Page 13 of Wrestling With Werewolves

“We understand if you want privacy, though,” Connall pitches in. “You can blur or solidify the glass with the touch of a button, or the house can do it for you, if you ask. Please don’t feel like you have to give us the inside view into your life. We don’t expect that.”

I’m at a loss for words as the omega a floor above us glances down, notices us, and waves. She seems excited to see our group, speaking rapidly into her comm watch as her hand makes wild motions.

Richard jerks his head to the potions shop. A sign that says “Alkemi” hangs on the glass-front door. Through a giant plate window, rows of potions and crystals are visible. “Alkemi has a potion for anything you need and the owner, Malik, is amazing. And of course, the General Store on Main Street has a limited selection of potions, too.”

“It’s beautiful,” I say, hiking my guitar higher over my back. Is this what it would have been like if I wasn’t born the princess? If I was just another shifter omega in a small pack? If the entire haven didn’t technically count as my family?

Richard continues his tour as we walk slowly up the street. “We’ve got the grocery, where you can get supplies.” Piles of vegetables are visible through the front window. “There’s Pack Gem, your home for all the glittery goodies an omega might want to adorn herself with.” He winks a second time.

Shifters’ love of beautiful jewelry is well-known—Santa Alaya is full of renowned silversmiths. Wolves come from many other havens to purchase special jewelry in my home haven. I’d have been surprised if there wasn’t a jeweler in this one.

Next to Pack Gem, a book-filled window seems mismatched with a sign indicating they sell jewelry.

Arkan looks at me. “The Pack Gem folks moved next door before we came to Ever. My father is currently renting their old space for his books. That location is more of an office right now. Although, you’re welcome there at any time. Just know that once you enter”—his tone goes mysterious and dramatic—“you’ll be there for at least three hours.”

I snort out a laugh.

Richard waves around us, still walking backward. “About a ten-minute walk this way, you’ll come to Biergarten, which is a great spot for lunch and brunch. They close down for dinner, though.”

My laugh carries on. “So what you’re telling me is that at least half of the businesses in Shifter Hollow are related to food? I suppose that tracks.”

He beams. “Are we even wolves if food and family aren’t every other word out of our mouths?” His expression grows serious. “I’m sorry to say there are no paleteros in Ever, but there’s a kick-ass ice cream shop downtown.”

I make a faux grimace. “Paletas will always reign supreme, but I suppose I can deal.” I like this playful approach to the town tour. For a minute, I can forget the reason I’m here in the first place.

He jerks his head toward the right. “Like most shifter towns outside of Santa Alaya, our homes spiral out from the main street. The guest houses are interspersed with spoken-for dwellings to help make it easier to assimilate.” He levels me with that same smile, but I sense something guarded there, something that brings back the pressure in my chest.

They lost a packmate. Now they have to deal with me. All because I couldn’t follow the main fucking motto of all shifters.

I stare around at the stark, forested beauty that’s so different from home. Huge dark trees soar above us, so tall they blot out the sky. A sense of claustrophobia hits me at not being able to see across town to the bay. My breath comes faster, tension in my chest tightening until I have to force myself to breathe evenly and not look freaked out.

The last day’s worth of emotions are hitting me all at once.

Hana glances down at me, clasping her hands at her waist. “Lola, once you get settled, it would be my honor to give you a tour of the remainder of Ever, if you’d like to see it.”

I force my lungs to fill with air, plastering a smile on my face. When I turn to the lovely female, my grin widens. “That would be great. Maybe later this afternoon or tomorrow?”

She lifts her wrist, showing me the blue-banded comm watch that encircles it. “Any time, friend. Simply call me. There is no rush.”

We walk quietly along a residential street that arches away from the main thoroughfare. It’s quieter here, the sounds muffled by the tree canopy. Just like the main road, giant glass rectangles stick out of the trees in every direction. Through the clear walls, shifters are visible going about their daily lives. It’s fascinatingly new, and as I observe everything, homesickness hits.

Connall glances over his shoulder at me. “We hope you enjoy the guest treehouse we picked out for you, Lola. Remember, we have no requirements for you while you’re here. Enjoying yourself is enough for us.”

Some of the pressure in my chest eases at his words, but, like always, that bone-deep instinct to serve hits me hard. What will I do all day every day if I’m not visiting Lupe and the others and spending time with my pack?

Do they miss me?

I think about the last time I saw her. What if nobody told her I was leaving? What if nobody told anyone at all that I’d be back…eventually?

About halfway up the street, we dip between two enormous tree trunks to walk along a moss-covered stone path. Richard slips an ancient-looking metal key from his pocket as we pause in front of a tall, moss-encrusted door.

He shoves it into the lock and twists. The door opens with a groan and a light turns on inside the entryway.

The treehouse creaks, bringing a smile to my face. Her hello is reassuring, for some reason.

Richard stalks through the door and disappears down a short hall and around a corner. Connall follows, but Hana and Arkan pause next to me.

Arkan grins. “Call us if you need anything at all, even if you just have questions. Welcome home to Shifter Hollow.”

---