and nodded. “I like that idea.”
“He can get here fast.” Caleb let her go and stepped toward the door.
“But it’s risky for him to be out of Wishing Moon Bay. Especially since the nights are clear and the moon is nearly full.” Zara glanced at her mate who was talking quietly with Elise. “We’ll be okay.”
“If you need him, call,” Caleb insisted.
“Don’t worry, if we need him, I’ll make sure to call,” Karros assured them.
“Maybe I do like the idea of you being my sister’s mate,” Caleb said.
“Does that mean you didn’t like the idea?” Karros asked warily.
“He’s joking. We are all happy you two are meant for each other. Now, we’re going to leave. Take care and I will call you later. And then tomorrow morning.” Elise hugged Zara briefly. “Look after him.”
“I will,” Zara replied.
“Hey, what happened to me taking care of Zara?” Karros asked.
“If it makes you feel better, we can pretend you can take care of me,” Zara replied.
“But when you see her shift into a bear, you’ll realize she’ll definitely be the one to protect you. At least physically.” Elise glanced at Caleb. “But caring for and protecting someone you love is not just about who is physically stronger.”
“Elise is a wise woman,” Zara said. “Sometimes the cuts that can hurt the most are deep inside.” She stepped forward and flung her arms around Caleb. “Take care. I hate that you are doing this because of me.”
“I’d do anything for you, Zara. You’re my sister.” He hugged her tightly before he stepped back. “We need to go.”
“Call us,” Zara said.
Elise smothered a smile as she caught Caleb’s eye. Zara and Karros were already an us. The bond between them was undeniable.
Things will work out, his bear said as they left the house and went to the truck where Aiden and Flora were waiting.
I know, Caleb answered. I just hope dream walking helps so we can put all of this behind us.
He glanced up at the mountains surrounding them and pushed his senses to their limit, and then a little farther. Karros was right, with practice and training he could probably extend them much farther.
It was a skill he would master in case he was ever called on to protect his family again.
Chapter Twenty-Five – Elise
“How much farther?” Aiden stifled a yawn as he drove through the wildwood. They’d been on the road for hours and the light was fading as they neared their destination.
“Another couple of miles.” Elise rested her head on Caleb’s shoulder, and he looked down at her and smiled. Was it only yesterday that they had camped out in the same forest and made love under the stars?
It was as if a lifetime had passed. Certainly, life had changed in the last twenty-four hours. Especially for her brother.
She put her hand in her pocket and drew out her phone, checking for any messages from Karros, but they were too deep inside the forest to get a good signal. This was one of the reasons her grandmother loved living here, she was cut off from modern life.
As a wise woman of the wildwood, she liked a simple life, one where she was in tune with the natural world around her.
Although, she did like to watch her favorite shows on TV and surfing the internet to increase her knowledge was acceptable. Elise had also once caught her watching cat videos and chuckling at memes.
“You’re smiling,” Caleb told her.
“I’m thinking of my grandmother. She’s such a complex woman, but her heart is pure. Even though she lives by the old ways and traditions, she is the most open-minded person in our family.” Elise placed her hand over his. “You’ll like her.”
“But will she like me?” he asked.
“Does it matter either way?” Elise turned to look at him. “I love you. We’re going to share our lives together no matter what. Does it matter to you what my family says or think?”
“Yes.” He slid his hand around her shoulder and cradled her head. “It matters to me because I want you to be happy and even though you’ll tell me it doesn’t matter to you what they think, I know that it’ll hurt all the same.”
“She’ll like you,” Elise assured him. “It’s my other grandma you need to worry about.”
“Okay, well, I’ll take it slow, one at a time.” Caleb tightened his hold on her. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“Don’t tell my grandmother that. She’d have enormous fun making you live up to those words.” Elise