truck didn’t sound appealing at the moment. He stretched out his legs, leaned his head back, and closed his eyes.
His sister’s mate had been accurate and truthful when he’d described the apartment and the contents inside. The layout and functional furnishings were perfect for him, and packing up Jase’s personal things would be a breeze. Tobias was an excellent judge of character, and he hadn’t doubted the man, but he appreciated another confirmation that his sister was in good hands.
For the first time in ten years, he had a permanent address that wasn’t the house he’d grown up in, and it felt both good and strange. Leaving a paper trail was never a good idea, especially in his business, but unless he wanted to claim residence to a sleeping bag or a hotel room, it was time to plant some roots.
His sister was now sharing her home with her mate, and Deals Gap had never really felt like home to him anyway. He’d grown up there, and had a wonderful childhood with his parents and sister, but he’d always known that he was different.
Though he was only half wolf, he could do things other shifters merely dreamed of. Hybrids were jealous and full-blooded beasts wanted his blood. Women of both classes, as well as humans, threw themselves at him, but he’d never been interested in forming relationships with anyone.
He was faster and stronger than other shifters, and he possessed the skill to move with stealth grace. He could also mask his scent, which made it virtually impossible for others to find him. When he was younger, he’d bested his parents, teachers, friends and acquaintances without even trying. Once he’d grown older and honed his skills, he’d learned how to turn his gift into a lucrative profession.
Unfortunately, travelling the world and acting as the grim reaper got old. When Jase offered him the opportunity to grow some roots, he’d jumped at the chance. He knew what it was like to work with a partner on the job—and lose them—but he didn’t know what it was like to have a support system, or a place to truly belong.
He’d used his skills for killing, to take care of himself and others, but he’d never been part of an organized clan or pack. Back in Deals Gap, the leaders of the hybrids had tried to recruit him multiple times, and entice him to stay home, but he’d never been able to stick around for longer than a week or two. He’d been loyal to the leaders while in town, but he’d always known he’d need to find another place to permanently call home.
Luckily, his family understood.
His parents had left Deals Gap for warmer weather when Violet finished high school, and his sister had always known he wouldn’t settle there. He’d confirmed it when he’d given her his portion of the house. She’d wished him well and made him promise to visit often, which he did. Now that she’d found her mate, he would still visit, but he didn’t need to worry about her so much.
He could focus on other things.
Like building a solid reputation in his new community.
As much as he’d like to find a mate, he knew his chances were slim. Women always flocked to him for sex, but not much else, and when they found out about his job they usually ran.
Even though he would always protect her, he didn’t want a mate who cowered in the corner. He wanted a strong woman who could hold her own in a fight, and then handle him in the bedroom when his wolf fought for control.
He took a deep breath, shook his head, and sat up straight. Women like that were rare, and of the few he’d met, including the white cougars, finding one he wanted to claim seemed impossible.
He growled, grabbed his keys, and left the apartment with purpose.
Dwelling on things out of his control pissed him off, so he decided to focus on the things he could control. For now, that was food.
He had an empty stomach, an empty fridge, and a town to explore.
***
Layla Price looked around the club and sighed. A spinning disco
His sister’s mate had been accurate and truthful when he’d described the apartment and the contents inside. The layout and functional furnishings were perfect for him, and packing up Jase’s personal things would be a breeze. Tobias was an excellent judge of character, and he hadn’t doubted the man, but he appreciated another confirmation that his sister was in good hands.
For the first time in ten years, he had a permanent address that wasn’t the house he’d grown up in, and it felt both good and strange. Leaving a paper trail was never a good idea, especially in his business, but unless he wanted to claim residence to a sleeping bag or a hotel room, it was time to plant some roots.
His sister was now sharing her home with her mate, and Deals Gap had never really felt like home to him anyway. He’d grown up there, and had a wonderful childhood with his parents and sister, but he’d always known that he was different.
Though he was only half wolf, he could do things other shifters merely dreamed of. Hybrids were jealous and full-blooded beasts wanted his blood. Women of both classes, as well as humans, threw themselves at him, but he’d never been interested in forming relationships with anyone.
He was faster and stronger than other shifters, and he possessed the skill to move with stealth grace. He could also mask his scent, which made it virtually impossible for others to find him. When he was younger, he’d bested his parents, teachers, friends and acquaintances without even trying. Once he’d grown older and honed his skills, he’d learned how to turn his gift into a lucrative profession.
Unfortunately, travelling the world and acting as the grim reaper got old. When Jase offered him the opportunity to grow some roots, he’d jumped at the chance. He knew what it was like to work with a partner on the job—and lose them—but he didn’t know what it was like to have a support system, or a place to truly belong.
He’d used his skills for killing, to take care of himself and others, but he’d never been part of an organized clan or pack. Back in Deals Gap, the leaders of the hybrids had tried to recruit him multiple times, and entice him to stay home, but he’d never been able to stick around for longer than a week or two. He’d been loyal to the leaders while in town, but he’d always known he’d need to find another place to permanently call home.
Luckily, his family understood.
His parents had left Deals Gap for warmer weather when Violet finished high school, and his sister had always known he wouldn’t settle there. He’d confirmed it when he’d given her his portion of the house. She’d wished him well and made him promise to visit often, which he did. Now that she’d found her mate, he would still visit, but he didn’t need to worry about her so much.
He could focus on other things.
Like building a solid reputation in his new community.
As much as he’d like to find a mate, he knew his chances were slim. Women always flocked to him for sex, but not much else, and when they found out about his job they usually ran.
Even though he would always protect her, he didn’t want a mate who cowered in the corner. He wanted a strong woman who could hold her own in a fight, and then handle him in the bedroom when his wolf fought for control.
He took a deep breath, shook his head, and sat up straight. Women like that were rare, and of the few he’d met, including the white cougars, finding one he wanted to claim seemed impossible.
He growled, grabbed his keys, and left the apartment with purpose.
Dwelling on things out of his control pissed him off, so he decided to focus on the things he could control. For now, that was food.
He had an empty stomach, an empty fridge, and a town to explore.
***
Layla Price looked around the club and sighed. A spinning disco
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