"You again with these?"
I stared at the fresh rabbit and rare Moonlight Herb by the shop door, my voice cold.
Outside, Kaelen wore rough work clothes, his hands coarse and calloused—a world away from the distinguished Alpha he once was.
"You need to keep your strength up." He didn't try to come closer, maintaining a careful distance.
It had been a week.
He’d shown up every day, bringing food or herbs, quietly leaving them at the door, never forcing me to accept them.
"Why don't you go back to your pack?" I turned to straighten the shelves. "Stop wasting your time."
"Because my heart is here," he answered simply.
I scoffed. "Your 'heart' is pretty damn fickle."
"I found a job," he said suddenly. "The lumber mill in town needs strong guys."
I spun around, surprised. "What?"
"The pay's okay, enough to rent a place in this little town." He shrugged. "I'm thinking of settling down."