Lone Wolf (First in Lone Wolf Series)

Chapter Eight

“You’re leaving?” Dawn asked with a pout as she flipped her bakery sign to closed the next day. Grange nodded as he wiped some flour from her cheek with his thumb.

“Yes. Tonight is the night of the full moon, meaning that every werewolf has to turn. I am going to take advantage of that and spend the next two days setting up some boundaries for our territory.”

“You should have changed me yesterday so I could go with you.” Dawn stated as she put her hands on her full hips. Grange shook his head.

“You will need time, Dawn, to get used to being a werewolf before you are forced into a change.”

“So what am I going to do for two whole days without all three of you here?”

“Stay in town, don’t go out after dark and keep your shutters closed.” Grange replied and Dawn sighed.

“Yes, sir.” she mumbled. “I was actually more worried about what I’m going to do with myself without having you all here to entertain me.”

“I thought you would be happy to know that Trig won’t be under your feet for a while.” Grange countered as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him.

“I kind of like the overactive, little pup. Don’t tell him I said that.’ she added sternly and Grange chuckled and kissed her hair. “And I wasn’t really thinking about Trig. I was thinking about what I’ll do without you.”

“It will only be two nights. I will be home the day after tomorrow.” he assured her.

“Why do you act like it’s so easy for you?” Dawn asked with a frown. She was lost at the thought of Grange being gone. She didn’t even like the idea of Trig and Nickolai being gone. Dawn had never had much in the way of family. Her brother had been too busy to concern himself with her most of the time. But here with these three wolves she truly felt like she had people she could count on and a real family.

Grange growled and held her tighter.

“If you knew how badly this was tearing me apart then you wouldn’t have any doubts about how hard I find this. I do not want to leave you. I want to be near you all the time but this has to be done. I have to start setting up boundaries and expanding before I mark you.”

“Because once you mark me, they could come.”

“That’s right.” Grange replied with a nod. “Marking you will let them know that I plan on starting a bloodline of my own.”

“Don’t you need my agreement to do that?” Dawn asked with a smile. Grange chuckled.

“I don’t think you’ll put up much of a fight.” he replied. Dawn found herself laughing.

“Pretty sure of yourself, are you?”

“I’ve heard that once a woman gets a taste of wolf she is never satisfied with less again.”

“Yes I’ve heard that too.” Nickolai replied as he stepped into the bakery. Dawn blushed and quickly pulled away from Grange.

“Have you ever thought of knocking?” she scolded and Nickolai shrugged on shoulder.

“It had crossed my mind.” he stated simply. Trig came bouncing in before Dawn could say anything else.

“Are we ready to go? I’m ready to go. This is gonna be great! A chance to really get some wolf time in. It will feel good to run and feel the wind in my fur.”

“Yes we’re going.” Grange grumbled. He could feel the wolf in him coming alive as sunset neared and while neither the wolf nor the man in him wanted to leave Dawn, he knew that he really had no choice. These boundaries had to be made. He was an alpha with a pack now. That meant he had to think about more than just what he wanted or did not want to do.