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“Yeah, but if Ginny’s your soulmate and she just fled, she’s in a world of trouble. The jackals are looking for her.”
He snarled. “I’ll find her.”
“I’m on the way, I’ll meet you in the employee lot.”
Nathan picked up the toolbox. “I’m going to hit up supplies to get the arm replaced. Again. Good luck, I hope you can track your soulmate and catch up to her fast.”
“Thanks, man.”
August’s mind was spinning.
He’d found his soulmate. Her name was Ginny.
Now he just had to find her. Again.
* * *
Rhomi and Mercer left their house the next morning, but instead of going to the marketplace for breakfast or topside to head to their respective jobs, they made their way to the finance office, which was located near the marketplace. She hadn’t really explored the underground part of the park, but it was fascinating. There was a store where a wolf couple provided goods like electronics, clothes, and other sundry items, a nail salon where Celeste and her friend Adriana did manis and pedis, and a small shop that sold makeup and personal products, the owner Dani offering makeovers and facials by appointment.
“This place is really cool,” Rhomi said.
“It just used to be the offices and the marketplace cafeteria, but a lot’s changed in the last year.”
“What do you think Joss is going to say?” she asked, glancing up at her handsome mate.
“I don’t know.” He sighed. “I know you don’t want to work in the season ticket office by yourself, and while I can probably sit in there with you, it’s not a two-person job, so I’d be pretty bored.”
She’d confided in Mercer the night before that she didn’t feel safe in the ticket office by herself, and he’d agreed. Until they knew what was going on with the jackals and Ginny—who’d stolen an SUV apparently and escaped before the jackals attacked the park—everyone was on high alert.
They reached a hallway, where Mercer pulled her to a stop and hugged her. She smiled and hugged him back, inhaling his masculine, earthy scent. “I’m okay,” she said, her words muffled by his shirt.
“I know, but I also know you were terrorized yesterday and I hate that you’re afraid.”
“I’m not afraid when I’m with you,” she pointed out.
“I know that too,” he said, leaning back so he could smile at her. He gave her a kiss and she melted immediately, her body always quick to respond to his touch. He let out a purr, his eyes flashing amber, which let her know his lion was right there with them. “Whatever Joss has to say, just know that I’m not going to let you be hurt again, or scared like that. I’m by your side, so you’re well and truly stuck with me.”
“I don’t mind that at all, I promise.”
He gave her another of his devastating smiles and took her hand, leading her down the hall. They stopped at an open space with several cubicles. She recognized Devlin, who waved.
Joss appeared from one of the offices. “Come on in.”
They followed him inside, sitting when he gestured to two chairs across from his large desk. He sat in a leather desk chair, resting his elbows on the arms and steepling his fingers.
“How are you feeling, Rhomi?”
“Good.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Now, for the reason I called you here this morning. I was on my way to meet with the alphas last night about the situation when my mate made a comment about how she wouldn’t want to be in the ticket office if she were in your shoes because it would be too traumatizing. Especially when we don’t know if the jackals will come at us again. While it would make sense to station guards at the ticket office, the truth is we need everyone patrolling the grounds themselves, not just the one office.”
Mercer opened his mouth like he might say something, but Joss put his hand up and he closed his mouth with an audible click.
“The alphas and I discussed the situation at length yesterday, and in the end we’ve come up with an idea that I wanted to float to you two.” He paused, then continued. “As you know, the petting zoo is getting ready to open in two weeks. Cael, as the resident vet, is in charge of the animals, and his mate Rhapsody is helping, as is Luna, the teenage albino doe. The animals we’ve chosen seem to be fine with predator animals watching over them. The alphas are suggesting that you two can be in charge of the day-to-day with the animals.”
Rhomi looked at the alpha wolf in surprise. “What do you mean, exactly?”
“The petting zoo will only be open for four hours a day, Wednesday through Sunday. Since you have some experience taking care of animals from the shelter work you did for a bit, Rhomi, you’ll work with Cael on setting up a cleaning and feeding schedule, and you’ll be in charge of the petting zoo, greeting guests and ensuring the animals are safe during their interactions with the patrons who pay to feed and pet them. Mercer will work with you, helping with the animals and also being the on-site security guard in case there are any issues going forward.”
