CHAPTER 16

LUCAS

When we got to the store, I helped Noah package up a large book order and admired the intricate covers. Noah appeared to be very particular with what he stocked and had some stunning books in his shop. Lots of limited editions and special release covers.

I picked up the book I'd been reading the day before and sat on the couch, delving into the story again. After a couple hours I finished the book and thought about how relaxed I felt being here.

"This is kind of like a vacation for me," I said, realizing I felt more well rested than I had in a long time.

"You don't take vacations?"

"Not really, I have a lot of responsibility and I never had someone I wanted to go on vacation with. Until now."

Noah blushed. We'd done very dirty things this morning and he didn't blush once, but I tell him he's the special one I want to have a vacation with and he actually blushed. It was adorable.

I love him so fucking much.

"What about you? Did your family go on vacations much?"

"Yeah, we went camping a lot when I was a kid." I saw something flicker in Noah's eyes, there was pain there.

"Why'd you stop?"

"They died."

I stood up and walked to him wrapping him in my arms to hug him. He melted into my embrace, taking a large inhale of my scent and sighing. I don't think he even realized he'd just scented me to calm himself but my wolf hummed with satisfaction. It felt good to comfort my mate.

"I'm sorry," I murmured, kissing his temple.

He released me and went back to packaging some books.

"Thank you. It was a long time ago."

"What happened?"

"We were on our way home one evening and we were hit by a drunk driver. Mum was in the front passenger seat and died on impact. Dad was in ICU but passed a day later. I had bruises and a broken collar bone but survived," Noah said sadly, refusing to look at me.

"How old were you?"

"Fourteen."

Shit, that's a tough age even without losing your parents.

"I'm so sorry, baby," I murmured, running my fingers through his hair gently. "I understand the pain of losing a parent."

Noah looked up suddenly. "Who did you lose?"

"My Dad. He was attacked by a rogue wolf. Wolves heal fast but, the rogue got him in a critical area and he didn't make it. It's why I always have wolves patrolling our pack land perimeter. When I took over as Alpha, that was the first thing I ordered."

He squeezed my hand. "I'm sorry too."

"Thank you. So, if you were fourteen, who raised you after that?"

"My grandmother. It's why I have the house and the shop. She sold my parents house and put the money in a trust for me, then when she passed a couple years ago, I inherited her house. It was quite an adjustment moving to this small town at that age but I loved her and after little while, I loved living here."

"I'm glad you had someone looking out for you who loved you," I said. "I wish I could have met them."

"That would have been nice," he said, nodding. "What about your mother, is she still around?"

"She is," I smiled, thinking of her. "Little warning, she's going to adore you and smother you with love."

Noah chuckled. "I'd be okay with that."

"Oh really? Her smothering is okay but mine is too much?"

"Your version is to smother me in your cum so, yeah!"

I laughed. "You love it."

We spent the rest of the day in the bookshop, comfortably relaxed around each other as I read and he worked. I'd help out where I could but I was content just to be around him and know that he was safe.

"Oh, I forgot that tonight is boardgame night. Felix and Liam normally come over for dinner and games," Noah said out of the blue.

"Okay, that sounds fun. Shall we pick up anything on the way home?"

"No need. They bring drinks and snacks and I cook dinner for us all. We'll just have to remember no wolf talk," he chuckled.

When he closed up the shop we went to his home and cooked dinner together. We made a lasagna and worked together like a well-oiled machine.

While it baked in the oven, we each took a quick shower (separately, sadly) then we got cozy on the couch while we waited for his friends.

"Have you thought anymore about my request?"

"To move to the pack?"

"Mm hm," I nodded.

He sighed. "Well, you know that this is my grandmothers house so, I'm not prepared to make a permanent move right now, but I thought we could start with a visit this weekend. Just to see what it's like," he suggested.

"That sounds like a great idea, I can't wait for you to meet everyone. They're all going to love you," I said, unable to hide my joy. "Shall we leave tomorrow night then? It's only a forty minute drive away from here."

"Sure, I usually close a little earlier on Fridays anyway so that would work well."

"Perfect. I'll let Drew know and we'll have a pack dinner."