Page 8 of His Place in the World
He hesitated.He’d never told Cam he was a rare shifter, but maybe he should.At the very least, Cam should know who he was working with, right?It would help Cam feel like he could trust Angus even more than he already did, or at least, Angus hoped so.
He cleared his throat.“You created a safe place for rare shifters,” he started, unsure how to bring it up.
“After meeting Sam and Toby, it was the least I could do,” Cam said.
“You could have taken them in but refused everyone else.Rare shifters are safe here, but you’re also putting your pack in danger by having so many of them living with you.”
Cam frowned.“That’s not going to stop me.No shifter deserves to be treated the way rare shifters are.They’re exploited and sold off as if they’re nothing more than objects, and I don’t want that to happen to any of them.Besides, while having so many here puts my pack in danger, it gives them a home they’re willing to fight for.They help keep the pack safe just like the pack keeps them safe.”
Angus was making a mess out of this, and Cam was turning defensive.“I realize that.I wasn’t trying to say anything negative.I just wanted you to know that as a rare shifter, I’m in awe of what you’ve created.”
Cam’s jaw dropped open.“You’re a rare shifter?”
“I am.The Wakefield pack gave me home when I didn’t have anyone else, and I’ll always be grateful to them for that.”
Cam cocked his head, still staring at Angus.Angus felt the alpha could read right through him, and maybe he could.From what Angus had seen, Cam was more in touch with his people than Angela ever had been.
She kept a certain distance between herself and her pack members.Angus wasn’t sure she did it on purpose, but he felt like she believed she shouldn’t be too familiar with them if she wanted to keep her authority.There was none of that here, though.Cam felt more like a friend than an alpha, although Angus had seen him take control when he had to.He didn’t know if that was the right way to behave, and frankly, he didn’t care.He just knew he felt more at home here with Cam than he ever could in Wakefield.
Cam leaned closer, lowering his voice.“I’m glad you trusted me enough to tell me,” he murmured.
Angus looked around, but Angela was still talking to Ryland and Remi.She didn’t look happy, but then, she seldom did.
“And I want you to know that whatever happens, you’ll always have a place here in Rosewood,” Cam continued.
Angus blinked at him.“I’m sorry?”
“I want the Rosewood pack to be safe for everyone, not just rare shifters.They’re not the only ones who live here, and I never intended for that to be the case.I’m open to new pack members, whoever they are and wherever they come from.”
“I’m not sure what you’re telling me.”
“I’m just throwing it out there.Feel free to contact me if you need anything.”
Angus was confused and felt like it would be better for him if he stepped away, so he nodded and did so.His heart raced.He wanted to believe what Cam was saying so badly.
Could he really have a home here in Rosewood?Could he take that step?
He was lost in his thoughts, so much that he didn’t notice the man standing in the doorframe.He just needed out of this room and a breath of fresh air, and unfortunately, it meant that he slammed right against the guy standing at the door.
The man turned around and reached out to catch Angus before he could fall backward.The man—Del—frowned at Angus, who’d clearly interrupted his conversation with someone standing just outside the office.
He asked something, but Angus wasn’t listening to him.He was staring because he couldn’t look away, and it had nothing to do with the way Del looked this time.
When Angus had slammed against Del, he’d smelled him.Del wasn’t just a cute guy Angus had noticed, and he never had been.
He was Angus’s mate.
* * * *
Del stared down at the cute guy, who didn’t seem to have heard his question.“Are you okay?”he repeated.
Angus blinked.“What?”
Del frowned.Had Angus hit his head?That wasn’t possible because Del would have seen it, but still.Something felt odd, and Del couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was.
“I asked you if you were okay,” Del said slowly.He hadn’t heard Angus speak today, but maybe English wasn’t his first language.Maybe he didn’t understand what Del was saying.
Angus blinked again.“I’m fine,” he croaked.
