There was much to be done around Casa di Cavalieri, as the pack still worked on renovating Kingsbury Village. Because winter was already here, much of that construction would be halted or slowed down, but at least the pack had meat stored so that more time could be spent doing these duties instead of hunting. And there was plenty to be done; while Wayne had feared being bored since Dixie left, he had plenty of responsibilities to choose from.
Today he was exercising one of the newest horses: Buckeye, an apparent gift from Cour des Miracles to the guardian pack. The wolfdog had been both excited and concerned when the two horses arrived, as both Anann’s and the Texan’s animals were difficult enough to look over while the pack was still so small. However, Wayne wanted to make sure he knew all the animals under their care and took as much time as he could with each of them.
Riding the light bay stallion, the man headed into neutral coastal territory to have more room—and to be alone. He sought privacy more and more since Dixie had run off without a word, both to attempt to swallow his frustrations toward the girl and to escape the unfamiliar faces surrounding him in Casa. It was the opposite of how he should behave, he knew, as he would never get to know the pack by avoiding all of them, but after traveling as a loner for so many seasons—it was hard to adjust. He took comfort only in the feel of the horse underneath him as he let Buckeye decide where to trot to.
Perhaps it wasn’t a coincidence that the older steed headed toward Cour des Miracles territory. Regardless, Wayne was surprised when he could smell another horse and wolf ahead. Murmuring to the stallion to slow him down, he dismounted and grabbed the reins, waiting for the other to approach—but damn was that black horse the stranger had with him gorgeous.
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