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Ridge wiped his mouth with his napkin, stood, and shook the offered hand. “Mr. and Mrs. Arlington, how are you both? Have you met my fiancée, Tori Summers?” He put his hand on my shoulder.
“We’d heard you’d recently got engaged, but haven’t had the pleasure.” Mr. Arlington turned to me. “We’ve seen you at the town hall meeting. Nice to finally meet you, Ms. Summers.” He pointed to himself. “I’m Ian Arlington.” Then gestured to the woman next to him. “And this lovely lady is my wife, Nancy.” Nancy gave me an apologetic smile as Ian looked back at Ridge. “Mayor, I apologize for interrupting your lunch, but I have a quick question regarding your thoughts on the budget allocated for the resurfacing of our roads. There seems to be a significant amount of spending on new houses, while our town’s roads are still riddled with potholes.”
I quickly realized that having a peaceful lunch with Ridge in town was almost impossible. While I sat back and picked at my salad, I saw how the people of the town were drawn to Ridge. Both humans and shifters approached our table, striking up conversations with him about various topics. They discussed everything from protecting the town from hunters to mundane things like garbage collection and municipal repairs. As the mayor and alpha of Blackwood Creek, Ridge was always in high demand.
I took a moment to sit back and observe the scene around us. The Moonlight Café was bustling with life and friendly chatter. It was hard to believe that only a few months ago, I had beena stranger here, an outsider struggling to find a way to navigate this small, tight-knit community. I hadn’t wanted to be a part of the gossip or get to know any of the eccentric individuals who called this place home.
When I’d arrived, I was desperate to leave, convinced I’d bring these shifters trouble with the hunters. I was starting to understand that all this—the gossip, the interruptions, everyone knowing who you were—were not necessarily negative aspects, but simply ordinary occurrences in a small town like Blackwood Creek. They were qualities to accept and even appreciate. If people asked how you were, they weren’t being nosy; they were genuinely curious.
Now, as I watched Ridge effortlessly navigate the world of small-town gossip and quirky characters, I had to acknowledge just how much things had changed.Despite the dangers we’d faced together—the rioting wolves, the threat of hunters, and the secrets that had nearly torn us apart—Blackwood Creek had become my home. A place where I truly belonged.
My gaze returned to Ridge, his handsome face animated as he spoke with a group of elderly shifters. Laughter met my ears as one of them said something amusing, and my lips lifted in a warm smile. I’d never been one to believe in destiny before, but now I was feeling grateful to fate or whatever mysterious force had led me to Blackwood Creek. A chance encounter with Ridge had launched me on this incredible journey. Through him, I had uncovered the truth about my own heritage and finally learned to accept and embrace my inner wolf. And in this magical place, I had also found the love and sense of belonging I had always yearned for, gossip and all.
“Is everything all right?” Ridge’s warm eyes were filled with concern as he caught me staring at him.
“Better than all right.” My smile widened. “Just grateful, that’s all.”
“Grateful?” He raised an eyebrow, curious.
“That I stumbled across Blackwood Creek and met you. This place is like home now, and I can’t imagine my life without you and all these wonderful people.”
Ridge’s expression softened into a tender gaze. “I feel the same way, Tori. You’ve brought so much happiness into my life, too.”
As our meal came to an end, Ridge paid the bill, and we found ourselves blessedly alone in the booth. He leaned in closer and lowered his voice. “Margo’s planning a run for tonight. She thought it would be a good way to unite all the packs and build some camaraderie with all the shifters. I acknowledged it was a great idea, and that I’d ask you if you wanted to join in. There’s no pressure. I told her you might not want to go, and if you aren’t ready yet, that’s fine. We can stay at the manor and wait for them to return. Diana will be making a few of her famous pies, and I told Margo the manor was plenty big enough for everyone to come there afterward to enjoy them.”
I hesitated. The old me, haunted by the memories of my half-feral wolf, would have instantly refused, paralyzed by the fear of what destruction she’d wreak if given control. But now, everything felt different. Excitement shone in Ridge’s eyes. He wanted me to agree, to embrace the freedom of running as our wolves with the packs. But I also knew he wouldn’t push me. He would be content to stay with me at the manor and wait for the others to finish their run.
“Let’s do it,” I said, surprising myself with my own eagerness.
I almost laughed at the emotions flickering across Ridge’s face, from resignation to stunned, then thrilled. “Really? That’s amazing, Tori. It’ll be great to have you there.”
“Seeing how happy it makes you is reason enough.” A warm glow filled me at the thought of running together with the other wolves. Though it scared me, being part of this pack andembracing my true nature was the key to the life I’d always wanted. Plus, Ridge deserved it, and I wanted to give it to him.
As Ridge and I stepped out of the café, the pleasant afternoon sun cast a golden radiance on our surroundings. Its gentle warmth was a soft caress against my skin. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, carried by a pleasant breeze that rustled the leaves of nearby trees. It was a moment of serenity, a reminder to savor the simple joys of life. Familiar laughter bubbled up down the street, catching my attention.
“Ah, Tori,” Jaxon said, his voice warm and friendly. He stood beside Diana Bogford and immediately straightened, betraying his eagerness to speak with me. His eyes lit up when he saw me.
I couldn’t keep avoiding him forever.
“Hey, Jaxon,” I said hesitantly. As much as I wanted to build a relationship with my real father, I didn’t know this man. I wasn’t a child; I was an adult, with more than a lifetime of experiences. I wasn’t sure I’d be grabbing his hand and calling him Daddy or asking for an allowance any time soon. The awkwardness between us was like a living thing. I was also aware Blackwood Creek was a small town, which meant there would be little chance of me avoiding him, unless I holed up in Blackwood Manor.
That did not sound like a bad idea at the moment.
“Let me help you with those groceries, Diana,” Ridge offered.
Normally, I liked being in Diana’s company, but Ridge had sensed my unease at having an audience. I was thankful to him for providing Jaxon and me with some space and privacy—well, as much privacy as one could expect on Blackwood Creek’s main street just after lunchtime.
Ridge kindly relieved Diana of her shopping bags, and they chatted as they made their way to the B&B. Jaxon and I walked behind them, taking our time.
“Are you joining the run tonight?” I asked, trying to think of safe topics to bridge the gap between us.
Jaxon’s face brightened at the question, enthusiasm shining in his eyes. “Absolutely. I’ve always loved running with other wolves, but I haven’t had many opportunities since going underground.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Not knowing who betrayed my pack has made it difficult to trust other wolves.”
I nodded, understanding his caution. A small part of me felt a pang of sympathy for Jaxon. I had experienced life on the run before coming to Blackwood Creek. It had been a solitary existence, filled with constant fear. While my own experience had lasted only four years, he’d endured this loneliness for much longer.
The streets were lively, with people shopping or talking on their phones, yet Jaxon and I seemed to be in our own bubble.
“Ridge only mentioned the run when we had lunch just now,” I said nervously, twisting my fingers together. Around us, summer was transitioning into fall. The trees were no longer lush with vibrant green leaves, but laced with the emerging colors of golden yellows, fiery oranges, and deep, earthy browns. My eyes darted all over the place, wanting to look anywhere else rather than at this man—my father. “I wasn’t certain, but I’ve decided to give it a try.”
