Ella had strapped Andrew into the truck and gotten into the front passenger seat when her phone rang. She pressed the answer button and said hello.

“Ella, this is Tory Little.”

“Hi Tory. What’s up?”

“I talked to your folks last night over the CB radio. They’re stuck out on the islands for now, but they wanted me to let you into the house.”

“You had a key all this time,” Ella said, angry that Tory hadn’t told her in the first place.

“I did. But I wasn’t going to let you into the house without your parents’ permission.”

“I have a baby with me, Tory. What the hell?”

“You left your parents without a word. I didn’t know if they would want you in the house.”

“Fine. I get it.”

“Anyway, they told me to let you in and tell you how to disarm the alarm system. Come over to the shop and I’ll give you a key.”

Ella hung up the phone, both grateful and irritated that she was finally getting into her house. It had been her childhood home. She’d left the majority of her belongings there when she’d left only a year and a half before. She might have left her parents without a word, but she’d assumed they’d want to see her. Especially now that she had a baby.

“There’s a key to my parents’ house waiting for me at Tory Little’s craft supply store downtown,” Ella said as Tate turned the key in the ignition.

“You’re going to go home?”

“I need to go somewhere.”

“What about the Glacier Wolf Pack?” he asked, looking at her with a pained look on his face.

“I don’t know of anywhere that is safer for me than my parents’ place.”

“You can come stay with me.”

She looked at him, seeing the hope in his eyes. The night before had been beautiful, magical even. She wanted to be with him, hold him, love him. She wanted it all. She just didn’t know if she was ready to take it all on now. She needed time to think, to be alone with the baby for a while in a warm place, before she made major life decisions like staying with Tate.

“I need some time,” she muttered.

Tate frowned and put the car in gear. “Fine,” he said. His tone betrayed his anger and frustration. She was hurting him again and that was the last thing she wanted to do. She felt like all she ever did was hurt Tate. It wasn’t like she got to choose whether or not she was his fated mate. She had no control of the matter, and she needed time alone to think.

Ella loved Tate. She knew she did. However, the idea of being forced by fate to accept him as her one and only love forever and ever was a lot to expect. Even now.

“I’ll take you to Tory’s to get the keys and drive you to your parents’ place,” he said in a growly voice.

“Tate. I’m sorry.”

“I’m just worried about you. I’m going to call my cousin,” he said, parking in front of the craft store. “I’ll wait here while you go inside.”

She climbed out of the truck and crossed the sidewalk and into the craft store. The strong smell of cinnamon and cloves hit her nose from the scented candles all around the door. Tory was clearly already preparing for the holidays. The smells evoked memories from her childhood, memories of her family and of Tate around a big Sitka pine Christmas tree draped in twinkling lights. 

Tory stood behind the counter but came toward her quickly as soon as she saw Ella. “Here are the keys. This is the code to disarm the alarm.”

“How do I set alarm again?”

“I don’t know. They didn’t say.”

“Can you ask them?” She was still as worried about the Glacier wolves as Tate was.

“They’d borrowed a CB from another fishing cabin. I can’t just call them.”

Ella took the keys and the code back to the truck and climbed inside. She needed to just lie down on her bed and rest for a moment in her family’s warm house. It was all she could think about.

“I got the keys,” she said to Tate as she buckled her safety belt.

“Shaw says there hasn’t been any sign of the Glacier wolves since we left town two days ago. He thinks they must have gone back to Fairbanks.”

“That’s a relief. Are they still trying to bring them in?”

“He’s really close to getting the council’s approval. They found evidence of the murder back at the mobile home across from your old place. They still haven’t found your roommate.”

“That’s pretty slim evidence.”

“But with your eyewitness testimony, it should be enough for the council.”

“Thank God.”

“Let’s get you home. I know you and the baby are tired.”

“Thank you for everything, Tate.”

“It’s the least I can do for you and my son.”

She took a deep breath and let it out. Tate took the road up to her family’s house and parked out front. As she was getting out, she realized she’d left her car at Tate’s house.

“Shoot, I don’t have a car. I’m stranded up here.”

“I’ll drive it up here later. All right?”

“Sure. That’s fine.”

She carried Andrew up the front path to the porch and punched the code into the alarm system. When it beeped off, she put the key in the door and turned the doorknob. It opened and warmth enveloped her as she stepped inside and turned on the lights. God, it was good to be home.

Ella went to the living room and sank into the big fluffy couch that faced the massive stone fireplace and the big windows that looked out on the snowy backyard. Andrew was hungry and tired. So was she. All she wanted to do was sit and breathe.

Tate carried the rest of her things inside and closed the door. He took a seat across from her and stared at her for a moment as if he was waiting for something. She knew she owed him so much. More than either of them were even ready to admit. Emotions swirled in her gut that she couldn’t explain or even fully experience yet.

“Is there anything you need?”

“I should be fine. My parents keep the house pretty stocked with food.”

“Okay. I’ll get out of your hair now.” He rose, his beautiful, strong body dominating the room. Her heart stuck in her throat as she wanted to speak. Nothing came out.

“Tate,” she finally choked out. “I can’t repay your kindness.”

“Ella. I’m Andrew’s father. If I don’t protect you and my child, I’m useless. You don’t have to thank me. You don’t have to say anything.”

She reached up to him from the couch, and he took her hand. His hand was warm around her cold fingers, reminding her of the passionate love they’d made the night before. The warmth of his body had filled her with pleasure and she couldn’t get enough. A tingle went down her spine at his touch. She wanted to be with him again.

“I’ll be by later,” he said, squeezing her hand before letting go and backing away. She could see the pain in his eyes. Sadness. She bit her lip, not knowing what to do or say.

“Get some rest, sweetheart. Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. I understand you need time. I get it. Okay?”

“Okay, Tate.”

He went to the front door and closed it. She could hear the faint sound of his motor turning over a moment later. She let out a sigh and leaned back into the couch with the baby on her chest. Andrew was fussy and hungry and it was way past his nap time. At least now she was safe and at home. She could relax, take a shower, rest. When her mind was clear, she could deal with Tate and the whole fated mate thing. But right now, she didn’t trust herself to make any decisions or do anything more complicated than mix up baby oatmeal.

Little did she know, there was more than just a warm bed waiting for her at home.