Page 33 of Running with Direwolves
“I heal quick. It’s nothing.” He set a kiss on her forehead. “Get some food, we’ve had a long journey.”
Tarl was holding a wooden bowl steaming with delicious-smelling stew. “Here.”
“Thanks.” She took it.
“I hope you like it, I made it.” Billie grinned at her.
“It’s looks great and just what we need.”
“Come, let’s sit,” Grady said, also taking a bowl of food.
“Tell me,” Billie said, sitting close to Sienna. “Where are you from? How did you meet Grady and Tarl?”
“I’m from New York. And I met Grady in the zoo.”
“The zoo?” Her eyes widened.
“I was his keeper.” She looked at Grady who raised his eyebrows at her then spooned in food. “Not that he’d eat.”
Billie shrugged. “It’s the first rule. Get captured, starve to death to keep our secrets.”
“Luckily I met Tarl before that happened and he explained to me what Grady was … what you all are, I’m guessing.”
“I am, most of us are.” Billie glanced around. “There are a few humans here in our circle.”
Sienna nodded. “The guys have been trying to explain it all, since we broke Grady out, that is.”
“You must be in some serious trouble for that.”
“She sure is,” Tarl said, “which is why she’s here, forever, with us, as our woman, our mate.”
“There’s no going back,” Grady said. “Sienna has made a huge sacrifice not just for me and for our pack but for the survival of direwolf.”
“Happy to do it.” Sienna nodded as the word “mate” rattled around her mind and reminded her that these men were also animals. “Really, I was … am.”
“You’re a very special person, I can tell.” Billie beamed at her. “And I’m glad you’re here, more females is always a bonus, we’re outnumbered.” She giggled. “But I knew you were coming, all of you, I could sense it.” She nodded at a cabin to the right. “Which is why I got your place ready. There’s food, clean sheets, and a fire waiting to be lit.”
“You’re a gem.” Tarl grinned at her. “You really are.”
Sienna studied Billie a little closer. She was young, definitely only just a teenager.
“I’ll go light the fire now.” Billie jumped up. “So, it’s cozy.”
“Thanks.” Grady stood and helped himself to more stew from the pot over the fire.”
“She’s young,” Sienna said to Tarl.
“Yes, she only started shifting this summer.”
Sienna found herself watching Billie walk away and wondering what color direwolf she’d be.
“When we start shifting,” Grady said, sitting down. “It changes all of our senses. We can smell more acutely, hear things we couldn’t before, and at night we can see almost as well as during the day.”
“And also,” Tarl said, setting his finished food aside. “We get a wolf sense, one that guides us when we need it to. I think that’s why I sat at your booth in The Gin Room that night, Sienna.”
“And how Billie knew her alpha was returning.” Gradytook Sienna’s hand and kissed her knuckles. “Are you ready to see your new home?”
“Yes.” She looked into his eyes. “I am.”
