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A moment later, the door shut. Rafe shuffled around downstairs, locking the door, running the faucet, opening and closing the freezer. Finally, he shut off the living room light and settled onto the couch.
The next morning Elliot and Rafe began construction on a treehouse, one just for her. A getaway for when she needed an escape.
CHAPTER ONE
The pickup truck had seen better days, but as it neared, Callum could tell his cousin Elliott had kept up the engine and exhaust maintenance. Though the body was three different shades of blue and the bumper had duct tape flapping in the breeze, it sounded fucking awesome as it pulled into the bus station parking lot.
Exhausted, Callum heaved the strap of the duffel holding all his clothes over his shoulder, and picked up another duffel bag from the ground.
In just a few hours, he’d be in the heart of Thatcher’s pack. It was the last place he wanted to be, yet exactly where he knew he’d end up.
For weeks now, he’d been traveling north, from Maine. He’d left the safety of his pack and given up his position as beta to go in search of his mate. He knew it was time to find her, and instinctively he knew she was going to be in Thatcher’s pack. Or somewhere near there.
Since crossing the border, he’d stopped to visit each pack he encountered, hoping he’d find her on his journey north.
He hadn’t.
Elliot knew how much Callum dreaded the idea of spending any time in Thatcher’s pack. Each time Callum had called and reluctantly informed Elliot that he was still on his way, his cousin had laughed.
His cousin honked as he rounded the lot. Callum took a deep breath and waited for the truck to pull up. Elliot parked at the curbside and got out. “Callum!”
“This thing is still running, huh?”
Elliot grinned and pulled him in for a quick hug. He hadn’t seen Elliot in over eight years, and though he’d never forgotten how big his cousin was, it was a shock to be dwarfed by the nearly seven-foot-tall man.
“Did you get even bigger?” He smiled back as Elliot took the bag from his hand. “Or is it just the beard? Is that it?”
With a lopsided grin, Elliot opened the passenger side door and tossed the duffel into the seat.
Callum cringed. “Careful, my iPad is in there.”
Wincing, Elliot said, “Sorry.”
They both climbed into the cab. Callum adjusted his luggage, and soon Elliot pulled away from the curb. Resting his head against the seat, Callum closed his eyes, eager for a bit of sleep.
“I got to make a few stops before we head back.”
Sighing, Callum opened his eyes. “Okay.”
“Do you need anything before we head out of town? Any creature comforts you can’t live without?”
“I don’t know.” Thatcher’s pack was out in the boonies, and Callum wasn’t sure what to expect.
“You got all your personal stuff? Deodorant, underwear, socks and shit? Chargers?” He shrugged one massive shoulder. “We’ve got stores where we’re going. It’s a whole little town, our pack, but not the name brand stuff that you’re used to.”
“City slicker like me?” Callum teased.
“I wanna make sure you don’t need a special pillow or anything. You need a sound machine to sleep?”
Callum didn’t acknowledge Elliot’s joke beyond a slight smile. “The sound of crickets will be refreshing.”
“How about the sound of me snoring?”
Internally, Callum cringed. “So I’m bunking with you?”
“I got my own cabin a few years back. Mom thinks it’s best if you stay with me.” Elliot ran his hand over the steering wheel as he turned the truck out of the lot. “But we’re going to pick up a mattress. And some new blankets and junk.”
“Junk?”
