The Panther's Rival

by Emilia Hartley

  She deserved every beautiful sunset that this world had to offer.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Lucy couldn’t help but grin goofily as Dan walked into the office the next morning. He’d been the perfect gentleman the night before; he had ended the night with a long, lingering kiss outside the cabin, filled with promises of what could happen between them.

  They’d never gotten around to talking about her conversation with Jo; Lucy had been so blindsided by the sheer romance of the dinner that she could never seem to bring it up without killing the mood Dan had worked so hard to set up for them. He at least deserved the night to relax and explore what could be the most perfect relationship either of them had ever known.

  Still, she knew deep down that even if every night for the rest of their lives was as perfect as the night before, he was still insistent on talking about her shifting issues. Yet, when Lucy neglected to bring it up in conversation, he never once hinted that he was disappointed. He was considerate and kind and understanding that she still had boundaries. It was so different from what she was used to with Dominic. She appreciated that most of all.

  “Morning,” Dan murmured, a wide grin already spreading across his face as he spotted her. “You look especially beautiful today.” Dipping his head, he planted a quick kiss on her lips. “The fresh air must agree with you.”

  Lucy smiled against his lips. “Perhaps it was the company,” she replied before giving him a kiss of her own. “Last night was amazing, Dan.” She loved the way his eyes danced when she praised him.

  “Yes, it was indeed,” he agreed. “Maybe we can go up that way again some time.”

  “How about tonight?” Lucy mused, the wheels already turning. “Let me organize things this time. We could grab some take out, no need to get fancy.”

  Dan looked moderately surprised before his lips turned up into that grin Lucy knew so well. It made her stomach buzz with a flurry of butterflies. She hadn’t originally intended to ask him out again so soon, but that look on his face was more than enough to make the spontaneous act worth it.

  “That sounds… really good,” he replied slowly, lifting her chin with his finger. “I can’t wait.”

  Lucy gazed longingly into his eyes, a concentrated shot of happiness coursing through her veins. It had taken so long, but finally, right there in Dan’s eyes, she felt like she’d finally found home. Her bear seemed to sigh in contentment, and for once, Lucy couldn’t argue. If this were what peace felt like, she’d never leave it behind.

  “Hey!” came a shout from the entrance to the office before Dan could kiss her, “None of that fraternizing business in the office.”

  Nick’s grinning face appeared from behind the box he was carrying, and Dan groaned appropriately. She knew Nick’s arrival meant that the work day had begun; Dan would soon be swept away in a flurry of pack and mechanic obligations, too busy to even talk most times. They’d only be mere yards away from one another, but Lucy would miss him all the same. At least they had tonight.

  “Duty calls!” Dan murmured brushing her cheek with a light kiss before turning to Nick.

  “I’ll see you this evening, then,” Lucy replied, smiling after him. “Same time, okay?”

  He winked back at her. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  ***

  “You’re putting in good work with the renovations, Lucy!”

  Wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, Lucy tried to smile. There was only one wall with the dated, dusty wallpaper on it, so she’d thought that going to task on it today would make for easy work. No such luck.

  The old paper seemed to have been glued a million times over the next layer. She’d imagined that the previous owners, before Nick and Tom, couldn’t have been bothered with removing it first. Even when she tapped a little into her bear’s innate strength, the old paper proved stubborn, resisting heartily against Lucy’s efforts.

  “Thanks,” she gasped, carefully stepping down from the ladder. She figured a chat with Jo made for a good enough excuse to take a break as any, and she needed it.

  “Did we decide on a definite color for the walls?” she asked, grabbing a small cup of water. “I’m thinking about giving that a shot while you all are finishing up the house.”

  “Nothing more than what we’ve already discussed together,” she replied. “I think we’ll go with the grey that Savannah suggested. It did seem pretty bright.” She shrugged lazily. “If we don’t like it, we can always just repaint.”

  Lucy thought on it a moment. “If you’re willing to hear me out, I do have a few ideas I’ve been thinking on these past few weeks,” she said reluctantly. She didn’t want Jo to think she was trying to take over.

