Chapter Fifteen

Archer

Private time. When I came here to be part of a throuple, I hadn’t put a lot of thought into how that might work. I guess I’d just assumed it would be all for one and one for all. Very Three Musketeers . And, for the most part, we were, but as we got to know one another, we decided that we should, as our wise alpha deer said, “all of us get time together and as couples and some alone time along the way.” He pointed out that it would be healthy, and when I thought about it, it made perfect sense.

I’d lived alone since I passed the bar and was amazed at how seamlessly I’d stepped into the living situation with my mates. Waking up every morning, I immediately looked to see if they were in bed or had gotten up. My wolf needed to place them and know where they were at all times. I had to hope this would ease because one or more of us would likely have to leave the premises at some point for a day job. Heath was living off his YouTube savings from his #buslife days, for example, and while my company was still giving me lots of busy work, primarily research that could be easily and more cheaply handled by a paralegal, they still didn’t know where I was located, and I preferred to keep it that way. But even with the security on my laptop, if they truly chose to find me, they could. The news about the client they had covered up for was everywhere, and had they not been one of the biggest firms in the country with hands in the pockets of senators and congressmen and governors and billionaires, they would have closed their doors in the face of the publicity generated by the case.

No charges had been filed against any of the partners, at least so far as I knew, and it seemed as if it would all blow over. I didn’t have enough information to change that, but I would if I could. Oren and Heath both were supportive when I told them the story and agreed that I should quit at the earliest opportunity.

If not for my alpha instinct to care for my omega, I would have thrown it all away without another thought. But I set a deadline in my mind for making a move. There was no guarantee I’d earn as much in this area, either. I’d been so focused on earning, for the company, for me…

“Penny for your thoughts, alpha?” Heath rested a hand on my arm before turning his attention back to the road. “Are you trying to decide what kind of car you want?” Our couple date was a trip to a car dealership. Whatever I did going forward, I would need transportation, and one car between three people would not cut it for long.

“Yes…no.” I let out a low laugh. “I was mulling over the changes I’ve made in such a short time. Until the day I talked to the two of you on the app, or maybe the day before I was a driven lawyer of the kind you see on TV. All about the work and no time or energy left for anything or anyone.”

“You did mention that.” He steered past a particularly beautiful stand of trees, and I drew in a deep breath. “Pretty here, isn’t it?”

“Beautiful.”

“Is it like that where you come from?”

I had to think for a moment. Where did I come from? I’d left the pack lands many years before for college and law school and my job… How to answer?

“Alpha?”

“Sorry. The pack lands where I grew up were gorgeous, although different than this. Mostly open land for running, for one.”

“That sounds nice.” He glanced my way for a second. “Were you going to say something else?”

“I was thinking of the places I lived since. My university where I did undergrad and law school had all the brick buildings and grass and trees, but it seemed like I was never outside to appreciate them.”

“That’s rough.”

“And then I joined the firm, and I’m not sure I even paid attention to the natural world.”

“Your wolf must have loved that.” We arrived at the dealership, and Heath pulled into a customer parking space. He turned the car off and faced me, reaching for my hands. “Alpha, I’m so glad you came here. I was 100 percent sure I’d just continue with my wandering ways, but now I’m here. It’s my home, our home, and I know you’ll find your way to peace in the work world.”

“I have to quit.”

“You do, but not until you’re ready.” He leaned in, and I kissed him, so grateful for the constant support my mates gave me. When we leaned back, he sighed. “Just don’t let it eat you up, alpha.”

A salesman approached us then, and we got out of the car and let him lead us around, showing us various cars and narrowing down what I wanted until we stood by a sleek black sedan. It was the car I’d have bought while living in the city if I’d actually needed one. The car I’d been eyeing for a while. I sat behind the wheel, ready to close the deal, and then I got out.

“I think I’m going to go another way. Can you show me an SUV? Something with 4-wheel drive and all-season tires.”

Heath gaped at me. “Really? But you looked so happy in that one.”

“I was, for a second, and then I realized how impractical it was here. Don’t you think this will be better for all of us?” I pulled him in to my side. “It does snow here, right?”

“It does, and this will be better.” Heath nodded. “For all of us.”