Page 132 of A Shadow of Her

Now light spilled warmly from its windows. The old structure had been restored, the stone scrubbed clean, the wood beams replaced. A new sign hung above the door.

Inside, shelves lined the walls.

The scent of cedar and oil wrapped around her like memory and promise.

Behind the storefront, through a wide arch, stood a proper workroom—benches, tools, a large window for light.

Her breath caught.

"Blaidd…"

"It's yours," he said simply.

She turned to him, eyes shining, and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tight enough to knock the air from his lungs.

"Thank you," she whispered into his shoulder.

Only a few days earlier, she had given him a gift for his birthing day—a pair of throwing knives with handles she had shaped and balanced herself, the grain aligned perfectly to his grip.

He had tested them once and simply said, "I would do anything for you."

Now she leaned back, studying him.

"We have to inaugurate this place," she said thoughtfully.

He lifted a brow. "In what way?"

She tapped her chin. "We can try this table," she said, lifting her skirt to reveal nothing underneath, "for…marital harmony."

His mouth curved. "That is part of my job."

She feigned seriousness. "I don’t know if the pack will agree to their alpha dedicating himself to such duties."

He leaned closer, voice low against her ear. "They all know what my priorities are."

She laughed, swatting his chest.

"I plan to retire," he continued solemnly. "Be a house husband. You can earn the coin. I will cook and clean. Keep you…satisfied. It's a lot of work. Look after the cubs."