Page 76 of Cursed Wolf

Tryn said we could start looking for our own place soon, but I actually enjoyed living at the Howling Death lodge. I liked that there were always people nearby, sharing the kitchen and communal living areas. When I wanted privacy, Tryn’s bedroom was my favorite, cozy place to retreat. Everything smelled like him, and I couldn’t get enough of wrapping his scent around me.

“Well?” Tryn laced his fingers through mine, walking calmly at my side, but I could sense his anticipation.

I grinned, unable to hold it in any longer. “The Alpha said yes!”

“Really? To everything?”

“Well, he laid out very strict but reasonable rules, but yes. I can go to the human world to attend conferences and get medical journals.” One thing that remained important to me was keeping my veterinary skills sharp and up-to-date, and that meant leaving one foot in the human world. Thankfully, Derric heard me out and was agreeable to me making occasional trips back and forth from Vargmore.

“That’s great news!” Tryn turned and embraced me hard before kissing me deeply, his warm hands holding my face. “I’m so glad you can still pursue your dreams.” With a low growl he added, “I would’ve had words with Derric if he didn’t allow it, but it seems he’s softened up to humans recently.”

“I think it helps that I’ll be able to treat the pack. We also talked about me ordering some advanced medical equipment. An ultrasound machine, surgical tools, things like that. He’s going to have Orson make a budget and get back to me.”

“More great news.” Tryn beamed. “The witches are skilled healers, but they don’t know everything you do.”

“Their tools are just different,” I said. “I don’t have magic and ancient knowledge of herbs at my disposal, but I hope my own skill set can be useful.”

“You saved my ass, didn’t you?” He nuzzled my temple and kissed me there.

“I had help,” I reminded him. “And you saved me first, remember?”

“If it were your guts in danger of falling out, I’d be pretty damn useless, so I think you win the best savior award.”

“Oh, shut up.” I laughed, hooking my arm through his as we walked. “We can both be dashing heroes and damsels in distress.”

Tryn chuckled. “Only for each other.”

“Definitely.”

We walked quietly for a while along a winding, gravel road. I’d walked this way enough times already to know that we’d reach Stout & Spirit eventually. Yesterday, I offered to help Shiloh behind the bar a couple days a week and she practically jumped for joy.

The future looked bright. I had my love, my passion, a real home, and others like me. But for the moment, my mind was stuck on one little detail of the past.

“Can I ask you to do me a favor?” My arm tightened around Tryn’s bicep.

“Anything,” he said without hesitation, and I knew that he meant it.

I took a deep breath. “I’d like to visit my parents, and I’d love it if you came with me.”

Tryn paused and turned to face me. “Of course I will, beautiful.” His expression implored me to explain further. After I told him more about my family situation, that they were so strict with me academically and never supported me becoming a vet, he wasn’t the biggest fan of my parents.

“I’m going to reduce contact with them after this visit,” I said. “But I’ve been avoiding them for over a month, and I think they deserve to know some version of what’s going on with me. Not specifics, of course. But I want to tell them that I fell in love, I’m still practicing veterinary medicine, and I’m happy living a quiet life in the mountains.”

“Do you think they’ll approve? Now that you finally are happy?” Tryn asked.

I barked out a harsh laugh. “Not a chance. I’m sure they’ll keep arguing that I need to go to law school or something, but I don’t care. I don’t need their approval anymore. That’s why I’m reducing contact. I just...need to do this. I need to tell them that I’m finally taking control of my life, and I’m choosing happiness.”

Tryn nodded and took my hands in his. “This is important to you, so of course I’ll be there to support you.” He drew me forward and kissed me before continuing. “But I’m warning you right now, if they try to disrespect you or talk down to you in any way, I’m calling it out. I don’t care if they’re your parents, no one gets away with putting down my mate.”

Although the human side of me was just a touch worried about being caught in the middle of such a confrontation, my wolf absolutely loved hearing this from him. Our mate was protective and strong. Fate had chosen well for us. Whether such a confrontation came or not, I had to agree with her there.

“Well, hopefully they’ll be on their best behavior and it won’t have to come to that.” I reached on tiptoes to kiss Tryn again.

“I promise you I will be,” he murmured against my lips.

My smile touched his. “I know you will.”

“Until a situation calls for me to misbehave.” He grabbed my ass and kissed me deeper, right there in the middle of the road.

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