Page 79 of Wolves & Watercolors
“So magical healing ability?”
“Yup.”
He rakes his fingers through his dark hair. “Anything else?”
Swallowing, I tilt my head to give him a better look at my magical mark. His eyebrows rise. “Well that’s unusual.”
“She’s from a line of shifters. I’m guessing her magic is particularly compatible with us. Not that we can test it, but I’d guess she can’t do nearly as much to help a normal human. It felt like she tapped into my shifter healing and accelerated it. My wolf instincts reacted to it in a way I haven’t felt before.”
“Interesting.”
The women rise and Aurora slips down the steps to stand beside me. Her hand skims up my arm and settles on Timber’s back.
“Here, let me find the key. We tried to close it up so you’ll need to turn the water back on too. Slate can help if you need.” Hazel hurries inside, returning a minute later with a key hanging from a leather loop.
She gives Aurora the key and takes her baby from my arms.
“Thank you,” Aurora says, smiling sweetly at her sister.
My hands go to her waist, drawing her to me until her back rests against my chest. “Want to grab your stuff and see about moving in?” She nods.
Our walk back to the car is slower. Aurora has relaxed now that her situation is settled. She breaks the silence with her musing. “I’m surprised how easy that was. I figured I’d be stuck at Heath’s for a while until we figured things out. Didn’t expect a new place to live offered up like that.” Her lashes flutter as she glances between my face and the ground.
I reach up and brush my fingers over her claim mark. “You’re pack now. We take care of each other. Food, housing, money. We have our own, but everyone is generous, and Slate and Hazel do a great job managing everything.”
“I’m not used to anyone taking care of me. Not since Hazel went to college.” Her hand takes mine, lacing our fingers. I tug her to a stop and wrap my other arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a hug.
“You’re mine and I’m yours. Regardless of the pack, we have each other and you’ll never be alone again.”
Her eyes shine when she looks up at me. Instead of answering, she tips her chin up and kisses me. Affection and gratitude pours through our bond, catching my breath in my chest.
We stand there for a long time, kisses replaced with soft words and affectionate touches. Eventually, I remind her of our plan and we resume our walk to the parking lot.
An hour later, her bags are stowed in the trailer, and we’ve gathered a few of my belongings as well. Luckily most of Slate’s furniture remains, though we will need to pick up a few items. A bed with a bare mattress sits in the single bedroom and the leather sofa still occupies the living space. The television is missing, but that doesn’t matter to me. I’ve never been a gamer like Slate and Onyx. If Aurora wants one, I’ll happily fulfill that desire, otherwise we have each other and our garden.
Aurora tucks clothing into dresser drawers as I put toiletries away in the bathroom adjoining the bedroom.
A knock sounds at the trailer door. Aurora crowds behind me as I open it. My mother bustles in with a pile of linens in her arms.
“Hello, loves! Thought you’d need some sheets!”
“You don’t need to do that,” Aurora says, accepting them. “But thank you.”
“We have so many extras. You guys can get something you like better in the future when you have time to do a little decorating.” She pats Aurora’s arm affectionately.
“Thanks, Mom.” I duck my head, a touch of guilt at moving out prickling at me.
“We’re so happy for you both,” she says, smiling indulgently at Aurora. “I’ve got two beautiful daughters-in-law. How did we get so lucky?”
Aurora sets the sheets on the bed before coming back to give my mom a hug.
“Alright, I’d better be off. You guys make a list of everything you need. I don’t know how much kitchen stuff Slate left behind, but it all came from Crickett’s originally, I’m sure.” She laughs as she heads out the door.
Aurora clicks the door shut and spins. “I love her.”
Hearing she likes my family warms my heart. “She adores you,” I say, pulling her to me.
“No, like she is amazing. I think I like her more than you,” Aurora jokes.
