Page 12 of Wanderlust With Wolves

And yet…

I like being around him.

Shaking off the thoughts, I head back outside, only to stop mid-step at what I see.

The outdoor space hastransformed.

The alpine chairs are perfectly arranged, a matching wooden corner table has somehow appeared between them, and a small fire crackles comfortably nearby.

I gape.

“How long was I gone?” I mutter, not entirely joking.

I’m too stunned to finish the thought, though, because that’s when I notice?—

My traitorous cat is curled up beneath Ronan’s chin, purring like he’s never known hardship.

I blink.

Istare.

Ronan, utterly unbothered, scratches Belvedere’s ears and rumbles, “He’s welcome to stay as he is.”

Then—as if that isn’t already enough—he tucks my cat into his flannel like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Oh.

Oh, that is deeply unfair.

Because now I am thinking impure thoughts.

Like how cozyIwould be against all that warmth and muscle, tucked under his broad, furred chest, those strong arms wrapped around me just like?—

Nope. Abort. Focus on tea.

I clear my throat, ignoring the heat creeping up my neck. “So,” I say, pouring his cup, “tell me about Avalon Vale.”

Ronan exhales slowly, his ears flicking as if debating his words. “I’m almost as new to the area as you are.”

I raise a brow. “Really?”

“Only arrived last week,” he admits. “I came to help my sister—you met her. Luna.”

Something unwinds inside me, a coil of tension I hadn’t realized I was holding.

“She’s lovely,” I say truthfully.

Ronan snorts. “She’s nice toguests.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Still. You dropped everything you were doing to help her out.”

His ears flick back slightly, like he doesn’t know what to do with the compliment.

I sip my tea. “Where are you from originally?”

His expression shutters slightly, his golden gaze flickering to the fire.

“Somewhere else,” he says after a beat.

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