Page 12 of Aching for His Mate (The Wolves of Luven #5)

The shops in Luven were bizarre. No one screamed about what they were selling, no one haggled in the street, no one stole anything. They were all little organized places, inside buildings, with one or two people watching over a huge amount of goods. It would have been a place ripe for stealing in any of the places she lived before.

Domitia marveled at the pure variety of textiles available at one shop. A million different colors lined the shelves in the clothing store. Almost like a rainbow of clothing. She’d seen clothes dyed in different colors, but all in one place? Never. It was an unimaginable luxury.

Even though Iota had left her money, Domitia didn’t buy anything. It felt odd spending something she hadn’t earned. She’d have to get over that if Iota expected her to stay home and keep house while he protected the city.

Domitia had a strong work ethic. She took care of herself. Hell, she even tried to keep some money hidden for whenever she would see her mother. She had worked her entire life. Was her new life in Luven meant to be one of leisure? She wasn’t sure she liked that idea.

“Are you going to get a job?” Domitia asked Vallie.

Vallie shrugged. “Eventually I will. Right now, I like my job of lots of orgasms and eating. It feels like a nice trade off from twenty years half-starved in Maidenhead followed by eight years more than half-starved in Balaur. I have a mate who can take care of me, it gets him off, so I’m just going to let him.” They walked down the street towards the bakery. “Let’s pop in and grab something to eat before heading home.”

“Iota left me a lot of food.” Domitia was also excited to try out using the stove. Once she mastered reheating meals, she could start trying to make some of the dishes she did in the south. Her mouth watered at the thought of fish with stewed greens and lemons. Maybe some sticky rice with mango. She knew there were lakes and rivers nearby, but in terms of what types of fish lived there, she had no idea. She was thousands of miles away from home, and the climate and animal life were wildly different. She’d yet to see an alligator or a panther, even the birds here were less colorful. She doubted red snappers or blue marlins lived up here.

“Well, I’m going to grab myself a loaf of bread and you are welcome to have a few slices.” They ducked into the bakery and Vallie quickly ordered from a wolf named Chi. He didn’t speak much, or introduce himself to Domitia, just completed their order and then returned to the backroom.

They exited and walked the few minutes back to the row of townhouses. The sun was still shining and hot, but Domitia’s stomach grumbled at the prospect of a good meal. She’d heat up the food, sit at the table, and then maybe…take a shower? The days were so empty when there wasn’t work to be done, food to be earned. She could go to sleep at this moment if she wanted to. What an odd life she’d fallen into.

When Iota wasn’t working, she would need to get to know him. They would spend time together, and then of course they’d have the mating frenzy, but what about after that? Domitia didn’t want kids yet but she didn’t think sitting home alone in the townhouse every day would be any kind of life. She’d traveled the southern coasts, never let grass grow beneath her feet, and now she was looking at a sedentary life. It felt overwhelming.

“Hunk of bread for your thoughts?” Vallie interrupted.

Domitia shook her head. “My mind is racing. I can’t believe this is my new life. I…I was always moving before.”

“But isn’t it nice to have a place to call home? I leave the house every day and never worry that my clothes will be gone when I get back. Or more importantly, all the food.”

“I guess. I like that I don’t have to think about where my next meal is coming, but what am I supposed to do all day in that house?”

“Now, you can hang out with me. And it’s summer! We can walk to the lake somedays to go swimming. We can do whatever we want! We’re free. Doesn’t freedom feel amazing?”

Domitia knew it should. And maybe once she got to know Iota, it would. But right now, it felt stifling. Sitting alone in the house whenever Iota went to work? Having no work of her own? That didn’t sound like freedom. It sounded like another—albeit more comfortable—cage.

“Um,” Vallie started, grabbing onto Domitia’s arm. Domitia looked up to the house that was now hers. A wolf she didn’t know stood knocking on her door.

“That’s Beta,” Vallie explained. “He’s kind of like Alpha’s emissary. All important business.”

“Oh.” Domitia walked up the house. “Hey! Iota isn’t home. He’s working.”

“Domitia, hello.” Beta responded. “I was looking for you. There’s been an attack.”

Domitia felt the blood drain out of her face. An attack? In Luven? She thought this was the safest place on earth. The wolf city where everyone left their doors unlocked and no one stole. How could there have been an attack here?

“Iota was injured.”

“Wait, what?” She couldn’t process what she was hearing. “Iota was injured? How?”

Beta flicked a look to Vallie. Her friend wrapped her arm through Domitia’s and held onto her.

“A band of wild wolves crossed into the territory east of Luven. Iota, Gamma, and Xi were patrolling at the time. The wolves were aggressive and injured both Iota and Gamma. Xi was able to run off the wolves that were still alive.”

“Where’s Iota?” Domitia asked.

“In the hospital.”

“Is it…is it bad?” Domitia suddenly didn’t know what she was supposed to be doing. Should she run to him? Stay away? She barely knew him but he was her mate. Was this a simple checkup or was he really bad?

“His injuries are dire.”

“Dire?” Domitia repeated. “Shit, can you take me there right now?”

“I have to go inform Jaine.”

“I’ll take you,” Vallie said quickly. She set her bags on the front step. “Let’s go.”

Beta nodded and took off, running through the streets away from them.

“I thought wolves were sort of indestructible?” Domitia said.

“To a point,” Vallie answered. She linked their arms together and led Domitia quickly back towards town. “But they can still be really hurt. Dr. Tau is great. I’m sure Iota will pull through.”

Pull through? Was Iota dying? Hell, Domitia may not have known him well, but she didn’t want him to die.

“Can we walk faster?” she asked. “I want to get there as quickly as possible.”

“Yes. Follow me. Let’s jog.”