“I am going to take the pack out to a restaurant tonight, in celebration of them joining,” he tells me, without looking back. Tingles of pure happiness run up and down my body; my wolf is proud to have him as a mate. He is a kind, protective, and considerate mate.
“I am sure they will love that, Pha.” I run my hand over his back and kiss the side of his head.
His hand comes around to the back of my neck, and he turns around and kisses me. I twine my fingers through his hair, letting him take over the kiss. I shiver at the movements of his lips: the pull and the tugs and nips. He pulls me into his lap, his free hand snaking under my shirt. My whole body is shaking at this point; my mate’s touch is overwhelming. Throughout my life, I’ve barely been touched—only by family and close friends—and now, all of a sudden, I have a mate. It’s so different, and I know he feels the same way.
I hear a car at the gate, and I pull away from him, surprised because she just told me they’d arrive in an hour, and I guess they are already here. Damon chuckles at my shocked expression. “I could get lost in you for hours, Moon.” My face gets hot from embarrassment. “Come on, let’s meetyour friends.” He takes my hand and leads me to the house next to ours.
“Is this their house?” I ask him. The house is similar to ours. Around the property, there are bigger houses for the families and smaller ones for single packmates. Grass covers the property, and it is full of beautiful trees. It’s heaven for a pack to be here—all of this land to roam in without fear of being seen. Years ago we lost many shifters, because people wanted to capture wolves and bears, so we have to be careful when leaving the property.
The SUV pulls up in front of us, and Randall gets out first, from the passenger seat. I smile. Damon puts his hand on my back, and I can feel his happiness. Olive gets out next, her kids piling out behind her, and the children run to me. “Farren!” they scream and I laugh as they jump up and down, holding onto my legs.
I bend down and hug both of them. “I missed you guys.” I run my hands over their heads.
Olive and Randall walk over to us. I hug both of them, and they acknowledge Damon by tilting their heads to the side and thanking him for allowing them to join the pack.
“Welcome to the pack and welcome home. I will show you around.” Damon starts up the front steps.
“This is our house?” Randall asks. An array of emotions comes over his face.
Each of the kids is holding one of my hands, and I help them up the stairs, following Damon. He stops in the middle of the living room, which has new furniture and a TV. Thekitchen has brand-new appliances, and the cabinets are a dark cherry wood color. It’s beautiful.
Damon bends down and looks at the two kids. “I have something to show you guys.” I laugh as they leave me for Damon. Holding their hands, he leads them up the stairs, with us at his heels. Randall walks in front of me, staying close to his kids. I close my eyes and breathe, and I can sense his nervousness.
He will get used to everything. Damon pushes open a door, and my eyes widen in surprise. This bedroom is made for a little girl, with pink and white furniture, including a bed in the shape of a princess’s carriage. In the corner of the room are some toys, still in their packages.
“I heard that you loved princesses,” Damon tells her, and she looks at him in disbelief.
“Mine?” she says so softly my heart breaks slightly.
“Yours.”
She jumps on top of her bed.
Damon laughs and walks to the door next to hers. “This is yours.” His bed is in the shape of a spaceship, and the room is dark and covered with bright stars.
“Alpha, this is too much,” Olive manages to get out as her son runs into his room.
Damon looks at both of them. “It’s fucked up the way you used to live. Not anymore—and I am your alpha. It’s my job to make sure you are happy and safe.”
Olive’s eyes fill with tears, and she grips Damon’s hand. Randall pulls his mate into his arms and hugs her.
“What will my job be, Alpha?” Randall asks Damon.
“Your job is to help patrol the land, and you can take on other jobs. You will be paid a monthly salary, but your housing and utilities will be paid for. The salary is for you to spend on whatever. There is a garage near the front of our property, and you can borrow any vehicle you please. Oh, and your kitchen is fully stocked also.” Damon reaches inside his pocket and takes out a card. This is yours, and it has your monthly salary already on it. Then he hands them a phone. This is your phone, Randall, in case you’re needed, and this app will tell you how much money you have and help you keep track of everything.”
This has blown my mind. I can’t believe he is doing this for everyone. Yes, utilities are usually paid, but the salary and other stuff does not happen. They stare at Damon like he has three heads. I snake my hand underneath his shirt, wanting to feel the warmth of his skin.
“I will leave you guys to it.” I hug both of them, welcoming them.
Damon turns back as he’s walking away. “Oh, and Olive, Randall… Welcome home.”
I am so happy! I am extremely pleased with everything. It’s hard to believe that, just yesterday, I came here to escape the rogue. The rogue—I completely forgot about that.
Damon stops walking and looks at me. “What’s the matter, Farren?”
“I forgot about the rogue until now.” His face hardens, and I can tell that he had forgotten too. “I just feel safe here, with you.” Which is 100 percent true. I feel like this is the home I never had, and that feeling is springing from Damon.
“You don’t have to worry about him, Moon. He is as good as dead once he is found. Come, we need to make breakfast.” I let him lead me over to our house, once again forgetting about the rogue.
