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“Let me see!” said Willow, hopping off the chair. But Cassidy sprinted away, laughing, and Willow gave chase.
Shaya shook her head as she watched them. “I really don’t know where they get all their energy, but I want some.”
“The motel will be ready in a few months,” Nick said to Gwen. “I appreciate you agreeing to help us run it. After working at a B&B for years, it will be a breeze for you.”
Zander barely resisted the urge to grunt. He wasn’t so happy about Gwen working at the motel. He’d prefer for her to permanently remain deep in their territory where she’d be safest, which of course would never happen but was a pretty dream. He knew his mate, knew she wouldn’t cope if she didn’t have something to do. He also knew she liked that she’d have a role, of sorts.
The motel would be well protected at all times, he assured himself. And she was good with that Glock she’d insisted on bringing with her—along with a switchblade, knuckle stun gun, and a bunch of other stuff. The other females of the pack now wanted their own “collection of violent treasures,” as Harley called it.
Even the Phoenix Pack females wanted their own, especially after watching Gwen give “a basic demonstration” of how to use the stun gun on Dominic—who had idiotically volunteered out of sheer curiosity—at her welcome party. The little shit had also flirted with Gwen, which wasn’t a surprise and meant he got whacked a few times across the head. How the guy didn’t have special needs after years of that shit, Zander didn’t know.
“Speaking of the B&B,” said Shaya, “the sale went through on it today. Some couple fascinated by paranormal stuff bought it. Ally said the place was spooky.”
Gwen snorted softly. “Not half as spooky as your kid.”
“A kid you adore,” Shaya insisted with a smile.
Gwen shrugged. “She brings me flowers.” Both pups were great. And they knew they were loved, knew the people around them would keep them safe and be there for them. That was a special thing, in Gwen’s opinion.
Nick quietly swore. “The dog’s lying on our blanket!” He stormed off, reprimanding Bruce. Rolling her eyes, Shaya followed him.
Glad to be alone with Gwen again, Zander inhaled deeply, taking in their combined scent. Even among the scents of wood smoke, charred meat, and the leftover food, it was damn strong and potent. He cupped her nape. “Do you miss it?”
She blinked. “What?”
“The marsh. Oregon.”
“Not in the way that you’re thinking. I loved the marsh; I’ll always miss it. But I don’t regret coming here. I don’t wish I was there. I’m happy where I am.”
He lightly squeezed her nape. “Good.”
Gwen smiled. She’d expected to find it hard to adjust to living within a pack. It had been odd at first, considering how often they socialized and just appeared at each other’s lodges without invitation. But she’d quickly gotten used to it—probably because she’d lived most of her life at a B&B, always sharing her private space.
Some of their ways had taken a little getting used to, though. Like eating pretty much every meal together, answering to Alphas, and adhering to all kinds of security measures. Despite being human, she’d gone along on their pack runs, which had been awesome. Watching them all play and interact in their animal forms was supercool.
The mating ceremony . . . well, that had been weird. It had taken place a week after she moved there. Basically, she’d gotten all dolled up in a dress that Ally had chosen before Shaya applied her makeup. Then Nick had escorted Gwen through the forest to the center of a huge circle of people that consisted of her other pack mates, the Phoenix Pack, her family, Zander’s sister—who Gwen thought was great—and a few others.
Inside the circle, Zander had waited, looking absolutely edible in a suit and staring at her with eyes that said she’d be getting ruthlessly fucked if they were alone. Nick had then asked them to make their vows, spouting the ceremonial words that had no power. According to Kathy, it was all a big excuse for a party. Still, it had been fun.
Yvonne and Donnie, who’d moved into the house near the lake that Yvonne had once spoken of, had attended the ceremony. Marlon and Dylan had also been there; they were now living together and were ridiculously happy. They’d brought along the unexpected news that Colt had retired from his position as sheriff. Gwen figured it was a good thing for Oregon in general.
They’d also told her that Aidan had not only closed his practice, he’d been dealt a thorough beating by someone. When Gwen had mentioned it to Zander, he’d looked at her with such innocence that she knew he was behind it.
Her family melded with the pack just fine. Donnie had loved Mercury territory, and he got along with Shaya’s ex-military human father like a house on fire. Yvonne and Kathy had become fast friends, probably because they both knew what it was like to lose the man they loved. Marlon and Dylan had gravitated toward Caleb and Kent, a mated couple whom Gwen found hilarious.
To her surprise, Kenny hadn’t disowned her on hearing from Geena that she’d mated into a pack. He’d actually passed on a congratulatory message through Geena, who said he wasn’t being sarcastic about it and truly seemed happy for her. Gwen wasn’t sure what to think of that, so she’d decided not to think of it at all. It was probably dumb to expect a normal response from someone like him anyway.
“Roni!” shouted Eli from a deck chair. “Why do you have to be such a goddamn bitch?!”
Lifting his head up from the blanket, Marcus chuckled. “What did she do?” Lying beside him, Roni didn’t even stir.
Face red, Eli ground his teeth. “She changed my Facebook profile picture!”
“To what?” asked Marcus.
“To a picture of a guy in a black rubber bondage suit! She then put on my status, ‘Do I look cute in this or what?’ Roni, you are dead! Do you hear me?”
Roni lifted her head to glare at her brother. “Well, next time you’re thinking about fucking with me, you won’t put laxatives in my coffee machine!”
Marcus arched a brow at Eli. “Did it not bother you that I could have used the coffee machine before her?”
“Nope.” Eli barely ducked the spoon that Marcus flung at his head.
Cassidy wrinkled her nose as she looked at Eli. “What’s a bondage suit?”
