“Then Italy?” Jack asked excitedly.
“Do you want to?” Rachel turned to him, “Really want to?”
“H.ell yeah, I do,” Jack said, “We can figure out everything else later, I have enough savings, and I think I deserve some time off.” Jack crossed his hands behind his head.
“I’m sure we can find you a job within the pack or company.” Caspien said, “Possibly as advisors, as well. Both of you.” Caspien said.
“I would really like that,” I accidentally said out loud.
“We can talk about it later. Today has been,” Caspien sighed, running a hand through his midnight hair.
“It’s been a fucking day,” Cali said.
“That,” Caspien gave her a smile that was becoming more and more normal for him, “It has been a fucking day. A long string of fucking days.
(Willa)
Lola texted me that her parents were packing up and would be here tomorrow. Caspien promised them a great apartment in the packhouse and Lola one of her own after she finished her Masters she was working on. Holden and Griffen said that no one really came forward with any questions after that public display; not really sure what else we could call it.
Neither of them seemed to mind. Griffen seemed confident that people might show up in the future. I think Holden just didn’t want to do that work or at least pretended that he didn’t.
Either way, Cali and I spent the afternoon with Nora and our kids, talking housing arrangements and strategy. I didn’t realize how many apartments Caspien had for his pack members. There would be more than enough room to house twice of Blue Ridge just with the vacant cottages, packhouse apartments, and places around the city.
Nora held Olivia; she was the picture of bliss. Her cheeks were rosy and warm, and her soft smile never left her.
Griffen and she balanced each other so well. She softened his hard edge and grounded him when he became over-paranoid. She had the patience that I could only hope of finding as a mother and she was the perfect Beta for Cali and me.
She helped bring down Cali’s impulses in a way that made sense to her, and she didn’t fight about them while offering insight into me being in a ranked role for a few years now.
“Are you still going forward with the renovations?” Nora asked, stroking Olivia’s cheek.
“I think so,” The renovations to Caspien’s place were put on hold indefinitely after we were forced to move in full-time after the attack and Cali’s place.
I hadn’t been back to my old place since, but Caspien had it packed up, our stuff still in boxes at our new home to be unpacked after renovations.
I didn’t want to change much, just add a few homey touches to make the massive space seem a bit cozier.
A few plants, adding a bit of lighter wood, one of the designers suggested installing wooden beams to cut through the harshness of the modern lines. A touch of color and some small changes and I think it would be perfect for our family. It already was the perfect home because I had Emmett and Caspien there.
Luna, do you have some free time this afternoon? – Caspien asked
We are pretty much done here. Actually, we’re ready if anyone comes
Good, meet me downstairs in fifteen. Your parents are coming to grab Emmett
“I’m going to spend some time with Caspien, I told them standing. Emmett grandma and grandpa are coming to pick you up, is that okay?”
He pouted, “I wanted to stay with Lorelai and the baby.”
“I’m sure Loreli can come over if you ask her first and then grandma and grandpa really nicely.”
“Okay!” Emmett asked Loreli if she wanted to come to play, and of course, she said yes.
“Anything else you need, link me,” I told them.
“We’re good here, Nora is going to continue my werewolf training,” Cali said.
Nora has been diligent about teaching her werewolf history and laws. We all have been helping her out and she has taken a real interest not just in the pack aspect but in the business side of The Dracos group.
I met Caspien downstairs. He was waiting for me by the elevator doors.
“Willa,” He gave me a brilliant smile and held his arm out to me.
“Cas,” I took it and let him lead me out to where a car was waiting for us.
“Where are we going?”
“I promised you a run once things calmed down, didn’t I?” He turned to me, and Iris howled in my mind, pacing around frantically.
“How can I deny Iris that?” I said, but in all honesty, I was yearning to get her out again.
Living in the forest I shifted almost daily, going on long runs.
I could feel it deep in my bones, the ache, the emptiness that came from not shifting, and I knew it was even harder on Iris.
“We won’t go so long again,” Caspien kissed the back of our intertwined hands, “Things are safe, secure, and we can go spend more time at the original packhouse deep in the woods.”
“I like the sound of that.” I laid my head on his shoulder.
Eventually, his parents would return to the old packhouse in the woods, my parents had a cottage being renovated there, as well.
It wasn’t a far drive, and I knew we would probably see at least one set of them almost daily. It has been nice having them at the packhouse though, especially to help with Emmett when a new burst of chaos was unleashing itself. “I’ll show you the rest of your lands later on,” He smiled against my hair, “But I want time for Atlas and Iris to get to know each other.”
I settled into his side, and soon the buildings gave way to the sprawling expanse on the other side of the city. The driver pulled over on the side of the road, and I looked up at Caspien curious.
“There’s a nice clearing through there with a creek; the trees aren’t as thick here.” He explained. That would make it easier for us to run and really stretch our legs.
“Ready?” He reached out his hand for mine, an infectious smile crossed his face that made him seem years younger.
I nodded, returning his smile.
He led me through the trees in silence, I basked in the last of the warm afternoon sun that trickled through the trees.
The familiar forest sounds seemed to quiet everything else.
“Here,” Caspien stopped by a tree outside a clearing, “Just a short run to the East and the trees thin, it’s gorgeous this time of day, I haven’t been here in ages.” He removed his jacket and tugged his shirt over his head. I focused on his rippling golden abs, heat pooling to my c.ore. His eyes flashed black when he caught my scent.
I took a deep breath shutting my eyes, and slipped the cotton dress I changed into over my shoulders.
Caspien came behind me and unhooked my b.ra. His warm fingers trailed down the side of my arms, leaving goosebumps in their wake.
My breath hitched as he knelt behind me and tugged down the thin fabric.
“That’s better.” He placed a kiss on my backside and stood up, his warmth leaving me.
I looked over my shoulder as he discarded his pants and boxers.
My body swirled with anticipation.
My turn my turn Iris chanted, and I suppressed my groan.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.