to leave his beloved greenhouses and find a position at a lower elevation, should she need to remain in DarkRiver territory.
It had taken her over a month to convince him that she’d be more than fine with an aerie near the SnowDancer den. Leopards were far more independent than wolves in terms of their living arrangements, and it wasn’t as if she didn’t see packmates on a regular basis—especially given the increased cooperation between DarkRiver and SnowDancer.
Plus, her sister was grown and currently roaming the world, while Felix’s sister was a teenager who looked to him often for advice.
When Desiree did need to be in DarkRiver territory for a longer period, she and Felix bunked in her old aerie, Felix adjusting his own schedule so he could come down with her. He’d already started talking to her father about setting up a greenhouse on DarkRiver land, and he was never not busy when in leopard territory. Once, she’d returned from a sentinel and senior soldier meeting to find three small leopard cubs asleep on the sofa beside him as he drew up plans for the proposed greenhouse.
“Emergency babysitting,” he’d said with a smile.
People trusted him not just because he was Desiree’s mate but because he was Felix: strong and honorable and with a quiet courage that meant he’d fight to the death to protect the innocents in his care.
“We’re making it work,” she said to him six months later, as they sat on the balcony of their SnowDancer aerie, spring a crisp green scent in the air around them. “We’re really making it work.”
“Of course we are.” Picking up her hand, he kissed her knuckles. “We belong to each other. Whatever it takes to stay together, that’s what we’ll do.”
Yes, Desiree thought as the setting sun’s rays hit them both. It gilded his hair, stroked his skin with gold. “I really love that our folks get along.” The four were having dinner together that night, having clicked at their very first meeting.
Desiree loved Felix’s mom and dad, could see where he’d gotten his heart and warmth. “When’s Maddy back from her camping trip?” That trip, run by Riley, was meant to teach the pack’s young dominants advanced survival skills.
“Two days.” Felix’s smile was affectionate. “She wanted me to ask if she could go on patrol with you sometimes after she comes back, to get some experience.”
“Sure. But why didn’t she just ask me?”
“You know she idolizes you.” Another kiss on her knuckles. “I’m her hero for mating with you.”
Her lips quirked. “You’re her hero anyway.” The way Felix treated his sibling, and all the other young cubs and pups who were drawn to him, it was simply another indication of the huge heart that beat in his chest.
And the way he treated her . . .
Her eyes stung, her throat closing up.
He gave her flowers every day.
“Hey.” His arm coming around her, tucking her into the protective warmth of him. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she said, her voice husky as she looked up into the eyes that never hesitated to meet hers now, the trust between them an unbreakable thread. “I’m really happy, Felix.” Sometimes she just had to say it aloud, release all the happiness building inside her lest it explode.
Her mate’s startled half laugh, half smile was her reward. “Me, too,” he whispered. “I’m so glad we didn’t give up.”
“Want to go exploring together?” she asked some time later, after the sun had set and the stars had started to sparkle. “Indigo told me about a hidden waterfall about a mile from here.”
“I’d go anywhere with you, Dezi.”
Her heart, it was all achy and full of puppies and rainbows and all kinds of other things that weren’t the least tough-shit and Desiree didn’t care. Not here, not with Felix. Nipping affectionately at his throat, she said, “Come on, mate. My cat wants to race your wolf.”
“Only after we’re on the ground.” A scowl. “If I try to jump off the aerie like a certain cat, I’ll break both legs.”
Desiree laughed . . . and her sneaky wolf mate pounced on her.
FLIRTATION OF FATE
Promises
Kenji saw Garnet take off into the trees.
The party to celebrate their alpha’s mating was going full blast and he could tell from the way Garnet had danced and laughed that she was more than enjoying herself, but he’d predicted she’d sneak out to the lake sooner or later. Garnet was as much a pack animal as the rest of the SnowDancer wolves around her, but she loved