Series: Shifter Ops Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 65371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
“We’re keeping it,” Channing says firmly, then looks at me with his brows lifted. “I mean, I think we should. These are good running grounds. And the house reminds me of Geoffrey.”
My eyes mist. “Will we need the money to buy a house in–”
Channing shakes his head. “I have plenty of money.”
“Okay. Great.” That takes some of the urgency off me finding a new job. Maybe I can return to non-profit work now. I turn and look at Buddy. “Would you be willing to stay here? I would want someone living in it.”
Buddy perks right up. “Hell, yeah! I mean, heck, yeah! I’d totally stay here.”
“Beats sleeping in your burrow, right?” Channing grins.
I wrinkle my nose and frown, trying to understand if he means it literally or figuratively. “Wait…have you been sleeping on my property in your, um, animal form?”
“Only because Channing paid me to keep an eye on things over here.” Buddy shrugs. “And it’s cheaper than owning a house.” He tilts his head to the side. “I live out of my car.”
A multitude of questions surge to the surface, like where and how he showers, but I dismiss them for another time.
“Welcome to the pack,” Lance says just before he takes a giant bite of hamburger. “Both of you.”
Deke grunts his agreement with the sentiment.
Geo grins back, more comfortable with a room full of adults than I’ve ever seen him.
“Thank you. Thanks for coming to save my son,” I say, suddenly teary.
Channing pulls me against his side and kisses the top of my head.
“Always,” Rafe says. The rest of the group murmur their agreement between bites.
I’m not a shifter, but even I feel an ease with this group of near-strangers. Secure in the knowledge that without knowing me, without anything more than the fact that I’m Channing’s mate, they would welcome me in, give me the shirts off their backs. Lay down their lives for me.
This is what it means to have family. What I’ve been so desperately missing. It’s the reason I resented Channing’s absence.
Now I have everything I could ever ask for: Channing. My son’s self-actualization. A new family. Hopefully a return to the kind of work I loved–non-profit law. A fresh start.
Channing hands me a plate of food he filled for me. Like always, he’s paying attention. Taking care of me. This gorgeous, wild, and a little goofy man chose me to be his mate.
I’ve never felt so loved.
So lucky.
Epilogue
Julia
The wind ruffles my skirts as I hike up the trail. I’m huffing and puffing, grateful for my hiking boots.
“You didn’t have to wear a dress.” Channing holds my arm to steady me.
“I wanted to,” I tell him. The flowy white fabric is perfect for the warm day. The hand-embroidered flowers and off-the-shoulder design make me feel pretty. “We didn’t have to hold the ceremony on top of a mountain, either.”
“It’s only a big hill. You want me to carry you?”
“Don’t you dare,” I warn, but I’m laughing, and he takes it as encouragement.
He scoops me up, flowy dress and hiking boots, floral headdress and all, and powers up the hill. I arrive at my own wedding in the groom's arms.
Channing’s whole pack is here with their mates. Lance holds his little girl. Sadie leans against her big mate, Deke, who’s wrapped his long arms around her to cup her belly. I bet there’ll be more babies in the pack by this time next year.
Geo comes to greet us, looking amazing in his tux.
“Nice penguin suit.” Channing claps Geo on the back.
“Stop,” I say. “Mijo, you look so grown up.”
“You have the rings?” Channing asks.
Geo nods solemnly.
Tears prick my eyes. “I’m not going to cry,” I tell Adele, who laughs softly. She’s holding my bouquet. In the last couple of months, she and I have become fast friends. She’s the one who helped me secure a legal position with the Taos Pueblo. I have no idea how she hiked up here in her gorgeous high heeled boots.
“Ready to start?” Rafe asks, taking charge. He nods to Buddy, who’s gotten certified to act as our officiant. Buddy cleaned up well. The tux sets off his white and black hairstyle beautifully.
“Wait.” I turn to Channing, whispering even though all the shifters can hear me anyway. “I want to see it.”
So Channing leads me to the lone pine tree standing amid the boulders. “Here.” He crouches and points to the old scratch marks on a bare patch in the bark. Beside it are fresh scratches. “Geo made those this morning,” Channing says. “But the old ones are Geoffrey’s.”
I lean down and put my hand over the marks, old and new, and give a prayer of thanks. Thank you, Geoffrey, for your love. We continue on the foundation you gave us, a family you would be proud of.
The wind picks up and lifts my hair. I rise with a sense of peace and take Channing’s hand.