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Kara was quiet after visiting her house. Even quieter at her dad’s graveside. I handed her the bunch of flowers we’d purchased along the way, and she placed them beside his headstone. I didn’t think he deserved her respect afterhe’d gambled her away, but I didn’t know the full extent of their relationship. Perhaps he’d been a loving father. I couldn’t imagine how losing his mate and then almost his entire family had messed with his head.
It sure would mess up most people, let alone wolf shifters. We were all about pack and family.
At least I’d given Kara a family. A place to call home. I’d grown to love her over our months together. If I was honest, the first spark of love was there the first time we met. The first time she ran from me. We’d played chase many times since we’d mated. Each time ended with us locked together with my knot.
She loved it just as much as I did.
But the scent of her salty tears wounded my heart. I rubbed her back while she sobbed silently.
“Let it out, Kara.”
She spun and flung her arms around my neck. Great sobs wracked her body. Her tears soaked my shirt, but all that mattered was her. Her pain gutted me, and there was nothing I could do and no one I could kill to stop it.
When her tears didn’t end, I said, “Stop now, love, you’re hurting yourself.”
Her tears eased, then stopped at my commanding tone. I may be an asshole using my alpha tone on her, but she’d make herself sick if she didn’t stop. She lifted her tear-stained face. I kissed the saltiness from her cheeks until a small smile lit her face.
“Better?”
“Much.” She nodded. “Take me home, Titus.”
I’d make sure her smile turned into a grin of pure happiness.
“With pleasure, love.”
Chapter Twelve
Kara
Titus rubbed a hand over his jaw after depositing the boxes from my old house on the floor in his cabin.
“I have a pack meeting to attend.”
“I remember.” I walked to the window and drew back the curtains.
The seasons had changed since I first arrived here. Winter had given way to spring. The snow had thawed and melted. Green sprigs of grass and leaves sprouted. Buds of flowers waited for a little more warmth in the air before bursting into bloom. I was looking forward to seeing the beauty of spring in White River. I was looking forward to seeing all the seasons for many years to come.
“Are you planning to run again?”
I turned from the beautiful view and faced the one that took my breath away. The big, brawling, strong, alpha wolf shifter who cared for me. Perhaps even loved me.
I shrugged my shoulders and gave him a teasing smile.
His gaze swept my body. Instant desire filled every inch of my skin, wanting to be touched by him in the most carnal of ways.
“I’ll chase you.”
“I know.” I flicked the buttons open on my jacket and shrugged out of the sleeves, tossing it toward the coat hooks by the front door.
Titus caught the flying material and hung my jacket on the hook.
“I’ll be a few hours.”
“I’ll see you later then.”
He walked out the door. The urge to run was there. It would always be there, but today, I wanted to do somethingspecial for Titus. I walked into the kitchen to cook his favorite meal of venison bourguignon. I chopped the chunks of roasted deer meat, carrots, onions, potatoes, and bacon, placed them all in the stock pot, then added the dry red wine, venison stock, brandy, tomato paste, garlic, and herbs.
With dinner simmering away, I unpacked the boxes. This time, no tears formed at all as I gazed at the familiar faces of my family. The pictures were welcoming reminders of all the people who loved me. A reminder I was capable of love.
