headed down the hall toward his shower. Now this was an invention he loved. His sons were always working to improve his home, but it had been Eric who designed one of his favorite places.
With a wave of his hand, the lights dimmed to settings he’d painstakingly programmed with Eric beside him. Neither of his sons wished to be there when he was faced with new technology. Dimitri was no better than he was, but with Eric, their home had gone through updates as well. Dimitri had been apprehensive, but he would do anything for Eric, which meant allowing the 21st century to move into his dwelling with his mate at the helm.
The waters pouring from the top and sides of his shower eased the tension in his muscles but did nothing for the anticipation simmering under his skin. He placed his hands against walls that looked as if they were carved from wood, dipping and curving, simulating the forest outside with discrete lighting and plants set here and there.
Haru bowed his head, sighing in pleasure as the water raced over his back and other hidden showerheads simulated a summer rainstorm. It was pure bliss. But no matter how amazing the experience felt, the almost perfect simulation of the outdoors could not remove the curious feeling thrumming through his body.
What is it?
If there were another here, Haru could talk to them. Tell of his concerns, and the anticipation riding him from an unknown source.
Just because he thought it would be nice to talk to someone did not mean he was lonely. No matter what his sons thought. He hadn’t missed their glances, the hints of leaving the sanctuary for a vacation. Seeing the world? Maybe a summer trip, as Calyx had suggested.
And do what? With whom? Where would I even go? Haru couldn’t remember ever leaving the sanctuary. He’d seen the world through his sons’ eyes, witnessed their experiences with the tales they’d shared.
Leave? Why?
When Haru felt relaxed and clean, he stepped from the shower, laughing when the summer storm immediately ceased. This new technology would still take some getting used to, not to mention the changes happening around him. And now, inside him?
He returned to his room and threw on a shirt and a pair of sweatpants.
A book. He could read a book and have his tea. Maybe that was what he needed.
And if it is not, then what?
Chapter Two
There was so much land, and miles of trees and grass, with tantalizing scents Kindling couldn’t wait to explore.
Kindling glanced across the bench seat of the truck at Trey, his cousin, who was driving. It had been a surprise when his relative had contacted the family. No one had heard from either Trey or his mother in years. Kindling’s father, Lore, had been ecstatic.
Years ago, the pack had lost ties with Trey’s mother and her child when the wolf she’d married had chosen a human instead. Kindling’s father had been shocked when he’d heard since that wolf was his brother, Vaso. Rather than keep the bond they’d forged, Vaso had chased a morsel he had no business wanting, a woman who was attached to a family of hunters. The hunters had eviscerated Vaso, and his wife and child were left with nothing.
Trey’s mother had stayed with their pack for a time, but when she’d felt ready, she’d left and cut off all ties. She never made contact again.
But Trey had, and Kindling’s father was ready to rebuild those ties. He’d kept an eye on Vaso’s family, ever watchful. His father had tried to protect the two as much as possible. He hadn’t pressed the mother, too afraid she would run even further and all chances of reconnecting would be lost. It was a daily recrimination for him, losing not only his brother but his family, too.
“You have a responsibility to the family, Kindling,” his father had growled the very night he’d received Trey’s call. He’d wasted no time calling Kindling to make sure he would be home and then dragging his mother along with him to ensure he would get what he wanted.
His father could be evil like that. He was a good man and an even better wolf, but as much as he was loving and devoted to his family, he was also sly and conniving.
“Why,” Kindling had argued.
“Why?”
“Yes, why, Father. I don’t know him. I barely even remember him. I don’t owe him anything. Why should I hang out with someone who I can’t remember somewhere that can’t