Page 29 of Ensnaring Their Rabbit

“You stay as a wolf in case Reeve needs you. I’m just gonna babble a whole bunch.”

Reeve had turned the corner, examining the back of the property. We couldn’t see him, and immediately I was on high alert.

Brynn knelt next to me and wrapped his arms around me as much as he could manage. “It’s okay, Wolfy.” I huffed at the nickname. Wolfy? Really he couldn’t think of anything better. Brynn ignored me entirely, “I can still feel him.” He removed his hand and clutched his chest, indicating the bond. “I know you can, too. Just focus on that. You’ll know he’s safe.”

I let some of my weight lean into my tiny mate, knowing he could handle it. He was so strong. Even if he did babble a lot.

“First thing I’m doing once we know we’re safe is finding somewhere where I can get a big ass bowl of spaghetti. I haven’t had a decent carb in forever.” Then he wrinkled his nose, “Okay, maybe second thing. First thing is showering. Does this place have plumbing?”

I dipped my head. I had no idea. It did before. There was running water and plumbing and a solar panel system that would let us run electricity off the grid. But I had no fucking clue if any of it still worked. What were the chances our uncle was still maintaining it for us after all these years?

Reeve must’ve entered the cabin from the back, because before I could really start to worry, he was walking out, through the front door, naked and human. He was grinning as he waved us forward. “It’s safe.”

“Thank fuck,” Brynn whispered, the relief obvious. Then he was running toward Reeve, and I was right behind him. Brynn threw himself at Reeve, who easily caught him with a laugh. He kissed him soundly before putting him down and coming to me. He cupped my face with both hands, like he would when I was human, his dark eyes bright with emotion. “We did it, Riv. We’re fucking here.”

Suddenly, I was desperate to shift back, and Brynn and Reeve were taking the duffle bag off me so I could without ruining everything. As soon as it was tossed in the high grass by Reeve’s feet, I shifted. I did it so fast I was dizzy, but I didn’t care. Reeve had tears streaming down his face. Big happy tears.

“We did it?” I repeated, still having a hard time believing it, “It’s safe? It’s okay?”

He took my hand and squeezed, and then grabbed Brynn’s hand. “It’s more than okay. Uncle Zeke, he must’ve…” Reeve trailed off, choked up. He shook his head. “Well, let’s just go inside. You’ll see.”

Even knowing only good things waited for us inside, my nerves got the better of me as I followed him. I couldn’t imagine what he was so happy about. The outside was a mess. I guess as long as it was all in one piece, it was good. We had shelter. The rest would come with time. None of us were afraid of hard work–

While the outside looked exactly how I expected a property that had been neglected for a decade to look, the inside was anything but. The bare bones cabin that we bought was completely renovated. Polished hardwood floors covered the open space with faux fur rugs thrown over it for warmth. The kitchen, which if I remembered correctly was literally just a hollowed out space with the piping necessary for a stove and sink, looked practically brand new. A sparkling stove and oven, a double sink, an oversized stainless steel fridge, and even a fucking dishwasher. A dishwasher. I’d never had one of those in my life.

I stood frozen to the spot, taking it all in. It was furnished too, with an oversized leather couch in the living room, some empty bookshelves, and a TV mounted to the wall. There was a big wooden table in the space for dining. Barstools at the counter.

“What the fuck?” I muttered, having no other words.

Reeve and Brynn seemed just as lost for words as me. All three of us stood, squeezing hands so tightly I thought I was going to lose circulation, completely shell shocked.

Finally, Reeve shook his head, like he was coming out of shock. “I-I don’t know. There was a letter in the kitchen, but I haven’t opened it. The bedrooms and bathrooms are done, too. The second bedroom, it’s made as a nest.” He glanced at Brynn, “I don’t know if Uncle Zeke was thinking of Rella or what, it’s basic now, but you can add anything to it you want, change whatever…” Reeve was babbling, nervous.

Brynn stopped it with a kiss to his cheek. “I never had a nest at all. Whatever it is, it will be special. This is really it? This is ours?”

I cupped his chin, bringing his face to me. Brynn also had tears running down his face, and I couldn’t imagine what he was thinking. It had been so long since any of us had a home, and even if I thought this cabin could eventually become it, I thought we’d be living rough for a long time. But now…

I felt dizzy.

Brynn seemed to sense it. “How bout you two sit, and I’ll see if there’s anything to eat here. Then we can read the note. See what’s what.”

It was as good of a plan as any. Reeve and I leaned on each other, both on shaky legs, and somehow made it to the soft leather couch. I almost felt bad sitting on it with my filthy body, but…it was leather. It would be easy to clean.

I closed my eyes, just soaking in the buttery soft fabric. Had I ever sat on something so soft before? Where had Uncle Zeke even gotten all this?

I let my thoughts drift as I leaned into Reeve and took strength from him. I opened one eye, just to keep an eye on Brynn as he practically skipped into the kitchen and started opening cabinets and cupboards.

None of this made sense. Uncle Zeke hadn’t visited us once in prison. He never even showed up to the trial. I kind of figured that he sold the property and took off with our money. Not this… Unless of course he was living here, but then why not fix the front up, too?

Soon Brynn came back with two sleeves of crackers, a can of Spam, and…a package of Oreos? What the fuck.

“It looks like it’s only non-perishable food, which makes sense if he had no idea when y’all would be back.” Or if we’d be back. Brynn flopped on the couch, making space for himself between Reeve and me. We both scooted over, loving the idea of our mate between us. He handed Reeve the Spam with a wrinkled nose before diving right into the Oreos.

He unscrewed the cookie and immediately started to lick at the creme in the center. The way his eyes rolled back in his head was obscene, and if I wasn’t stressing about the letter, I’d be hard watching him.

He froze, the cookie halfway to his lips. “What? I haven’t had one of these in ages.”

“Nothing, sweetness. Glad to see you enjoying yourself.”

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