Page 12 of Bunny Be Mine
“Leave them alone, Marcus.” Elder Edwards exited the store behind us, witnessing the confrontation. “For someone who is trying to prove he deserves to rule this pack, you sure aren’t acting like a leader.”
“I was just asking Fen how long he’s in town for. We need to catch up more. The other night ended way too soon.” Marcus gestured, as if he were seriously trying to be apologetic and sincere. Was he joking? I felt like I was in the twilight zone listening to him do a one-eighty. “I was going to offer to take good care of Arley here when Fen needs to head back to college.”
“Quit the bullshitting, Marcus. I know you…” Elder Edwards’ words broke off in a coughing fit.
“Are you okay?” Arley went to his side and tried to soothe him with gentle pats to the back. “Why is everyone getting sick all of a sudden?” My mate’s worried eyes glanced at me, as if asking me to make everything better. I’d try, for my mate, I’d try.
“Maybe it’s something the older generation is doing?” Marcus smirked. If I didn’t know any better, I almost would have guessed Marcus had something to do with the sickness going around. But how? “That’s why us younger men need to take over the pack.” Did he not hear himself? Yes, the younger generation needed to step up, but not how Marcus intended.
“Then maybe you should start proving you are worthy of that.” I rolled my eyes and turned to Elder Edwards who was finally done coughing. “It was nice to see you again, Elder Edwards.”
“You too, Fen. Take good care of Arley and tell your folks I said hi. I hope to see them at the next council meeting.”
“Will do.” Taking Arley’s hand, I led him back to the car. One way, I’d get my mate ensconced in the vehicle and to safety. My wolf was clawing at me to hurry up. It wasn’t like I could control idiots.
Once in the car and headed to Arley’s cabin, I reached over and grabbed his hand. “I think you need to move to the city with me. Get away from Marcus and the others. I know you have your cabin, but…”
“I can sell it,” he agreed rather quickly. Arley twisted in his seat to look at me. His face was paler than normal, but to be expected with another confrontation from Marcus. “Or keep it as a vacation home when we visit your parents. But I already decided I was going to Chicago with you.”
“You did?” Shock rolled through me. My heart leapt for joy. I thought for sure this would end up in a fight. Not that I wasn’t ecstatic, I was. I just wanted my mate to be happy. “Are you sure?”
“I thought hard about it last night but honestly, I was ready the moment I realized my mate wasn’t local.” Arley raised our conjoined palms and kissed my knuckles. My heart skipped a beat at the love shining through his eyes. I could feel it through our bond too; my wolf wanted to roll in it, soak it up. “I love my cabin, but everything here reminds me of what I lost. It’s time to live for what’s to come. You, me, and whatever our future holds. I know for you, that’s in the city. So my choice was clear.”
“You are amazing, Arley. You know that, right?” I pulled the car over on the side of the road. My desire to kiss my mate wouldn’t wait. My heart was near to bursting with love for my mate. I had hit the jackpot. “I promise to make every day even more proof you are making the right choice by being with me.” That was an easy vow I could make. One I would make and prove a hundred times over.
“I know you will.” Arley wrapped his arms around my neck and crawled over the middle console to straddle my lap, a sexy mischievous grin on his face. “The car is off. The road is empty. Why don’t we take a moment to show me just how right I am?”
“I love how your mind works.” I smiled and accepted my mate’s kiss.
Chapter Six
Arley
Tallgraystructuressurroundedme, a cacophony of horns and passing chatter, and the occasional brush of a stranger’s arms as we passed on the busy sidewalks introduced me to my new home. I loved it.
Not necessarily the sensory overload of it all but the fact that I was no longer under the constant attention of Marcus, Lenny, Jerry, and the rest of those guys. I was a small fish in a bigger pond and could melt into the crowd. Plus, I had Fen.
I glanced beside me at my sexy mate as we walked through the city from the parking garage to the downtown campus of his university. A wave of affection crashed into me. I felt truly blessed by the goddess and fate to be given this man as my one true mate. When he looked at me, I could feel just how much he adored me. It had been a while since I felt so loved and I’d never felt quite this way. The tales they tell of fated mates and the overwhelming love that bond brings proved truer than I had imagined.
“How are you enjoying your first trip into the city?” Fen held my hand as we walked along the bustling streets at a sure but steady pace, even as everyone rushed by us. “I know it can be overwhelming, especially initially. It took me a few weeks to get use to the smells and noise but once I did, I fell in love. And we are still close enough to farms and wooded areas that we can still shift a few times a week if we like.”
“Honestly?” I gestured around us, my heart lighter than it had been in weeks. “This is all amazing. I see how some shifters can have a hard time coping with the situation. But for some reason, my rabbit and I agree that this place is awesome.”
“That’s exactly how my wolf reacted the first time I walked onto campus.” Fen laughed, eyes crinkling at the edges. My mate would age well, not that I wanted to think about time passing by so soon, though. Not yet, even as the hustle and bustle of the city passed us by in the blink of an eye. “I think that even though shifters experience sensory input differently than humans, that doesn’t mean it’s a negative thing to live in such a busy area. Some people avoid sensory overload, while others crave more input. I think we might just be the type that can handle the blazing lights, thunderous sounds, and standout odors.”
“I agree.” I loved the new life I found myself in. I couldn’t wait to explore more of it. Whether it was new to me or because of my mate, I was excited. Who knew what the future held, but as long as I had Fen, that’s all that mattered. “Can you take me to the lakeside campus? I was looking at some of the classes the school offered and most of the ones I would take seem to take place on that campus and not downtown.”
“You were looking at the classes?” Fen stopped in the middle of the street, oblivious to the crowd parting around them. “Is that what you want to do? Go back to school?”
I yanked my mate to the little outdoor patio on the side of the street. The scents coming from it triggered hunger as well as the need for a bit of privacy. “Let’s grab something to eat here and we can talk about what I looked up.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” Fen led me to the hostess stand and we were soon being shown to a table.
“This is a fancy place.” I rose my brows when I looked at the prices on the menu. I’d have to remember to research places to eat that were more affordable and not just follow my stomach. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that when I suggested eating here. Why don’t we just get something small here for the experience of it then grab some cheaper food when we get closer to the house?” I really hoped I wouldn’t offend Fen, but he seemed to already be a step ahead of me.
“No need, babe.” Fen picked up his menu and nodded toward it, a sly grin on his lips. At least he wasn’t offended like I feared. “I’m able to afford eating here occasionally. Order whatever appeals to you. Trust me. It’s fine.”
“Are you sure?” I checked the prices again. I felt like my rabbit was running circles in my head about to faint. “You are a college student and I know your parents aren’t rich. How can you afford this?” Not that I questioned my mate’s authenticity, but something wasn’t adding up.
