Shift and I can take care of the situation.

  I laughed. What are you going to do? She isn’t a wolf. You can’t talk to her.

  How do we know that? She might have one hiding away within her and we just need to draw the sensual being out.

  Sensual, huh? Who are you and what have you done with my wolf? I asked.

  I know this is hard for you to accept. You wanted a warrior, and you think that isn’t what you’ve received, but I’ve met our creator. She isn’t an evil being. She promised me a mate worth waiting for. I’ve been through many centuries alone. I believe Cait is worthy, and we need to give her the chance to prove herself. Not to us, but to the others.

  Damn it. My wolf’s pain from being alone for so long seeped through my mind and ached into my chest. My hands fisted at my sides as my canines extended. The shift was close. My wolf wanted control. He wanted his mate, but he was waiting on me—a very selfish me.

  My wolf backed down, retreating from my mind and giving me time to think on my own again. I’d been out at the cabin for a few hours, but it wasn’t long enough. It would never be long enough.

  A mate. I had a damn mate.

  The piece I’d been missing in my life. The piece I didn’t expect to find for several more decades but had stumbled upon by accident.

  Or was it?

  “Moon Goddess, what have you done and what is coming?” I asked, looking up into the cloudless, bright sky.

  No answer came, not that I expected one.

  Instead, the pull to return to the pack house grew stronger. I wanted days out in my spot, but I wasn’t stubborn enough to do so. I needed to face whatever waited for me. My wolves needed to see me as the infallible alpha they trusted, and that was what I was going to give them.

  I needed to listen to my wolf and trust that maybe he was right. Maybe Cait was more than she looked like on the outside.

  Gods, I hoped so, because the more I thought about her, the more I wanted to wrap her in my arms and never let go. The draw of the mate bond was stronger than I ever believed, and the fact that she didn’t seem affected by any of it drew me in even further if I was being honest with myself.

  Go to her. Give her a chance, my wolf said.

  And if she doesn’t give us one? I asked.

  My wolf angered, causing claws to extend from my fingers and fangs to cut my lip as a low growl rumbled through my body.

  Easy, boy. If she’s ours, we’ll fight for her. We’ll find a way to show her we’re a worthy match.

  With my words, he settled, but not entirely. Apparently, my wolf was cockier than even I knew, because the thought of Cait rejecting us clearly hadn’t been on his radar.

  I went back inside the cabin and made sure everything was off. It wasn’t much—just a smaller version of most of the others within the pack—but it was quiet. It was where I came to think, and it was perfect.

  Closing the door behind me, I inhaled deeply. The scent of earth and trees heavily invaded my senses, but still, Cait’s unique blend of flowers, citrus, and mint tickled beneath it all.

  Gods, I didn’t know how I was going to survive this woman. If her smell distracted me this badly, I couldn’t imagine what tasting her would do to me.

  She will only make us stronger, my wolf said, back to being his normal cocky self.

  I sure as hell hope you’re right.

  Because if she didn’t, there was more at risk than just losing a mate.

  7

  Cait

  There was a bright light shining in my face, and everything was hot. My eyes burned and ached when I tried to open them. I pulled the pillow from behind my head and covered my face, but someone jerked it away.

  “I don’t think so, woman. Up. Now,” Embry’s voice demanded in my ear.

  “Just let me sleep.” I groaned. Jetlag was a bitch, and I hadn’t gotten nearly enough rest.

  “Dude. You’ve been out for eighteen hours. I didn’t bring you here for me to still be bored.”

  My eyes opened, and I rubbed my face. “What?”

  “Eight. Teen. Hours. Get up before you become a permanent part of the bed.” Embry grabbed on to my wrist and yanked me up. A dizziness came over me as I stood, and she had to hold on to my shoulders.

  “I’m going to be sick,” I said.

  “No, you’re just starving. Let’s get some food in you.”

