Not a great limitation for the soon-to-be owner of a shelter for rebels to have, Cooper thought, and then stopped, struck by a realization. Two soon-to-be owners plural. Because Cooper would also be responsible for the shelter and he faced the same limitation as Park. He too was genuinely shocked and confused as to why Eli didn’t hate rebels after everything he’d been through. Because of course Cooper thought of rebels and WIP the same way Eli had described the ruling packs: discontent, violent outcasts. The same way as Park did. How could he not when Park was the source of ninety-nine percent of what he knew about wolves? It was strange realizing just how much his understanding of this world was filtered through Park’s eyes. How perhaps that might change now. How perhaps that was a healthy thing and Eli’s presence wasn’t just good for Park but for all three of them.

“Where will you go after this?” Cooper asked, an idea beginning to take shape.

“Kicking me out already?”

“Of course not. You’re welcome to stay with us as long as you want.” He reached out and tapped Eli’s forearm, and got an expectedly judgmental look back. “I just meant what do you want to do next?”

“Oh, diminish, maybe. Go into the west. Might remain Galadriel, if I’m really feeling freaky. You know.”

“Or you could develop. Go south. Check out this sanctuary for rebel wolves we’re starting. No pressure, of course,” he added hastily. “But if you want to, I’m sure we’d both be grateful for your expertise. You understand rebels. You can appreciate this...need you mentioned. And you won’t push them into joining a ruling pack or whatever, as if that’s their only option.”

Eli’s eyebrows were arched about as high as they could go. Or maybe not, considering what he could do with his eyebrows. “Is it not their only option? You’d encourage them to remain rebels? Or become WIP?”

“You’re the one telling me neither deserve such a bad rep, so if that’s true, why not?”

“Why not, indeed,” Eli murmured, watching him. “Alice is right. The WIP is going to love you.”

Cooper frowned. “When did she say that?”

“I was listening to your conversation with her earlier,” Eli said without a lick of shame. “Trust me, it was implied.”

“Yeah,” Cooper said, eyeing his slightly pointy-looking ears. “Maudit Falls or not, we’re going to have to settle on separate living arrangements ASAP.”

“Afraid I’ll eavesdrop on your sex life? Don’t be. I’m full to the brim of Ollie’s cooties already.”

“And to think of the best man speech we could have had. What a missed opportunity.”