Chapter 19

It was eerie at the same time it was comforting, and I heard several responding howls in the distance. I knew they had to be pack because there hadn’t been natural wolves in the area in many decades.

Trey bounded down the steps, then froze and spun around to stare at me.

“Have fun,” I said, and he let out a happy sounding bark before racing off toward the woods. I watched him until he was gone.

And then I sat in one of the Adirondack loungers and pulled out my phone. I might as well fill the time with more research. Because I wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. 7

Over the next few days, I ventured out onto pack lands. I didn’t go far, but then again, I didn’t have to. Carver Pack lands was basically its own town. And the shifters that lived there were mostly friendly and welcoming.

I met Gia, who ran The Mercantile with her husband, a general store that carried necessities like groceries. Most of the pack shopped there regularly, she informed me with a bubbly laugh, since otherwise they’d have to drive into Mariot. And while it was only twenty miles away, it wasn’t a trip anyone wanted to make when they only needed a few things.

I spent at least half a day at The Book Cellar. I was all but giddy that there was a bookstore in town, since they were a rare thing in this day and age, and walked around the shelves for several hours. Since the pack was somewhat insular, Ellis Lawrence found he could make a living. What was even more exciting than the books was that Ellis was a Great Horned Owl shifter. Not only were avian shifters rarer than mammals, but he knew what it was like to be here and not be a wolf. When I expressed my joy, Ellis cocked his head to the side and I saw his owl peeking out from behind his rimless glasses.

“There are a few of us here,” he said slowly, seemingly surprised I didn’t know. “Trey keeps us under his protection and keeps us safe, but we’re not really pack.”

“I’ve never known different types of shifters to live together though,” I said earnestly, clutching the mystery thriller I’d already selected.

“Well, we don’t. Usually.” He took my book to ring it up. He put it in a small canvas back that had the shop’s logo screen printed on the front. “But sometimes, it’s necessary. As you clearly know.”

I didn’t respond to that but paid and then said goodbye. It was good to know I wasn’t the only one, and I was looking forward to perhaps meeting others. Wolves did things differently than bears, lived a different—and seemingly happier—way. But even though I was staying at the alpha house and had been happier than I remembered being in a long time, it was still a lot to get used to.

And I didn’t know if I ever would.

The thought darkened my mood and by the time I got back to the house, I was grumpy. I tried not to let it get to me, but I’d always overthought things and I couldn’t get the idea out of my head. Trey wanted me here, he’d been clear about that. And I wanted to be here. But I’d never fit in. Not really and not completely. And even though, apparently, other types of shifters lived on pack lands and presumably were comfortable, I couldn’t see how I’d fit.

Trey was working from home, something about finishing the payroll, and he’d asked me to make lunch. I didn’t have a problem with cooking. I wasn’t amazing at it, but I could make edible and nutritious food. But my foul mood had me banging around when I was usually more careful. I was restless and edgy. And the more I thought about it, the crankier I got.

And that also brought up the question of why Trey hadn’t told me other shifters occupied homes and ran businesses on pack lands. Didn’t he think that was important information to share? Or was I just not worthy of the information?

“Asher,” Trey called from the other side of the house. “What the fuck are you doing in there?”

“Making lunch. Like you told me to,” I shot back.

I heard the low growl. “What you’re making is one hell of a racket.”

“So?”

Silence. The instant the snarky replay left my mouth, I regretted it. And then when he called my name again, I knew I was in trouble. I didn’t move. Barely even breathed.

“Asher. Come here.” The command in his tone had me obeying, and I jogged across the living room, down the hall, and to his office. But when I saw his face, I froze in the doorway. Trey simple raised a brow and pointed to a spot on the floor beside him.