Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“All elves look like him?”
“We can discuss this later,” I told him. “Right now, I need you to come over here and get on your knees next to me.”
Cole moved quickly.
“Put your head down, don’t speak, and no matter what, don’t look at them. Promise me.”
“Look at who?”
“Just…do what I say.”
“I promise.” He tipped his head down.
“I have to let them know you belong to me.”
“Good. I want everyone to know that.”
“Also, stop being interested in Teague.”
“I’m not. You’re the only one who interests me, Merritt Baker.”
I could taste the truth in his words.
TWELVE
Amonth later, I was at work, closing up, when I saw Fletcher walk in and take a seat at the bar. Moments later, Desta walked out of the back and darted over to him, leaning across the bar top to reach him. He met her halfway, and they shared a very sweet peck on the lips.
“You guys are gross,” Dakota teased them.
“Oh, go fill the sugar shakers.”
I suspected that the romance, which Cole had given Fletcher his blessing for, would culminate in marriage in the not-so-distant future. The two of them finished each other’s sentences, and Desta’s kids were both crazy about the man. Even her cat liked him, which she told me had never happened before. I was betting on a wedding sometime in January.
Justin had followed through on what he’d promised and transferred the deed to the land in Coille, as well as giving Cole access to the pack funds. Cole had then proceeded to close one account and open another, and hired a money manager to oversee and grow investments. There was full transparency, and the new alpha of the Swann Pack gave everyone monthly updates so they could see how their money was being used, on things like college tuition and braces.
The main house, the log cabin as I called it, functioned well as a place for everyone to convene. Many people had relocated to homes around town, some had moved into the cabins, and others had built on the land themselves, overseen by their alpha, who, as a builder himself, offered excellent suggestions. What was interesting was that no one wanted to move a town away from Cole. Everyone wanted to be close to their alpha, and I was thrilled for him. Already, the pack had the feeling of closeness and community that came when your alpha provided all the power, strength and shelter that was needed.
The men from the Haviland Pack caught outside the shelter were charged with brandishing or exhibiting a weapon, as no shots were ever fired and they were there, but not pointing the guns at the shelter. It turned out that by the time Matthias had texted the order to kill, the men were already incapacitated by Crystal and Opal. I didn’t know what jail time there would be, or fines, I simply knew they would not be back. If nothing else, Rafe Haviland had no intention of ever returning to Coille. They had been happy to be free of Matthias and Tuss, and a large amount of money, payments that had been made to the Haviland Pack from Abel, was sent to Cole in a cashier’s check that would help with the years of funds that Abel had siphoned from his own pack. It was yet another blessing that Cole was responsible for. Everyone was pleased, and the feeling of community grew with every passing day. Amazing what happened when a pack was led by a true alpha.
The bones of Anson Swann were reinterred where he’d been laid to rest years earlier, and he was once again placed beside his beloved wife. I flew to New York with Cole and Evan to visit after it was done, and put flowers on both graves.
Reggie and Helene were married before Christmas, and it was a beautiful outdoor wedding, with snowflakes falling all around that looked like a postcard. As Cole’s beta, he and his mate lived on the top floor of the log cabin, and by all accounts, he was excellent with both adults and kids. He was in charge of get-togethers, runs—there was no hunting—and scheduling visits to meet Cole. Many packs had contacted him, wanting to discuss alliances with his alpha and his pack, and he’d set meeting dates for the spring. Reggie wasn’t having anyone annoying the hibernating animals or accidentally skiing down a ravine. If people were looking for a vacation, there were resorts they could go to. The Swann Pack land was not a holiday destination, and Reggie was firm on that.
Cole and his crew were in the process of adding to the women’s shelter, building a dojo where a new transplant, Ms. Kimura, and her son, Kenji, would be teaching karate, aikido, and judo. She was very pleased to work for me after seeing the report on the news in November about the facility. We were also breaking ground on a community recreation center in the spring for children, teens, and adults. I was in the process of hiring staff, but had pawned it off on Paris, who was better at asking questions about schedules and setting up drug screening. I did walk in and meet everyone, as I could tell immediately if they were lying about anything. Had to be a good fit to be around children. I never took any chances with that.