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“Dinner?” She looked past me to a large outcropping of boulder sized rocks and worn away mountain. If we took this path around, I could show her the diving rocks. But this one? This rock was used by the mothers to watch the pups during the day and the mates too. I was going to show her exactly what this spot could be like at night.
Many happy mates enjoyed this place. But tonight was my night and none of the wolves in this area would dare to interrupt me. For now.
“When did you do this?”
I couldn’t stop the smile or the joy that fluttered over my body like a butterfly just now getting used to her wings.
“While you slept, mate. It isn’t much. Just fruits and lunchmeat. I didn’t have time to run into town, but that’s only part of it. Come, lie with me.”
I’d splayed a blanket over the cold stony surface and knelt down, waiting for her to join me. The rocks all had natural stairs, making it easy for any shifter to climb and get where they needed. Right now, all she needed to do was get to me.
She took my outstretched hand, and I pulled her up the rest of the smooth surface.
“Lie with me.”
I lay down and watched her give me a skeptical look.
“I will not touch you, not the way you think I will, at least. Or perhaps hope. Come lie with me. See the sky as a new wolf. See the sky that connects all of us.”
She did as I asked and sidled up to me as we lay. I heard a small gasp. She took in our universe with eyes that could see more than we’d seen as a human. As pups we didn’t have all the power of our wolves, but as adults? I wish my entire transition hadn’t been tainted with years of being miserable because of her.
“I never knew there were so many stars before.”
I pulled her closer to me. My wolf craved the feel of her.
“It has always been there. It’s how you used to see it. Your wolf, she can see so much more than just the human side. But I would guess that seeing the world as someone who is happy and free might change what you see too.”
She didn’t speak for several minutes, and I enjoyed the silence of my lands and my mate. The forest was alive with creatures of the night. Young wolves out playing. There would be no doubt patrols near the borders, but tonight I didn’t feel the same as I used to. My pain was gone. I was no longer alone and no longer facing a mating that would have plagued me for however long I’d lived.
“What are you thinking, princess?”
She shifted onto her side, propping herself up on her elbow.
“The only night sky I ever saw was before I was ten, before I’d been sold off, and I don’t ever remember taking the time to appreciate the world. The few nights I was allowed out were filled with either trying to escape or trying to stay under the radar from the pack members.”
Her words broke me. I should have done more. I should have fought to find her.
“I can feel your emotions, Devon. It wasn’t your fault. I could blame you, but that wouldn’t get me anywhere. My father deserves the blame.”
Anger burned inside me and started to ruin the moment. She was right. Her father. He should be punished.
“Devon, be with me. Be with me in this moment.”
She was right, and I tried to respect her wishes. I blew out a breath.
“You’re right. We should live in the now. Would you like some food? I want to show you more of the lands tonight. Tomorrow I’ll try to finish what we can’t see tonight, but tomorrow we have to introduce you officially to the pack.”
She stilled, holding her breath.
“What? They will love you. There is no reason to doubt their acceptance.”
She shook her head and stepped up.
“It feels like you are reading my mind.”
I circled my fingers over the soft skin of her back.
“I wouldn’t need to read your mind to know what you are thinking. It would be natural to worry, but you are also projecting your fears to me.”
