Page 42 of Reformed Wolf

“I didn’t say that. I love it! I just can’t imagine the amount of work and money that went into everything. I hope you didn’t do all this for me.”

He held a finger up in the air between us. “Wait… there’s one more thing I need to show you.” I noticed how he’d brushed past what I was asking. My stomach squirmed with guilt. Had I done something to make him think I wasn’t content with everything the way it was?

I let myself get pulled back outside to the side of our house where there was a showerhead mounted to the wall. “Is that… a shower?”

“Yes!” He went on to explain how the water was heated by the sun through a series of black pipes that were coiled over the roof. “It’s not perfect, we still need to keep the water stocked up, but—”

“No,” I quickly said, placing my hand over his mouth. “Please, don’t apologize. You’ve done so much—too much. I can’t even begin to guess how much all this cost. And to get it all set up so quickly? You can’t afford this. I really wish you hadn’t gone to so much trouble for me.”

“Yeah, about that…” He looked down at his feet. “It didn’t cost as much as you might think.” He winced.

I opened my mouth to ask what he meant, but a familiar scent pierced through the shifter cocktail. “Dad?” I whipped around and found my father hopping out of a truck that had just pulled up.

He grinned and headed over, carrying a tray of coffee cups in one hand and a grease-stained paper bag in the other. I’d never seen my father dressed down. He was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, both of which were coated in a fine layer of dirt. His hair, usually so carefully styled, was messy with dried sweat. Despite the shock I’d been hit with, I smiled. This new look suited him, seeing him get his hands dirty, in an honest way for a change.

He passed the bag of fast food to Tristan and the coffee to Shan who’d joined us. “You were right, Shan. That diner smelled amazing—and you’re lucky a few pastries managed to survive the trip back.”

“Dad, what are you doing here?” I asked as the boys descended on the food like their animals were in control.

My father shrugged like it was no big deal. “I was having a really rough week dealing with Avi Cant and his cackle of hyenas. I sympathize with him over the loss of his son, but he’s demanding restitution—as if Merlin’s killer being put down wasn’t enough. Anyway, I needed to take a break, and I realized I hadn’t given you a mating gift.”

My eyebrows jumped. “So you just randomly decided that you would overhaul the entire camp?” I wasn’t buying it. I speared him with a glare. “Or are you in cahoots with my mate?”

He didn’t need to answer, his smirk was an admission all on its own. Was it wrong that it made me all warm and squishy inside when I thought about my mate and my father getting along? When he’d first planned the competition with me as the prize, I’d been livid. It was unforgiveable. I’d assumed I would live a miserable future as a pawn, maybe even a hostage, in whatever political criminal scheme unraveled. But this… I could never in a million years have predicted something like this, and I felt my anger at him fading, because as extravagant and over the top as it was, it was also wholesome. He was trying. The least I could do was meet him halfway.

I nodded, barely hiding my grin, as I reached out for Tristan’s hand and pulled him to my side. I’d been waiting for the right moment to give my father the news, and now seemed the perfect time. “If this is a mating gift, I can’t wait to see what you get for the baby…”

I saw the moment my words sank in. His face went slack, his rigid posture melted, and he blinked quickly, trying to dispel the tears. He looked ten years younger. “I’m going to be a grandfather?” I nodded, my vision swimming as my own eyes grew watery.

Tristan and I were both pulled into my father’s strong arms as he hugged the hell out of us. “This is wonderful news!” He beamed, cuffing me around the back of the neck. “What are the chances I can get you to move back to Fairhome so I can be closer?”

“Zero,” I said with no hesitation, and my panther agreed wholeheartedly.

Tristan seemed surprised by that answer, his arm tightening around my waist, the bond fluttering. I couldn’t believe he didn’t see what I saw. The Grim Wilds pack, the forest, and even the rugged camp had become my home. I felt happier, freer, than I ever had. I wouldn’t give this up without a fight.

My father gave a pouty frown, though he looked like he’d been expecting it. “It’s a shame. I was hoping I could convince Tristan to come work for me. He’s proven himself to be quite innovative.”

“Father—Daddy? I love you, I really do, but… I do not love your business. I don’t agree with how you make your money, and I would never forgive you if you pushed it onto my mate.”

He huffed, pouting. “I don’t do anything that bad… nobody gets hurt who doesn’t deserve it.”

I held a finger up to cut him off. “Nope, I won’t have this beauty spoiled.”

“Fine,” he grunted, crossing his arms over his chest, the sleeves of his t-shirt stretching.

Tristan dropped a kiss on my temple, then he turned to my father. “You know, I’ve got a few ideas for businesses that are a little less… colorful. You know, if you ever decide to branch out.” He held his hand out, and my dad looked down at it before clasping it tightly.

“It’s a deal.”

“And maybe next time you’re here, we could all go for a run?” I asked.

My dad grinned, all the stress sloughing off, leaving him healthier and happier. “I’d love to.”

Chapter 19

Tristan

“Dammit, this isn’t working,” my mate muttered, cursing.

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