September 6th-

I think I might be getting this whole wife/mate thing down. Yay me!

No matter how busy our schedules were, though I will admit my days playing in the dirt and running around with a pack of kids seems preferable to leading an entire community of wolf people, we always took time out of the day for each other. A couple of cooks took compassion on me and my lack of culinary skills and would, from time to time, whip up a picnic dinner for Sam and me. While the weather was warmer, we’d always find a new place on the grounds to have a picnic.

Somedays, I still think Sam hasn’t forgiven himself for the whole bite-thing. He gets restless and moody. I did find out Sam’s one flaw though; he communicates just as well as the average human male. He’ll look at me like he’s torn between wanting to keep his distance and wanting to never let me out of his embrace. To be frank, I prefer the second option because I never knew how much I loved to cuddle before I met Sam.

I heard the door to our suite in the packhouse slam shut. It was almost nine o’clock in the evening. Sam was home. I could hear my mother’s voice in my head telling me to get out of bed and greet my husband. I looked down and the adult coloring book in my lap and the footie pajamas I was wearing. I knew I should get up, but I was already in my pajamas.

“Hey beautiful,” said Sam, coming into the bedroom. I could feel my eyes turn into cartoon hearts as he pulled off his shirt. I know I’m weak. Don’t judge me.

“Hey, handsome.” Sam smiled at me happily and plopped down on the bed, pinning me beneath him. This is my life now. “You got home late. Long day?” I ran my fingers through his dark curls. Sam sighed contentedly. Don’t tell Sam this, but the man loves it when I scratch behind his ears.

“Training…” He moaned.

“It was training day,” I whined. I loved training days. No, I didn’t do any training. Sam had managed to teach me enough self-defense to disarm may be a twelve-year-old. I liked watching Sam on training days. It was common for mates to watch their partners train. It was something about the bond making them stronger or whatever. I, as a red-blooded woman, just really, really liked watching Sam train, shirtless. “I love watching you show off for me when you train.”

Sam smiled sleepily. “I love showing off for you too,” he replied. “But weren’t you busy today taking the children on a dig?”

“Yeah…” Some of the other nursery leaders had buried beads and bits of pottery in a patch of dirt behind one of the outbuildings. We were learning about history and preserving cultural relics. It was a fun day for me. “I still like to watch you train. Have you seen you?”

Sam snorted. His smile widened, revealing that dimple I was gaga about. “Have you seen you?” He rolled over and pulled me on top of his chest. My whole body was filled with butterflies. I guess I am pretty irresistible in my pink and purple, unicorn footie pajamas.

An alarm sounded. Sam jerked back as if he was listening for something. His eyes darkened.

“There’s a fire. I got to go.” He kissed me. “Stay here.”

“I can help.” Sam didn’t say anything. He just grunted something that sounded like “Okay”.

___

Six families lost their homes that night. A candle was knocked over, setting the house on fire. The flames quickly spread to the other homes nearby. Everything was chaos. Adults fought the flames to try and stop them spreading to the other homes.

“Lady Katie,” whimpered a small voice, tugging on my pant leg. It was one of the girls from my nursery class. Her name was Clary. The small girl clung to her stuffed rabbit that she packed everywhere with her.

“What is it, sweet pea?” I ask, crouching down next to her. Fat, alligator tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Have you seen my mommy and daddy?”

I looked at her and then the commotion around the fires. “I haven’t seen them sweetie, but do you want to come with me back to the pack house? Huh? We can have a slumber party in my room.”

Clary liked that idea. Within a few minutes, a dozen or so kids had found me in the confusion. I waved over to one of the guards.

“Dan, the children and I are going back to the packhouse where it’s safe. If any parents are looking for their children, send them to me.”

The guard nodded. “Yes milady.”