Page 4 of Finding Forever with the Alpha Pack (Return to Wolf Creek #4)
Chapter 4
Grace
The morning air is cool as I pace around the yard, trying to shake the restlessness that’s been simmering under my skin since yesterday. The therapy session still haunts me, the memory of my temper flaring vividly. I’ve gone over the details again and again, replaying everything in my head. I don’t see how I was wrong. He’s been told so many times not to push the Ethan button with me. I warned him. I warned them all.
The soft crunch of grass under my feet offers some comfort, a grounding sensation amid the whirlpool of thoughts. Nicolai had warned me earlier that the movers were coming today to bring our things to the new house. I sigh, already imagining the irritation I’ll feel watching strangers touch our stuff. There’s a possessive growl that threatens to bubble up just thinking about it.
The sound of footsteps pulls me from my thoughts, and I turn to see Griffin stepping out of the house. My breath catches—he’s in a henley and jeans. Jeans ? Since when does he wear something like that? It’s like seeing a different version of him, and for a moment, it throws me off balance.
“Gracie,” he calls, his voice soft, almost gentle. In a few strides, he’s in front of me, wrapping me in his arms, his lips brushing mine in a soft kiss. The tenderness makes my heart race. “Do you want to go to lunch with me?”
“Just us?” I ask, standing on my toes to close the distance between us, looping my arms around his neck.
“Absolutely, wherever you want to go.” His smile is warm, and when he kisses me again, I melt into it. This Griffin, the one who forgets he’s the alpha and the mayor and just focuses on being my mate—I like him the best. No, I love him. This side of him makes me feel like we’re the only two people in the world.
“Can we go to the wing place? Or maybe the bar Andrea works at so we can see her?” I bat my eyes playfully, knowing he can never say no when I look at him like this.
Griffin grins, practically beaming at me, and I can’t help but smile back. “Of course,” he says, pulling out his phone to text the others.
We walk to his truck, and Griffin opens the passenger door for me, always the gentleman. I slide in, and he leans over, making sure my seatbelt is secured before gently closing the door. It’s those little things—how he takes care of me, how he never forgets the details—that make me feel safe with him.
As he jogs around to his side, I catch myself smiling again. Maybe today will be okay after all. But there’s still a part of me, deep down, that can’t shake the feeling of unease. That unresolved tension from yesterday lingers like a shadow, just waiting for the right moment to strike.
The gravel crunches beneath the tires, the rhythmic sound growing distant as we leave the house behind and drive down the dirt road. The evening air is cool through the cracked window, but inside the car, there’s a warmth between us that feels steady, grounding. Griff’s hand settles on my upper thigh, his touch both reassuring and curious. “What’s on your mind?” His voice is calm, but I can feel the weight behind his question.
I lean into him, wrapping my arm around his solid biceps and resting my head against his shoulder. The familiar scent of his makes me feel safe, but my thoughts swirl with uncertainty. “Nicolai’s job offer,” I say quietly, chewing my bottom lip as I stare down at his hand on my leg. “I know I have to be the Luna, but that’s not exactly a full-time gig.”
Griff huffs out a low laugh, squeezing my thigh as his fingers trace slow circles. “That’s not what’s really bothering you, is it?”
My breath catches in my throat. He knows me too well. “No, it’s not,” I admit, exhaling heavily. The words come out faster than I expect. “Honestly, it’s not having money of my own. I appreciate everything you all do to support the family, but... my ex, he wouldn’t let me work. He controlled everything, my time, my life. I don’t want to feel that way again.” My grip tightens on his arm, and I close my eyes, trying to swallow the knot of fear that rises in my chest.
“I told the others this might get to you eventually,” Griff murmurs as the car slows at a red light. He turns his head and presses a gentle kiss to the top of my head, his lips lingering for a moment. “Take the job with Nic. You can always help me with township stuff, too. There are plenty of opportunities here.”
His words are comforting, but there’s more—an offer, a promise. Still, something shifts inside me, a weight lifting as I finally admit the truth. “If I’m being honest, I think Nic’s job might be more fulfilling. I always wanted to be an engineer, you know? Building things, creating something from nothing. It’s one of those goals I thought I’d never reach.” My heart feels lighter saying it out loud, even if there’s still a part of me that worries about stepping into something new.
Griff’s hand tightens, and he smiles, though I can see the edges of sadness in his eyes. “Then let’s make it happen for you. Nic’s got that big office downstairs, and we’ll set you up with whatever you need. You can work from home, be with the kids when you want, or hide from them when you need a break.” He chuckles, but it’s soft, not quite reaching the sadness I know is lurking beneath the surface. “I miss the pups. My nap buddy is off on a grand adventure.”
His voice falters just a little, and I know he’s thinking about our son. I shift in my seat, pressing closer to him. “We’ll be together again soon,” I whisper, but the space between us feels a little wider, the road ahead a little longer.
“If I’m being honest, the entire house is too quiet.” A huff of air escapes my lungs as I stare at the road ahead, my fingers drumming against my knee to break the silence.
“I know the feeling,” Griff murmurs from the driver’s seat, glancing over at me briefly. “Barrett would pounce me out of nowhere and, well... you know where that usually leads.” His lips twitch in a half-smile, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
I nod, trying to shake off the sense of unease clinging to me. “Con’s handling his business remotely. I just have to stop at the post office for him and grab his mail,” Griff continues, listing off the small errands we need to accomplish.