  I slowly followed her out of the downstairs bedroom that she had announced was mine for as long as I’d have it. We were in the kitchen by the time I realized my t-shirt was twisted around my armpits, my butt was on display since I hated sleeping in shorts, and I likely had drool on my face, but none of that mattered when I smelled food.

  A hunger like never before came over me and I practically dove for the counter, ramming two pieces of bacon into my mouth as I shoveled more food onto a plate.

  As I was taking my third bite, a knock sounded at the door and panic set in. I took one step in hopes of running back to the bedroom, but it was too late. The door opened, and I was frozen in the kitchen, still wearing just an old shirt and underwear with Embry behind me, laughing her ass off.

  “Good morning, Roman. Or is it afternoon? Either way, it’s great, isn’t it?” Embry beamed when I twisted to glare at her.

  Daring a glance, I turned toward the door. Roman’s eyes were locked on my bare legs, and my body flushed. The intensity of his stare nearly knocked me on my ass. Sense came over me, though, and I tugged my shirt down, hoping he couldn’t see much.

  “Did you need something?” Embry asked him, still grinning.

  Roman cleared his throat as his eyes traveled from my legs to my face before darting to Embry. “Ramona asked me to come check on the quarterly report for the mill.”

  “Funny. I emailed that to her yesterday evening. Must have gone to spam. I’ll send it again,” Em replied.

  Roman glowered. “Must have.” He reached for the door while looking at me. Our eyes locked, and I had to grip the counter as warmth moved through my chest, then straight to my wrist.

  “I hope you’re finding our pack welcoming, Cait,” Roman said, the words sounding stiff.

  I managed to nod at him, enjoying that he had a hard time keeping his gaze on my face and not my legs.

  He grunted and slid out the door before I could blink.

  I fell onto the stool at the counter and was no longer hungry for food. Roman was… I didn’t know what he was, but there was something about him that overwhelmed my senses. Even back on the beach, there had been a draw about him I hadn’t missed.

  “Well, that was fun,” Embry said, shoving my plate closer. “Eat.”

  When I didn’t pick up the fork, she waved a piece of bacon against my lips until I snatched it. “Fine. Thank you for breakfast, or brunch,” I said, forcing down the food in hopes of getting that man out of my head.

  “I think he likes you. It’s cute,” she said when I began chewing on the eggs.

  I choked on the bite. “Excuse me? He’s said one nice thing to me, and I’m not even sure if he meant it. I hardly think that means he likes me.”

  “Wolf intuition. Roman is nervous around you. I can smell it. Don’t get me wrong, he was plenty angry as well, but there was underlying curiosity that I could sense. I just don’t know why you would have caught his attention.”

  I punched her. “Thanks, asshole.”

  She rubbed her arm. “No, that came out wrong. I just mean, you’re not a wolf. Our kind don’t usually look twice at other supernaturals, let alone humans, but I guess if you have the mark, then it makes you like us. I just wonder if you were ever human.”

  My wrist still throbbed, but it was easy to ignore when I kept my mind busy. Turning my hand, I rubbed my fingers over the crescent shape. “What does all of this mean, Em?”

  I’d done my best to avoid the heavier topics on my first day here. It had been a lot to take in, learning wolf shifters were real and being told I was marked by their queen or whatever she was. After too much sleep, I was ready for answers. Ones I hoped I could handle.

  “How about you finish eating and shower first? I’ll go see Ramona and ask her to come over. She really wants to be part of this conversation.”

  “Why?” I asked.

  Embry shrugged. “I don’t ask a lot of questions. It’s not in my nature. While Ramona’s mate might not be the alpha anymore, she is still the alpha female of our pack—until Roman takes a mate—and has my respect.”

  The inner workings of this world were going to be hell to learn, but I couldn’t deny I was intrigued. Embry climbed the stairs to her loft, and I hurried to finish eating.

  Once I was done, I headed into the bathroom to find all my toiletries were already at home on the shelves. My heart warmed. Embry really was the best friend. It didn’t matter that she had an animal inside her that could kill me. She had a heart of gold that had gotten me through more hell than I cared to recount.

