Chapter 13
Fallon woke Thursday morning in the spare bedroom next to the one she shared with Avi, after talking to her mom late into the night. They talked about everything as they reconnected—Fallon’s escape, the safari park, her life on the farm, and how good it felt to be free of the prowl.
She hadn’t even really realized how oppressive the prowl had been until she’d been around alphas who treated their people like equals.
After promising to see her mom in the kitchen for coffee, she hustled into the shower and got dressed, then went to find Avi, who was nearly done with his overnight patrol.
He was walking toward the chicken coop when she stepped outside and called for him.
Running to him, she jumped into his arms and kissed him. “Morning!”
“Hey, sweetheart. You’re a sight for sore eyes.”
“I missed you so much. I don’t like the overnights without you, even though I really liked spending time talking to my mom.”
“I’m glad you got to hang out with her one-on-one, but I missed you a hell of a lot too.”
“Why are you walking toward the chicken coop?”
“Chores. I told Grey I’d help with the animals today.”
“You just patrolled overnight. You should go rest.”
“Nah.” He set her gently on her feet and smiled down at her. She could see how exhausted he was, but she knew it wasn’t just being up all night that gave him fine lines and dark circles—it was what was going on with his cousin.
“No, I insist. I’ll handle your chores. I’m sure my mom would help.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
She tugged on his arm, leading him toward the farmhouse.
“You stayed up all night patrolling to keep the herd safe. The least I can do is collect eggs, feed the animals, and tend to the gardens, okay?” She gave him a long look as she tugged on his arm.
“I’m not going to let this go, Avi. I want you to rest. You deserve it and need it.
You can help with anything I don’t get done after you wake up. ”
“Are you sure?” he asked, then yawned.
“One hundred percent.”
“I’m so freaking grateful you’re in my life, and not just because you’re collecting eggs for me.”
“I’m glad to be here too.”
She practically towed him into the house and up into their room, pushed him onto the bed and stripped him free of boots and clothes.
He tried to flirt, but he was far too tired.
Covering him with a blanket, she kissed him on the lips. “Sleep well, Avi. I’ll see you when you wake.”
He didn’t answer, already fast asleep.
Down in the kitchen, she found her mom with two travel mugs on the counter.
“Did I hear we’re gathering eggs? I feel like a pioneer,” Sera said.
Fallon chuckled. “Yep! We’ll get eggs and feed the animals, then we’ll help with breakfast.”
“I also overheard that you want me to help with the gardens, and I’m happy to. It’ll keep me busy.”
They walked out of the house toward the chicken coop.
Fallon took a drink of coffee and smiled. “Maybe we could make some flavored creamers? I would love to have that vanilla cinnamon one you used to make.”
“Oh yeah, that’s yummy. I’d love to.”
After collecting eggs and helping Grey feed the cows, chickens, and Daisy the goat, they returned to the kitchen and caught up with Tris and Zara.
“Tatum’s already at the library,” Zara said as she took the egg basket from them. “She said to tell everyone she and Grey are bringing home subs from Mark’s in town, so text her your orders.”
“They have the best subs,” Tris said. “Plus, they make their own potato chips too. Just have the order to her by three.”
“I’ll find out what Avi wants when he wakes up,” Fallon said.
As breakfast was made—scrambled eggs by the bowlful, waffles with fruit and powdered sugar, and crispy bacon—Sera made the vanilla cinnamon creamer Fallon loved, and shared it with the others.
“Oh, holy crap, this is good!” Zara said. “You could sell this stuff.”
Sera smiled broadly. “I always thought it would be fun to run a coffee shop. Maybe someday.”
“You’d make a fortune,” Tris said.
The females all worked on breakfast, setting the table and inviting the herd to come eat as they were able. Crew brought in two males from the park—Brent and Ezra—wolf shifters who were part of the security team. “They’ll be here until seven p.m. and then we’ll have another shift overnight.”
“Happy to help out,” Brent said. “We’ll be on the walkies on patrol if anyone needs us.”
They both grabbed travel mugs of coffee and walked outside.
“This helps so much,” Ford said. “We can focus on the stuff we need to do to keep the farm running smoothly, and upgrade the electronic surveillance.”
