Page 23 of Wild Alpha (Cold-Blooded Alpha #12)

T wo days later than planned, we finally head into town to catch up with Mart at the grocery store.

The last couple of days have been perfect.

I’ve spent days and nights with the man I love, and we’ve been running or exploring the Blackshaw property on two legs and on four.

No worries. No stress. Just perfect, happy days with each other and the rest of the Blackshaws when we feel like heading to the farmhouse for a meal together.

My brother's still here, though I think Dayne would rather he weren’t, since my brother keeps bringing up all the security issues that led to Xavier attacking us.

Dayne hasn’t killed him yet, mainly because Patrick, Dayne’s son, has developed an attachment to my brother. My brother, who's never been into kids before, actually enjoys sharing stories about our pack with Patrick. He treats the toddler like an adult, and Patrick seems totally captivated by him.

Heading into town this afternoon wasn’t just about meeting Mart, Fisher’s dad.

Fisher is moving out of his house, and we're taking his stuff to the Blackshaws’ basement. We'll visit my family in Oklahoma, and then travel down to South America for as long as Fisher wants to explore the rainforest.

We’re not sure where we'll go from here. He told me that if I wanted to stay with my family in Oklahoma, we could do that. But as much as I love my family and want to see them again, this small corner of Colorado has truly captured my heart, and I think I want to stay here.

“Damn, you have it bad,” Vaden mutters, waving a hand in front of my face from outside the passenger window where I’m sitting. He climbed out of the backseat, and I didn’t even notice Fisher had finished parking and cut the engine.

As I roll up the window, I shoot him a glare. Even though Fisher keeps telling me his dad still likes me, I’m hesitant to get out of the car and face him. “I’m just thinking about the future.”

Vaden volunteered to help us pack up Fisher’s house. It didn’t take long since we were only packing personal items and leaving the furniture behind. His dad offered to find a renter for the place until we return from South America, and Fisher knows whether he wants to sell it or keep it.

“Thinking about the future, huh?” Vaden snorts, shooting me a dirty look as he straightens up from leaning against Fisher’s car. “Yeah, right.”

His expression tells me he knows exactly how Fisher and I have been spending most of our time in the cabin.

I smile at Fisher as he rounds the car and opens my door for me before I can reach for it. “South America can’t come soon enough,” he says as I get out.

“You don’t have to remind me,” I say, shooting my brother a pointed glare to let him know I’m mostly looking to get away from him.

“You actually have to pay attention to your surroundings, sis. No spending all your time having sex or something will eat you both.” Vaden smirks.

My gaze narrows on him, and I wish I hadn't spilled so much about my first meeting with Fisher.

Fisher laughs and claps my brother’s arm. “I’ll keep an eye on your sister. Nothing will happen to her if I can help it.”

And my brother, despite smirking at me, smiles at Fisher. Fisher nearly died saving me. My brother will never forget that, and he'll always respect Fisher because of it. “My sister's a total scatterbrain, always with her head in the clouds. Something's definitely going to eat her first.”

“Shut up,” I mumble, elbowing him in the ribs. “You realize you didn’t have to come, right?”

“Gavin said this place has the best pie, and I’m not leaving until I’ve had a taste.” He raises his hand in a wave before disappearing down the road and into the diner, just missing saying hi to Mart, who walks out of the grocery store with a jingle of bells and a big smile.

“How’d the packing go?” he asks, walking toward us.

“It didn’t take long.” My eyes widen in surprise when he pulls me into a hug.

“I haven’t seen my son this happy, and I know it’s all thanks to you,” he says.

I meet Fisher’s gaze over Mart’s shoulder, and he gives me a look that says, "I told you so."

“You sure you don’t mind watching the place, Dad?” Fisher asks him after Mart lets me go from his hug.

He smells like a dog, and when Fisher’s nose twitches as he hugs his dad, he glances at me and makes a face. Fisher picked up Jett’s scent, and he did not like it one bit.

