C29 Are you threatening me

My poor cottage.

"Maybe a few of my herd will wander over to enjoy the celebrations," added Manala , laughing when I hissed, anticipating what that might mean. "Don't worry, Kearny is drowning her sorrows with Rick Han , one of the youngest cubs in the pack. He's delusional even to leave her. But he has to be careful."

"Why?"

"The guy's already in love. He'll ask her to marry him next."

"That's Kearny's problem ."

"Yes. It is. But thanks for that. Three bonfire parties in a row they've had since you told him you were leaving him, getting drunk and screeching like chickens."

"Sorry," I smiled. "But you were right about her. Good thing I got out while I did. She almost scratched my face."

"I told you, bro. I've planned to come and spend a couple of days down by the creek. Everything is in order here. But like I say, because there's a crossover of friendships in our packs, you might find some of mine crawling around here too. I'll stay in the guest cabin with Harry and James , and I'll come about the same time as Harrison. See you then."

I ended the call with Manala and smiled as Lara came into the room dressed and ready to leave.

"I have laundry to do," she told me. "And buy new clothes if I'm going to stay here for a few days."

I smiled, delighted that she was wearing the same dress as on our first date. Today she wore her flat sandals, so I towered over her. I liked it.

"Let's go for a walk and then you can go into town. Melissa has a clothing store called Majestic. She has a decent range for you to take a look at."

"Thanks. I will. I'll try to catch up with Mery at the same time. Confess everything."

"She'll be fine," I replied. "I'll run some errands while you do.Maybe we can go out for a drink later?"

"I might owe it to Mery first. Shall we save it for another day?"

"For another day." I held out my hand, happy when he took it. "Let's take the long way into town. It's a scenic drive."

She smiled, and it stirred something inside me. How she looked at me, how she trusted me, at the same time knowing the real me. It wasn't the magic of the couple that made me feel that way, not this time. It was different, confusing, as if the feelings didn't belong to me. But not to him. These feelings were mine alone and they put me back in control.

I took her into town along the forest trail and told her about Scott . ̶ Would you like to know why Scott is after me?"

"He's doing everything he can to hunt you down, that's for sure."

"And he doesn't stop." I sighed. "Wolves live a long time, and Scott's a pesky son of a bitch."

"Wait." She thought about it. "How long do wolves live?"

"Why?"

"When I went through the papers at the library, your name was on all of them. I thought you had a grandfather with the same name. But are you saying...?"

"Was I the one who signed those papers?" I tried to hold back a smile, but failed. "Yes, it was me."

"But that would make you..."

"Ninety-two. My driver's license says thirty-two, though. It always will. I get it changed every few years. You're not the only one with a fake license."

"Ah," she replied, and I looked over at her to see her disappointment.

"What's the matter with you, don't you like dating an older man?"

"What's the average lifespan of a wolf?"

"A few hundred years or so," I replied. Then it hit me. "You don't have to worry about that."

"I know." He looked at me with a slight panic in his eyes. "I know. I'm not looking for anything long term here, it's just..."

"No," I growled, causing him to stop. "Don't say that."

"Say what?" confusion flashed across his face. "Don't say I'm looking for something long-term with a wolf who's only a third of the way through his life cycle? That he's still looking thirty-something at ninety-two?"

Hooking my hand behind his neck, I forced his gaze to mine, brushing his cheek with my thumb. "You activated something called partner magic in me. That's why I freaked out when I saw the picture you drew. Couple magic was activated at that moment and it unnerved me."

"What is couple magic?"

"It's something that connects a wolf to its ideal mate. A wolf can't really claim a mate without it. If I claim you, you'll live as long as I do."

"What?

"You will always have a choice, Lara . One of those options would be to mate with me and live a longer life than a human. But either way, I'd still like a life with you. I want you in my life for more than a few days. More than a week. I see this is going somewhere, don't you?

"Shit." She jerked her hand free of mine and walked away. I caught up with her and stood next to her.

"What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" She held up her hands. "A couple of things. I live in Idaho. You live here. We've known each other for a few days, and now you're talking about reclaiming. Magic that means I could live to be a few hundred years old. You're a wolf. A wolf! And one who could do a lot better than an Idaho bounty hunter who was going to sell your ass to an old enemy!"

"Stop." I grabbed her arm. "I understand this is a lot to take in."

"You get it?" she asked.

"Stop spinning it. You've had a lot happen to you in the last few weeks. And I understand that you need to catch up. But I'm in this. I want you. I want you here, with me, even if it sounds selfish. But I want you. I want you in my cabin. To wake up with you every morning. And if you ever say you're not good enough for me again, then, woman, you'd better be prepared for the consequences."

Her lips curved, but she restrained herself. "Are you threatening me?"

"I promise you. I think you're worthy of me. You're worthy of ten of me. You did what you had to do, and you put my welfare before that of your family. Remember that. And as for everything else, the claim, being with me, there's no rush. We'll do it when you're ready. And only if you want more of this."

"The independent woman in me is squirming right now," she murmured, and I laughed.

"You strike me as someone who likes to take risks." I kissed her, softly and slowly. "Take a chance on me."

"You have all the control in this. You know that, don't you?"

"What can I say?" I shrugged. "I like control. I like having power. But you have the power now. You have it now, sweet cheeks." I slapped his ass and strutted off, knowing he would follow me.

"Sweet cheeks?" she gasped, falling into step with me.

"Yes," I replied, satisfied. "Sexy ass."

"I'll kick your ass," she muttered. I smiled and took her hand again.

"I don't doubt it. And when we work all this out with Scott , I'd like for us to explore things further. How about we leave it at that for now?"

"Yes," she breathed. "I guess I can do that." We were silent until she asked, "What's going on with you and Scott ?".

"Scott was the Alpha of the Green Springs pack many years ago," I replied. "My friend Alex and I stumbled into his territory seeking refuge. Scott took us under his wing and talked about joining the pack if we could prove ourselves. He put his daughter, Casandra , right under our noses. I was intrigued. I didn't know that Alex also wanted to join the pack, so I thought I was her only interest, courting her. Courting was necessary back then."