched.
“Come in. The water’s so cool.” I looked at my hands under the water. “And it’s so clear.”
My beast asked to take his fur and catch fish, but I preferred to keep my skin and mess about with my mate.
Roland sat down and crossed his legs. “You have fun. I’m not a water babe.”
Huh? Did unicorns have an aversion to water? Perhaps they didn’t like their horns getting wet, as I recalled my mate mentioning rain and his odd reaction.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“No, and I enjoy observing your beast.”
I heaved myself out because shifting in deep water often led to water trickling into our mouth and nose. It was similar to a human getting water in their ear when swimming.
Fur rolled over me, and I faded into the background. My beast stayed still as Roland gazed at him.
“You’re magnificent.”
My beast bobbed his head before sliding into the water. Stoney River had an orchard that interested him, but we didn’t know the policy regarding beasts being allowed to pick fruit. So, today was about fish.
My bear faced upstream. He was very still as he fixed his gaze on the water. If Roland was hoping for frolicking and playful antics, he was going to be disappointed and bored.
I understood when my bear sighted a fish. His head moved slightly, and his ears tipped forward. With no warning to an observer, he lunged forward and submerged his head. He pinned a fish with his paws onto the riverbed and dug his claws into the scaly body.
Standing tall, he brought the fish to his mouth, and I closed my eyes, not wanting to witness this bit. He snapped off the head before consuming the rest of the body.
Delicious. I want more.
