"Hi, I'm Dave ". He says in his high pitched child voice and holds out his hand for a shake.
"Hi, I'm Rachel". I tell him, gripping his hand. Ethan gets the same introduction and then the boy climbs on my lap, surprising me. Based on the look on his father's face, he's surprised too.
" How old are you?" I ask the little boy.
Four, he responded and I nodded with a little smile.
He sits on my lap and plays with my hair while his father explains the basics of the pack, the schedule for the day, where I am to meet people and where Ethan and I will be staying. Dave must have gotten tired of his father's spiel as he rested his head on my shoulder . I rubbed his back gently and before long the little fellow had fallen asleep m, much to everyone's amusement.
I'm sorry, he has never done that before. Alpha says and I waved off his concern.
" It's fine, he is precious". I say looking at him affectionately before handing him to his father.
I will show you the house you will be staying in and leave you to it. It is only a few down from my place and I am headed home to put this guy down anyways. He explained that while we work out of the pack house and only a few minutes down until we reach the small Two bedroom cabin with a small living room and kitchen, it was nice and I felt immediately at home.
" It's perfect, thank you Alpha". I say and Ethan carries our bags inside.
" I hope you enjoy your time here, dinner will be delivered tonight so you can relax and we will see you at breakfast tomorrow morning ". With that said he turns and walks towards a larger house that I assume is his. As soon as I walked into the cabin, I saw Ethan walking out.
" I'm going for a run, I hate being stuck in a car for that long . I will stay where I can see the cabin. Mind link me if you need something". He says as he begins stripping , I can't help but chuckle at his restlessness . It was barely a three hour drive, so I left him and headed towards my room, unpacking a few things. I find Gabriel shirt and a little pit firmly in my stomach. So I decided to try to mind linking him.
" Gabriel?" I asked and shortly after I felt the connection click into place.
" Hey sweetheart, miss me already?" He asked playfully and I smiled.
Maybe, maybe not. I say non comically. He chuckles in my mind and the sound makes goosebumps firm over my body.
" What is your first impression of the pack ?" He asks me out on the bed.
It is very remote,but that also means it is very beautiful, with wide open spaces , gorgeous scenery. I think the air here smells even better . The Alpha is very friendly and he gave us a cabin which maybe we should be considering building a few of if instead of making guests stay in the loud crowded pack house, I say and Gabriel chuckles again.
" Most wolves would prefer staying with others around them, sweetheart. Not everyone has an aversion to people like you do" he says amusement sprinkling in his tone. I huff at him in my mind and he chuckles again.
" I can't help it, I like being in a quiet environment". I admit and I feel a surge of affection coming from him through the mate bond. I'm surprised it is this strong even though we are far away from each other.
" Keep a list of everything you like there and things you think would be good for our pack and we can go over it together when you are back". He offers.
" Already thinking about me coming back?" When I just left, I tease him and he laughs, but there is a hint of sadness to it that makes me feel a pang of sorrow run through me.
" Counting down the hours. What is Ethan up to?".
" He's out for a little run, the car driver did a thing on him". I told him.
" Great, I have a mate who doesn't like people,and a beta who would rather spend the whole day in the woods . Quiet the team we make. He says with a mocking tone and I laugh in our link. His mood seems to brighten and I'm thankful for that.
" Dinner should be here soon ,I will talk to you tomorrow ". I told him.
"You better ". He warns playfully and I smile as I cut the link.
I hear Ethan comes back a while later and I head down the stairs to find him.
" You check in with Gabriel ?" He asks and I nod.
" Good. He was worried ". He says and I look at him questioningly.
He felt your emotional breakdown when we left the pack,so he asked if you are okay, I told you are fine. He says and I nod again.
Well I'm still surprised that he did chase our car down when we left. I say and Ethan laughs and nods in agreement.
" Same here, he sounded on edge, I hope talking to you helped".
" It did, I admit, as a knock on the door rang out, signaling that our dinner had arrived . Ethan and I sat down to eat our food in companionable silence and I voice a fleeting thought.
" I wish you were my mate, Ethan , think of how easy and comfortable life would have been ". I say and he ponders that for a moment before shrugging.
" Actually no, you would have been bored to death with me eventually . You need a mate like Gabriel . You push each other's boundaries, force eachother to look at things in a different way, you and I would be comfortable and stagnant , never growing like people should. And people need to grow, Rachel especially Gabriel, knowing my luck, I will get a loud , obnoxious mate who loves to travel and go do stupid things like party". He says and I snort my food before taking a drink to clear my throat , I think about what he said and sigh before I admit my defeat.