My lips turn up in a smile. “No, you big baby, those are all yours. I brought him the bigger batch.” I point to the container in the back.

His mouth falls open in outrage. “Nah-uh.” He pouts while looking at the other container to see if it is indeed bigger. I just laugh. It feels wonderful to laugh so much.

I start to see homes dotted here and there, each with enough space so they don’t seem crowded. They’re all a little different, all well kept. It looks like a subdivision, just much more spread out.

“Does everyone in the pack live here?” I question.

“No, just those who want to. Anyone in the pack can build here, they just have to supply their own materials and build it. Then, they have to contribute to the pack somehow, like run patrols, help watch children for those that work, or even clean the meeting lodge. Everybody helps each other.” I’m pleasantly surprised, it seems wonderful. I make sure and tell him so. “Not all packs have it this good, my brother’s a very good man.”

“He must be,” I say.

I see what looks like a small grocery store with a gas pump out front, a church-like building, and the largest building looks like a giant A-frame lodge with all windows and wood. As we pass, he tells me it’s their meeting place. They also have a large fire pit in the clearing behind the building, for festivals or ceremonies.

As we pass the last of the houses, I can feel my tummy getting worse. I hope I don’t get sick. Sniffer notices my discomfort. He grabs my hand that’s rubbing my stomach. “Hey listen, it’ll be fine, he’s great. I don’t think anyone else will be there. Well maybe Roxanne, she always wants to be around him.”

“Is she his Mate?”

He quickly shakes his head. “No, thank the moon. He hasn’t found his Mate yet. I hope he does soon. I’m just glad it’s not her.”

By the time we see the house, I think I might throw up. I’m shaking so bad I have to white knuckle the wheel. Please don’t let me puke on the Alphas shoes... or house... or girlfriend.

The house is stunning. It looks like a giant log cabin with wrought-iron balconies on the second floor and a wrap-around porch across the entire bottom. The roof is green metal that looks a little worn, like it’s been there forever. The large windows don’t seem to be covered. If it was night, I bet I could see right in. We drive up the slight hill the house sits on, and I see a woman in what looks like a ruby red silk robe come out to the porch. I suppose to greet us?

Soon as I stop my Jeep, I double over clutching my stomach. “Ahhh no, no, no, no,” I chant. Not here, not now. But I know what this is. My Mate is somewhere near. I want to scream and rip my hair out, and I want to run as fast as I can to find him. Sniffer is looking at me like I’ve lost my mind so I settle for a whisper, “Please Casper, please get me out of here.” I’m in tears, and I don’t even know when that happened. “I can’t do this again. It was so hard last time. I don’t think I’ll survive it again. Please,” I beg.