Page 11 of Claimed By the Feral Wolf

“I was going to ask if I could help, but I didn’t want to sound ridiculous,” she said and grinned.

“You’re right. I wouldn’t let you do something I thought might harm you.”

“Is it always going to be that way?” she asked.

He wiped his hands on his jeans and nodded. “Yes. And I’m guessing it will get a little worse when you get pregnant.”

When they were out of the cave, he cut some branches, and with the string he brought, he made a sled for her to ride on and transport his supplies.

“No,” she said. “I want to walk with you.”

“Mate, it’s at least two miles from here.”

“I can do it. At least let me try,” she pleaded. “It’s been two days since the attack, and all you’ve let me do is sleep and eat.”

“Fine, but if I see you getting tired, promise you’ll sit on the sled without me having to tie you to it?”

“Yes.”

One look at her face, and he could tell she would be a stubborn mate. Her personality was getting stronger and coming out the more she healed. He’d only known her for two days but already knew she was caring, strong, courageous, and stubborn. He couldn’t be more pleased.

After he got a grip on the rope that held the sled, he took her other hand and started leading her out of the forest.

It took close to an hour, but they made it in the allotted time and saw two of his brothers standing by the extended truck with a roomy back seat for him to fit comfortably. The brothers hugged.

“Thanks for coming,” he said.

“Are you kidding? This is a dream come true to have you home. Now, I’d like to meet your mate.”

He held out a hand which she took. “This is my brother Gunner, and you’ve already met Holden.”

She raised her hand. “Hi. It’s nice to meet you.”

“You, too, sister. How about we get these things loaded so we can get you home?”

“Sounds good.” He put her in the back seat while his brothers loaded his things. When he slid into the seat next to her, he ensured her seat belt was on and then took her hand.

Holden turned to look at him while Gunner drove.

“I think you’re going to be very pleased. We had so many people wanting to help that we painted a few rooms.”

“Seriously?” Jacob asked. Holy shit.

“Yeah. The Alpha and his brothers got involved and fixed things that needed it. We haven’t let the house go, so we’ve kept it clean and maintained. The Alpha’s mate and her friends helped clean and bake some things you might like. If you don’t, I’ll offer to help and take them out of your hands. I’m a good brother like that.”

Jacob chuckled, and Gunner snorted. He looked down to see Sage smiling.

Jacob looked around the area he hadn’t seen in years and never thought he would again. The private road to their land had been recently graveled, so it was smooth. They drove past the huge main house and saw it looked better than when he left.

He looked forward and saw the house his grandfather used to live in come into view. They’d left it empty after he passed because they liked living together. Now that he had a mate, this was the best solution. They had their own space but were very close to family.

The ranch house had three bedrooms. One of them was large, had its own fireplace, and had a bathroom attached that they would take for their own. It also had a large kitchen, a family room with a fireplace and television, and an office. He noticed there were no trucks or cars except the one he used when he lived there. There were even potted flowers on the front porch.

They parked, and he looked around.

“No one is here because they know what you’re going through, but they want to see you and meet your mate when you’re ready,” Gunner said as he grabbed a few bags from the back of the truck.

That was good. He dreaded having to talk to a bunch of people when they got here because he could already feel her mating heat rise which fueled his own.

---