AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She peered up at him and smiled. “I can’t feel my toes.”
“It’s pretty damn cold. Let’s go see Fayar and then I’ll warm you up properly.”
“And grill some steaks for dinner?”
“Eventually.”
She chuckled and took his hand. They walked side by side toward Fayar’s home. Fayar and his mate, Gloria, lived in a large house in the center of the sleuth’s territory. Their children were all grown. Only the youngest, Rafe, had remained in the sleuth, primed to take over the kingship when Fayar was ready to step down. Rafe was an honorable male and only a year older than Row. The two had been friends since they were cubs.
Row knocked on Fayar’s front door. Gloria answered, her face lighting up as she opened the door wide and gestured them inside.
“I heard you’d found your truemate, Row! Come in, we were expecting you!”
Fayar strode into the room and clapped Row on the shoulder. “Congratulations on finding your mate.”
“Kammie, this is my king, Fayar, and his mate Gloria. This is myadara, Kammie.”
Gloria hugged Kammie lightly and said, “It’s wonderful to meet you. Come into the kitchen while the males talk. I hope you like snickerdoodles; I just made a batch for Rafe, but there’s plenty for everyone.”
Kammie smiled at Row. He squeezed her hand and let go, and she walked with Gloria into the kitchen. Row’s bear didn’t like her being out of sight, but he trusted Gloria to take good care of her.
Fayar gestured to the furniture in the living room and Row sat on the couch. Fayar settled in an easy chair across from a small wooden coffee table and cleared his throat. “Your mother called Gloria to tell us that you were bringing your new mate home, which is why Gloria said we’ve been expecting you.”
“I’m not surprised. Mom is really happy for me.”
“She should be. It’s a good thing when males find their truemates. I understand Dani also found her mate. Is he taking her on to her people?”
“I think she’s scrapped that and is planning to just stay in Wilde Creek.”
Fayar’s brows lifted. “You don’t seem happy about that.”
Row lowered his voice. “The wolves don’t take care of their injured.”
He nodded slowly. “It’s because of how they view weakness. For males especially, if an injury prevents them from being at their top strength, then they’re not seen as whole.”
Row explained about Kammie’s scars without going into too much detail. “I wish I could convince her to stay here.”
Fayar’s brow was drawn. “I don’t understand an alpha who would allow the abuse of a child, or anyone for that matter, to continue. Wolves are curious creatures. Very fierce, but they’re small shifters compared to bears or big cats, and I’ve always thought that gave them a bit of a complex.”
“Maybe. I dislike the idea of being in Wilde Creek, but it’s her home. The fact that she drew the short straw on family members shouldn’t be held against her any more than the color of her fur.”
“How long are you staying?”
“Ten days.”
“I’m sure you can convince her that Oakville is a better home for her, and for your future cubs, in that many days. From what you’ve shared, her life isn’t that good in her pack, and life is different in the sleuth. Show her the truth of that and she’ll see the light on her own.”
“Thanks.”
“I won’t talk to you about your position here until your future location has been decided, but know that the training job is there for you.”
“I’d really like to do that.”
“Do what?” Kammie asked as she carried a plate of cookies into the room and set them on the table. Gloria followed with a tray of mugs and a carafe of hot chocolate.
For a heartbeat, Row considered not telling her anything yet, but he never wanted to lie to her. “Before I left, Fayar offered me a position teaching the young males how to hunt and fight.”
Her eyes widened. She sat next to Row, and he put his arm around her. Her coat was gone, and she was wearing a short-sleeved top that showed some of her scars. He was proud of her for baring her skin, even just her forearms, to strangers. He kissed her temple.
