Page 20 of Wulf’s Pack

Chapter

Nine

I drop Nora and Illren off at the den before taking my new pack back to my place.

They promise to call a family meeting and have everyone meet at the club in an hour.

Once Skylar and I are alone in the car, with the Kellers following behind us in their own car, my nerves start to kick in.

Somehow, having Nora and Illren with me had worked as sort of a buffer up to this point.

Now I’m truly on my own with my new pack.

I’m also nervous about taking them to my place.

I’m not rolling in cash like some of my other clan members.

Shifters don’t usually amass the amount of wealth that the immortal species do.

Terrance, Parker, and Illren are all loaded.

I’ve always had enough to suit my needs, and I have a nice little nest egg I’ve saved up, but it’s not enough to support a pack.

I know every member of a pack usually supports themselves, giving a small percentage back to the pack, but I still feel this need to provide for them as best I can.

I don’t know what they’ll think about my place, either.

It’s a bit unconventional, especially for wolves who tend to live in cheery neighborhoods that border wooded lands where they can run.

My place isn’t near the woods or in some perfect suburban neighborhood.

It’s not in any neighborhood at all. It’s downtown near the club.

I bought an old warehouse and converted it into a living space.

My wolf is anxious of our pack’s reaction to it as well.

Will it be good enough for them? Will they be happy?

Skylar startles me from my thoughts. “Are you okay?”

I want to say I’m fine, but she’ll know it’s a lie.

I try to give her a reassuring smile, but I’m not sure I accomplish more than a grimace.

“Just stressed. I don’t know what I’m going to do with a pack.

I really am a textbook lone wolf by choice.

We’re rare, but we exist. I was relieved when I finally left my pack, and I’ve never felt the need to go back.

Suddenly, out of absolutely nowhere, my wolf is acting crazy, and we’re out of sync for the first time ever.

Not a good thing to be when I now have a mate and a whole family depending on me. ”

Skylar reaches across the center console and offers me her hand.

I take it greedily. “We’ll be okay, Wulf.

The Kellers seem like good people. We’ll all figure it out together.

I don’t have any experience with a healthy pack, but I know what kind of pack I don’t want to be.

And you have the best example to learn from.

Seeing your clan at breakfast today was incredible.

There’s no reason we can’t strive to have that sort of dynamic with our pack. ”

I hope she’s right.

We reach the warehouse, and Skylar blinks up at the building. The Kellers eye the place with curiosity as they exit their car. “You live here?” Matthew asks when I go to punch the code into the front door.

He doesn’t sound upset or anything, but I feel self-conscious anyway. “I know it’s different…”

Skylar squeezes my hand and smiles at me. “I’m sure it’s great.”

I hold my breath and swing the door open.

The pack follows me in gasping softly when the cavernous room lights up.

I breathe a little in relief. I know the gym is impressive.

My entire clan is in love with it. I had the whole warehouse gutted and converted into one big, open training ground.

It has a pool, a boxing ring, mats, all the workout equipment anyone could ever need, and a track that circles the whole room.

“I don’t get the chance to leave the city and shift much,” I say while they all take in the sight. “This helps.”

I push forward across the room to the back of the warehouse where there are stairs to a second floor. “The living quarters are upstairs.”

The pack follows me quietly, exploring the space with their eyes.

We reach the top of the stairs, and I step aside when I hit the lights.

The main living room, kitchen, and dining nook are all part of an open concept with the bedrooms and bathrooms down a hall in the back.

It’s a contemporary industrial décor. Not the homiest, but I figured I’d be an eternal bachelor.

“It’s not a lot. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and dining nook, and the main living room.

We’ll be a bit cramped with the six of us, and not much privacy, but I can look into buying the building next to us and having it converted into apartments or something.

There are a couple of rooms downstairs that used to be offices that I use for storage space, so we can keep any furniture you want to from your house. ”

My voice trails off, and I rub the back of my neck, feeling entirely too awkward. For someone who’s never cared what people think of him, I’m sure desperate for their approval.

“It’s very nice,” Sophia says.

“Perfect,” Elise agrees with a nod. “Thank you for taking us in like this.”

