Chapter 7

Trey was quiet as I ate, and I couldn’t bring myself to look at him again. I was afraid of what I would see in his expression. Eventually, he sighed. “I have things to do around pack lands today. I’d like you to accompany me.”

That got my attention, and I looked up. It made sense. I was a stranger to the pack, and for all Trey knew, I was unstable or dangerous. He wanted me with him the whole time so he could keep an eye on me and make sure I didn’t do anything destructive or detrimental.

“Yes, Alpha.” Gods that felt good to say. And I wasn’t going to examine why. Other than the fact that he was in charge here and I had to defer to him, so it was only right to address him by his title.

“Good. Are you finished?”

I nodded and gathered my plate, but when I stood and turned, Duncan was right there to take it from me. I opened my mouth to protest, but he just smiled and shook his head. He headed to the sink with the dish and I shoved my hands in the pockets of my jeans because I didn’t know what else to do with them.

I felt Trey beside me and jumped; I hadn’t heard him move. What was wrong with me? My senses were usually better than that. But with my bear sleeping, hiding, whatever the hell he was doing—please gods don’t let him be gone—it made sense that my senses weren’t as highly honed. I had to take a couple of steadying breaths because just the thought of that made my soul hurt.

“We’re heading to the clinic first,” Trey said as he headed toward the door. I fell into step behind him, following closely but not too close. “I need to check in with Verity and make sure she’s got everything she needs. Then we’ll visit a few pack members.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

Trey made a noise in the back of his throat, but I didn’t know what it meant, so I didn’t respond.

Last night, it had been too dark to see much, but now it was easy to take in the pack lands. Like most of the shifter groups, Carver Pack had created their own haven. Though most humans were happy to employ us or have us live beside them, most shifters thrived on being together. There were some, like cougars or the predator birds, who preferred to live alone. But most of us needed a cohesive unit in order to be happy and healthy. Carver Pack, I knew, occupied a hundred acres in upstate New York, and they were self-sustaining. Some members of the pack had jobs in the nearby towns, but most lived and worked on pack lands.

But what really struck me was how easy and happy all the wolves we encountered were. When we stopped in at the clinic, there were several people in the waiting room, and they all grinned and ran to their alpha, needing his attention if only for a few minutes. Verity was pleased to see us, and answered Trey’s questions quickly.

“The shipment came in last week, and we’re set for a while. I’m thinking that I’ll need another nurse, though. It’s too much for just me, Thomas, and Jane.”

Trey nodded. “Does Analise want to work here?”

Verity laughed. “Gods, no. She’s much happier at the hospital, and it’s beneficial to have her working there, even if it’s a bit of a commute. With her connections, we have someone there if we need to send a wolf for more treatment than I can give here.”

“Good point. So do you want me to look outside the pack? Or would you prefer we find out if one of the younger wolves would like to get their certification?”

Making a humming noise, Verity tapped her chin. “We can get along for a while if someone is interested in going to school. If not, then we’ll have to search outside.”

“I’ll bring it up at the next pack meeting.”

“Thank you, Alpha.”

Trey dragged his wrist along her neck, scent-marking her. It was nice to see. He cared enough to claim this wolf as his. I knew alphas who weren’t so conscientious.

As the day wore on, I realized that Trey treated everyone with the same kind of respect. He listened when they spoke and he never ended a meeting without scent-marking his wolves. At the Upton Farm, he spent time with the owner, Gemma, out in the field, and even pitched in to move hay bales while they spoke. Then he headed to the farmhouse and sat for tea with Gemma’s wife, Elaine. They had three young children, who climbed all over their Alpha, and Trey took it in stride.