Page 43 of Wanted

I never needed much to survive and my home provides for my needs and then some. Yet, as I look at it now, all I can see is what it lacks.

The house is only composed of three rooms. A bedroom, bathroom, and a combined living room space and kitchen. Not once have I felt like my home wasn’t sufficient, but as I think about Emery staying here, doubt begins to crowd my head.

“Ms. Elsie has three extra bedrooms and a huge kitchen. Shelly and Jim also have space in their home and they are extremely generous. We have a couple of guest homes as well if you would prefer to stay there?”

I turn to face Emery.

“You don’t want me to stay with you?”

Pain stabs at my chest as I read the question off of her lips.

“You’re more than welcome…” I pause. “I want to make sure you’re comfortable.”

A small tug of her lips happens. It’s not quite a smile, but it feels like more of an attempt.

“I’d rather stay with you if that’s alright.”

Heat rushes through my body as I envision her lying in my bed.

“Yes, that’s fine.” Though I can’t hear my own voice, the tightness in my throat tells me it must’ve come out gruff.

Without another word, I climb out of the truck, grab Emery’s bags from the back seat and then round the front to help her out.

She follows me inside, silently glancing around. As I watch her, I wonder what she thinks of the surroundings.

“Everything’s completely self-sustaining,” I inform her as I turn on the lights in the living room and kitchen. “There are solar panels on the roof to store up energy for when needed. The window’s glass panels allow enough sunlight in to keep the place warm during the day…”

I talk in the span of the next five minutes more than I’ve spoken over the past six months.

“You all grow everything you eat right here in town?” she asks with raised eyebrows.

I nod. “Most of it. We still get some of our meat and other produce from the city, though. And on our hunts,” I add.

“Hunt?” Her eyes bulge slightly. Then she shakes her head. “Everyone here looks so normal, it’s easy to forget you’re also wolves.”

I narrow my eyes.

Emery slaps a hand over her mouth.

“I’m so sorry,” she says, dropping her hand. “I didn’t mean to suggest that you’re not normal.” She places her hand to her forehead, lowering her face in shame.

I move her hand and lift her face by the chin. Yes, I need to read her lips, but there’s a pleasure I probably shouldn’t partake in by simply staring into her eyes.

“I know what you meant,” I tell her.

Her shoulders slump in relief.

“Anyway, your commune is impressive,” she says while looking around. “Ms. Elsie said you built your own home.”

I nod. “I’ve done the build for just about every building in our commune. All of us have. Chael, our alpha and my older brother, is the architect that designed most of the homes in our town. I just followed the design.”

She grabs my forearm. “That’s wonderful. That you’re able to build sustainable housing and a way of life for your pack.”

“I didn’t do it,” I tell her. “The alpha designs them and I help with the build on most structures.”

She cocks her head to the side and raises an eyebrow.

“What?”