Page 59 of Cultivating Caden
“I almost crapped my pants.”
“But you still didn’t move. Being a warrior isn’t about being brave—it’s about standing your ground when you’re afraid. It’s about doing what you can to protect the people you love. Do you think I’ve never been afraid?”
Caden scowled. “You? Doubt it.”
“When I saw him coming after you, I thought my heart would stop. Everything for me narrowed down to that one point in time. I moved faster than I’ve ever moved before, because I knew if I couldn’t get to you, I would lose you. So yeah, I’ve been afraid, but I’m not going to back down, especially now that I have something to live for.” He stroked the side of Caden’s face, loving it when Caden leaned into the touch. “I know you’re not going to want to hear this, but grab what you need. I don’t think we can come back.”
“Yeah.” Caden sighed. “I figured that already.” He looked around his shop, his sadness obvious. “This place was mine, you know? I worked hard for it, made it what it is today. I thought I could make this into a life. Find a partner, be happy. Guess now it’s just another dream that won’t come true.”
“Hey, you found me, and wewillbe happy. As for your shop, why can’t you open one in Sanctuary? We have space, and flowers would be popular, I think. We can reproduce a lot of things, but even we have limits. Live plants, tended by you? Or, if you prefer, we can talk to Dandrot about clearing space for a park. You could use your talents there, make it a place people would flock to. Can you imagine Ten running through your gardens? Smelling real flowers? Most of our people never venture aboveground. Think of what a park would mean to them.”
“A park? Do you think Dandrot would go for it?”
Quade shrugged. “He’s all about quality of life. He never intended that his people would want for anything. We’ve also never had anyone who was good with plants. And think of it this way—yours wouldn’t require natural sunlight, because everything they’d need would come directly from you.”
He could see Caden’s mind working. His eyes closed and a small smile played on his lips. “There are flowers I could never work with because they’re so fragile, but in a protected space, they could thrive. We could get some of the rarest plants known and preserve them for our people.”
“Did you hear what you just said?Ourpeople. I like that.”
“So do I. Sanctuary felt like home to me when I first got there. I was comfortable in a way I never had been here. I love my place, but the apartment in Sanctuary? That seemed warmer and more welcoming.”
He wasn’t sure how Caden would take the next question, but he couldn’t hold back from asking. “Why don’t you move in with me? I’ve got twice the room you do—you could have a workshop. And I’d have you close to me every morning and night.”
“But what about your job?”
Quade shrugged. “I’d quit eventually, so I can dedicate myself to us. I’d need to talk to Dandrot first, make sure someone is trained to take over for me.” He stretched. “Besides, there are other things I can do. Now that my wolf and I have come to an agreement, I’m not worried about interacting with people.” He gave a soft chuckle. “Actually, I’m not worried about killing them.”
“You used to worry about that?”
A quick nod. “All the time. My wolf saw everything as either a threat, a conquest, or a meal because it lacked my compassion. I saw the wolf as pretty much a demon because I lacked insight. Now I understand his wants and needs, and he realizes that everything he wants can be found in our home.” He grinned. “That’s you, in case you haven’t been following along on the conversation.”
“I’m your home?”
He leaned closer and gave Caden a peck on the lips. “Forever and always.”
