Page 35 of Wolfish
Then they cuddled, and everything seemed all right between them.
“Do you ever think about your long-term plans?” he asked.
Staying here forever if he were in her life. “I love it here,” she blurted out. “A wolf-run town, friendly and helpful wolves, you.” She sighed. “Especially you.” She had never opened up to a guy like that before. But it was true. He was what made her want to stay more than anything.
He smiled.
“What are your long-term plans?”
“Settle down and have a mate, children, and continue to work as a deputy sheriff.”
A mate. He sounded like he was still looking for a suitable mate.
“Nice plans,” she said, trying not to sound disappointed that he hadn’t said what she wanted to hear.
“Yeah. I wanted to propose you stay with me, forgo the apartment for the month, and when you’re ready, find a home you want.”
That cinched it. She wasn’t the one for him. Which meant she wanted to move out right away.
“You know, the brothers probably realize I’m living with you. I think it would be a good idea for me to stay with others until they’re caught.”
He didn’t say anything for a long time. Then he finally said, “All right. I’ll arrange with Peter to have places available for you to reside. Knowing him, he and Meghan will have you settle at their home for as long as you want until you feel unsafe and want to move to another home where someone can protect you.”
“Okay, good.” Then she rolled over to go to sleep.
As if he didn’t know how hurt she felt, he drew close and cuddled with her, but she wasn’t in the mood. She didn’t snuggle him back and waited for dawn to arrive so she could pack and move to another house.
And start seeing other wolves.
8
Daniel cuddled with Selena, knowing she’d felt spooked on the run, and he didn’t want her to feel like that. He also didn’t want to give her up to someone else to protect, even though he knew the others would make sure she stayed safe. But if that’s what she wanted, he had to let her leave to feel secure until they caught these guys.
In the morning, she was quiet, and he fixed eggs and bacon while she made the coffee. She had gotten up early to pack her bags, and he again felt bad that she didn’t feel safe with him. They didn’t speak much. She looked tired, like she hadn’t slept much last night.
“I’ll take you to the shop and then call Peter.”
She nodded.
“He’ll have someone pick up your bags so if anyone is watching us, they won’t realize I’m taking you to the shop and then handing off your bags to someone else.”
“All right.”
After reaching the shop, he called Peter, who sounded surprised at the new development. “Are you sure nothing is going on between the two of you?”
That had never occurred to Daniel. He glanced at Selena as she opened another box of merchandise that had just come in. He thought she was just tired because she had gotten up so early.
He couldn’t remember anything he had said that would have upset her, yet suddenly she wanted to stay with someone else.
“I don’t know. I can’t remember saying or doing anything that would have upset her.”
“Okay, well, I’ll relieve you at the store. You can look for the brothers and the Mazda.”
Daniel hadn’t expected to be relieved at the shop while he watched over her there. “Do you think that’s necessary?”
“I do. Meghan’s going to speak with her too.”
Well, hell. “All right. I’ll let Selena know.” But he sure didn’t want to let her go for anything. Then they ended the call, and he said in a gloomy voice, “Peter is going to watch over you at the store today. Meghan’s dropping by, also. Peter wants me to look into these men some more.”