“Maybe I can help Conrad with his business while he’s gone.” I shift in my seat, the thought bringing a sense of purpose. “I’m sure there’s stuff in the office I can do for him while he’s away,” I say, a genuine smile tugging at my lips as I imagine tidying things up for him, taking care of the little details he might overlook. “I’d love to make things easier for him.”
Griff nods. “I’m sure he’d be grateful for any help you can give him, Grace.” He takes a left onto the main road, the familiar stretch of asphalt leading us into town. My heart picks up pace as we pass the bar I used to work at with Andrea. The old brick building looms closer, and my chest tightens, the dark memory of my abduction hovering like a shadow I can’t shake. It’s broad daylight, but the fear gnaws at the edges of my mind.
Griff notices the shift immediately, his hand tightening on the steering wheel. He pulls the car to a stop in front of the bar and before I can react, he’s unbuckling his seatbelt and drawing me against him. “It’s different this time,” he murmurs, his voice a low rumble against my hair. “First, it’s daytime. Second, there’s no reason for you to go down any hallways. You’re safe. I’ve got you.” His lips brush my temple, and the warmth of his touch eases some of the tension curling in my chest.
I take a deep breath, nodding slowly. “Okay,” I whisper. “Let’s go see Andrea.”
I reach for the door handle, but Griff lets out a low growl that makes me pause. Shaking my head with a smile, I lean back, crossing my arms. I wait as he circles the car, opening the door for me like he always does. I step out, catching the reassuring glint in his eyes as he pulls me close, his arm wrapping protectively around my waist. Despite the unease lingering in the back of my mind, I feel safer, a little more grounded with him by my side.
Stepping into the bar feels like coming home, the familiar hum of chatter and clinking glasses wrapping around me like a warm embrace. The air is thick with the scent of wood polish, whiskey, and the undeniable musk of pack. Most of the people scattered around are our own pack members with sharp eyes and knowing glances. A few humans mill about, and when they spot Griffin, their faces light up with recognition. As the mayor, he’s always been a bit of a town hero.
I barely have time to get my bearings before a few humans approach us, their curiosity clear. One man, his eyes flicking between Griffin and me, grins before asking the question I’ve been hearing all day.
“So, why are you with Griffin and not your husband?”
Laughing, I shake my head, letting the easy warmth of my smile settle over him like a blanket. “He’s at work, and Griffin was kind enough to bring me into town.” I catch the man’s eye and continue, “Ethan has the best family—I got lucky.” My words come out smooth, practiced, and genuine. The man softens at my response, a satisfied nod replacing his curiosity before he walks away, leaving us to ourselves.
I’m just about to turn back to Griffin when I’m nearly tackled, a blur of energy barreling into me. My wolf bristles on instinct, but the familiar scent hits me before I can react. It’s Andrea, all laughter, and sunshine, grabbing me tight before planting kisses on both cheeks. “There’s my favorite bitch!” she practically purrs, her smile wide and unrestrained.
I relax, letting out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Hey, lady.” I lean into her embrace, my cheek brushing against hers as a soft rumble escapes my chest, a private sound meant only for pack. Griffin coughs pointedly beside us, attempting to cover up the animalistic noise, but I just roll my eyes in response.
“Do you have the table ready?” I murmur, keeping my voice low so the humans can’t overhear.
Andrea winks. “Of course,” she says, reaching back to grab Griffin’s hand before leading us towards the back. I fall in step behind them, the crowded bar fading into the background as we move toward the staircase that leads to the private rooms upstairs. The music softens, the buzz of conversation falling away until it’s just the three of us ascending into a quieter, more intimate space.
“So? What’s new?” Andrea tosses the question over her shoulder as we reach the top, the familiar thrum of her voice as comfortable as old leather. She pulls us toward a booth she’s already set up—low lighting, soft music, a subtle shift in atmosphere that speaks of more than just a casual gathering. She’s playing private bartender today, and the mood she’s created feels … deliberate.
I flick my gaze toward Griffin, my eyes narrowing slightly. He shakes his head, lips twitching in a smirk that screams Ethan’s influence. “Oh no,” he teases, his voice low and rich with amusement. “You admit to what you’ve done.”
I draw in a slow breath, fighting the urge to groan. “Plotting world domination,” I reply, my tone deliberately bored. “With Conrad and the others on vacation, we’ve had to shuffle things around a bit. We basically absorbed yours and Barrett’s old pack recently.”
Andrea pauses as she sets down the glasses, her head tilting in that familiar, inquisitive way. “So, what’s the pack up to now?” she asks, though there’s a weight to her words that I can’t ignore.
I glance at Griffin again, hoping he might help me out, but he’s clearly enjoying this too much. His smirk deepens, and I know I’m on my own. Sighing, I finally give her the number. “Over a thousand, give or take a few hundred.”
Andrea’s eyes widen, and I wince, my sheepish expression giving me away. “I didn’t really think the takeover through,” I admit, my voice quieter now. “But I couldn’t just leave them without an alpha.”
The weight of my decision settles heavily in the room, the reality of what I’ve taken on creeping in like shadows around us. Andrea whistles low under her breath, and for a moment, the air between us thickens. I can feel Griffin’s eyes on me, a silent understanding passing between us.
It’s a lot. More than I expected.
But it’s done.