He looked so happy, standing there laughing and carrying on with his sister. He belonged here. He belonged as a human.

“Why are you home right now?” Ash ventured, rolling his shoulders forward like he expected Lisa to smack him. His sister just laughed at him.

“It’s my day off, horny boy. I fell asleep watching Criminal Minds and I had to make sure there wasn’t a serial killer back here. You guys were making some noise.”

“Sorry about that,” Helena said, sitting up in the bed. She held the comforter up around her shoulders, loving that Ash’s scent completely surrounded her.

“Don’t be sorry. I only wish—”

“Nahnahnahnah,” Ash said, putting his hand over his sister’s mouth. “I do not want to hear the end of that sentence.”

Helena laughed, loving his playfulness.

Lisa laughed and shook her face free of Ash’s hand. “I’ll leave you two alone. Pretty sure I hear Wendy calling to say it’s time for our shopping trip. Just try and keep the nakedness isolated to the bedroom this time. I would rather not find y’all’s clothes all over the house again.”

“Not a problem,” Ash answered, grabbing his sister and squashing her into a bear hug.

“I’m glad you found her, Ash. I guess you’re staying then, right?” Lisa whispered into her brother’s ear, but Helena’s sharp ears caught every word. She also felt Ash’s inward cloud of guilt pull at his heart.

“I’m sorry I keep leaving, Lis. But I’m done leaving.”

Lisa’s face lit up with hope, and she gripped Ash hard in her hug. “You mean it?”

“I mean it. And not just because I found Helena. I want to be a real big brother to you, again. Not your parent. Not your caretaker. But a brother.”

“I want that, too,” Lisa whispered.

“As long as you don’t mind it if my girlfriend is over here.”

“Hell, she can move in,” Lisa said, her voice cracking, squeezing her brother one last time before stepping back into the hallway. She gave Helena a kind smile. “If you want to, that is.”

Helena took a long breath. She absolutely wanted to fall asleep next to Ash every night and wake up beside him every morning. “I do.”

Lisa touched Ash’s arm, and Helena could feel warmth and love coursing through him. Gods, she loved this man so much.

“I really wasn’t kidding when I said I’d beat you up if it wasn’t Helena back here.” She gave them a little wave before skipping down the hall and out of sight.

When Ash turned back to face Helena, his broad smile reached his bright blue eyes, but she could still feel the twinge of his guilt through their bond. He walked toward her, closing the door behind him.

“What was that about? Why so much guilt, babe?”

He sank onto the side of the bed and released a long sigh. “I’ve been taking care of Lisa since we were little. Our parents barely knew we were around. Our dad left when I was six, just after Lisa was born. I don’t even really remember his face. Mom was a drunk and she left when I turned eighteen. Lisa was twelve.”

“Oh, babe.”

He shrugged off her sentiment, but let her rest a hand on his leg. “We managed. I worked a lot of odd jobs and we did okay. But somewhere along the line I started feeling self-pity and resentment toward my parents. I hooked up with Tyson and the guys and we left town for a job in Montana. Lisa was eighteen by then. And I figured what the hell, I’d been a responsible adult for far too long. It was only for a couple of months. Why not cut loose and be wild?”

“Then you came back.”

“Yeah. But I only stayed for a month before leaving again. And again. And again. I’m pretty sure I’ve only spent about thirty days in this house the entire year and it’s November.” Ash shook his head and buried his face in his hands. “I can’t believe I did that to her. I left her, just like our parents did.”

Helena’s heart split under the pain in Ash’s soul. She crawled toward him and pulled him back against her, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “You’re going to make it right. You’re going to be here now. That’s what matters.”

Ash’s shoulders shook. He buried his face against her chest. His tears wet her breasts as she stroked her fingers through his hair. “I don’t want you to be a wolf, Ash,” she said after a moment. “Even if it can be done. My pack was screwed up and I was screwed up because of it. I don’t need you to be any different than you are. My heart has never felt so full of joy. I have a pack that will care for us both. You have a sister who adores you. This is the right path, Ash.”

He pulled her down to the pillows and switched them around so that he was cradling her against his chest now. “Are you sure?”

“I could make lists to prove my point,” Helena said. “So many lists.”

He chuckled through a few more sniffs, tightening his arms around her. “I’ll do it if you need me to.”

“Look inside me, Ash. Feel what I need.” Helena breathed deeply and reached through their bond. She felt him reach back and the muscles in his arms relaxed. His heartbeat slowed just a little. “You are what I want. Just you,” she reiterated, saying what they both felt. “I’m so happy.”

“There’s a little bit of sadness in there,” Ash said, poking her chest between her breasts. “Tell me what that’s for.”

“I’m a little sad I won’t be going back to the El Paso ranch. I ran that place. It was my pride and joy and those boy cousins of mine are going to ruin it. And I’ll miss the girls so much...” She curled her body into Ash’s and breathed deeply. “But I don’t have to be a rancher anymore. I can find other work. I’m good at lots of things. You’re what I want…what I need. I’m sure there are ranches around here that could use a manager, or maybe there’s something I can do for Aaron. I’ll find something. I’ll make a list later and start brainstorming.”

Ash laughed, squeezing her even tighter. “You and your lists. What am I going to do with you?”

“Keep me. Of course.”

“Always.”