Page 83 of Cage Me

My big, wolfy mate is such a softy.

I grab the top box and open the flaps. To my surprise, it’s filled with jeans, a pair of new boots, and plain tees. Just my style. I really do adore that witch.

“Drop them in the bedroom,” I tell him. “I’ll put those away next.”

Another knock sounds at the door that opens before we can reply. “Anyone home?” Corvin announces, and I shake my head.

He knows damn well we are seeing as how he’s our alpha and has a direct link to us, but I don’t bother to remind him of that. Especially when he’s been so kind to my family.

“I was just checking in on Cara and Peter and thought I’d stop by,” he says, standing near our new-to-us table. “Is this cabin going to work for the two of you?”

I glance around at the one-bedroom place. There’s a place to cook, somewhere to eat, a couch to relax on in front of a fireplace, and a bedroom that I get to share with my mate. I don’t think that I could ask for much more.

“It’s perfect,” I tell him. “Thank you.”

He rocks back on his feet. “Good. As soon as you’re settled, let me know.”

His tone tells me there’s more he wants to say, but like the good alpha I’ve begun to know, he’s trying to be patient.

“I know what I signed up for, Corvin,” I say with a grin. “If the pack needs help with something, unpacking can wait.”

Even when I lived within Fire and Fluorite, I never felt like I had a home. Yet, even before moving onto the pack lands, Corvin has gone out of his way to make both Drake and I part of his growing family. We’ve been invited to nighttime runs, a few group dinners, and he’s made sure we’ve had everything we need.

Repaying that kindness is no hardship for me and based on Drake’s increased interest, I’d say the same for my mate.

“There’ve been some disturbances at the portal,” Corvin says. “Nothing major, but we thought having a shadow shifter there for the next couple of nights might help stave off any further misconduct.”

I glance at Drake, and he’s already nodding. “Count me in.”

“Thank you,” he says, then nods back at the door. “I’ll see myself out. Make sure to let me know if you need anything to make this place feel like home.”

A laugh bubbles up inside me. “I’ve been living in a shed for six months. I’m pretty sure we’re good here.”

Drake wraps an arm around me and kisses the top of my head as Corvin lets himself out. “He’s a good leader. I wasn’t sure with him only being half-shifter, but he’s proven himself a worthy alpha.”

That he has.

I glance out the window in front of the table next to us and sigh happily. Peter is out front, playing with one of the other pups within the pack. They have sticks they’re using as swords and giggling as children should.

Kasha’s adjustment to his emotions has since faded, but he’s moved on with life since killing his father, eager to live without the fear he’d only ever known.

He and Mom live in the cabin next to ours. She hasn’t been leaving much, but I know she’s trying and one day she’ll get there. Maybe she’ll even meet someone new to piece the shattered bits of her heart back together.

Drake holds me tighter. “You did good, My Dove. You’re everything I thought you would be and more.”

“This wasn’t all me.” I turn in his arms and look up at him. “I might still hate the world if you hadn’t forced your way into my heart.”

“I would grovel at your feet for millennia if that’s what it took to win you over.” His lips brush lightly over mine. “I’m just grateful you didn’t make me wait that long.”

The door opens again, but in unison, we both say, “Go away.”

“Try again,” a familiar voice replies. “We have plans and you’re not canceling.” Kasha stands in the doorway. “Now, quit sucking face. We have a girls’ night planned.”

Another revelation in my life. All the people in Crossroads who had tried to befriend me when I first arrived have slowly come back into my life.

I glance at the clock in the kitchen. “It’s only five. Night isn’t for another few hours at least.”

She rolls her eyes and sighs. “You are the worst at checking your phone. The plans changed. Now, let’s go. Styx and Sin are already waiting at the pack house.”

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