9. Chapter 9

It was with great reluctance, but also anticipation, that the two of us left my brother's home. It was different being there now that I was mated. I'd always felt like I hadn't quite fit in with my brothers and that became more pronounced when they got mated. But now that I was too, I found myself understanding them better.

The sun was lowering in the sky, I loved the way the late afternoon sun shone through the trees. People often talked about sunrise and sunset as being their favorite sky, but this was mine.

Walker opted to walk rather than shift to his wolf form or even ride astride my back. He was experiencing the journey in all the ways. It was for sure different on two feet, which I had discovered earlier in the day.

His hand held mine as the two of us strolled through the forest, our fingers intertwined. It was a leisurely pace, and we spent a good portion of it enjoying the nature around us and our heart songs. I wasn't sure I'd ever get used to the beauty that was our song.

"How come there's not a worn path to your house?" he asked as I pointed in the direction we were to be turning. "There's a path to Terran's home from Luan's, and from both their homes to the river and the hot springs, but there is no path that leads to our home from any of those places. I guess because it was hidden, right? But also, wouldn't your hooves make a path?"

I loved the way he never hid his thought process. He opened up to me and let everything out. It showed such trust, trust I vowed to be worthy of.

"I never take the same route twice," I said. "But now that everyone is going to know that we're here, we can clear a path. In fact, Terran, while he's on his way over, will probably clear it for us."

"Let me guess, he doesn't need to walk through the forest with a machete wearing down the earth, he can simply ask." Walker was spot-on.

"Exactly. And if we want the path illuminated, then Luan can do that for us as well." Our abilities had always just been there for us. It was easy to forget that to others it was unheard of. My mate seemed to pick up on it quickly.

Walker squeezed my hand, our heart songs humming in sync. "You three are amazing."

"Thank you, mate. We have been able to accomplish a lot with our gifts. All without the help of the internet." Although I had to admit, I was starting to take a liking to the internet. Not that I would admit that to my brothers.

"That's pretty fantastic." He leaned into my side as we walked.

I chuckled. "Well, since we got the internet, I have learned a whole lot more. In fact, I spent this morning doing some searching that I want to talk to you about."

"What? Did you come across some sex positions you want to try? Because if so, I am game." Walker's eyes sparkled with mischief, and I nearly forgot what I even wanted to talk to him about.

I couldn't stop myself from pressing a kiss to his lips.

"No, but we can look into that if you would like." I winked, loving the way his cheeks pinked.

"I wish to build you a kiln so that you may do your pottery." Which I had mentioned to him before in passing. "Normally, I would build it trial-and-error style, however, there seem to be craftsmen in the world that have perfected this already."

He looked up at me, wide-eyed.

"I wish for you to be able to work on your pottery as soon as possible. I've read through several of these tutorials that provide step-by-step instructions on how to create one for you. I may need to order some human-made things or perhaps reach out to other packs to see if they have what I need. Would you like that?"

As much as I would've liked it to be a surprise for him, it was important that it was exactly what he needed. The only way to accomplish that was to let him in on the process. But looking at his face, I wasn't sure if it was even something he wanted.

"The funds—"

Money. Humans and their money woes. I understood it, but also knew it was something he no longer had to concern himself with. At least not for this.

"Funds are not an issue," I said. "We can let you in on a little secret about our forest."

He cocked his head.

"There are rumors, of course, about the potions and plants and whatnot that exist here. Some of those rumors are somewhat true. We have found gold and silver."

He didn't say anything, his eyes glued to mine.

"We have not extracted it to the lengths that humankind might, but we've taken enough. We wanted a fair amount to be used for purchasing of things so we didn't have to rely on the Steelwick pack's money."

Once my brothers and I feared of its value to those outside our forest. We had the minerals that we'd found over the years evaluated for their worth to humans. We hadn't converted all of it to actual funds, but we did sell some so that we could purchase some of man's more modern conveniences.

"Are you sure?" he asked. "I don't want to…"

"What is mine is yours. And we have far more than we can ever use, most of it still in the land. Let me do this for you—let me offer you the gift of your joy, your passion, your art."

He wrapped his arms around me and held me close, scenting me deeply and sinking into my embrace when our heart song hummed louder.

"I'd love to have a kiln. I'd love to be able to do my pottery." Walker's voice took on a wistful tone. "It is my passion. And that doesn't mean you aren't—but there's something special about making something with my hands."

"I can help provide for all of you." I nibbled on his ear lobe. "Whenever you wish, dear, I will make it happen."

"You're too perfect, mate," he said.

"I disagree. But I will strive every day to be the man that you deserve."

"Let's leave our clothes here and run home together." Walker stepped back and began to take off his clothing, not waiting for a reply.

"Or I can put it in the bag and carry it," I reminded him.

Unlike my sexy mate, I had two arms when I was in my beast's form. Not that our animal shapes were the same. I didn't have two beings inside of me, just two shapes. My mate had a wolf. Maddox teased that mating a shifter was a two-for-one deal. I wouldn't call it that, but it was magnificent.

"I forgot about that. You don't mind?"

"I would do anything for you." I took his clothing and shoved them in the bag. When Steelwick went to get things for the kiln, maybe they could get me some clothing that actually fit, too. "Besides, I will still outrun you."

I wasn't sure how true that was, but my little wolf liked the idea of racing. I'd discover soon enough who was faster.

"Wanna bet?" He was now completely nude, and I was fully dressed.

I worked on my clothing as I answered, "And what are the terms of this bet?"

I didn't fully grasp the joy of betting, but the twinkle in his eyes told me that he did. Heck, I wasn't sure exactly what my question meant, but I heard it on YouTube, so I knew it was a thing.

"If I get there first, I get to decide what we do the rest of the day?" He raked his eyes up and down my body. "I was thinking we might not need the items in that bag of yours."

He locked eyes onto my naked chest and licked his lips.

"And if I win?" Because I was pretty sure at this point, I was going to make sure I lost. Being at my mate's whim sounded absolutely delightful.

"If you win," he ran a finger down my chest, "you get to decide."

"So, basically you are saying we both win no matter the outcome?" I teased.

"Yep." He licked his lips again.

Before I could reply, his wolf was standing in front of me.

"I'm coming." I jumped back and took my hooves, throwing the bag over my shoulder. "Or at least we will both be as soon as we get home."

My little wolf licked my leg and took off, with me hot on his tail the entire way home.