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In my cabin.

Forever.

Shit.

I wantedherto be my home so damn badly I could taste it.

Take it slow.

Yeah, well, that was easier said than fucking done.

I watched the curve of the road as I headed towards the back lot where the goats were already waiting in the trailer.

“Morning,” Jed called out, his new kid, Dolly Lee, whom he called Lee-Lee for short, cradled in his arms.

“Jed,” I acknowledged him with a nod and jumped out of the truck to hitch the trailer to the back.

“It alright if I sit with this little girl up front?”he asked, and I nodded.

“Yep.I’m gonna stop by Jezebel’s before we go back though,” I told him, already having made that decision.

We took turns closing and locking the gates behind the truck as I drove to the next lot where her doublewide sat.

I had a list of improvements I was making to the place, just so she would be safe and secure.Demon would allow for no less.Overall, I liked it out here.It was peaceful, quiet, and pretty.

Like her.

I was relatively new to the Garden State, having moved here just a few months ago, after answering that advertisement about the ranch.But I had to admit I was slowly becoming a fan.

There was something about the rhythm of life here—the way the local diners served up hearty breakfasts, the lively chatter of neighbors during evening walks, and the vibrant energy of Dry Creek that soothed Demon, put the Wolf at ease.

He was getting attached, and that was good.Growing roots was what I needed to settle my animal.

For a man who’d been indifferent to the places I’d bounced around during my life, that said something.I’d always viewed cities and towns as temporary pit stops to whatever untimely end I’d imagined for myself.

Yet, here I was, finding myself drawn into the quirks and charms of Barren County—this hidden gem.I was fully embracing my role as foreman, and the men and I had developed a good schedule.

We were learning more about being in a Crew every day and with Max as our Alpha, things were sure as fuck never boring.

Most surprising to me was the richness of the land itself.The dark, fertile soil of the Motley Crewd Ranch, and the thriving dairy had been a shock.But a good one.The local rodeo, too.

I mean, who even knew they had those up here?

But none of that would matter without Jezebel.She was my real anchor.The beauty who tamed my beast.She was Demon’s true purpose.The one woman who inspired me to do better.To be better.

Jezebel was my reason.

I knew she was still getting used to the idea of being mine.She was human.Her pace was different.And I was trying to be conscientious of that.

Oh, don’t get me wrong.I was doing my best to give her space, but I could not stay away from her.Every night I had her snug in my arms, either in her place or mine.

It didn’t matter where.That part was nonnegotiable.

Demon was not about to let me walk away from her.Especially at night when the ghosts that haunted her seemed so intent on keeping my woman awake.I let my Wolf out then.

Clever creature seemed to find a way to allow himself out while I stayed in my human form, slumbering beside my mate.I didn’t quite understand it, but I made a few calls and words I did not truly comprehend likeastral projectionwere being tossed around.

I even had a call in to the Alpha of the largest Pack in North America, Rafe Maccon.His Beta, Seff McAllister, was mated to a White Witch, and she was researching on my behalf.