Chapter 2 #3
She blushed. “I probably shouldn’t admit to it, but it does.
Myra’s been my alpha for a long time, and my best friend for nearly as long, so I know she trusts me and values my opinion.
But this does take it to a new level, and that feels really good.
And I’ve enjoyed seeing Adam find his way to being a true alpha. It’s wonderful to witness.”
“Yeah, when I met him in Mountain View and heard he was a lone wolf, I was astonished. He reads so clearly alpha, I’m amazed he made it that long without trying to be in charge of people and fix all their problems.”
She laughed and nodded. “Right?” She swallowed, her gaze focused on his face, captivating him so that he almost missed her free hand coming up to touch his chest. Her breathing picked up. “This seems…important, doesn’t it?”
He liked that she wasn’t shying away from it.
“Yes. We have two choices. Take things slow and enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Or jump at it full throttle and see where we end up.” In that moment, he couldn’t say what he hoped she would answer.
Knew only that he would win, either way. And so would she.
She swallowed, let her eyes drift down for a moment, then met his again. “Let’s go slowly. For now. But I reserve the right to change my mind at any time.”
He couldn’t help it. He laughed, pulled her into his body and wrapped his arms around her. His chin rested naturally on top of her head, and he took in a huge breath. He would enjoy the journey.
“Can I take you to dinner tomorrow?” he asked, opening his arms so she could pull back and see his face. He wished he could take her tonight, but they’d be too tired after the run, and it would be late.
“That would be nice. Or maybe lunch would be better,” she suggested.
“Somewhere public would be good. To help me keep my word.”
She gave him a saucy grin. “I’ll pick the place.” She pulled his cellphone out of his back pocket, turned it on and quickly found the messages app while he watched. She sent herself, he assumed, a message, and returned the phone to his pocket.
“I should get back to the party. I haven’t met everyone yet and we’ll be changing for the run soon.”
“I don’t know if this counts as much of a tour,” he complained.
“That just means you’ll have to come back for more,” she tossed over her shoulder as she headed out of the room.
He stayed where he was, breathing deeply to squelch the urge to run after her, throw her over his shoulder and carry her to his car.
He closed his eyes but that just brought to mind her pixie face, pale blue eyes, and kissable lips.
Shit. He stood and adjusted himself, then rejoined the party.
If his suspicions were true, he might just be meeting his new pack.
His parents were in conversation with Myra and Adam, so he joined them. Myra gave him a considering look.
Uh-oh, best friend inspection time.
“It’s definitely different than a forest in New England,” Adam was telling Jonas’ parents. “But amazing. You can run in canyons, high desert, forest. Some really spectacular land available to us.”
“We’ve been in the city so long,” his mom said. “I’m not sure if I’ll adjust to the peace and quiet of small-town living.”
“Imagine being able to walk out your door and actually smell nature,” his dad said. “Instead of people and trash and old food.”
“It was an adjustment, for sure,” Jonas threw in.
“But I think you would like it. And if you change your mind, you change your mind. You’re not signing your lives away.
And if making the move, changing packs, and retiring all at the same time is too much, maybe keep working for a little while, on your own terms. Cut back, enjoy life.
” All the things that he had done, that his mother didn’t really understand, but would make more sense to them at their stage of life than what they considered appropriate for their thirty-seven-year-old son.
“What do you do?” Myra asked.
“Candace is a dentist, and I’m a high school social studies teacher.”
Jonas halfway tuned out of the conversation to watch Cindy chatting with a small group of people by the appetizer table. She was listening to a woman talking animatedly, her hands swinging wildly with whatever story she was telling. Cindy’s smile was big and genuine.
“What do you think, Jonas?” his mom asked.
“I think you guys should open a gastropub.”
He focused on his parents again, nearly laughed at the shock on their faces.
“You’ve always been foodies, you want some peace and quiet out here, but you also want some of the energy and activity you’re used to.
It’s a small town, so it might not be a huge money maker, but that’s not what you’re looking for, anyway.
You can hire managers and be as involved as you like, and step back when you like. ”
His mom began telling Myra and Adam about some of her favorites of his dad’s recipes, and he turned his attention back to Cindy. She was talking now, but she glanced up, caught his look and gave him a bright smile before looking away again.
He excused himself from the conversation, worked his way around the room, meeting the others.
It was an interesting energy, sort of like a group interview.
Everyone trying to put their best foot forward but also reserving judgment on those they met.
He noticed that Myra, Adam and Cindy made a point to talk with everyone, and he was curious about what their opinions would be.
What were they looking for in new members?
Did they have specific goals or were they just open to anyone who wasn’t an obvious asshole? It was a fascinating position to be in.
Myra announced that it was time for the run and they all made their way to the backyard.
There were several areas set up with sweats for after the run, and room to place your clothes and shoes before the change.
He looked around but didn’t spot Cindy. He wasn’t concerned.
He would know her wolf when he found her.
He let the wolf take shape, shaking his whole furry body when the change was complete.
He trotted into the center area, found Myra and Adam greeting the wolves as they approached.
His parents came into view, so he greeted them, then went with them to the alpha pair.
He’d met his share of alphas over the years, generally respected and liked them.
But choosing to live under them was a whole different consideration.
When he’d decided to leave New York, he’d visited three packs before meeting Zach in Mountain View.
The location had been good, but it was the alpha who had sealed the deal.
A tantalizing scent distracted him, and he knew Cindy had found him. The stunning wolf was gray, like himself, but where his fur stuck to the lighter end of the pallet, hers contained all the gray’s imaginable. He offered her muzzle a little lick, received one in return. Then it was time to run.
They chased each other, taking turns being in the lead, playing with the other wolves, but always coming back to each other.
The scenery was beautiful, and he guessed that their hosts had selected a route that would show some of the best the area had to offer.
It was very different from what he’d known, either in Idaho or New York, somewhat similar to a run he’d gone on when visiting California once.