Page 145 of Grim

The snow covered the flora, the benches, and the elevated surfaces, but not the road. It was well treated with salt by the humans, and with Journey’s wolf radiating heat, we went with the bike for transportation.

Having my wolf return didn’t mean my love of the bike faded. The roar of the engine, the wind blowing in my hair—It was a way to stay close to the surrounding nature when we could not shift as much in town. It was enough to sate my wolf, but now that Journey’s wolf wanted to surface more, she was going to want to be in the forest. The bike wouldn’t satisfy her young wild wolf.

Instead of riding to our usual spot, the cliff that overlooked the valley below, we drove deeper into the woods. I could feel Journey’s confusion through the bond, her fingers gripping my cut as we traveled deeper into the lush pines.

Once we hit the gravel road, she became vocal, wondering where I was taking her.

“It’s a surprise,” I yelled over the roar of the engine. Leif was too damned excited to speak to our mate. He was prancing like a small pup ready for their mother to come play.

We came to a clearing at the end of the freshly made gravel road. Trees had been torn down and stacked around a large area that extended five hundred yards in a perfect circle. The foundation of concrete was already poured in the far corner of the lot. Logs were piled high, ready to be stacked and mounted to make the frame of the log cabin.

Our cabin.

“What is this?” Journey gaped with awe as she slung her leg over the bike to dismount.

I parked the bike, throwing the kickstand out, and smiled widely at the site.

Our new home.

I placed my hand on her lower back, leading her to the foundation that would soon be our den. She looked between me and the piles of timber, still not understanding.

The entire upstairs of the tattoo shop apartment was completed. We had an actual bedroom, bathroom, large kitchen and additional bedroom for any pups we may have in the future. It had been completed in the span of a month and a half, and it would be the perfect home away from home when the time came.

But things were changing within the club, and once a certain someone woke up from their foolishness, we would all need to return to the sanctuary of the forest where our animals would have a place to roam.

“Is this?”

I nodded. “It’s our future home.”

Journey took a deep breath, her breasts rising and falling. My lustful eyes couldn’t help but stare at her. It was as if I was seeing her for the first time all over again.

“How long will it take to build?” she asked. “I’m rather excited.” She laid her head on my chest.

“Longer than our apartment, and that’s okay. They also are working on the future pack house.” I tilted my head to the extensive area plotted out with orange flags. “We won’t live here permanently, maybe on the weekends, until we get enough members willing to move into it. But it is important for your wolf to spend as much time in nature as possible. Especially in the early years.”

Journey beamed, holding onto my arm. “I think Cassandra would like that.”

Journey has coaxed her wolf out slowly over the months. But she did not talk as freely as Leif and I did. Journey felt the name Cassandra was perfect. She was elegant, graceful and every bit like Journey from the feeling I got from her. She was conscious of her surroundings, not just for safety but empathy toward the souls around her.

“Are we here to run, too?” Journey asked.

I chuckled, rubbing her head with the top of my hand. She scoffed, pushing it away to fix her hair. “No, I thought we would go back.”

Journey gasped, slapping me on the arm and stripped. “Well, I’m running. If you want to go back, you just go right ahead!”

I growled playfully, pulling off my clothes as quickly as I could. Journey was already shifting, her bones popping and whines of pain wrapping around my throat. I fucking hated that it still hurt her, but it would be years before the pain would be nothing but a distant memory.

By the time I shifted, she completed hers, and she dashed into the lush forest.

Our paws synchronized, hitting the soil beneath us. The dead leaves that refused to fall the past winter fell to the ground as we raced by. Journey was free, Cassandra panting happily as we dashed through the thawing streams and the flora sprouting for spring.

“Ready for our wolves to take over?”I linked.

Journey laughed, her head shaking playfully.

“Totally, I’m ready to not have to think for a while.”

We let our wolves emerge, their fearless howls penetrating the forest.

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