Where Foxes Hunt with Wolves - K.A. Merikan Page 0,154

and live music, because as it turned out some of the werewolves had brought instruments with them. They played a mixture of folklore and pop that rendered the speakers Radek had prepared obsolete, but he loved this development far too much to worry about a change in plans.

At midnight, some kind of game of howling to the moon had erupted, which Radek didn’t fully understand, but all that mattered was that his guests were fed and having fun. The hog roast had turned out to be an all over win with the carnivorous pack, and he was having sandwich number four himself—sourdough bread filled with pork so juicy, the fat kept drizzling down his hand when he bit in.

He had no idea how the werewolves managed to dance on an impromptu floor by the gate with their stomachs full of such delicious yet heavy fare. He and Yev decided to oversee the fox enclosure instead. It housed those animals who’d made the most progress and were the friendliest toward people. Trauma made some of the others afraid of contact with anyone but Radek himself, but those were happy to interact and earn some treats.

Radek still only allowed groups of five to go in at one time, and watched over the playtime so he could intervene if need arose. But the young women and children were charmed by the foxes, and while the male werewolves seemed hesitant to interact with Radek’s charges, they did watch their partners and offspring from behind the mesh fence.

Yev’s plan to make Iga and Olek chat was a success, and they hadn’t left one another’s side since the start of the party, chatting about something that seemed to excite her greatly.

Maybe Iga could really find a home in this valley she used to detest so much?

“Yev? Radek?” The familiar rasp sent a chill down Radek’s spine, but he turned around to face the pack alpha, who approached them with a large beer cup in hand.

Yev took a deep breath, reminding himself they were now family, and nodded. “Hope you’re having fun.”

“You thought of everything,” Yev’s dad said and leaned against the fence next to them as the howling game went on in the background.

Yev cleared his throat, and squeezed Radek’s elbow, as if he needed reassurance. “It’s the celebration of my mate. I’d have done more if I could.”

The alpha studied them for several moments, his back curving as he relaxed his shoulders. The distant bonfire added color to his features but couldn’t chase away the shadow of mourning. “I loved all my sons. But Burian was jealous. And vengeful. He’d already challenged my authority before. I can’t hate you for doing what you had to.”

Radek followed Yev’s example and stayed silent, knowing that being privy to this conversation in the first place meant he’d been accepted as Yev’s life partner in more ways than just with words.

The alpha continued, “I kept thinking Olek’s ideas are modern gibberish, but I gave him a chance recently, and the solar panels he installed might really make a difference to us in the long run. Maybe I should listen to him more, even if he’s different than most werewolves,” he said, briefly swiping his gaze over Yev, as if he wanted to say Olek wasn’t the only one who fit that description.

“Yevhen… I know a lot has changed for you recently, but now that you’re once again a member of our pack, I would like you to work with us. And if you stay here, you will continue being our man on this side of the border. But you can visit whenever you wish.”

Yev’s relief was palpable in the way his bruising grip loosened around Radek’s arm. “Yes. I’d like that. The extra income… It couldn’t hurt, right?” he asked, glancing Radek’s way.

Radek shook his head. “Oh, we could so use additional revenue. We’ve got lots of fox cubs now.”

Yev’s father nodded and had a big swig from his cup before walking off with a spring to his step, as if he were happier than his expression suggested. Yev kept looking after him, and didn't notice when a drizzle of fat rolled out of his sandwich and down his wrist.

Radek leaned in and licked it off with a big grin.

Their life together was only beginning.

THE END

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