I shake my head, feeling a flutter of nerves in my stomach. “No, I think I’m all set. Thank you for helping me with my bags.” I give him an appreciative smile.
Dalton nods, but his expression shifts slightly, a hint of seriousness creeping into his demeanor. “Just… be careful, Wren. The pack dynamics can be complicated. I know you and Harrison have a strong bond already, but things can get tricky.”
I frown, sensing the weight behind his words. “What do you mean?”
He hesitates, glancing toward the door as if considering whether to say more. “Just… wolves can be territorial, especially when it comes to their mates. And there are those who aren’t as accepting ofoutsiders. Just keep your guard up, okay?”
A shiver runs down my spine at his warning. I know that being a witch among a pack of wolves can be challenging, but I’m determined to make this work. Harrison is my fated mate, and I won’t let anything come between us. “I appreciate the heads-up, Dalton. I’ll be careful.”
With that, he gives me a reassuring smile before stepping out, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I take a deep breath, letting the reality of my surroundings sink in. This is it. I’m here, and soon I’ll be with Harrison.
As I unpack my bags,I can’t help but feel a mix of exhilaration and trepidation. Shadow explores the suite, his little paws padding softly against the hardwood floor. I watch him, feeling a sense of comfort in his presence. He’s my anchor in this new world filled with towering wolves and the magic they wield.
Just as I finish unpacking, the door swings open, and there he is — Harrison. My heart skips a beat at the sight of him. He’s everything I remember and more. His honey blonde hair tousled in that effortlessly handsome way, his piercing blue eyes sparkling with warmth. The moment our gazes lock, I feel an electric connection that sends a rush of warmth through my veins.
“Wren,” he breathes, a smile breaking across his face. “You’re here.”
“I am,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper.
He strides toward me, his presence filling the room with an energy that’s both comforting and exhilarating. As he gets closer, the familiar scent of sea and sunshine envelops me, stirring something deep within my soul. It’s like coming home after a long journey.
“I can’t believe you’re finally here,” he says, reaching for my hand and pulling me into a gentle embrace. I melt against him, feeling the strength of his arms around me.
“I missed you so much and it’s been less than twenty-four hours,” I confess, my voice muffled against his shoulder.
“Me too, Little Bird,” he murmurs, pulling back slightly to look into my eyes. “I’m glad you brought Shadow.” He glances over at my cat, who has claimed a sunny spot on the floor, oblivious to the world around him.
“Dalton warned me it might be an interesting adjustment,” I say, a laugh escaping my lips. “But I figured we could handle it.”
Harrison chuckles, the sound rich and warm. “You have no idea how right he is. But I think it’ll be fun to have a cat around. Just be prepared for some chaos.”
I grin, feeling the excitement bubbling up again. “I’ll take on the challenge. I’m ready for anything as long as I’m with you.”
He steps back, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Well, I hope you’re ready for pack life. There’s a lot going on, and I want you to be part of it.”
My heart races at his words. “I want to be part of it. I want to know everything about you, your world.”
“Good,” he says, stepping closer again. “Then let’s start with dinner. I want to introduce you to some of the pack members. They’ll love you.”
“Dinner sounds perfect,” I reply, excitement coursing through me.
As we head out of the suite, hand in hand, I can’t help but feel a sense of belonging wash over me. This is my life now, my adventure, and I’m ready to embrace every moment of it.
As we step into the bustling atmosphere of the packhouse, I can feel the energy shift. The laughter and chatter of the pack members fill the air, and I know that this is just the beginning of my journey. A journey filled with love, magic, and the untamed spirit of the wolves.
And as I look up at Harrison, his gaze steady and reassuring, I know that I wouldn’t want to face it with anyone else by my side.
4
DINNER CONVERSATION
Harrison
The atmospherein the packhouse dinner room is warm and inviting, the smell of roast beef and rosemary potatoes wafting through the air and mingling with the chatter of my packmates. It's a familiar scene, one I’ve experienced countless times, but tonight feels different. Tonight, my mate is here.
I glance sideways at her as we step through the threshold, her wavy blonde hair catching the light and framing her face like a halo. She looks around, her blue eyes sparkling with curiosity, and I can’t help but smile. My wolf thrums beneath my skin, eager and excited. He’s been waiting for this — waiting to see Wren eat, to learn what she loves, what she craves. It's like I can feel his anticipation weaving into my own.
Wren waves at Octavia, my Luna and Wyatt’s mate, who sits at the head of the table. Wyatt, my alpha, leans back in his chair, his presence commanding yet relaxed. Dalton, our Beta, is animatedly discussing something with them, his hands gesturing wildly. I lead Wren toward Octavia, feeling a sense ofpride swelling in my chest. She belongs here, with us, and I want to share every moment of this evening with her.