A second later, those pants hit the floor and I was left gaping at the rest of his body.
Just as I started to really look, he was gone and his wolf was standing in his place.
My brows lifted, and I glanced around the room. The massive black wolf definitely looked weird in the middle of the furniture.
I couldn’t help but laugh a little. “What are you—”
He barked at me.
Freaking barked.
“Did you just actually bark at me?” I demanded, still not entirely sure I had heard him correctly.
He gave me a look like I was an idiot and did it again.
“Fine,” I said, getting up. “I cannot believe you shifted in the damn house, Remy.”
I whipped off his shirt, tossing it onto the couch. I spread my arms wide, standing in front of him naked for a second. “Happy?”
A second later, I shifted.
Whoa. The scents in this house now that I had my wolf senses were insane.
The smell of Remy and I permeated the air. It smelled like his pine, my citrus, and sex.
A lot of sex.
I’m happy anytime I can see you naked, he told me, his tone dry and amused as he answered my question.
Why are we playing wolves in the house? I asked, still not sure what he was getting at.
He stepped forward, resting his head against mine. So I can show you this.
It took a second, but the memory started playing in my head like a movie. No, more like a highlight reel.
Our first meeting at GPA. Our first class together. Remy asking me to dance with him. Bonding. Staying at my bed while I was in a coma. Christmas. Going back to school and leaving again. The Summit. Coming home without me.
I saw it all, but more importantly, I felt it.
I felt it all.
How protective he felt of me at first. His confusion at being jealous when Andy asked me to the dance. The chaotic joy of bonding. The desperation when I was unconscious.
And love.
So much love that I stumbled back a step.
There was no pity or embarrassment or annoyance. Zero judgement.
Because Remy didn’t see me as a broken girl who needed to be saved. He saw me as a person who could save herself. A survivor who hadn’t let her past decide her future. Like his equal.
Now do you get it? He stepped back, his dark eyes studying me intently as the memories faded.
My wolf whined anxiously, unsure how to process the onslaught of emotions I was grappling with. I shifted back, tears already falling before I was done with the shift.
“That’s how you see me?” I whispered.
He changed back, his hand reaching out to touch me. “Yes. When are you going to start seeing you that way, too?”
“I’m getting there,” I replied quietly.
It wasn’t until after we showered—together, which was why we were running late to get back to the house—that Remy answered my original question.
He closed the door to the cabin, grabbing my hand with his as we started walking through the woods. We could have shifted and run back, but we wanted as much time alone as we could squeeze in.
“You don’t have to come with me,” he said quietly, his feet crunching over the carpet of dead leaves. “I can do it alone.”
“Do you want to do it alone?” I countered hesitantly.
He shook his head emphatically. “I never want to do anything without you, babe. But I also don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”
“What will happen?” I asked, brushing aside a branch full of vibrant green leaves. Spring in Blackwater was as stunning as the fall.
“The representatives from the pack will acknowledge me as their Alpha,” he replied. “It won’t take long. Some are bringing pack members who feel more comfortable living in Blackwater than their own packs.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re bigger,” he admitted reluctantly. “Stronger.”
“Do we have the space?” I glanced up at him.
“It’ll be tight, but we’ll make it work. Most people live in town, but the pack lands are pretty big. A lot of farmlands in the east that we can make use of if needed. Thankfully it’s getting warmer, so if people have to sleep outside in tents, they can.”
“They could shift,” I suggested. “My fa—Nikolai’s pack is more than used to it.” I’d explained the way they stayed shifted for months. Remy was fascinated by the idea.
“It’s okay to call him your father,” he told me, nudging my shoulder.
“It feels weird,” I replied, making a face. “And I don’t even know if it will last, you know?”
He chuckled. “I’m pretty sure Nikolai isn’t going anywhere, baby. It’s obvious he cares about you.”
“You think?” I hated the notes of hope creeping into my tone.
Remy kissed me quickly, never breaking our stride. “It’s hard not to love you, Skye.”
“You’re biased,” I replied with a grin.
“I’ll tell Katy you said that.”
“Don’t you dare,” I laughed. Katy would make it her mission to count all the people who loved me that weren’t Remy.
My chest warmed as I realized that list was getting longer and longer.
“Speaking of dads,” I said, “can we go see Gabe? I need to check on him myself.”
“He’d love that,” Remy answered. “He misses you.”
“See? Why do I need my own dad when I have yours?”
He pulled me to a stop. “Because having more people that love you isn’t a bad thing, Skye. And Nikolai seems like a good guy.”
“You barely met him,” I pointed out.
“I know he kept you safe. I know he brought you back as soon as he could. I mean, he could’ve lied and said it wasn’t safe for you to come home until next week to have more time with you. Instead he’s here, and he even brought an army to help you.”
“Maybe you’re right.” It felt nice to think my dad wanted to help me. That he cared.
“Of course I am,” he replied with a cocky grin, tugging me forward again.
I snorted, falling into step easily with him.
“What about a pack run tonight?” I asked, my fingers trailing along another leafy branch as we walked by it. I could feel my wolf aching to get out again. “It might be a good way to formalize the packs uniting.”
“That’s a really good idea,” he replied as we broke through the trees. “I’ll tell Rhodes and Dante to alert the pack. Anyone who wants to come should. You could invite your dad.”
I smiled slowly. “I think I will.” I paused and frowned. “Unless Mom would rather not.”
“Your call, babe,” he told me, kissing me again.
I glanced up at his house, all dark wood and gray stone. “I love this house, but it still feels kind of surreal to be staying here.”
“Living here,” he corrected. “You live here.”
I tried to smile. “It feels like your parents’ house.”
He gave me an odd look. “How would you feel about us getting our own house?”
“We talked about staying in the cabin,” I answered. “We were going to live there after the Summit. We could do that when your dad comes home.”