Chapter Six

Kurt

As my wolf reminded me, I’d essentially promised him a run anytime he wanted on this vacation, I couldn’t deny him now. Not that I wanted to. If I didn’t let him blow off some steam, he might find a way to do it I would like a lot less. He was all about comforting the omega, but a run in the forest and a chance to hunt would do more good than almost anything I could think of.

When we were out there earlier, in the forest behind the gas station, all the little creatures remained in hiding and, of course, we were full, but now he would be motivated. If it had been cold earlier, it was three times that now, with the wind kicking up and the snow blowing all over the place. But my wolf didn’t mind.

I undressed on the porch and laid my clothes over the railing before taking my fur. When I checked in, Theo, a burly bearded man who looked a lot like a certain saint famous for climbing down chimneys said it was fine to fun in the area, especially at this time of year.

What he hadn’t said was that there was someone already in the cabin he rented me. And once I got there, one thing led to another, and I was afraid that if I went back to try for another cabin, they might not have anywhere for him to stay.

Everything about the place was nicer than nice, a brochure in the cabin telling us about all the amenities. In the main building, there was a pool/hot tub area and one with a glass dome where guests could sit and look up at the northern lights or even the moon and stars. Or, during the day, watch the clouds streak across the winter sky. It would be nice during a snowfall too. Would Wade like to come in and do that one day? Maybe with a cocoa and some cookies?

We headed out, bounding over the snow and low-lying shrubs along the pathway until we reached the edge of the resort. Muzzle tipped up, my wolf took the last bit of control from me and went on the hunt.

I’d never enjoyed this part of sharing our skin, but I had to accept that my wolf had needs and desires that did not always match mine. And some of them were less than awesome for my human side. When he tore into prey, I just tried to hang back and pretend I was elsewhere. He was doing his wolf thing, and mostly he had to tolerate me running around pack lands and putting out metaphorical fires.

Hunting had to be better than that.

We put a few miles under our paws and snacked on creatures foolish enough to allow themselves to cross our path. He needed to get the energy out before we could go back and face the omega. He was already off-kilter and didn’t need erratic energy from an alpha to make him worry more. Wade had been through so much, but I had to stuff those thoughts down because they only served to aggravate my wolf further, and he’d already eaten enough animals; any more would be simply victims of his rage.

Finally, he allowed me to turn us toward the resort again, tired and panting but no less determined to ensure the omega was protected from whatever hurt him in the past. And my wolf did believe the best way to do that was to destroy anyone who ever caused Wade the least bit of harm. Mentally, physically, or emotionally. I agreed, but if I started saying so, we’d both be out of our heads.

As I trotted back into the resort, on my way to the cabin, I passed the main house and paused. I needed to have a conversation with someone that I didn’t want Wade to overhear. Even if I went outside, shifter hearing might enable him to know what I was saying. And I had some big and confusing thoughts going on. I needed to talk to my senior beta, Marco, because he was the one I always bounced ideas off of.

I knocked at the door, even though it was technically a public space, and a hearty voice called, “Come in.”

“I just shifted, so I don’t have any clothes on.” Shifters overall didn’t care about that while in the process of donning or shedding our fur, but we didn’t generally walk into buildings in our skins.

The door opened and I faced Theo with his white beard and jovial smile. “Robes right inside. Grab one and come on in.”

I wrapped myself in the thick warm robe, giving a little shiver. “It is mighty cold out there once the fur goes away.”

“Don’t I know it. To what do we owe your visit? Is everything all right at the cabin? Did you need something?”

“Actually, I was passing by after a run and remembered I need to make a phone call. Is there by chance a house phone I can use?”

He cocked his head, eyes twinkling. “This must be a very important call if you can’t wait to get back to the cabin. Why don’t you go into the office and use the line there for privacy.”

“That would be great. I appreciate it.” Also, his not asking for details. He was no doubt being professional, but that was perfectly fine, especially when Theo and Elias, who had come in to say hello, wandered away, leaving me in the office.

Considering it probably held all their business records and who knew what personal things, it was very trusting of them. Not that I would touch anything but the phone. I absolutely would not. I sat down behind the desk and lifted the receiver of the old push-button phone. It must be as old as the resort itself.

It took a moment to remember the information because who actually did know phone numbers anymore. Shifters were as guilty as humans in depending on tech, I mused, but a deep think produced Marco’s number.

He answered on the first ring. “Alpha, you’re not ready to come home, are you?”

I chuckled. “No, you convinced me I need a vacation, but that’s not why I’m calling.”

“Everything is going great here. I should have known you’d check in.”

When did he start trying to outthink me? I pushed some alpha into my reply. I was also his friend but more his alpha. “If you’ll give me a moment, I will tell you why I’m calling.”

“I’m sorry, alpha.”

“There was a double-booking and—”

“What? We made those reservations weeks ago. Paid up front! I’m calling the resort.”

“Marco!”

“Sorry, again, alpha.”

“It’s fine, but there are complications.” I filled him in on the current situation, including the pregnancy. “And my wolf scents him as ours.”

“Does he scent you back?”

“I don’t know, but, Marco, he was forced rogue.”

“Then it’s lucky he found you. Not only his fated mate but one who is alpha of a pack who accepts those like him.”

“You’re jumping fast, have us mated and moving in together.”

He laughed. “Isn’t that the whole point?”