“There’s been no reason to.”
“You’re not with the pack anymore. Does it make it harder?”
“No.” He took her hands, kissing each inner wrist. “Nothing is harder.”
“You’re wrong about that.”
“I’m not.”
“I haven’t known you for a long time but I know when you’re lying to me. The pack is your world. I know that. I can see how hard it is for you not to be with them every single day.” She ran her thumb across his lip and he nipped at it. “Can anyone become a wolf?”
“You’re thinking of books and movies, right?”
“A bite? Would it work?”
“No. To become a wolf you have to be born into it.”
“Does that mean no wolves have ever been with women like me? Human?”
“I don’t know. I imagine there have been, but again, we haven’t exactly reached out to every single mated wolf couple. We don’t have some telephone directory to tell us what to do.”
“So no way of knowing?” she asked.
“No way of knowing.” He stroked her cheek.
“I can’t turn into a wolf if you bite me?”
“No.”
“What about silver?”
“You won’t die from silver.” He chuckled. “What have you been watching?”
“Nothing. There’s no television.”
“What is all this talk about changing and turning into a werewolf?” he asked.
She didn’t answer right away and he watched her, waiting.
“I know you’re worried about them. They’re your friends and family.”
“I have no family.”
“Not directly, but they’re there for you all the time.” She cupped his cheek. “Daphne and I, we’re safe here if you want to go and check on them.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“No. I’m trying to be understanding or as understanding as humanly possible, which is really hard to do,” she said, laughing. “I don’t know what is going on between us but I know how important this is for you. I’ll still be here with Daphne and we can figure it out. One day. You know?”
“I won’t let you go. It’s one thing I won’t do.”
“I know. I won’t be going anywhere but I think you need to do this for your own sanity. I’ll still be here. Always.”
He didn’t want to let her go but there was a reason he spent his time chopping wood and trying to keep himself busy. Being with Winter helped, but he couldn’t deny he still had a responsibility to his pack. To the men and women who were once willing to follow him. Falling for a human woman didn’t make him weak, it made him strong.
Either way, if he returned to the pack, they were going to need to realize he was going to have this woman as his mate for life, and they would have to accept it, or he really would walk away for good.
****
The next morning, Winter woke to an empty bed. Only the scent of Rocko let her know he’d been with her for as long as he could. She had no doubt he’d gone back to his pack. Climbing out of bed, she picked up his shirt, which was still on the floor. Her body ached from their lovemaking.
She padded across the room to Daphne. The little girl was already awake, her diaper already changed, and she was dressed as well.
“I see he came and dealt with you first.” She leaned down and pressed a kiss to Daphne’s head. “One day, I want to be a mother. To fall in love with a man and to raise a family. I’m scared, Daphne. I know I love you as if you’re my own, but Rocko. I have this horrible feeling I love him as well, but there’s no way we can be together.” She sighed. “I can’t believe I’m talking to a baby about this. I’m scared. It’s been a long time since I’ve been scared.” She blew out a breath.
Lifting Daphne up, she carried her through to the kitchen.
“We both know the pack will never accept us. I don’t want to make him pick between me and the pack. I don’t even know if he loves me.” She put Daphne in the high chair and smiled as she gurgled. “Hopefully, one day I’ll be able to help you make a much easier decision than me.”
Daphne slapped the high chair tray.
Running her fingers through her hair, Winter checked the time.
“I hope he’s okay. I really, really do.” Sending him off to his pack was a hard thing to do, but necessary. He’d tried to turn his back on the pack, and because of it, she knew deep down he was miserable.
She wanted only what was best for him, no matter what it would mean for her.
****
Rocko knew shit had gone bad when he entered the town. Some of the buildings were fallen. Cries filled the air.
The town he’d built and protected for many years was nothing but a fallen wreck.
No signs of a wedding.