Page 45 of Snowbound with the Alpha Wolf
In no time, two horses were saddled and ready. Lexie led the horses out of their stalls and outside of the stable as Darcy accompaniedher.
“The horses need a good workout. You’re doing us a favor. With Nia so close to giving birth, a lot of our people are tied up in things like babies and renovationsand birthing,” Lexiesaid.
Babies. Birth. Families. All the things so far removed from Darcy’s world, and yet they were common to Lupine packs.I’d like a family. But the only guy I will ever love will never settle down withme.
“Jackson and I are trying to get pregnant.” The pretty Lupine’s mouth wobbled, and emotions flashed in her dark gray eyes. “Nia’s my aunt. I’m happy forher and Aiden,but…”
“You want a family too.” Darcyunderstood.
“Every Lupine on this ranch seems to get pregnant if the guy just looks at her. Not me. We’ve been trying since earlier this year. I stopped competing on the rodeo circuit, and Jackson stuck close to home. The pack physician said to give it time and we’re bothyoung.”
A cold wind swept across the snow-coveredmeadow, but the sun sparkled on the ice-laden trees and the crisp, white snow. So much land and space. It gave Darcy a feeling of freedom she never felt before. And yet the pack was close-knit and liked to staytogether.
She cast a dubious look at the mare, who lowered her head and studied her with large, liquid eyes. She stroked the velvety nose. At least Flower wasn’t as large as Diamond,Lexie’shorse.
After Lexie swung up into the saddle, Darcy did the same. Leather creaked as she settled into the seat. It had been a few years since she’d ridden ahorse.
They started out on the trail paved with thesnowplow.
“Have you ridden much?” Lexieasked.
“Some, when I had an assignment on a ranch in Wyoming. I’m more used to being ridden,” Darcyadmitted.
“I like being on the bottom too,” Lexieconfessed.
Darcy laughed. “I wasn’t talking about sex. I was talking about turning into a horse and having someone rideme.”
A cute blush tinted Lexie’s cheeks. “Oh! Duh. Jackson told me rumor had it you’re a ChangelingShifter.”
“Was. Not anymore. Long story.” She flicked the reins, and Flower ploddedalong.
Silence fellaround them for a few moments, broken by the steady swish of snow under the horses’ hooves and the wind billowing through the pinetrees.
“It’s not easy having your life turn around. I can’t imagine what it’s like for you, having all that power and losing it,” Lexie finally said. “But I’ve learned that even when you think you’ve lost it all, there’s something better just around thebend.”
Darcy wished she could believe it. “That’s nice. Maybe I can find something better like working in a convenience store instead of serving thegoddess.”
Sarcastic? Yeah, but she hurt. This Lupine with her glowing love for her mate couldn’t understand what Darcy faced. Suddenly Lexie dug her heels into Diamond’s flanks and pulled the horse to a stop. The Lupine turned to her with afiercelook.
“I’m serious. I may be younger, Darcy, but I’ve seen a lot in my lifetime. My parents abandoned me when I was young because I was deformed. It took Jackson, and this pack, to convince me that I was normal and to findacceptance.”
Darcy stared. “My parents abandoned metoo.”
Lexie nodded. “You know what it’s like. It hurts like hell. I had a deformed foot, causedby not eating enough raw meat to shift all the way into a wolf. After I joined this pack, Aiden and Jackson both encouraged me to keep eating, and eventually, the deformity went away. But for the longest time, I felt so alienated and alone. All I had was barrel racing and my horse, and that purpose. And I found something better. I foundJackson.”
Darcy smiled. “I am glad you found him.You two are obviously very much inlove.”
“We are, but our relationship was stormy at the start. It happens with manycouples.”
“Not as stormy as mine,” she muttered. “Ours was more the hurricanevariety.”
Sympathy colored Lexie’s expression. “It’s none of my business about what you and Adrian are going through. But my advice is if you have feelings for Adrian, talk to him.He’ll comearound.”
She quietly thanked Lexie as they continued theirride.
Talk to Adrian. Impossible when he kept avoidingher.
Darcy felt ready to give up onhim.
