Page 18 of Hidden Nature

A pillow flew out of nowhere, hitting Mason in the face. “How many times do I have to tell you all that she’s not eating fast food shit while I’m around. We’ll go back to my house and I’ll make sure she gets a proper meal like a good mate.”

Mason let out a frustrated growl. “Uptight bastard.” Glancing down at me, he winked, making me smile, then I snuggled into him as we relaxed for the descent back into Tennessee.

Is this what coming home feels like?

eleven

Stepping back into Zander’s home brought me a sense of peace, one I didn’t know I’d ever really had before. Having all their scents filtering around the space, knowing I had my personal items here and even a room to call my own, made me realize this was my home to me now.

Sitting at the kitchen island, I watched Zander as he pulled food out of the refrigerator to make something to eat. On the way here, my stomach had grumbled again in the car. Both he and Mason were obsessed with me eating enough and making sure I was healthy. It wasn’t like I’d spent the last thirty years taking care of myself, but I was learning it was nice to have them taking care of me.

“Is there a place that I might clean up and get a change of clothes?” Rath asked, standing in the kitchen, taking in the house.

Slipping off the chair, I grabbed his hand and looked at the others. “I’m gonna do the same thing so I can take him up. Are any of the rooms on the second floor still open?”

Right before all this went down, we had just decided to have everyone move into this house, but I didn’t know if that actually happened.

“The first three have been claimed by us betas, but the other two are open so Rath can take his pick,” Noah informed me.

My gaze instinctively went to Zander since it was his house and I didn’t want to assume the rest of us had the right to dictate that kind of thing. Meeting my gaze, Zander handed his wooden spoon over to Mason, who took over the cooking and stalked over to me. Gripping my jaw with his fingers, Zander forced me to look up at him. “What did I tell you about this house?”

“That it’s my house too,” I whispered, my wolf cringing that we had displeased him by not trusting what he told us.

“Correct, and what is Rath to you?” Zander pressed.

My eyes flicked in Rath’s direction and I licked my lips before returning to Zander’s gray gaze. “He’s one of my mates.”

“Good girl, now doesn’t that make you think he would have a place in your house? He can pick any room he likes as long as it isn’t my bed or your nest because that space is for you alone,” Zander stated, his tone brokering no argument.

“There aren’t enough rooms, though,” I murmured. “We are one room short.”

“Mason and I can share a room. We’ve done it most of our lives, so it doesn’t bother us,” Noah answered, solving the problem. “One of the rooms we picked is larger than the other so we can make it work, but that isn’t something you need to worry about. As your mates, your pack, and nos, we will always make sure that what’s yours is looked after, including your mates.”

“You were absolutely born to be her Companion. You come to it naturally and do it well,” Rath praised Noah. “Thank you for making me feel welcome in your home and pack. I know it’s hard when this is not how relationships normally work for your kind.”

Zander met Rath’s gaze. “No matter what, Finley’s care comes first, however that presents itself.” Looking back down at me, he pressed a kiss to my lips and released me. “Now go show him to the rooms he can pick from and get yourself cleaned up. I’ll have food ready for you when you come back down.”

I gave him a soft smile as I entwined my fingers with Rath’s and led him up the stairs, still trying to figure out how the hell I ended up with this life. Everything in the house looked just as I’d left it. I know it was only three days ago, but it felt like so much had happened since then. I paused at the two doors across from each other and closest to my nest.

“All of them have attached bathrooms, so no one has to share. Zander’s room is up one more level. I’ll grab some clothes since I think he is the one closest to your height. That’s where they have me staying, but this room is my nest if you ever can’t find me in the house.” I shared, pointing to the door at the end of the hall.

Rath pulled me close and kissed my forehead. “Thank you, nin mel, now go do as your alpha asked. I’ll be fine to figure out the rest on my own. There is no need to worry over me. The others are taking this well and I’m not unable to handle matters myself.”

I knew that in my brain, but my heart was already so protective over him, I didn’t know what to do. Rath seemed to understand my inner turmoil and picked me up so my legs wrapped around his hips. Then he walked into the room on the right. It was simple with a queen bed, dresser, nightstand, and a comfy chair.

The view out the window was of the forest, but I felt like no matter what window you looked out, it had a great view. The colors of the room were soft tans and creams, making it incredibly calming. Peeking into the bathroom, there was the standard shower, sink, and toilet combo. He continued to carry me into the room across the hall, and this one was a mirror replica of the other, but the colors were soft sage greens that reminded me of a darker version of his eyes.

“I think I will settle in here just fine. It is peaceful, and green is one of my favorite colors,” Rath mused to himself, kissing me on the cheek. “Now, shall we go up and shower?”

Blinking at him in surprise, I tilted my head, trying to figure out what he was thinking. “Do you not like the bathrooms down here?”

“They are fine, nin mel, but you will not relax unless I’m with you. Elven females are some of the most territorial women out there. Right now, you don’t completely trust your other mates to look out for me, so you are being driven to keep an eye on me. I have to admit it’s incredibly flattering to have you act this way, even in your own home. So to make matters easier on both of us, I figured we could just clean up together,” he explained, smiling at me.

Unsure how I felt about what he was saying, I just nodded my agreement, and we headed up to the space I shared with Zander. Once on the top floor, Rath set me down on my feet, and I led us straight to the bathroom.

“For a man who wasn’t planning on sharing his mate, he sure has a big enough bed for group activities,” Rath commented with a chuckle.

“It’s come in handy. When I first shifted, my heat came quickly after, so at one point, all of us were in that bed… until the betas got kicked out of it,” I said, remembering how crazy all of that had been.