  As soon as the water was hot, I rushed through a shower and padded out into the short hallway in just a towel. A growl rumbled from behind me, and it sounded like the front door clicked shut as I turned around.

  “Embry?” I called as my heart raced.

  No reply.

  She had said she was going to get Ramona. Did someone know I was in the house alone? Were they coming to…? I didn’t know what they might do, but either way, I was scared out of my mind. I ran toward the door and flipped the deadbolt into place before peeking out the window.

  Nothing that I could see was out there besides trees, grass, and the dirt path. I tried to steady my breathing as I leaned against the wall, but by the time I thought maybe I’d just been hearing things, the door handle started to rattle, making me scream.

  “Cait?” Embry called, and the door cracked with impact.

  “I’m okay. Hold on!” I yelled through the wall as I unlocked the deadbolt.

  “What the hell, dude?” she demanded, gathering me into her arms as Ramona pushed in behind us.

  “Sorry. I thought someone had come in while I was in the shower, so I locked the door, then began to panic. I’m sure it was nothing,” I said.

  Embry met Ramona’s eyes, and the older woman nodded at her.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Uh, nothing. Go get dressed so we can chat,” Embry said, shoving me toward my room.

  Wolves were weird creatures. Strong and scary, but weird, nonetheless.

  Even my clothes were hung up and folded into the drawers already. Embry had been busy while I slept like the dead. I grabbed jean shorts and a yellow tank top. It was August. In Texas. I was going to melt in anything else.

  Grabbing a brush from the bathroom, I went into the living room where Embry and Ramona waited with snacks and orange juice.

  I brushed through my wet strands while standing. “So, what am I?” I asked first, because not much else mattered until I knew that and what it meant for my future.

  Ramona chuckled. “I like you.”

  I didn’t reply. I didn’t know what to say without offending her, because she didn’t know me. How could she like me other than for the fact that I was probably entertainment to them? The poor pathetic human scared of all the big bad wolves. Well, after the door episode, I needed to own my fear and embrace whatever courage I could muster if I wanted answers.

  “I know you don’t know me, but Embry has told me a lot about you, so I apologize if I act like I know you. I feel I already do, but I’m also excited to learn about you from you instead of someone else,” Ramona added, making me feel like a first-class jerk.

  “Oh. Well, there isn’t much to get to know,” I said, putting my brush down and taking a seat across from them in a chair.

  Ramona grinned in a motherly way. “I doubt that, but let me answer your question. You are Luna Marked. You were born human to human parents. Everything you know about your life is true, but our creator seemed to see something in you. She has blessed you with the mark of our kind.”

  Blessed? I wasn’t sure I would use that word, but I didn’t want to be rude, so I kept my mouth shut.

  “What does that mean, though? Am I going to become a wolf?” I asked, not really ready for that answer, but I knew I needed to know.

  Embry sighed and spoke first. “This is the part we’re not really sure about. You don’t have a wolf spirit, and the history books don’t say much about your kind other than only the strongest of humans are chosen. A human with purpose and pure intention. One who will protect our kind no matter the cost.”

  I laughed. “I’m supposed to protect you? That’s hilarious. Seriously, though, what does this mark mean? Why does it burn and pulse like it’s alive?”

  “We don’t have all of the answers for you yet, but we’re working on them. I thought maybe for today that we could give you the basics about pack life and see what questions you have for us about staying here,” Ramona said, her eyes soft and filled with care.

  “So, you’re saying you know what I am, but not what I will be or what I can do?” I asked, looking at Embry. She could never lie to me without turning her stare away.

  Her pale blue eyes stayed on mine, and I breathed a sigh of relief. “Not yet, but I promise we will.”

  “Good enough for now, I guess,” I replied, even though it really wasn’t. Thinking back to something Embry had said, I decided to see what other information I could get. “What is a wolf spirit?”

