I grudgingly went back to the hotel to pack up my things and check out, thrilled to never see that place again. The sooner we were packed, the sooner we’d be on the road north to Montana.
I called Boone on the way back to Brooke’s from the hotel. “Hey bro,” I said when he answered.
“About time you called,” he said, but I didn’t hear any real irritation in his voice. “Fuck, I shouldn’t have to hear it third hand through Rob who heard from the Denver pack alpha that things worked out.”
“Yeah, well, I was a little busy. You know, marking my mate and all.” I smiled, and my wolf preened, sharing the news.
I could practically hear Boone’s grin through the phone. “You claimed her! That’s fucking awesome.” I heard Summer’s voice, and Boone spoke to her. “Yeah, he claimed his mate.” To me, he said, “So, what now? Can you convince her to move here? Or are you going to figure out how to be a city wolf?”
I laughed softly. It felt good talking to him without any kind of danger looming. Or dead bodies at my feet. “I’m hoping to convince her to move in with me. We’re driving back today. She’s packing a bag right now, and we’ll see how things go.”
“Well, hot damn. We can’t wait to meet her.”
“I can’t wait for you to meet her, either. She’s incredible.” I couldn’t help but grin. In fact, it hadn’t slipped since she said she’d go with me.
“Tell him to send a pic!” Summer called out.
A picture. Damn, I wished I had one.
“I don’t have any, but I’ll get one after I pick her up. She’s Korean. Long black hair and a smile that melts your soul. She’s absolutely stunning.”
Boone’s chuckle sounded indulgent. “I’m sure she is. We’ll host a barbecue, so the whole pack can meet her. I’m sure the other human females will be able to help her adjust.”
“Yeah, that would be great.” Relief over a tension I didn’t realize I was holding trickled in at that idea. Summer and the other human females would make Brooke comfortable about the whole mated-to-a-shifter-thing.
Fuck, I hoped she would stay in Montana.
But if not, I’d move to Denver. We’d figure it out. With Lazano out of the fucking picture, we had all the time in the world. Fucking forever.
“All right, well, let me know when you get home,” he replied. “I’ll give Ace the good news.”
“Great. Thanks, Boone. See ya soon.” I ended the call as I pulled up in front of Brooke’s house, parking at the curb.
I turned off the engine and grabbed the keys. I climbed out and shut the door. I was oddly nervous. Meeting with Casey was no big deal. I had fought in foreign wars. Could tear men apart with my bare hands. I could handle small talk with my mate’s best friend.
Brooke opened the door, and I smiled. Fuck, I loved her.
My wolf was relieved to see her, and something in me soothed.
She stopped on her porch and folded her arms across her chest. The slender blonde who must be Casey came outside to stand beside her.
I froze. Fuck. What was this? Suddenly the soothing feeling was gone.
“Hey. You must be–” I started to introduce myself to Casey when Brooke uttered the words that shattered my happy bubble.
“Roy, I’m not going to Montana or anywhere else with you.”
30
BROOKE
* * *
Roy stopped on my sidewalk. His mouth opened, but nothing came out. Then he shut it, and clenched his jaw.
I tried to suck in enough breath to have this conversation with him. I can’t believe I almost went off with someone who might be unstable. Maybe I was crazy because my mom would probably be proud of what I’d almost done.
“Why, sugar?” Roy said carefully, glancing between me and Casey.