Chapter 7

DILLON

She left most of her belongings in New York and wants to fly back home to retrieve them, but I can't stomach the thought of my mate being anywhere near the asshole who's been stalking her.

When I insist on paying a moving company to pack and transport her things, my stubborn little mate puts her foot down and refuses my offer.

In the end, she decides to return to New York City to pack her own things, and I insist on going with her.

After an uneventful flight, we step out of the cab and into the throbbing heartbeat of New York City. The air is thick with the scent of hot dogs, car exhaust, and something else I can't quite place. It's overwhelming. My polar bear stirs restlessly within me, agitated by the harshness of so much noise and too many swirling scents. This city feels suffocating, a stark contrast to the wide-open spaces of Glacier Pass. I force down a growl, reminding myself why I'm here. For Emilia—my mate.

Emilia squeezes my hand, sensing my discomfort, and she gives me a grateful smile. "Thank you for coming with me. It won't take me long to pack up my stuff, and we'll be on our way back home. I mean Glacier Pass."

She smiles and my heart settles hearing my mate calling it her home, too.

The thought of Glacier Pass resonates within me, a balm to my frayed nerves. With its endless sky and untamed wilderness, I can't imagine staying in any other place for very long. My inner polar bear grumbles, eager to shed the confinement of this concrete jungle and roam free once more.

"You don't have to thank me, love. I'd do anything to make sure you're safe."

Emilia's eyes soften, and she leans into me as we walk up the steps to her apartment building. I hold her curvy body close to mine and drag her sweet scent deep into my lungs to overcome the strong city smells assaulting my senses. It's overwhelming compared to the crisp, clean air of the mountains. Emilia's grip tightens, guiding me through the narrow hallways and up two flights of stairs to her tiny one-bedroom apartment.

The door creaks open, revealing a cozy, cluttered space that smells distinctly of her—vanilla and lavender mixed with another sweet, delicate fragrance that I can't quite place but instantly find comforting.

Before I have a moment to take it all in, a petite whirlwind rushes toward us.

"Em Bean! You're finally here!" Wrenlee's voice is a bright spark in the dimness of the apartment. She barrels into Emilia, wrapping her in a tight hug. Then she turns to me and grins, her emerald-green eyes sparkling with mischief. "And you must be the hot polar bear shifter who loves to sunbathe naked."

I feel my face heat as I reach out to shake her hand. "That would be me."

Wrenlee couldn't look more different than her older sister. Her dark brown hair cascades down in untamed waves, framing her round face and accentuating her striking green eyes. She's curvier and much shorter than Emilia, but there's no mistaking the shared energy that churns like a live wire between them. Every bit as sassy and spirited, Wrenlee has a way of making her presence known the moment she enters a room.

"Nice to finally meet you, Wrenlee," I manage to say, trying to keep my inner bear in check. My mate's little sister's energy is infectious, but the confined space, the overwhelming city noises seeping through the thin walls, and the possible threat to my new mate have my instincts on high alert.

Wrenlee's eyebrow quirks up, and she gives me a once-over that's half-serious, half-amused. "I've heard a lot about you, Dillon. Mostly good things, I promise."

Emilia laughs and shakes her head. "Mostly?"

"Okay, fine. All good things," Wrenlee concedes with a grin. "But seriously, the nude sunbathing thing? That's gonna stay in my head for a while."

We all chuckle, the ice effectively broken. Emilia beckons us into the living area, and we maneuver our way through the tight space. Bookshelves overflow with volumes of literature, and framed artwork lines the walls. There's a warmth here that's uniquely Emilia.

We walk to the small kitchenette where Wrenlee has set out some snacks. The simple spread of cheese, crackers, and slices of apple contrasts with the sensory overload of the city outside. We gather around the tiny kitchen table as Emilia and Wrenlee chatter nonstop.

"So, Dillon," Wrenlee starts, folding a slice of cheese into her mouth. "Tell me all about Glacier Pass."

I lean back in the small chair and shrug. "It's... different from here, to say the least. It's quieter and slower-paced. The community is close-knit, and the scenery is unbeatable. Picture endless forests, crystal-clear lakes, and snow-capped mountains. It's the only place I've ever lived."

"I love the city," Wrenlee says, looking thoughtful. "But I can see the appeal of a place like that. It must be amazing for you, being a polar bear shifter and all."

The mention of my bear reminds me of the constant push-and-pull I feel here. "It is. I mean, I love the wilderness. The air is cleaner, and the space to roam is unmatched. Plus, there's an incredible sense of freedom."

