Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
“You know,” began Casey, “I don’t understand how the human race can invent AI, endless NASA shit, and do all kinds of other weird and wonderful stuff … but they can’t invent a bra that’s comfortable. It’s like they haven’t even tried.”
“They don’t have their priorities right.”
“Exactly, thank you.” Sighing, she went back to admiring their surroundings. “It’s a real pretty view you have here, Eli.”
It was. Especially with the faint mist that had gathered around the mountains, hazing the trees, river, and meadow. “It could be your view. Our view.”
She tensed. “Eli—”
“Just hear me out a sec.” He turned her so that she was straddling him. Now that their bond had progressed a step, it was time they had this conversation. He’d already rehearsed it in his head several times. “I won’t push you to transfer to my pack if you don’t think you can be happy here. But let me just say a few things.”
She gave a slow nod.
Eli tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “I know you love your territory. I get that it was the only place you ever felt safe growing up. And I understand that it would be hard for you to leave the people who gave you refuge when you needed it. But, baby, you don’t need that refuge anymore. I’m your point of safety now.
“There’s your soccer team to consider, yes. But Adrian will let you continue playing for the Hounds no matter where you are. I’d never try to interfere with that or ask you leave the team. Never. Soccer is all tied up in who you are.
“You love being an enforcer, I know. But you could be an enforcer here. You’re needed here. We don’t have as many enforcers as Adrian does, and our pack will keep on growing, so it needs more people to guard it. I won’t lie, I’d feel like I was deserting my pack mates if I left, but I will leave if it’s what you want.”
She touched the side of his face. “I know you will, but you don’t need to.”
Eli blinked. “You’ll move here?” His wolf went completely still, waiting on her answer. “Seriously?”
“Seriously,” said Casey. “You’d never be content in my pack, since you’d have to be demoted to an enforcer. You’d also miss your family, and I know how important they are to you. I don’t have family who’d miss me at the Craven Pack, so there’s no one holding me there. Other than my teammates, of course. I hope you mean it when you say you wouldn’t ask me to leave the Hounds, because it would hurt like hell to do it.”
“You think I would do anything that would cause you pain?”
“No.”
He caught her hand and kissed her palm. “Then you know I meant what I said.”
She bit her lip. “Do you think Nick would take me on as an enforcer? I’d need a position, Eli. I wouldn’t cope without one.”
“You don’t have to tell me that. And yes, I do think he would.” Eli played with the end of her braid, tempted to untie it so he could run his fingers through that sleek hair. “He’d be stupid not to, given how strong, capable, and fierce you are. My brother is a lot of things, but not stupid.”
She took a deep breath. “Well then, if Nick is truly okay with appointing me as an enforcer and nobody insists on me leaving the Hounds, I’ll switch to your pack.”
As both satisfaction and relief settled over him and his wolf, Eli rested his forehead against hers. “Thank you, baby.”
“Thank you for being willing to put my happiness before yours.”
“I’ll always do that. Always.” Eli pulled her close and pressed a long, lingering kiss to her mouth. “When?”
“Hmm?”
“When will you move here?”
“After the games are over. Don’t pout. There are only two left to go.”
“I know. But I’m selfish, I want you close.” He rubbed his nose against hers. “I want you here with me. I’ve wanted it since I first found you.”
“And you’ll have it once the games are over.” Casey almost laughed at his frown. He always seemed confused and surprised when she didn’t let him have his way. Her mink found it sort of cute. The animal had no issues with switching packs; her loyalty was to Eli, not the Craven minks. Plus, the animal liked Eli’s land and preferred his lodge to her apartment.
“I want us sharing the same space,” Eli went on. “I want your things mixed with mine.”
Casey almost rolled her eyes. He was so spoiled. “And they will be, just not yet.”
“I don’t like the idea that if you ever need me throughout the day, it would take me time to reach you.”
“That could apply even if we were living together,” Casey pointed out. There would be times when she’d bend, but there would also be times when she’d dig her heels in and refuse to budge. He’d walk all over her otherwise. “Look, leaving isn’t going to be easy for me, Eli. As you said, Craven Pack territory was my refuge, the only place I felt safe and accepted growing up. I already have plenty of things distracting me from the games—Miles, Ignacio, Sherryl. I don’t want anything else shaking my focus.