“I can only imagine,” I said, considering that Amelia getting news of what went down during the Strawberry Moon dance is inevitable, but strengthening our bond and letting Tyson and Ivy strengthen theirs first? Not a bad idea.
“My mate wasn’t angry; she was hurt,” Tyson said, sadness in his expression. “I’d prefer her angry with me than me causing her pain.”
“Humans don’t understand shifter culture,” Linc put in.
“Neither do I,” Tyson said. “But I want to learn it.”
“We’ll help,” I offered. “Wherever you need.”
Tyson shot me a grateful expression. “Take time to bond with your mate. I’ll do the same. Let me know when you’re ready and we can talk about a plan for them to meet. Come to the house for a meal, maybe. My Ivy is a good cook.”
“Though… keeping the sisters apart,” Greyson said, “They might not take lightly to any deception or ploy to keep them apart. But a couple days is not a bad idea. Tyson and Ivy have healing to do. Mason and Amelia haven’t gotten hardly any time at all to bond since they mated.”
“What about this?” Tyson proposed. “Ivy and I talked about having a wedding party – so she can have her traditions. Maybe we will plan that and have everyone come together then. Gives everybody a chance to bond and then gives both girls a positive event together. I know Ivy won’t be in a rush to see the whole pack after being embarrassed about me doing what I did, but having it be for a happy occasion with her mother and sister there might help.”
“That could be good,” I said.
Joel joined us then as Tyson and I agreed on quick phone calls if the girls insist until that time. Tyson would talk to Ivy about a wedding plan, and we’d go from there.
The six of us then talked more about our concern over Riley. We hoped that over the next few weeks everything would resolve itself. That he’d catch up with her and find resolution so he’d be able to move on. Find the true love of his life. The happiness he’s been missing for years because of that witch.
And then we shifted and went for a run through the bush and wound up at Arcana Falls where, at my request, Tyson showed us how he half-shifts.
And that’s where we are now, wrapping up and getting ready to swim back and head our separate ways for today.
It was good spending that time together. It’s good knowing Tyson and I are good. Knowing the pack has seven council alphas and that the six of us are all here to help Riley, however it goes.
***
I get home shortly after seven and am relieved to find my mate still sleeping in my bed. I crumple the note I left on the bedside table and toss it in the bathroom waste basket before I shower quickly to wash the river water and sweat from myself before I slip my arms around her and pull her close, drifting to sleep almost immediately having that warmth, that scent filling me. I pass out with the hope I’ll get a few hours before she wakes and that if she does wake before I do, she doesn’t try to slip away again.
29
Amelia
I wake up with the sun shining on my face and warmth wrapped around me. I wake up doing something I don’t usually do – I wake up smiling. But then the strange smile wobbles and my happy bubble pops as my head is assaulted with memories of last night.
And instantly I want to burst into tears.
Because last night was beautiful. The level of connection I felt with Mason was something I’ve never fathomed as possible. The moments of eye contact. The touches. The feeling of safety.
I was drunk. Drunk on moonshine punch and drunk on Mason Quinn. I was also intoxicated by the whole vibe around here. A close-knit community where everyone knows everyone’s name. Where people showed up to the bar specifically to welcome me to the village with open arms and offers to buy me drinks. Yep - several people told me they were just part of the pack who heard through the grapevine that I was there and wanted to pop in and welcome me. It felt great even as I resisted the urge to set them straight about me not truly being the newest Arcana Falls pack member. Because it felt good to be welcomed, to be treated like a new member of their family.
Family. That’s what the place felt like. A family where the birth of a new baby meant buying drinks and handing out cigars to celebrate. Where parties involve a group of big, beautiful men showing off their masculinity wrestling by firelight, laughing and drinking with their women and family members cheering them on. Though someone got hurt, there wasn’t animosity. Other than one drunk teenager who got set straight in a caring and affectionate way, there was the opposite; everyone trying to help.