  Jo only gave her an encouraging look as she took the first sip of her coffee, wordlessly beckoning Lucy to present her concepts.

  With a deep breath, she dove head first into the design she imagined, depicting everything from light fixtures, to furniture updates, and even the pictures that would hang on the wall. She then expanded the idea to include the outdoors, refurbishing the siding on the outside and getting a bit of landscaping done around the yard. It wasn’t anything too fancy for a mechanic shop, but Lucy thought that these changes would go a long way to making the mechanic shop truly shine. But did Jo feel the same?

  Slowly, Jo began to nod, eyes looking thoughtful. “I like it,” she finally said. “But it sounds like a lot of work, don’t you think?”

  Lucy grimaced. “Maybe so, but I think it would all be worth it in the long run.”

  “It’s crunch time up at the house build, and with Dan pulling overtime in the shop to keep work orders flowing, Savannah and I have been spending a lot more time there than we’d originally planned,” Jo explained, chewing her lip. Lucy could tell she was worried about how complicated it would be to juggle all the renovations Lucy had proposed here as well as helping at the house.

  She shrugged nonchalantly. “I don’t mind doing it myself at all. I know how busy you guys have been these past few weeks, and that’s not even considering what Dominic must be up to,” she consoled. “To be honest, I’ve been having a bit of fun coming up with new ideas. If it means I get to see at least some of them in reality, I’m completely okay with putting things together on my own.” She shrugged again with an understanding smile. “Less people to bump into this way, anyway.”

  There was a moment when Lucy wasn’t sure if Jo was going to go along with the suggestion, but then she laughed. “Well if you think you can handle the work load, I’m not going to stop you,” she agreed. “In fact…” The sentence trailed off as Jo reached for her phone and tapped animatedly on its screen.

  Finally, she looked back up satisfactorily. “Lucy, I’d like to formally offer you the position of interior designer.”

  Lucy could only stare for a moment, not entirely sure she’d heard Jo correctly. “Interior… are you sure? I don’t really have any qualifications or anything,” she worried. “I’m not sure if I’d be up to snuff to be anything official.”

  Jo shrugged, but her smile was confident. “We’ll call it natural talent, then,” she amended. “You have a lot of great ideas that I’d like to see put into action in a way only you can. Savannah and I will try to help when we can as well.” She scrolled down her phone, checking something before continuing. “There will be a budget so that you can work comfortably with decent materials, and there will also be a wage attached, of course.”

  “What’s happening?” Savannah’s head popped in from the side entrance. Her hair was riddled with sawdust and she had a bit of paint on her collarbone.

  Jo turned to Savannah with a grin. “Say hello to Lucy, our newly hired interior designer, of course, acceptance pending.”

  “Oh!” Savannah exclaimed, hands clapping together excitedly. “That sounds amazing, congratulations! You’ve been doing amazing work; I’m sure this’ll be a natural job for you,” she praised with an encouraging grin.

  Lucy was flabbergasted. S
he didn’t know what to say. First there was Dan with his overwhelming understanding of her feelings and ability to treat her with care, and then this. It all seemed so real, so permanent in the best possible way. She didn’t want to question it, afraid that the slightest bit of doubt would shatter the illusion of the oasis she’d created for herself. “But, I…” Lucy began, not sure how to continue. “I haven’t really spoken to Nick about… sticking around.” She watched their faces fall in unison, as if that were a possibility that they hadn’t thought of. Of course they haven’t; they already have a home. “What if he says no?” she finished solemnly.

  With a start, Jo’s face lit up. Looking to Savannah, they exchanged a quick look and Savannah smiled in return. When they both started laughing, Lucy was thoroughly confused. Before Lucy could muster up the courage to be offended, Jo turned back to her with a gentle smile, closing the distance between them and wrapping a friendly arm around her shoulders.

