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“How will I get to know her if I’m not allowed to ask her any questions?”
“There is more than enough time to get to know each other without putting her in the spotlight like this.” Lyliann’s tone made it clear that the interaction was over, and everyone returned to the original conversations.
Niev gazed out of the window and saw a sign labeled ‘Timber Lumber since 1909’. Turning to Lyliann, she asked, “Is that the pack’s lumber business?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Where is Darron? I thought he would come too?”
“Oh no, I left him with a friend of his. These trips are so much easier without the kids. So, while some go out shopping and run errands, the others take care of all the children if they are not old enough to do so for themselves.”
“There must be a lot of planning involved for these trips.”
She nodded. “It was at the beginning but now everyone seems to have found their routine.”
As they drove further, Niev recognized the hiking parking lot from where she’d started her hiking adventure a few months ago. She cringed at the thought of what she’d done out there in the woods. The climb up the cliff, the fall, and the pain of hitting the ground. It all seemed like a lifetime ago, yet it was only a few months. Her life had taken a sharp turn, and she was a completely different person now. Her life had never felt complete and now, it seemed as if the puzzle pieces were slowly fitting together.
About thirty minutes later, they entered a small mall parking lot. Before heading to wherever they wanted to go, Mayra instructed them to be back in three hours.
Niev spent the time with Lyliann, Kasandra, and a woman called Jenn. She actually got along with them quite well. They had a talent to make Niev feel included. Every time Lyliann was out of sight, Kasandra started to bombard Niev with all kinds of questions starting from where she was from to what she would name the baby.
At the end of their trip, Lyliann insisted that Niev would go into one of the baby clothing stores and pick at least one item for the babies, even though she didn’t mention them to Jenn and Kasandra. Niev decided on two neutral outfits with wolves on them. Apparently, Lyliann, Kasandra and Jenn thought it was cheesy, but Niev stood her ground and bought them anyway.
After they returned to the vans, Mayra loaded everyone back up before heading to the nearest store.Niev felt horribly unprepared because everyone seemed to have made a list, and Niev hadn’t even asked Blake what he wanted her to buy. As she walked down the aisles and grabbed the essentials, Niev secretly made a plan to come back with Blake and do another grocery run together. They’d spent so little time together that Niev didn’t even know if he liked peanut butter and if he did, she had no idea if he liked the crunchy or the smooth one. She sighed and grabbed a few things she hoped he wouldn’t mind so they would at least survive the next few days.
When she returned and joined everyone at the check out, Niev made sure to be the last in line so no one could see how little she’d put together. She wanted to spare herself the embarrassment of having to admit she had no clue what her mate liked to eat.
Mayra stepped next to her and paid for her. “I forgot to make sure to give you money for this trip. We usually hand out money to everyone the day before we go.”
“It’s not a problem. I used to work and still had some saved.”
“I hope Blake explained to you that we’ll take care of you from now on?”
“He did.”
“Are you sure that is all you’ll need?”
Niev sighed and pushed the shopping cart toward the exit, Mayra walking next to her. “We do need more, but I honestly have no idea what Blake likes. I don’t even know his favorite cereal. I was hoping he would come back here with me in a few days so I know what to get next time.” It was hard to admit her failure, especially to Blake’s mother.
Mayra gently touched her arms. “That sounds like a wonderful idea.”
Everyone quickly loaded up their bags and they made their way back to the Timber Territory. After they arrived, everyone carried their groceries back to their homes. Dusk was already approaching, so she wanted to wait on Blake to return. She helped Lyliann with her groceries and gladly accepted Mayra’s invitation to stay with her until Blake showed up. She helped Mayra put away the groceries and was grateful to be able to store hers in her fridge while they waited on Blake.
About thirty minutes after they had sat down for a snack, Tanner and Blake came through the front door followed by Seth and Lyliann.
Niev was still sitting at the table, so Blake walked around and leaned in for a kiss. “Did you get everything you wanted?”
She nodded, not wanting to admit to him in front of everyone that she’d had no clue what she should’ve gotten for him. “We came back when it was getting dark, so I stored our things in the fridge.”
“Good, but you seem exhausted. Do you want to go home right away or stay a little longer?”
Before she could answer, Tanner chimed in. “Before you leave, I want to discuss something with all of you.” He gestured at everyone to sit down at the table.
Blake sat down next to her and took her hand in his. He seemed just as clueless as to what was going on, Tanner’s serious voice seemingly worrying him too.
“The ceremony for the Skadu Wolves to join our pack will be held three weeks after Selene’s celebrations. Even though they are not yet officially part of the pack, I want them to be part of Selene’s Night.”
A growl escaped Seth’s chest. “No.”
