Page 41 of The Alpha's Auctioned Pregnant Mate

"So, uh, over there is our main marketplace," he said, pointing to a bustling square filled with stalls and shoppers. "Want to take a closer look?"

Wren nodded, and they made their way into the crowd. The air was filled with the mingled scents of fresh produce, baked goods, and savory meats. Wren's eyes darted from stall to stall, taking it all in.

"It's so... organized," she murmured. "And there's so much variety."

Articus smiled, pleased by her interest. "We trade with other packs in the region, which helps keep our supplies diverse. Plus, a lot of our pack members have specialized skills or crafts they contribute."

As they weaved through the market, Articus noticed Wren eyeing a display of handmade jewelry. Subtly, he guided her over with a light touch on her lower back.

He immediately regretted it, worried he had overstepped, but Wren didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned in closer to examine a delicate silver bracelet adorned with moonstones.

"It's beautiful," she breathed.

Articus watched her face, captivated by the way her eyes lit up. "It would suit you," he said softly before he could stop himself.

Wren looked up at him, surprise evident in her expression. For a moment, they were standing so close he could see the flecks of gold in her hazel eyes. Her lips, full and naturally pink, parted slightly as she gazed up at him. The urge to kiss her again was almost overwhelming.

Then, someone yelled a greeting to the jewelry trader from behind, breaking the spell. Articus stepped back, clearing his throat. "Should we, uh, keep going?"

Wren nodded, and they continued their tour. As they walked, Articus pointed out a group of wolves engaged in what looked like a heated debate near the fountain at the center of the square.

"What's going on there?" Wren asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

Articus chuckled. "Ah, that's our weekly town forum. Any pack member can bring up issues or suggestions for improvement. It can get pretty lively."

Wren's eyebrows raised. "And you allow that? Open criticism?"

"Of course," he nodded. "It's crucial for a healthy pack. I can't be everywhere or see everything. The pack's input helps me make better decisions for everyone."

They paused for a moment, listening to the debate. A young wolf was passionately arguing for expanding the pack's solar energy program, while an older member expressed concerns about the cost.

"What do you think?" Articus asked Wren, genuinely curious about her perspective.

She seemed startled by the question as if she wasn't used to being asked her opinion on such matters. "I... well, renewable energy sounds smart. But I can see why some might worry about the expense. Maybe there's a way to implement it gradually?"

Articus smiled, impressed by her balanced view. "That's exactly the kind of compromise we often end up with. It's not always easy, but it's how we move forward together."

As they continued walking, he told her about the other towns in their territory—Silverpine, with its renowned craftsmen; Moonhaven, known for its healers and scholars; and Wolfcrest, home to their most skilled hunters and trackers.

"Silverpine is where a lot of our furniture and tools come from," he explained. "They have this amazing technique for working with wood that's been passed down for generations. And Moonhaven, well, they have the largest library you've ever seen. Wolves come from all over to study there."

"And Wolfcrest?" Wren asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

Articus smiled. "They're our first line of defense, in a way. They patrol the borders and track any potential threats. Butthey're also the ones who organize our hunting parties and make sure we're managing the wildlife populations responsibly."

"It sounds so different from what I'm used to," Wren said. "On the Dark Side, it's every wolf for themselves. The idea of all these different groups working together, it's... nice."

Articus nodded, encouraged by her words. "Like I said, it's not perfect. We have our disagreements and challenges. But at the end of the day, we're stronger together."

They had been walking for a while now, and Articus noticed Wren starting to tire. "Here," he said, guiding her to a nearby bench overlooking a small park. "Let's take a break."

As they sat, their shoulders brushed, sending currents running through him. Articus tried to focus on the children playing on the swings in front of them, but he was acutely aware of Wren's presence beside him.

He couldn't help but notice how petite she was next to him, her slender frame belying the resilience he knew she possessed. A few strands of her chestnut hair had escaped her loose ponytail, framing her face and softening her usually guarded expression.

"You know," Wren said after a moment, her voice soft, "I never thought I'd say this, but... I'm starting to see the appeal of pack life."

Articus turned to look at her, trying not to appear too eager. "Oh?"

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