Page 28 of Squirrel Hunt
“It’s different when it’s the alpha.”
It was, but Konrad didn’t care. Few ever found their true mates. He wouldn’t allow Dahy to slip away. Allow, again. He should work on that.
* * * *
Dahy took in the cabin when Konrad parked the car. Last time he’d been here, he’d been lying underneath the throw in Myka’s backseat.
“It’s not big, but it’s secluded, and I like it.” Konrad was looking at him with heated eyes. Dahy wasn’t sure how to handle it. His body was ready to go, his mind was more hesitant. A mate. He had always dreamed about finding his mate, but never in his dreams had said mate been the alpha of a werewolf pack. Konrad was different from any other alpha he’d ever had the misfortune of crossing paths with, but it wasn’t as reassuring as it should be. Alphas were ruthless. Simply because he could sit in the car and have a civil conversation didn’t mean he wouldn’t rip someone’s throat out later tonight.
“Come on. A bath, some food, and…I’ll have to see Roan and Farris.”
Dahy nodded and opened the door. Maybe he didn’t have to think too much tonight. They’d eat, and then Konrad had pack business to sort out. Maybe it was how his life always would be if they consummated the mating. Konrad would be busy all the time, and Dahy could lazy around in the bath.
For some reason, it didn’t sound as appealing as it should have.
Konrad held open the front door and gestured for him to enter. Dahy’s heart beat fast as he crossed the threshold. What if he was making a mistake?
“I have your things in the kitchen. Farris packed them into a plastic bag.” Konrad hurried past him, and Dahy slowly followed. The kitchen wasn’t big, but fairly new, and sparkling clean. Maybe Konrad ate out a lot.
“Here.” He held out a plastic bag to Dahy. It looked a lot heavier than it should. He took it and peeked inside.
“Oh, the book isn’t mine. It’s Farris’. I took it out of his bookshelf.”
Konrad frowned. “Are you sure? It’s a…It doesn’t look like a book Farris would read.”
Dahy pressed his lips together. He could out Farris or he could keep his mouth shut and not make him more of an enemy than he suspected he already was.
“It doesn’t matter. I can hand it back to him later.” Konrad’s gaze burned trails on his face.
Dahy nodded. “I’ll read a little in the bath.”
“You do that.” He grinned, and Dahy suspected he knew perfectly well what kind of book it was. “It’s this way.” Konrad gestured out of the kitchen. Dahy hefted the blanket up and followed him in the direction of the bathroom. It was bigger than he’d anticipated, considering the size of the cabin. Maybe wolves liked their baths. The tub wasn’t a clawfoot one like Farris’, but it didn’t matter.
Konrad turned on the faucet. “You’ll find towels in here.” He opened a cupboard with neatly folded towels and washcloths. “I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me. Call out. I have good hearing.” He looked at Dahy for several seconds, then he took a step in his direction. When Dahy didn’t move, he reached out and touched his shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here.” Then he dipped his head and brushed his lips over Dahy’s. He was too stunned to react, and Konrad took a step back before Dahy realized what was happening. He watched as Konrad left the bathroom, and then he sucked in a shuddering breath.
He’d been close to a wolf’s mouth, and he hadn’t been bitten. He nodded to himself. It was fine. He was fine.
Folding the blanket and placing it on the edge of the sink, he then slipped down into the hot water. A hiss escaped him, then he relaxed and rested the back of his head against the lip. He had never had this many baths in one week before, but it was something he could get used to.
When there was enough water, he turned off the faucet and reached for the book. Yeah, he could get used to this.
* * * *
Konrad grabbed a beef tenderloin from the chest freezer he had in the garage and stared at it for several seconds. It was frozen. He couldn’t cook it now. He wanted to impress Dahy, but he wouldn’t have time to prepare a frozen beef tenderloin while Dahy was in the bath.
Putting it back, he scanned the contents of the deep freezer. It was packed. He had food for weeks in here and yet there was nothing he could cook. Nothing good enough or quick enough. He glanced at portion pieces of salmon. Did squirrels eat fish?
With a growl, he grabbed a bag of chicken drumsticks. Chicken and roasted root vegetables would have to do. It might not be the dish that convinced Dahy to stay and spend the rest of his life with Konrad, but it was food, and tomorrow he’d do the tenderloin, and blow Dahy’s mind with his culinary prowess. He snorted but grabbed the tenderloin anew. He’d put it in the fridge to thaw overnight.
When he got back into the kitchen, he heard Dahy had shut off the faucet. He filled the sink with water and put the chicken in, then he grabbed a bottle of wine. He poured a glass, and then took the half-eaten bag of pistachios and emptied it in a small bowl. He needed to buy nuts. He didn’t think he had any, maybe some peanuts if he was lucky. He didn’t hang out with Jyran, but if there was one thing he’d learned, it was where Jyran was, there were also nuts. They might not be the kind he believed they were, and they might not be in the place he believed he placed them, but in one way or another, there would be nuts. He was pretty sure it was a squirrel thing and not a Jyran thing.
Grabbing the wine and the nuts, he headed for the bathroom. Since his hands were busy, he used his elbow to push down the door handle. “Dahy?” He spoke low as to not startle him, though he believed squirrels had good hearing. He’d have to read up on squirrels.
There were no bubbles in the bath, and Konrad couldn’t help but stare. It wasn’t until Dahy cleared his throat, he managed to yank his gaze away from all the creamy white skin on display before him. He met Dahy’s gaze. “I…eh…wine?” He held out the glass like the fool he was.
Dahy was holding on to the book with both hands but transferred it to his left and held out his right for the wine glass. Konrad realized he wouldn’t be able to turn a page.
“Hang on.” He walked out of the bathroom, still carrying both the wine and the pistachios. He placed them on the kitchen table, grabbed a stool he kept in the cleaning closet, and carried it into the bathroom where he placed it next to the tub like a side table. Then he went to grab the wine and the nuts.