He shook his head, then leaned forward to kiss my cheek. "Nothing."
Shaking my head, I led him back inside and showed him the little nook I'd made in the corner of the living room for the cats and dogs. Silas had offered to expand our cabin to add a separate room for them, and I thought that might be a good idea. Then again, they'd slept in Nolan's bed every night I was there, so maybe it didn't matter.
Nolan
The residents of the Sanctuary were a lively bunch for the most part, with a few quiet ones who kept to themselves, but I still talked to more people over dinner than I ever had during a meal.
Talking to them, I could tell how close they were to each other, and to Zamir, and I was eager to get to know them all better. The Sanctuary truly felt like one big family, and I'd never been a part of something like this before. Only a few weeks ago, I would've refused an opportunity like this. But now, I was eager to befriend all of them, and it was all thanks to the man at my side.
After dinner, we went back to the Forest, and Zamir dragged me back to his—our—place after we bid his friends a quick good night.
Meows and barks greeted us as we walked in, and Zamir chuckled as Clip jumped him, pushing him back into the wall. He ruffled her fur, a wide grin on his face, and I fell a little bit more in love with him as he murmured to the dog.
Muffin stood in front of me with a wagging tail, and I ran my fingers through her fur.
"Come on, guys. Time for bed," I said, and their ears perked up.
"Do they need to be walked?"
"I think Touya took them before dinner," I said, and Zamir grinned.
"There's gonna be a line of people wanting to walk them, you know. Touya will probably add it to the chore chart."
"Really?"
"Yup. Come on, let's go to sleep."
I made a mental note to find Touya and get myself added to the chore chart. I also needed to find Zephyr and try talking to him. The Sanctuary was still unstable, and I wanted to help him return the balance.
We changed into sleep clothes and slid into bed, and I realized that for once, I felt tired. It was rare for me to get exhausted, but today had been a long day.
Zamir turned on his side to face me, and I pulled him close, sliding my arm and leg over him to pin him to me. He smiled as he threw his arm over my torso.
The dogs and cats found spots for themselves all around us, leaving us no room to move.
"Hmm, maybe we need a bigger bed," Zamir mused, then chuckled. "But I also like being squished up against you."
"Me too," I said with a smile, and leaned down to press a soft kiss on his lips. We kissed for a few minutes, but it was clear neither of us wanted to take it further tonight.
"I'm so glad you're here," Zamir said when we parted, his brown eyes shining with warmth.
"Me too. This place feels like home."
Zamir beamed at me, shuffling even closer as his arm tightened around me. "Doesn't it?"
I hummed, pressed a kiss into his curls, and let my eyes fall shut. The last two weeks had been something of a whirlwind, and so much had changed in such a short time.
Zamir had turned my world upside-down in a matter of days, and I was grateful. I'd forgotten what it felt like to live instead of going through life day by day. I'd pushed people away and turned into a loner, convinced myself that my fur children were enough, that I didn't need anyone.
"I love you," I whispered, my heart aching with how full it felt. I'd thought my heart was shattered, that the only way to keep it safe was to keep it shielded. But Zamir... Zamir had cuppedit between his palms and healed it in a matter of days like it'd never been broken. I still loved all the people I'd lost, but it didn't feel like they'd taken parts of myself with them. Zamir had filled the cracks left behind with his love until my heart was full and strong once more.
"I love you too," he replied, and I could hear the smile in his voice.
I exhaled slowly, holding him close as sleep tugged at me. Leaves rustled outside, and the breathing of our dogs and cats mingled with Zamir's soft breaths, creating the perfect mix of sounds for me to fall asleep to.
Zephyr and I were still on the outs, and I'd need to work hard to fix that. The Sanctuary still wasn't completely stable, and Zamir's friends were stuck on the outside until it was fixed.
But for tonight, everything was perfect. I had my mate in my arms, we were finally living together, and nothing could ruin this moment.
As if to prove me wrong, Muffin—who was splayed out behind me—let out a loud fart, and Zamir snickered into my chest.
I sighed and waved my hand around us to disperse the smell. Most of the time, my superior senses were useful, but right then, I'd happily trade for human senses.
Once the cloud of death had dispersed, sleep came quickly, and I fell asleep with my nose buried in Zamir's curls, excited to wake up tomorrow in his arms. And the day after that, and the one after that for the rest of our lives.