  “Listen, Lucy,” she began softly. “This place, this pack, this entire town… it’s for people like you. People who don’t have a place to call their own or family to catch them when they fall. For people who don’t know what true love is, or what true kindness looks like. Where you are in life right now is where I once was.” She poked her chin out towards Savannah. “Her, too.” Savannah nodded he agreement wordlessly.

  “We’re a home for shifters who need it,” Jo continued. “You look like you could use a home, Lucy. So why do you think we’d turn you away?”

  Lucy’s breath caught in her throat and with a bit of surprise, she noticed that tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. She had a home. That’s all she’d wanted to know since being here, and now she had her answer.

  She had a home.

  “I really appreciate the offer, Jo,” she finally spoke, trying to compose herself. “I’d be honored to accept.”

  “Great!” Jo cheered, clapping her hands together. “Happy first official day at work!”

  “Heaven knows it’s been long overdue,” Savannah chimed in with a laugh. “Welcome to the family, Lucy.”

  ***

  Lucy walked up the steep hill behind Dan, too buzzed because of the events of the day to worry about being exhausted by the climb. She had a place to call home, a job she enjoyed, and a new family that supported her in the things that she believed in. Her life had been so different upwards of a month ago; now it felt so overwhelming and almost unbelievable.

  There wasn’t much conversation between them at first, as if Dan could tell she was in deep thought about something. He always seemed to understand the subtle nuances of her behavior, and it made being around him that much more enjoyable. Though it was awkward in form, he was never awkward with her. Barring the first time they’d spoken alone, she’d felt nothing less than comfortable around him, and it only made her crave him more.

  He quietly set out blankets and even a few cushions, laying them in front of the bench that they’d sat on the night before.

  “Here you go,” he spoke quietly, placing her food in front of her as she sat. “Drinks are in the cooler if you want one.”

  “Thank you,” she replied, watching as he dug almost immediately into his food. She could tell he’d worked hard during the day. He had slight traces of exhaustion around his eyes as he tore open the top of the takeout container with fervor. And still he’d decided to come spend time with her…

  “Sorry,” he muttered ruefully after swallowing a mouthful of beef stir-fry. “I’m really hungry.”

  Lucy hid her chuckle behind a hand. “It’s okay. Truth be told, so am I.”

  “Lots of work today?” he asked in between bites of food.

  She nodded with a grin. “Literally. Jo offered me a job at the shop. And I accepted it.”

  “Wow!” Dan exclaimed, leaning over to kiss her cheek.” That’s brilliant news, Lucy. I’m so happy for you.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh at his elation, brushing a bit of cabbage from her cheek that Dan had left behind when he kissed her. “Thank you. To be honest this all feels like some sort of dream. All I’ve ever wanted was to belong, and now I feel like it might be real.”

  Dan caressed a gentle hand down her face. “That’s because it is real. You do belong here, Lucy. You always have.”

  “Even if I don’t shift?”

  Her question hung heavily in the air between them, Dan’s face falling serious almost immediately. The silence lasted long enough for Lucy to begin regretting turning the conversation in that direction. Finally, Dan gave one slow shake of his head.

  “Welcoming you as an equal to the pack means respecting everything you stand for,” he answered. “If it’s important to you that you don’t shift, then the rest of us will understand.”

  Lucy let out the breath she didn’t know she was holding, her body slumping against the front of the bench. Even when she’d given him the perfect opportunity to question her, he didn’t. He respected her wishes and accepted what she held dear and what was important to her. Something like love burned slowly through her body, working its way from her soul to her fingertips, and in that moment, she knew she loved him. “Thank you.”

  He grinned in response, a bit of beef hanging from his lip before he slurped it up into his mouth. “I might try to change your mind one day, though.”

  She laughed, happy that the silly Dan was back to break the tension. “I know.” Funny thing was, she didn’t think she’d mind if he did.

  The rest of the meal continued in content silence as they enjoyed the quiet and the beautiful view in front of them. The sun would be setting soon, and Lucy didn’t want to miss the perfect ending to the best day of her life.