Mart pats his son on the back. “It’s about time you went on an adventure. You should have done it long ago, but I’m glad you’re starting to live a bit more than you have before.”

“What about Jett? Do you have someone to watch him while you work?” I ask Mart.

There’s no way Fisher could watch a dog now. Not with what he is.

Mart nods. “Cecily at the farm is going to watch Jett for a bit. I’ve taken Jett for a visit with her a time or two, and he likes the freedom to run everywhere he wants. The other dogs like him too.” He scratches the back of his neck. “We’ll see how things go. Maybe Jett will stay with her.”

“You’re giving up Jett?” Fisher frowns.

“Not permanently. Just during the days for now. Taking on a dog when I’m always at the shop wasn’t fair to Jett.

He needs more people time, and maybe some dog time too.

” Mart looks at Fisher. “And… well, I figure having Jett at home all the time might keep my son from coming over to visit his dad with his girlfriend.”

I freeze. “Why would having Jett keep Fisher from coming over?”

He gazes at me, his expression knowing. “Just some things I've picked up over the years. Things people shouldn't discuss. But I know how to keep a secret, and this is one I’ll take to my grave.”

I stare at him.

He knows the Blackshaws are shifters, and that Fisher has become one too. I don’t know how he knows, but he’s saying he won’t tell anyone.

“Thanks, Mart.” I never imagined I’d find humans so willing to embrace difference the way Mart and Fisher have.

Mart grins at me, and Fisher looks visibly relieved. “We’re all just locals around here: locals and family. No need to thank me for looking out for our own. Anyway, the other thing I called you down here to say was not to worry about me managing this shop on my own. I've hired a girl.”

Fisher’s eyes widen. “ Hired a girl?”

“The shop is getting too much for me to handle on my own, and the refrigerator issue made me realize how much I depend on you,” Mart says. “You have your own life to live, and I shouldn’t expect you to drop everything to help me out.”

“I’m always happy to lend a hand, Dad,” Fisher says. “You know that.”

“Well, I got some help from a nice girl who's new to the area and actually looking for a place to stay. Your house would be perfect.”

“Did you check her references?” Fisher frowns.

“I’m old, but I’m no fool,” Mart says, shaking his head. “She’s working a couple of hours this afternoon, and I left her stocking up a shelf. I’ll go get her, so you can meet her.”

“Sure thing, Dad.”

Mart heads into the grocery store, and I squeeze Fisher’s hand, relieved that everything's worked out. Fisher can visit his dad without Jett snarling and going crazy. His dad has help in the shop, so Fisher won’t feel guilty about not being there to lend a hand.

Plus, he even has someone to rent his house, so he can make some money while we’re in South America.

The diner doors swing open, and my brother steps out, sipping coffee and holding a small box with what looks like a slice of pie inside.

“You could have asked if we wanted something,” I mutter, smelling tart cherry and sweet almonds and craving a slice myself.

Vaden is smirking at me, likely about to tell me to get a slice myself, when the grocery store bell jingles, and his eyes shift toward it.

His nostrils flare, and he stops dead in the middle of the sidewalk, eyes laser-focused as he growls a single word. “ Mate .”

Wide-eyed, my gaze shifts from my big brother, who has never thought highly of humans, to the petite blonde woman in a blue apron tied around her waist, looking at my brother with open suspicion.

The human woman.

No freaking way .

“ Mine ,” Vaden growls, closing in on her as he drops the coffee and pie on the ground.

Her face tightens and she whirls around, muttering, “No way, no how, psycho,” before disappearing into the grocery store, the bell above the door clattering loudly behind her.

I take one look at my brother’s shocked face, and I start laughing.

“What?” Fisher squeezes my hand, his gaze darting between us.

“This is going to be so much fun. Can we delay South America for a few days?” I ask him, still laughing. “I want to stick around for this.”

Will Vaden win over his reluctant human mate?

Find out in Cool-Headed, now available for pre-order !