I’d felt the change in Natasha immediately, and when she’d voiced her concerns, it hit me right in the gut. The thought that anything could keep us apart was terrifying, and even though I knew that wasn’t what she’d been saying, that she was unwilling to move, it still killed that she had a moment of unhappiness about our relationship.

As Chief of my clan, there was no way I could give up my position to move and be with her pack. I’d already touched on this when explaining about Mateo, although I’m not sure she’d understood that the same applied to me as well.

So, I’d make sure she had as much time as possible with her family and friends, maybe find her a job with the clan that she’ll love, and ensure that she always knows what she means to me, and how much I appreciate her being with me.

As soon as we got home, we unpacked the groceries and got start prepping dinner. I seasoned the steaks and she salted and oiled the potatoes for baking, then we both started wrapping the asparagus in bacon.

“Do Derrik and Marta have kids?” Natasha asked suddenly.

I shook my head sadly.

“No, they’ve tried, but have been unable to have any. It caused some issues for them early on, with Marta trying to convince Derrik that he should leave her for someone who could give him cubs, as if that would ever happen… But, over time they’ve seemed to come to terms with it.”

“Oh, that’s so sad, I’m sorry,” she said, knowing how important procreation was to shifter, having been around them her whole life. “Have they thought about adopting?”

“Adopting? No, not that I know of, but I know how badly they wanted cubs…”

“There’s a place in Montana, run by the Kline’s I believe… it’s an orphanage of sorts for abandoned shifter children. We had a couple adopt from them a while back in our pack,” she said, and my heart lurched at the thought.

“Abandoned shifter children?” I asked, unable to comprehend such a thing. Shifters loved and nurtured their young, and I’d never heard of any children being unwelcome in their own families.

It was unfathomable to me.

“Well, I don’t know if they’re all abandoned, I’m sure they each have different circumstances that brought them there, but the place does exist.”

After my initial upset passed, I comprehended what she was saying, and I placed my hand over hers. “Thank you, I’ll tell Derrik about it. And, not to freak you out even more about how fast this is going, but although I do want to see you with my child growing in your belly one day, I wouldn’t be averse to giving a few of those children a loving home.”

Natasha paused and dropped the asparagus she’d held in her free hand, before slowly turning to me. At first, I worried that I’d said too much and, maybe, should have waited to tell her this on a day when she hadn’t already been stressing over the changes in her life. But, when she faced me, I saw tears glittering in her eyes and a huge smile on her face.

“I’d love that,” she exclaimed, before launching herself into my arms.

I hugged her tightly, then lowered my head to brush my lips against hers, before pulling back slightly and running the tip of my nose along the length of her.

“Good,” I murmured, then lifted my head fully at the sound of my front door opening.

“Hey, hey,” Derrik called, at the same time I heard Marta say, “We’re here, ready or not!”

“Kitchen,” I shouted back, and a few seconds later, my best friends rounded the corner.

Marta stopped in her tracks so quickly that Derrik ran right in to her, his hands coming to steady her before she could fall over. Marta’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped as she took in the site of Natasha in my arms.

“Holy, shit balls,” she whispered, causing me to chuckle.

“What the hell?” Derrik asked with a scowl, then followed her gaze and puffed out his cheeks. Once he let out a long breath, he said, “Well, shit. I guess you weren’t exaggerating.”

I noticed Natasha was blushing when she pulled away from me. I grabbed her right back and put my hand on her chin. Once I had her attention, I kissed her soundly and whispered, “It’s going to be great.”

Natasha smiled gratefully, then took a deep breath and broke away again. This time I let her.

“Hi,” she said cheerfully. “I’m Natasha.”

She stepped forward with her arm extended, and when Marta continued to watch her like she was a rare breed of animal, which she totally was, Derrik gave his wife a little shove Marta shook out of it.

“Oh, sorry, hi. I’m Marta, and this is my man, Derrik,” she returned, reaching out to accept Natasha’s hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” my mate responded, which made Marta flash a huge smile at me over Natasha’s shoulder, before looking back at her and saying, “No, believe me, it’s ours.”

Natasha flushed, then turned to shake Derrik’s hand.

“Nice to meet you,” Derrik said, simply, then turned to me and asked, “What’s for food?”

“T-bone’s, baked potatoes, and bacon wrapped asparagus,” I replied.

“Shoot, Derrik, we left the pie in the car, be a sweetheart and go grab it?” Marta asked.

“Yes, dear,” Derrik replied, and turned to get the dessert.

“Would you like something to drink?” Natasha offered, already my perfect hostess. “A glass of wine, or beer perhaps?”

Marta grinned at me again, then said, “I’d love some wine.”

“Derrik will take a beer, babe,” I added, as Natasha turned to go get the drinks.

She nodded and walked past, and I turned to Marta.

“She’s gorgeous,” Marta said in a hushed tone, her eyes glistening. “You’re gorgeous together.”

I let loose a large grin in response and admitted, “I can’t believe it, Marta. She walked into Mateo’s house and I knew… instantly. I’ve never felt anything like it.”

“I know,” Marta whispered, reaching for my hand and squeezing it. “I’m so happy for you.”

“I can’t wait for you to get to know her.”

“Then, let’s go get to know your girl, Logan.”