"You have to come and see it for yourself," Emilia practically gushes, and my heart settles when I realize my mate has already fallen in love with my hometown.

Wrenlee nods. "I'd love to visit sometime, once the summer semester is over. You know, see what all the fuss is about."

"Yay!" Emilia claps her hands together, clearly elated by the idea. "We'll show you all the best spots, take you hiking, maybe even teach you how to fish. Dillon makes the best campfire meals."

Wrenlee's eyes light up. "I'm going to hold you both to that."

We settle more comfortably around the table, my discomfort fading as we chat. Wrenlee shares stories about her classes, her friends, and the challenges of balancing a heavy college course load. We laugh at her anecdotes about her quirky professors and the ridiculous antics of her study group.

"So, what's your favorite class this semester?" I ask, genuinely curious.

"Gothic Literature," Wrenlee says without missing a beat. "There's something endlessly fascinating about those dark stories. It's a nice contrast to the hard sciences I'm taking."

Emilia smiles at her sister, pride evident in her eyes. "I always knew you had an eye for interesting storytelling."

Wrenlee shrugs like it's no big deal, but I can see the happiness in her expression. "It's just nice to have something that balances out Calculus."

The conversation flows effortlessly after that, filled with tales from the past mixed with dreams for the future. We talk about the logistics of the move—what needs to be packed and what will be sold or donated. Wrenlee is more than willing to help, which lightens the load considerably.

A few hours later, after we've packed several boxes and filled bags with items to be given away, the reality of the move starts to sink in. Emilia sits on the edge of her bed, looking around the room that's been hers for so long.

"There are a lot of memories here," she says softly.

I sit beside her, taking her hand. "You'll make new ones in Glacier Pass. And Wrenlee will always be just a call or a visit away."

Wrenlee joins us, adding her own words of comfort. "You're going to love it there, Em Bean. And like Dillon said, I'll visit as often as I can. Plus, you won't be out of touch. There's always video calls and holidays."

Emilia nods, a small smile playing on her lips. "I know. It's just a lot to take in. But I'm ready for this new chapter."

"Me too," I say, pulling her close and leaning over to place a kiss on her soft lips.

Wrenlee watches us, a thoughtful expression on her face. It's clear she's thinking about the future as well, about her own path and how it intersects with ours. There's something unspoken in her gaze—hope, maybe, or determination. Whatever it is, it adds to the sense of unity that has settled over us.

Finally, with the bulk of the packing done for the day, we decide to wind down since the movers won't be here until Monday to move all my mate's things to Glacier Pass.

Emilia suggests a movie, and we gather on the small couch, propping our feet up on the coffee table loaded with our accumulated snacks. Wrenlee insists on watching a classic horror film, something appropriately gothic to match her current literary studies. Emilia and I exchange amused glances and agree.

When Emilia snuggles up next to me, I place my arm around her shoulders and hold her sweet body close. My inner bear grumbles about how long I'm waiting to mark her, but I shush the asshole and enjoy the quiet time with my mate and her sister.

By the time the credits roll, it's late, and the city outside has quieted down to a low hum. Wrenlee stretches and yawns, looking content. "Thanks for today, you guys. I had a great time."

"Same here," I say, standing up and stretching out the residual tension from sitting for several hours. "We'll tackle the rest of the packing tomorrow?"

"Definitely," Emilia replies, her voice thick with sleepiness. "But for now, let's call it a night."

"Why don't you take the bed, Emilia can have the sofa, and I'll sleep in the recliner," Wrenlee offers me, but there's no way I'd sleep in the one bed in the apartment while my mate and her sister sleep in the living room.

"It makes more sense for me to take the sofa and you two can sleep in the bed." It's still a culture shock to me to imagine living in a space so small that sharing a tiny bed is necessary, but the high cost of living in the city facilitates cutting corners to make things work.

We say our goodnights and Emilia and Wrenlee head off to the small bedroom while I fold my six-foot-seven ass onto the barely adult-size floral sofa.

Willing myself to drift off to sleep, I stare at the ceiling, my mind fighting to settle into a peaceful rhythm. The thought of Glacier Pass, our new life, and the promise of Wrenlee's visits weave through my thoughts, easing the restlessness that's been assaulting me since the plane landed several hours ago.

Come morning, we'll continue the process of moving my mate from this cramped apartment to the large apartment on my property. Hopefully, it won't take me too long to convince her to move into the main house with me. My inner bear is insistent in the back of my mind, but I force him to be patient and let my human side take control of the situation.