Golden Valley (Pack 3)

“From what I saw driving through Golden Valley, it’s beautiful.” Ricky gazed at him, eyes wide and awe-filled. “You’re an incredible Alpha.”

That type of compliment had never meant more to Morgan than it did in that moment. He tapped his nose against Ricky’s chin, nudged it up, and then nuzzled his throat. “There are a few hidden spots where I played when I was a pup. I can show them to you.” He wanted to share everything with this man.

“That’d be perfect. I haven’t played in my wolf form since before…” Ricky’s words trailed off.

“Before what?” Morgan moved back and looked into Ricky’s eyes.

“Before I was here last time,” he whispered.

“Three months is too long to stay in one form.” Much too long. “Was the pregnancy that hard on you?” Morgan asked, running his knuckles along Ricky’s forearm.

“Not really.” Ricky cuddled closer into him, the physical demonstration of his mate’s trust made Morgan feel like the strongest Alpha on earth, triggered all his protective instincts, and melted his heart. “At least I don’t think so.” Ricky tipped his chin up and made eye contact with Morgan. “Everything happened so fast. It’s like I was in a daze the entire time.” He lowered his gaze and fiddled with the buttons on Morgan’s shirt. “But now the haze lifted and things are clear.” Looking up again, he said, “Does that make sense?”

“Of course it does.” Morgan knew nothing about Psi pregnancies and not much more about female ones, so he had no yardstick by which to measure Ricky’s experience, but his mate’s feelings were valid regardless of his own understanding. “I’m sorry the pregnancy was so draining.” He combed his fingers through Ricky’s hair. “And I’m sorry I wasn’t there to make it easier on you.”

“That part was my fault. And like I said, I don’t know if it was being pregnant or being away from home for the first time or—” He let out a deep breath and then lowered his already quiet voice. “I think it was because I wasn’t with you.” Hazel eyes met his again. “Is that silly?”

“Not silly at all,” Morgan said, his voice rough. He curled his palm around Ricky’s nape and moved his thumb back and forth over his pulse point. “Now that I think about it, I wasn’t thinking straight these last couple of months either.”

“You weren’t?”

Morgan shook his head, remembering his desperate drive to find Ricky when he left Golden Valley followed by the soul-draining chill that encompassed him when Ricky turned him away. If he had been operating on all cylinders, he would have handled both situations with more logic and grace.

“But you’re better now?” Ricky wrapped his arms around Morgan’s chest and held on tightly. “Because even though Golden Valley is new to me, now that I’m with you, it’s like…”

“The clouds parted and you can feel the sun?” Which was the best way Morgan could describe the warmth that had chased away his internal gloom.

“Yeah.” Ricky laid his head on Morgan’s chest. “Just like that. Being here with you feels like home.”

Carding his fingers through Ricky’s hair, Morgan turned his attention to the happy shifters on the other side of the room, basking in their affection for their grandson. “Betty, Baxter, can we leave Alex with you for a little while? We’d like to go out back and let our wolves explore.”

Usually, dozens of pack members gathered on the grounds around the Alpha house until well after dinner. But before coming downstairs, Morgan had called Lillian, told her he would be showing Ricky around, and asked her to let the pack know. People were still wary of Ricky so, not surprisingly, a good number of them had cleared out.

Thankfully, some had stayed and met Ricky. They were initially nervousness in his presence, but they clearly were trying, and after several hours together, eating and talking, most of the tension had eased. Morgan had no doubt they’d share their experience with their friends and family, and the next day they’d have more company as other pack members gathered the courage to meet his mate.

His pack had been deeply wounded, just as he had, but they were good people. They’d give his mate a chance, and once they did, they’d love him. Morgan couldn’t fathom anyone being around his Omega and not seeing his sweet spirit and lighthearted personality.

But that was something to be dealt with the next day. For now, the house was empty, save for Morgan’s own family. Even if only in his head, he relished the realization that he again had a family.

“Go on, go,” said Betty, waving her hand in the air while her eyes remained locked on Alex. “We’ll keep this little angel busy.” She lifted Alex’s feet and moved them back and forth and he giggled. “Is Grandma funny? Yes, I am. Yes, I am.”