“I’m heading out with Grey to scout the far edge of our territory. Remember, no one goes anywhere without a walkie,” Crew said.
“You got it,” Zara said.
When the males were gone, Fallon said, “It looks like locusts swept through here and devoured everything!”
“Don’t worry, I saved a plate for Avi for when he gets up,” Tris said with a wink.
“Thanks,” Fallon said.
She finished her waffle and said, “Ready to hit the garden, Mom?”
“You bet.”
“I’ll be in the greenhouse if you need me,” Zara said.
“I’m doing laundry, which is not very exciting but necessary,” Tris said. “I’ll have deli wraps and pasta salad in the fridge for lunch, help yourselves whenever.”
Fallon and Sera cleaned their dishes and walked outside to the barn to grab their gardening gear.
“I love how everyone works together here,” Sera said.
“Me too. It’s really special.”
“I’m sorry that you’re having problems with the other herd and, of course, the worry about Otto, but I believe you’re in the safest place in the world. Who else could better protect you than your soulmate? Avi is a fierce and determined male. He’d burn down the world to keep you safe.”
“You know what, Mom? I feel the same way.”
* * *
Fallon and her mom headed to the gardens to work. At their old home in the prowl, they’d had flowers in pots on the patio, but they’d never really had a garden of their own.
“I never thought I’d like digging in the dirt, but there’s something really satisfying about harvesting veggies and then cooking with them,” Fallon said.
Sera sat back on her heels and smiled. “I agree. You definitely lucked out with the farm here. Has Sunny come to visit?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I’d love to see her, but we’re hoping that Otto will give up at some point. Once it’s safe, then we can get together.”
Her phone trilled in her pocket, alerting her to a call.
Pulling her phone out, she smiled as she swiped to answer. “Speak of the devil.”
“I’m an angel and you know it, bestie,” Sunny said.
“If you say so. But I know the truth. How’s it going?”
“I’m good, but I need to tell you something and I don’t want you to freak out.”
Fallon’s stomach immediately felt like it was full of lead. “What happened?”
She put the call on speaker so her mom could hear.
“A few of the park shifters were picking up supplies and Otto and some males approached them. They wanted to know where you were, and Otto said he was going to drag you and Sera back home.”
“Oh crap, are the park shifters okay?” Fallon asked. “Did they get back to the park safely?”
“Yes, they’re fine and made it back safely. We think this proves that he’s watching the park and believes you and Sera are here. We’re not going to give him any reason to think otherwise.”
“Damn,” Fallon said.
“Yeah, I’m so sorry. I’m glad you’re safe where you are, even though I miss you.”
“I miss you too. I was just talking to Mom about you coming for a visit. I guess that’s a pipe dream.”
“I’d love to visit and I’d love you to come here to visit too. But yeah, we can’t take any chances. You guys are safe and I’m safe with Seneca.”
“Silver linings,” Sera said.
Fallon nodded at her mom. “Thanks for the call, Sunny. Be careful.”
“I will be. Both of you too. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
The screen went dark and Fallon blew out a breath. “So much for the zen of gardening.”
A short while later, Fallon filled in Crew on what happened, then went to wake Avi. She knew he’d want to know about Sunny’s call.
“That fucker,” Avi said, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his palms.
“The good news is that Otto believes Mom and I are at the park, otherwise he wouldn’t have bothered to threaten the park shifters.”
“He’s clearly looking for you, though,” Avi said. “Both you and your mom.”
“Mom’s pretty upset since he mentioned her to the park shifters too. She’s worried he won’t give up and someone will get hurt.”
“We’re a step ahead because he doesn’t know where you are,” Avi said. “That’s what matters. You’re both safe here.”
She looked at him for a long, quiet moment. His blue eyes were intense, framed by thick, dark lashes, and his hair was deliciously mussed after sleep.
Cupping his face with her hand, she leaned over to kiss him.
“One of these days, we’re going to look back on all the crazy stuff that happened with Colton and Otto and know that we’re so lucky we found each other.
When it’s all over, when the herd is safe and the park is safe, we’ll have each other and our family.
Because that’s what I want with you. Quiet mornings on the farm, coffee cakes, Daisy trying to eat my shoelaces. ”
He smiled so sweetly her heart ached. “I want that too. I can’t wait.”