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And itwasrealms. Although we mainly resided in the underworld, we split our time between the two. I wouldn’t repeat past mistakes of leaving the realm unguarded, even though I didn’t directly rule or take a hand in the politics. These days, that fell to Daphne and the males who were besotted with her.
“It’s just up ahead.” Cole pointed down the path.
I admittedly had no clue where we were going. We were well past the edges of pack lands. We’d stopped to see Daphne and the othersjust briefly, enjoying a large meal with the recently reformed pack. It had somehow stopped feeling odd to eat a meal with a large group of shifters, no longer a vulnerable, dangerous time, but instead a relaxing visit. Something I’d never thought was possible as a pup. I’d thought my only way out would be to mate another wolf and escape to the bottom of a different pack—instead, we’d fixed the broken pack we’d been part of.
The trees cleared, and a cabin came into view, stealing my thoughts away. I hadn’t known what to expect—actually, knowing Mr. Throw-a-Demon-at-Her-and-Call-It-Flirting, I expected either a lean-to or a simple clearing.
“How?”
“The usual way, I suppose. Found someone who had something I wanted, slaughtered them in front of their entire family as a message to vacate and took over.”
I just looked at him, and he sighed.
“Fine. I had some help. Now, do you want to see the damn place or not?”
I grabbed his hand and darted forward. There were large stones leading up the path to the front door, which was unlocked. The setting inside was humble, but welcoming. A roaring fire blazed in the hearth at the edge of the room with two large chairs, perfect for reading in, set beside it. A love seat at one edge of the living room, with a basic kitchen on the other side.
“Xander helped design the cabin, since it’s like the old Wind-Blood structures,” Cole explained. “Daphne had strong opinions on the furniture. Ian helped haul materials up here, though I’ll admit I wasn’t fond of having another male’s scentinside.”
I inhaled. The entire place smelled like Cole, his scent layered over and over, like he’d been coming here for months and even as recently as the past day. Familiar spices hit my nose, and I walked in farther to the stove, which sat beneath a large window facing out the other side. I opened the oven, my stomach growling.
“And the pie?” I asked. Somehow it was still hot and steaming, reminding me of the enchanted kitchen at the castle in the pocket realm.
“That’s my doing. Now don’t ruin it by bur—”
I was already grabbing the piping hot plate from the oven, my fingers burning at the contact. Cole growled at my carelessness—or, more accurately, the sight of me being hurt. Even though I was able to heal myself with magic a blink later, he seemed irritated anytime I so much as scratched myself.
“I wouldn’t have made them if I’d known you’d use them to hurt yourself like an eager pup,” he groused.
“You’re just mad because you want to be the only one leaving bruises on me.” I rose to kiss his cheek before he could throw some retort. “I love it. Let’s eat.”
Two words that would end nearly any shifter argument. I dug out some cutlery and sliced us each a large piece. It definitely tasted… different from the perfect, magical pies in the castle, but I devoured it all the same. “I had no idea you baked.”
“I didn’t,” Cole said. “But then I had a mate who was rather fond of them, so that changed.”
A lot had changed. Even if the pie tasted weirdly salty instead of sweet, it didn’t matter. Half of it was gone in a matter of minutes, and that time, I pressed my lips against Cole, licking a spare fleck ofpumpkin off of him. Not content to be used so blatantly, he hoisted me onto the granite countertop and caged me in with his arms while deepening the kiss.
It was a slow, tender kiss. One that said he’d do anything to see me happy.
“Thank you,” I said, half-breathless when we broke apart.
“You never have to thank me for that, little wolf. I promise I enjoyed it.”
From the way we were lined up, I definitely felt the proof of his words, but I shook my head. “Not for the kiss. I mean, for doing all of this.” No doubt magic had played a part, but there were too many homemade touches in the space for me to doubt Cole had spent a lot of time making the place perfect for us.
“I’m glad you like it, Avery. I wanted to make a home.”
I frowned. “We already have one.” A rather massive one.
“We have a palace,” Cole agreed. “But I wanted you to have a home too. A place that wasjustyours, without a thousand servants floating in the hallways, or packmates looking over your shoulder.”
Tears pricked at my eyes. How many times had I wished for that when I barricaded myself inside my tiny bedroom? “It’s perfect. But you should know by now, my home is wherever you are. In any realm, in any life.”
“And my heart is wherever you live. No matter where in the universe we are.”
I gripped the lapels of his shirt and pulled him into me for another kiss. “Does this cabin come with a bedroom?”
“It does. But the floor is closer.”
