Page 45 of Hunted

A lake or pool of water we can enjoy in summer

Plenty of outbuildings or space to build them

When Mack stirs, I quietly close the notebook, return everything where I found it and get up from the table, walking over to the sink with my glass of water.

I lean against the counter as I sip my water, and I recall all of Mack’s subtle hints these last few days. And now I understand what he must have been planning.

To be a shifter is to have a pack around you. I might not have felt like I belonged in either of the packs I briefly called home, but in the Boones and the Dacres, everyone lived in a big house together. It would be the same in packs everywhere.

A pack lives together, and they play together. Not only for safety, but because wolves are social creatures and we tend to be as well.

When I came here, everyone seemed content to live their separate home lives and come to Mack’s house to celebrate an event or have meetings.

But that isn’t the shifter way.

Now Mack has plans for a bigger plot of land with a house that will fit everyone, including an outbuilding for Penny’s blooming cake business if she wants it, and a nursery for all the kids we would want. Adela and my grandparents don’t live too far away, but if we all lived under one roof, it would be easier for them to play an active role in Thumper’s life.

I wouldn’t be driving over to see them. No one would be driving to see anyone. We’d all live together, eat together, play together, and be more of a traditional pack.

I love this house and Iamhappy here, but being able to have our kids grow up together, and to be closer to everyone is something I would love even more.

Mack said something about his nursery surprise covering a large expanse. Is this what he had meant?

What I don’t get is why he hasn’t told me.

Does he think I don’t want to leave this house even after I told him as long as I’m with him I don’t care where I live?

Probably.

My gaze settles on Mack. He’s still deep asleep and will probably have a sore neck if I leave him to sleep like that for much longer.

Smiling at the man I love so much, I place my empty glass in the sink and walk over to him.

I cradle his jaw with one hand. “Mack?”

He startles awake, his eyes wide, instinctively searching for danger. “Aerin?” he blinks owlishly at me. His eyes dip to my stomach and his forehead creases in concern. “Is it the baby? Is something?—”

“Is fine. As am I,” I interrupt.

I sit astride him, frame his face with both hands and give him a soft, slow, and sweet kiss. I pour out all my love for him, holding nothing back.

He breaks the kiss, eyes heated. “Aerin?”

I smile at him. “I just want to show you that I love you.”

“Because I’m dreaming this?” A sweet smile stretches his lips as he strokes his hands up and down my back.

“This is real,” I tell him softly.

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