  Chapter Sixteen

  With a contented sigh, Dan flopped back heavily against the wooden bench, the vast expanse of the sky gazing down upon him in orange and purple hues. Belly full and heart fuller, Dan was the happiest he’d ever been in his life. Lucy was here to stay. There was no denying, doubts, or room for interpretation. Jo had offered her a job and she’d accepted it. This meant so much for their relationship. Now, he could try and take the next step with no worries.

  He glanced lazily over at Lucy. She lay curled on a picnic blanket, her head resting on a cushion as she watched for the stars peeking out of the twilight sky. Her face was calm, with an almost serene smile on her face. She was happy. It didn’t matter that she wouldn’t shift anymore, all that mattered was that he was everything she needed, and if that meant accepting the part of her that wouldn’t accept her bear, he’d do it without a second thought. He had the rest of their lives to admire her bear. For now, it was no problem at all to simply admire the rest of her.

  “How does it feel?” he asked softly.

  He caught the mild confusion in her eyes. “Hm? How does what feel?”

  He chuckled. “How does it feel to finally be in charge of your own life?” he specified. “The night you picked me up off the asphalt in a dirty alley, I could tell you had no idea what to do with yourself.” He grinned. “Look at you now.”

  Lucy’s face lit up with a slow smile, no doubt replaying the medley of events that had led her to this very moment. “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” she agreed. “My life is mine now, not Dominic’s and not anyone else’s either. Just mine.” She sighed happily. “It feels pretty damn good.”

  “Exactly,” Dan praised, resting his head back against the bench and closing his eyes against the rays of the warm setting sun. “And I’m happy that in your newfound independence, you decided that what you had here is what you’ve been searching for all along.” He cracked one eye open, a small grin on his face. “And as selfish as this might sound, I hope that thoughts of me influenced your decision as well.”

  He caught the amused tint in Lucy’s eyes before closing his again. “You wanted a home. You’ve found it. You wanted freedom. You have it. So now you have to ask yourself, what do you want next?”

  Lucy didn’t respond, but Dan wasn’t worried. He figured she must
be pondering the question to find the right answer. He didn’t blame her. It was a pretty big question that held a lot of weight. Her life was entirely controlled and micromanaged by her brother before she finally broke away and found Mountain Haven. What do you do with an entire life that’s just been handed back to you all at once? Dan didn’t think he’d know the answer if he was in that position, but he could see that she felt free. So that was that.

  What do you want? he thought to himself. For him, the answer had always been obvious. He wanted to help others. It was his first answer, his first instinct. When the Northern Wind needed muscle, he helped. When Savannah needed moral support to stand up to Lucas, he helped. When Nick needed someone to man the shop, he helped. Helping was easy; it came naturally to him, and it didn’t hurt that it made people happy. Even Lucas, on rare occasions. But then Lucy came along.

  Sure, he’d wanted to help her, too, but even now he could still clearly remember how he felt when he’d first laid eyes on her.

  One, he thought she was drop dead gorgeous.

  Two, he really wanted to buy her that drink.

  With a dull smile, he recalled the declaration he’d made; that he’d go back to that bar every night if it meant he’d meet her just once more. He was sure he’d have done it, too, if not for the series of fate-driven events that ended up pushing them together again that night.

  It wasn’t often that Dan wondered what he wanted, because he always knew the answer. Then Lucy waltzed into his life, and suddenly the answer wasn’t so clear-cut anymore. Helping her was certainly still a goal, but it wasn’t the only one anymore. Something else sat there, just behind that helping habit, something he couldn’t quite make out at first.

  He didn’t know it was love until he had already fallen.

  She’d tripped him up simply by being beautiful, amazing, and strong despite the traumas she’d faced. She inspired him to be better, urged him to do more, and convinced him to stop beating himself up for a past he can’t ever take back. It wasn’t often that he thought of himself; in fact, the only time he could remember thinking of himself was when he’d decided to leave the Northern Wind behind for greener grasses.