She sighed happily. “Oh. My. Word.”
That’s what he’d figured. “Enough said. No more details needed. You know that kind of discussion makes me uncomfortable.” Evan ignored her snort of disbelief. “You’re lucky you ended up with a shifter, because no one else on earth could keep up with you.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” She paused for a moment. “I was happy to hear from Amy. We must have talked for over an hour, catching up. She thinks you’re pretty incredible, by the way. Sounds as if you and her are a perfect match. And I’m so, so pleased for you. Really.”
“She’s my mate. That says it all.” Evan looked over Whitehorse, the hills to the east that were dusted white with snow. “How did we get so lucky, Caroline? How did we end up in the right place, at the right time to find the perfect people at our sides?”
“I have no idea, but I have no complaints whatsoever with what fate handed me.” A deep voice sounded in the background, and Caroline laughed. “Tyler says to say hello, and he hopes you’re behaving yourself. But that if you’re not behaving yourself, tough luck, I’m still not allowed to bail you out of trouble.”
Evan’s world was filled to the brim with people who cared for him and, as hokey as it was, people who he had to admit he absolutely adored. “Tell him I’m looking forward to the next time we fight, but in the meantime have a great time in Europe, and we’ll see you in the spring.”
He put his phone away, continuing to look over the city that had become his home. Running the merged Takhini-Canyon packs just made it that much brighter.
But the brightest part was having a pair of strong arms slip around his waist as Amy cuddled in tight. She was the absolutely perfect cherry on top.
“You looking for some alone time? Because I can come back and find you later.”
“Now is perfect.” He leaned his back against the railing and settled her between his legs. “There’s another thing I’ve learned from your pack. How to slow down and smell the roses.”
Amy caressed his face. “Our pack.”
Evan kissed her, ignoring the city and the pack members who trickled onto the deck before silently leaving to give them privacy.
When he pulled away, her face glowed with happiness, just the way he liked. “I thought I wouldn’t see you for days. Who’s playing the game?”
She tilted her head to one side, the result damn adorable. “I gave the control up to Shaun. Made him my master-at-arms, and told him I was relying on him to set a new record. He acted as if I’d knighted him or something. He might not be available to fly any sightseeing tours for the next week.”
“He’s eager to defend your honour.”
Amy made a rude noise. “He wanted to play, is all. Well, plus he hopes to impress me enough I’ll teach him the backdoor secrets on Halo so he can set a new high score.”
A burst of laughter escaped before he could stop it. “I’m glad you two are getting along.”
She draped her hands over his shoulders and leaned back slightly, swaying gently from side to side to some unheard music. “We got a call from Shelley and Chase. They wanted to let you know that come the spring, they plan to bring a couple dozen trees out from the bush. A contribution to the hotel. Shelley will send the details later so the designers can work them into the landscaping. It’s their gift to us. To the biggest pack in the North.”
More people who Evan cared about, and who he was glad to have in his life. As much as he needed to give to the pack, the fact he was personally loved in return brought him to his knees.
And yet… “I’d give it all up, you know.”
A crease appeared between her eyes even as she continued to stroke his shoulders. “Where did that come from?”
Evan shrugged. “Just had to be said. I love that we’ve established a strong, new pack, and there are a shit-ton of good people around Whitehorse, no matter if their party style is quiet or loud.”
“Or as it seems right now, quiet or ear-shattering.”
The cheers had grown shriller, and they grinned at each other. Contentment flooded his soul, but he didn’t want to miss making his point.
“But at the root of it all?” He cupped her chin, bending his knees until their eyes were on the same level. “At the center, and right here where it counts the most?” He pressed her fingers over his chest. “Right here is where you are. I don’t care if we’ve got the biggest pack in the North, or the smallest, as long as I’m with you.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Ditto.”
Evan pulled her against him, and they gazed over their domain. Hand in hand and heart to heart.
“I love you, Evan.”
Her words whispered through his head. The ultimate intimacy.
He looked into her eyes again and saw his world reflected there. “I love you, Amy. And I always will.”
United. Whitehorse forever.