Page 117 of Saddle and Scent
And then he's gone, leaving me standing in his flour-covered kitchen with the taste of him still on my lips and the sudden, shocking realization that he knows.
He knows about the alley behind the veterinary clinic.
He knows about whatever happened with Callum in the rain.
He knows we've all been making moves, and he's determined not to be left behind.
The thought should probably concern me.
Instead, it sends a thrill of anticipation through my entire body.
Because if all three of them are going to compete for my attention?
This is going to get very interesting very quickly.
23
MORNING REVELATIONS
~JUNIPER~
Iwake up cocooned in my nest, surrounded by the softest blankets I've ever experienced and the lingering scents of three very different Alphas who have somehow become the center of my world again.
The transition from sleep to consciousness is gradual, peaceful in a way I'm still not used to.
No jarring alarm clock, no immediate spike of anxiety about the day ahead, just the gentle awakening that comes from being exactly where you're supposed to be.
The room is filled with golden morning light filtering through the curtains they installed—sheer fabric that provides privacy while still allowing the natural brightness to create patterns on the walls.Everything about this space speaks to careful attention and genuine care, from the position of the furniture to catch the best light throughout the day, to the way the color palette promotes calm and restfulness.
I must have fallen asleep watching the stars again.
Last night was with Callum, which was unexpected because he's never struck me as someone who appreciates quiet moments of contemplation.
But around eleven, just as I was settling into my usual spot on the log in the back field, he'd appeared with two steaming mugs of coffee and a gruff comment about wanting to stay up to do some research anyway.
The memory makes me smile as I stretch against the luxurious sheets. I'd teased him mercilessly about his sudden interest in astronomy, pointing out constellations with made-up names and completely fabricated mythology. He'd grumbled between sips of his coffee, calling me a smartass and threatening to leave me to freeze under the stars alone.
But he hadn't left.
He'd stayed, drinking his coffee in companionable silence while I pointed out real constellations and shared the stories Aunt Lil used to tell about them.
The silence that followed my impromptu astronomy lesson had been comfortable, peaceful in a way that felt natural despite all the complicated history between us.
Like we were teenagers again, before everything got twisted up with fear and miscommunication and the kind of protective instincts that destroy what they're trying to save.
Callum must have carried me inside when I inevitably succumbed to exhaustion, somehow managing to navigate the house and get me settled in the nest without waking me. The fact that he brought me here instead of to my old bedroom speaks to how well he's been paying attention—he knows I've started preferring this cozy paradise to the sparse functionality of the room I'd originally claimed.
The thoughtfulness of the gesture makes my chest warm with feelings I'm not ready to examine too closely.
I sit up slowly, taking in the additional upgrades that seem to appear every few days. The reading nook has been enhanced with a small side table perfect for holding a book and cup of tea. There's a soft throw draped over the reading chair that wasn't there yesterday, in a shade of sage green that complements the room's color scheme perfectly.
But what really catches my attention is the massive oak dresser that's been added to the far wall.
It's gorgeous—clearly antique, with brass hardware that's been lovingly restored and wood that gleams with the kind of patina that only comes with age and care.
And it's full of clothes.
Curiosity wins out over morning grogginess, and I pad over to investigate. The drawers slide open smoothly, revealing a collection that makes my heart skip several beats.
