The pup’s fingers are in his mouth as he laughs with knees scrunched to his little body. His chubby cheeks are red from laughter.
Taya giggles to herself.
“Do you have any pups?” I ask.
“No, I wish.” She sighs. “We want to. Someday. But not yet. Although... if he keeps melting my heart like this, one day may come sooner rather than later.”
I smile. “I’m sure you’ll make terrific parents. You two clearly love each other.”
“Yeah,” she says. “What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Do you have your eye on anybody?”
“Oh, uh . . . no,” I lie.
“Just as well. There’s no one here worth giving the time of day, believe me,” she drawls.
Someone is here who I’mveryinterested in, of course. But I can’t tell her that. “It’s not that. Who would be interested in a rogue?” I laugh.
“Oh, come on. You’re being rehabilitated—integrated into pack life, right?”
“Yeah.” I nod.
“You should join the Hunt!” Her eyes widen at the idea. “Maybe you can find someone there! Oh my goddess, Jay, youshould totally participate in the Hunt.” She claps her hands together.
“What’s the Hunt?”
“It’s an annual tradition where the males chase down the females. All unmated wolves in their twenty-first year are required to join. This year would’ve been my year to participate, but I found Sam. Did Caleb not tell you about it?” Taya is surprised.
And so am I.
“Why twenty-one?”
“Because whenyou turn twenty-one, your wolf recognizes your mate. At which point, you are considered complete and can make the decision to bond together.”
I shake my head. There’s so much to learn.
Why didn’t Caleb tell me about this?
“Well, I think you should talk to Dax. See if you can participate. You are eligible.”
“I’ll think about it. Thanks, Taya,” I say.
Chapter FORTY-TWO
Caleb
Ilike having Jay here, but it’d be nice if she could see me in a much moremacholight. The king is really kicking my ass today. Although, it could bemuchworse.
The king has decided I’ve had enough for now. His means to motivate me really piss me off, but they’re effective.
Taking a break, I walk over to Jay, and she hands me water. “Hey, what’re you all talking about?” I put the bottle up to my lips and chug.
“Jay was just about to tell me where she got the hickey.”
I cup my hand under my face trying to catch the dribble from almost spitting my drink out.
