Page 57 of Reclaiming Home

It was a great meal. We chatted about Holden’s job and our plans for the house as we ate.

“Is it insensitive to ask how you ended up being a wolf and when?” I asked, then immediately added, “Please feel free to not answer any of that if you don’t want to.”

He shook his head. “No, it’s fine to ask when we’re among friends here.” He smiled. “I was a few days shy of turning forty-one. Worked as a police officer in Atlantic City. I was about to finally do what my parents wanted and become a detective and all.” He chuckled a bit tiredly. “They had high hopes for me, but I was never that competitive.”

“When was this?” Brodie asked, then told Carys, “No, you sit. I’ll clean this and bring the dessert.”

She blushed again and didn’t object.

“Twenty years ago. Ish.”

“Wait, so you’re in your sixties?” Carys blurted out.

Holden laughed. “Yes. I have to say that the slower aging has come in handy. There is no way I would be this fit if I was still human.”

Brodie came in carrying a tray of blueberry mousse. He served us all and then took his seat. I smiled at him. I knew enough about wolfpack dynamics now that I realized this was his way of showing Holden that he wasn’t one of those old school macho alphas who thought womenfolk or non-alphas or betas should be doing these things.

I didn’t doubt for a moment that Holden would ever see him as such, but I could tell our resident cop was taking note of everything and getting relaxed and comfortable around us.

“Then something happened?” Brodie prompted.

“It was a domestic call. Guy pulled a gun out of nowhere and tried to take out both his girlfriend and me. My partner was to the side and managed to shoot him before he could kill her. Me, on the other hand? We were close to the hospital and there was a wolf on call. They got me there just in time. I don’t remember anything but waking up in searing pain from the bite.”

“So how does that work?” I asked. “I know if an Alpha bites someone, then that person is the Alpha’s responsibility. But when it’s an emergency situation like that?”

Holden hummed around a spoonful of the mousse. “Well, there are these rehab centers around the country for newly bitten wolves. Basically, you go there to learn how to be a wolf and get stabilized like you would in a pack. The pack bonds don’t form in those places, because there’s no Alpha in them other than for some mandatory sessions.”

“That’s interesting….” I realized I’d already scarfed down the mousse. “This was way too good,” I told Carys. “Genuinely.”

“I was following some recipes I found online.”

“Hey, never downplay a good thing you did,” Brodie told her gently. “Be proud of what you’ve done here.”

“What he said.” Holden grinned.

When our chat turned to family—Holden asked about mine and Carys’ first—it was clear Holden had some issues with his.

“My parents are long gone. My twin and I were surprise babies they had while they were a bit older. They wanted kids but stopped trying when nothing happened for over fifteen years. Then surprise, twins! Then we lost my brother when we were about to turn twenty. I’ve been alone for a while now.” He shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal.

Brodie hummed thoughtfully. “For what it’s worth, there’s always a place here for you.” He grinned in his surprisingly boyish way. “And I’m not just saying that because we could use an officer of the law on our sideandI need more betas.”

Holden chuckled. “Good to know. I have been putting in a good word around town already. Telling people you’re nothing like your uncle and that things are very different here now.”

I cleared my throat. “Seriously, though. We think like you’d be an excellent addition to the pack and that we could be good for you as well.”

Brodie reached over to take my left hand, careful with the bandage over my wrist, then looked at Holden. “My mate and I would like to extend an official invitation to join the pack whenever you might feel like doing so. There’s no rush. Take your time.”

I nodded. “And if you never want that, that’s also okay. We want you to know that even if you don’t become Brodie’s beta, you’ll have a family here if you want one.”

Holden seemed touched, his voice a bit rough when he replied, “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Okay. If we’re done here, should we shift?” Brodie said brightly.

“Yes, that sounds like a good idea. Where do you…?”

“You can use the utility room over there.” I pointed.

Soon enough, both of the wolves had gotten undressed and shifted, one by one, and they were shaking their furs out in the kitchen.

---