Wolf's Pack (Wolves Next Door #3) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,48

just say that they're definitely foxes. The girl is just a bit higher strung than I'm used to. Although I'm not sure that's the right word. She's smart, she's got a sense of humor, and while she's just as desperate as the bears, she doesn't have that melancholy feeling about her. She's one of those people who laughs easily. I think they'll be a good fit, but they're not moving in unless we take the tigers."

"An ultimatum?" I asked.

"Not exactly," he admitted. "It's more that Lev's basically been looking out for them, and Sheridan's not willing to live someplace her pseudo-father isn't welcome. She says she's not sure she could hack it on her own with both of her sisters."

"Sounds rather packish," I pointed out.

Pax just smiled. "Kinda what I thought. Vic says this Lev guy has been urbanized for a while, so he thinks it'll work."

"And how is Vic doing anyway?" I asked.

Pax sighed. "Good. Better than I would've guessed. Those three have been on the trails every chance they can get. They've also been cleaning up the place. We have a tree down across the creek now, and one big enough to use as a wolf bridge. They made sure there's a way down and up along various spots on the creek, and it seems Scott's taken to removing the poison ivy-sumac-oak stuff. I didn't even know it's there, but he says he's mostly immune to it, and didn't want someone getting a rash."

"I kinda like them," I admitted. "They seem like good guys."

"They really do," he agreed. "But Lane kinda made it clear to Ian that Ashley's... Um... Interested?"

I narrowed my eyes, trying to figure out how much he knew. "And?"

"Elena, it's not done in our circles. There's always been the fear of cross-contamination, and the chance that it could be fatal? It was always thought to be safer to stay away. Now, I happen to trust Bridget, and medical science has come a long way in a short time. More for this than we want to admit. But there's still that cultural problem. For so long it was off limits."

"And?" I insisted.

"Ian was shocked, but he just wants Ashley to find someone she can be happy with. He said that if it's them, then he'll fight for her right to do whatever she wants. Doesn't mean it'll be easy. Also doesn't mean Henry will approve. I know for a fact that my parents would lose their minds, but they're in Cheryl's pack now - thank God."

"What about you and Trent?" I asked.

Pax just shrugged. "I kinda gave up the old traditions about the time Ian took Seth as his beta. Doesn't mean I don't have knee-jerk reactions, but I honestly don't want to have them. So, I'm all Team Ashley on this. I was kinda hoping you could let her know, though. You know, so she's prepared? All five of us know - or have guessed - that her little drink wasn't just a drink. Seth says that Vic refused to admit anything else, but he's pretty sure more happened."

"Not betraying her trust," I told him.

Pax just leaned closer. "You kinda just did. If she hadn't gone there, you would've just said that." Then he kissed my forehead. "Now, go have fun with your parents. Sorry about barging in. Just tell them I was on Gabby duty until you got off work."

"I intend to," I said. "And turning everything was a good idea. Thanks, Pax."

"Gotta take care of our girl," he told me as he left. "Early morning, honey. We're staying home tonight so you can get some sleep."

"Then have a good night, Pax," I called after him before heading back inside my house.

And, just like I'd guessed, my mother immediately had questions. "Why did that man walk into your house without knocking?"

I gestured to Gabby. "I asked him to check up on her. Pax works in the community. He and his roommates drive around all day handling things like stuck drains and what not. So, they check in to make sure my darling little daughter isn't breaking her rules. He just didn't know I was already out of the office. I'm usually a little later than this."

"Mom won't let me play certain video games," Gabby grumbled, supporting the story.

But it worked. My mother smiled at me proudly. "Well, he seems to be a very nice young man. I'm glad you have some friends in the neighborhood, Elena. Looks like you've actually done very well for