  Ramona beamed, likely happy to be on a subject that she seemed familiar with. “A wolf spirit is something all of us shifters have. It’s like having your best friend with you at all times. Our wolves have their own voice and feelings. They live many lifetimes until the Moon Goddess grants them peace in the afterlife. So far, my wolf has been through six life cycles, four of which have been with her mate, my husband.”

  My eyes widened. Holy shit, that was weird. I tried to imagine having another person inside me. One who had lived lifetimes before me. It wasn’t easy.

  “And you have this spirit, too?” I asked Embry just to be sure, even though she’d already mentioned something about her wolf liking me.

  She nodded. “Mine is on her third life and was with her mate last time, so we hope to find him again, but it doesn’t always work out that way.”

  There was a sadness in Embry’s voice, and I wondered if that came from her or the wolf. Probably both. My heart ached for her loneliness.

  “Since I don’t have a wolf spirit, will I have a mate? I’m not certain how comfortable I am with that,” I said. The thought of having someone predestined for me was weird, but if I was able to keep an open mind, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, depending on the situation. Only maybe, though.

  Embry smiled at me with happiness radiating from her. “I hope so. It would mean you’d stick around longer.”

  Ramona cleared her throat and continued, “So, wolves have spirits and mates. We can shift whenever we want but are never stronger than during a new moon.”

  I held my hand up. “New moon? I thought it was a full moon.”

  They both laughed. “You’ll find some similarities about us in books and movies, but most of them are either opposite to what’s true or slightly off as not to give our kind away. We enjoy interacting with the humans, but they aren’t ready to know about us,” Ramona answered.

  “What else?” I asked, feeling bad for cutting her off.

  Embry held up her snack plate. “We eat. A lot. Our metabolism burns through food and alcohol pretty quickly. We age slower than humans, and we can live around five hundred years. You’ll find that those of us who go in public can only do so in the same area for a few decades. The staff at the mill changes frequently because of that.”

  I gulped. Five hundred years. That was more than I expected. A lot more.

  “How old are you two?” I asked.

  “I really am twenty-three,” Embry answered.

  “I’m eighty-four,” Ramona said, and I choked on air.

  She maybe looked forty. I couldn’t believe it.

  Embry laughed. “Soon enough, this will all seem normal to you. I promise.”

  My best friend might have believed she was telling the truth, but something told me that was far from the case.

  8

  Cait

  After our chat, Ramona excused herself and I hoped to spend the rest of the day in the cabin with Embry. Except, she had other plans.

  “So, now that you know a little more about us, do you feel more comfortable going out?” she asked.

  “We did that yesterday,” I replied.

  “No, we took you on a ten-minute drive to warm you up to the area. That was nothing. Our lands stretch for hundreds of miles. The property we’re on is our main pack, but we own sections up and down the eastern side of Texas,” she said.

  “So, you want to go on a road trip?” That I could probably get on board with.

  “No, I want to take you to the river. It’s over a hundred degrees outside and humid as hell. I want to swim. It’s something I do a lot on my days off,” she replied, and a wave of sadness came over me that I didn’t already know that. I wondered how many more things I’d learn about Embry that I thought I already knew.

  I chose not to worry about it then, though. A dip in the water did sound like fun. I missed the Australian ocean waters already. Even if a river wouldn’t be anywhere near the same, maybe it would bring back memories from the one I used to frequent back in Oregon as a kid.

  “Okay, let’s do it,” I said.

  Embry gaped. “Seriously? I don’t have to drag you out of here screaming? I thought you’d fight leaving the house. I’m disappointed, actually.”

  She had a point. A part of me did want to forever stay locked away from potential dangers, but I couldn’t be scared of what I didn’t know. If I had to be here for a while in order to figure out what I was, then I needed to get comfortable with the wolves. At least from a moderate distance.

  Embry was already headed upstairs to change, so I did the same. By the time I was done, she was standing in front of the open door and holding a beach bag with a glowing smile. “Ready?”