Page 58 of Promise & Artem

“Will you stay here?” Promise asked her sister while Artem hauled the only piece of furniture Promise wanted—a large bookshelf that doubled as a TV stand.

“I think so,” Rio said. “At least for now. I still don’t know what I want to do with myself.”

“I had to leave home to find my heart,” Promise pointed out.

Rio made a face. “I don’t remember you being so lovey-dovey-romantic before you met Artem.”

Artem grinned as he hefted the now-empty bookshelf on one shoulder and headed for the front door.

“I didn’t have a reason to be lovey-dovey-romantic until I met him.”

He felt the same damn way.

Once he’d secured the bookshelf, he returned to the house to pick up the bags and boxes as they were being filled.

He paused after dropping another box in the back of his truck and stared at the woods around the trailer park.

“It’s nice here,” Promise said as she snuggled up to his side.

“It is,” he said. He kissed the top of her head. “We could stay here if you’d like. You know I’d be anywhere you are without question.”

“I love the campground, though. It feels like home to me and my wolf. Plus, I wanted to be in a place where I could use my healing skills, and there are already plenty of healers in the Tressel Pack.”

“I’m glad we can come here to visit, though.”

“Me too.”

She went onto her toes and kissed him. He was very tempted to chase her lips and kiss her some more, but they still needed to see the alphas before going to her parents for dinner, so kissing would have to wait.

But hopefully not for too long, because he did love to kiss his sweet wolf.

Promise hadn’t expected the alphas to invite them to have dinner at their house along with the high-ranked males and their mates, plus her family and close friends. After the meal, they were going to hunt together, and she was so excited to have a chance to run through the woods with Artem.

Jason manned the grill with the males standing nearby and discussing proper grilling of various foods, while the females all admired Promise’s engagement ring and how thankful they were that she was safe now.

“I didn’t know minotaur shifters were real,” Cades said. “But he’s great and we’re so happy for you.”

“I’m happy too,” she said.

When the grilling was done and the picnic tables were set, Alpha Jason stood and lifted his beer. “It always does my heart good to see one of the pack find their truemate. Artem, as your people don’t have a mating ceremony per se, and you and Promise are now mated, Cadence and I are extending an honorary membership to you for the pack as Promise’s mate. You’re welcome to hunt with us anytime.”

He lifted his beer a little higher and said, “To Promise and Artem.”

The group lifted their drinks and repeated the toast then clicked their glasses and bottles together.

Promise and Artem shared a kiss and then clinked their glasses together.

Platters and dishes were passed and plates were filled, and then before they knew it, they’d eaten their fill and were heading out to find some privacy to strip and shift.

“I can’t run that fast in my shift,” Artem said. “But I’ll try to keep up with you.”

“I won’t leave you behind. I don’t care about running fast, I’m just excited to get to be in our shifts together when our lives aren’t in danger.”

He grimaced. “Yeah, I’m looking forward to that too.”

She smiled and stepped into his arms to kiss him. “I’m so crazy about you. Thank you for coming here with me and sharing this time with my family and pack.”

“I’m crazy about you too, Promise. And I’m glad I can be here. Your pack is amazing and so is your family and friends.”

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