Vicki was a wolf shifter. In her human form, she had pale skin and light brown hair with watery blue eyes. Her wolf form was larger than I expected, with fur so dark it was almost black. Her food was to die for, and I usually ate like a horse when she was cooking.
Her gaze sharpened as she took in my face. When her eyes dragged down my body and back up, her face broke into a wide smile. “I should be furious you’ve been eating someone’s food, and it was delicious enough for you to put some weight back on, but for some reason, I don’t think human food had much to do with it, did it?”
She took both my hands. “You look healthier than I’ve ever seen, my dear. Gorgeous and glowing.”
I smiled. “No, Vicki. My dietary needs are more complicated than I expected. Someone else helped me figure them out.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Oh.” She lowered her voice. “Is that why he’s been so pissed off these last few months?”
I let out a surprised laugh. “Let’s just say the Lord and I haven’t seen eye to eye on a few things lately.”
She nodded sagely. “I hope you figure it out, my dear. We love having you here.”
Vicki slid one more look Ethan’s way. “And as much as we love him, we love him even more when you’re around.” She squeezed my fingers gently and hurried away.
I suspected she was the one who plied Ethan with the blueberry scones a little later. The coffee was amazing, too, and it was hard to beat Seattle area coffee. Whatever blend they were serving had me rethinking my tea addiction.
I tugged the blanket lying haphazardly across the back of the couch over my lap and curled up. Birds sang in a canopy of trees, and the wind blew a gentle melody over the property.
His place had always been quieter than any other Keep I’d ever visited. For some reason, his shifters were calmer, less prone to violence than others.
They were certainly capable. Every single one of Ethan’s shifters was physically fit and deadly. When I first came to stay, they’d treated me respectfully but kept me at arm’s length, and I knew they’d all kept a close eye on me. I think it took about two full months for them to let their guard down even an inch around me.
Now, most of them were comfortable around me. We weren’t friends, but they’d defend me, if need be, and I’d do the same for them.
Ethan came back outside several minutes later holding a carafe of coffee. Without asking, he refilled my mug.
“Thanks,” I murmured.
He sat on one of the chairs to the side. “You look good here,” he said quietly. “Like you belong.”
My fingers tightened around the mug. “The only way I’m going to stay is if we keep this professional.”
He nodded. “I’m just saying there’s a place for you here. With us. You don’t have to be anything you don’t want to be, Moira. And you don’t have to be with me.”
Surprised, I shifted my body to watch him. He sipped his coffee and eyed the deer, a ring of gold around his irises. The deer took a few steps back.
“You really mean that, don’t you?”
“I don’t say things I don’t mean,” he answered. “Not to you.”
“Rowan is building me a house,” I blurted. “He wants me to meet with him to finalize the blueprints.”
Ethan nodded. “Is that what you want? A home?”
It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted in my long, immortal life. A place to call my own. A family. People I loved. A place to belong.
“Everyone wants that,” I said quietly.
“I’ll do the same for you.” He sighed. “I did the same for you. Though I confess I didn’t consult you.”
I blinked in surprise. “What.”
“The cottage isn’t that much of a cottage.” He looked uncomfortable for a moment, dropping his gaze to stare at his feet. “I had it made after you left. The place has never been lived in.”
Ethan glanced up, his eyes molten gold, flecked with midnight blue. “It’s yours if you want it.”
My jaw dropped. “Ethan, I?—”