I relax when it seems they’re all happy with the arrangements.

“You’re my pack,” I say. I let out a big breath and rake my hands through my hair.

“You’ll be safer here with us, and it’s probably better for building the pack bonds.

” As much as it terrifies me, I need to get to know my pack.

I can’t meet their needs if they’re strangers to me.

“Why don’t you all go pick your rooms, and I’ll see if I can scrounge up something to eat.

My room is the last one down the hall, but the other two rooms are open.

I’m sorry you’ll have to share the bathroom. ”

“We don’t mind,” Matthew assures me.

They all grab their bags and head down the hall, leaving Skylar and me standing together in awkward silence. I pick up all of her shopping bags and lead her down the hall. “You can have my room. I’ll take the couch. We’ll have to share the bathroom, though.”

Skylar is quiet as she follows me into my room.

It’s a bit basic. A king bed with night tables on either side and a dresser with a TV mounted on the wall above it.

Several game consoles are spread out on the dresser.

The color scheme is black and red. I’ve never realized how masculine the space is until I see my tiny, beautiful mate standing in the middle of it.

After taking it all in, she stares at the bed a moment, then meets my gaze.

“You don’t have to take the couch,” she says.

“I haven’t slept alone in years, and sharing with you won’t be anything like being forced to share with Victor.

” She gulps, and her next words come out quiet and shaky.

“I trust you not to…act inappropriately.”

My wolf is relieved that she’s allowing us to stay with her, but I can’t stop stressing about her situation with Victor.

I want to ask her about sexual assault, but I don’t want to force her into telling me anything she doesn’t want to.

I have to trust she’ll let me in when she’s ready.

“If you’re sure. I can couch it. It’s not a big deal. ”

She wraps her arms around herself and takes a breath. “I’d rather you stay, if you don’t mind. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable either, but I hate being alone. I have nightmares.”

I can tell it took a lot for her to admit that.

Moving slowly, so as not to startle her, I pull her into my arms and squeeze her in a firm but gentle hug.

“I don’t mind staying with you. I’d prefer it.

You might just have to push me back to my side of the bed a lot until I get used to not sleeping in the middle. ”

That earns me a smile, and I grin back at her. Kissing the top of her head, I give her one more squeeze, then step back. She immediately reaches for my hand. I’m more than happy to tangle our fingers together.

We find ourselves back in the kitchen and are able to put together enough sandwiches to feed everyone.

I’m relieved when I realize we can all sit at the table.

I have exactly six chairs. We all find seats, and everyone waits for me.

When I realize they’re all waiting for their alpha to dish himself first, I groan.

“No. None of that. I can’t do formalities. Please. I’ll go insane.”

They all look startled. “But you’re our alpha,” Preston says, confused.

My shoulders droop. I can’t take all the tension and walking on eggshells.

“Look, I don’t know what your former packs were like, but I want this pack to be comfortable with each other.

We’re a family. Maybe I’m in charge, but I want you to treat me like I’m one of you.

I don’t want to be singled out. You can respect me without being nervous, can’t you? ”

When none of them speak, I groan again. “Am I going to have to start farting all the time to get you all to loosen up around me?” I take a huge bite of my sandwich and say, “Because I will,” with my mouth full.

For a second they all look scandalized, but then Preston snorts and Skylar giggles, then we all burst out into laughter. It’s just the break in tension that we need, and everyone digs into their dinner. “Please don’t do that,” Skylar says. Her giggle is the best sound I’ve ever heard.

“Yeah.” Elise chuckles. “You really don’t want to set that precedent with these guys.” She points at her husband and Preston. “We’ll all be gassed out of here by morning.”

“I’m a dad,” Matthew says. “Farting is my right.”

“At least Preston is back in his human form,” Sophia says. “There is nothing worse than his big, smelly wolf farts.”

Elise nods grimly. “It’s true. He clears the room on a regular basis.”

Preston rolls his eyes. “That is not my fault. You know my wolf gets indigestion.”

I grin. Maybe this pack thing won’t be so bad. “So what you’re all saying is that I need to change the air filters often.”

“And invest in some Febreze,” Sophia suggests.