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“Actually I found a few small things that could turn into something bigger if we don’t address it,” he said as he went over, picking up a notebook he was taking notes in. “I’ve got the quotes here too. They’re not dire, I just figured I’d give her a check-up while we waited for the parts to come in.” He rattled off the list and I mentally added up what he was explaining.
“Go for it, as long as it doesn’t add months on,” I agreed. He looked like I’d just handed him a brand-new puppy.
“Great. This is quickly becoming my favorite project. It’s not often I get a challenge like this.” He grinned excitedly.
“I’m just glad she’s in good hands. I want a lot more years out of her,” I said as I looked over the rusted beauty before us.
“This will help,” he agreed. “It’ll keep me busy until the new parts come in.”
Having this small talk while Callum fought my battles outside was excruciating, but I didn’t know what else to do.
“Look, I have to run, but I’ll check back in soon,” I promised, waving as I backed toward the door. “There’ve been some rumors of feral wolves coming closer to town, maybe keep your door locked.”
“Okay, see you later, Vanya,” he called before writing a few more notes down, already lost to his work. I just hoped he took my warning seriously. One run-in was enough for me.
Once I got outside, I skirted around back, scanning the woods. It didn’t take long for me to spot Callum, still in wolf form. I nodded to the back road and dangled his keys in the air before going to the Charger. It started with a purr that had me a bit jealous of how new it was. There was something to be said about the ease of driving a nice car like this, especially one he kept factory clean.
I backed out and headed back toward the Bluffs, only stopping when we were out of sight. The moment I parked and climbed out, he was running toward me. He shifted right next to me, and I didn’t bother to look away, my eyes raking over every inch of his six-foot frame. His cock hardened the longer I stared, and he cleared his throat, amused.
“Unless you want me to use that, little wolf, I suggest you stop,” he warned in a husky tone.
“Did you catch him?” I asked, using the gravity of the situation to force me to focus on anything but his huge cock, because inside I was salivating.
“No,” he sighed, plucking the keys from my hands and unlocking the trunk. He grabbed out a spare set of clothes and pulled them on. “He’s good, this is going to be a rough spot. He ran out to the river and dove in. I’m not chasing him out that far. But if he’s still hanging around, he still wants you.”
“I just don’t get it,” I admitted quietly. Part of me was hoping Callum had saved the day, but it seemed this lone wolf was way smarter than we gave him credit for. And the intensity with which he watched me, planned this, I knew he’d never let it go. This wolf wanted me no matter the consequences, and a reckless wolf was one of the most dangerous.
“Hey, it’s going to be all right,” Callum said, pulling me into a hug. I melted into the alpha, letting someone else be strong for me for once. It felt right, and I was afraid to even admit to myself what that might mean. But even as this alpha held me, my mind flickered to Leven. The way he cared for me while I was in pain was so sweet, and in that moment, it had felt like I’d caught a rare glimpse of the man underneath all that ire. And in a fucked-up way, I wanted to find more of that.
When he pulled away, I immediately missed his presence. I was quickly becoming dependent on this pack, on physical touch, and I didn’t even know how to process that.
“Come on, little wolf, let’s go eat before giving a report to the warrior and his team. Don’t be alarmed if he has a black eye either.”
That had me letting out a startled laugh. Leven definitely deserved it so I wouldn’t argue about that.
“Actually, one sec,” I said, rushing off toward the woods. The moment I was out of sight I stripped my clothes and shifted. The cool earth below my paws was soothing and I settled down onto the ground, letting my wolf connect with nature. It was the quickest way to heal, and I was over the sore hands getting in the way of everything.
Once I felt normal again, I shifted back and changed, walking back to Callum like nothing happened.
“You ready to hear that story yet? Because I need fries and a shake first,” I said as I walked past him and hopped in the passenger seat. He got in and gave me a look that said he was not amused.
“Did you just make demands of your alpha?”
I raised my eyebrows at that. “Probationary alpha,” I corrected. He laughed and shook his head.
“You’re definitely going to be an interesting addition, little wolf.”Oh, he had no idea.
ChapterEleven
Vanya
The kitchen was full of warm sunlight, the smell of pastries cooking, and laughter. It was the most alive I’d felt in far too long. Garren was regaling me with stories of his nomadic days.
My laughter made rolling out the dough for our pastries a bit harder, but I couldn’t help it.
“Then Leven tries to make the leap in his pup form and falls right into the middle of the river. He’s splashing around and yipping like crazy. So I walk over and grab him by the scruff and bring him over. The water barely covered my paws,” he continued, his hearty laughter making mine even worse.
“Not this one again,” Leven groaned from the doorway, looking amused. It was the most relaxed he’d been around me and I was struck for a second by the change. He was gorgeous when he grinned, and I immediately wanted more of it. There was a small hint of purple by his eye, like Callum predicted, but it was almost completely healed now.Gotta love shifter genes.Then his eyes hit me and the stoic, angry Leven was back, bringing reality back in. “I need help with a few things in my grandfather’s wing.”
