"Saigon!" A white pup ran from the cave. "Saigon, Saigon! You're here, you're here."

Saigon grabbed the pup and tossed him in the air.

"You finally came back." He hugged Saigon. "Why are you human? Shift, so we can play. You're staying, right?"

"Well, if you're good, I might spend the night before going back to Grandma K's house."

The pup grinned. "You need to come back more. I missed you."

"I missed you, too." Saigon turned to me. "I'd like to introduce you to someone."

"It's him, right," whispered the boy. "The secret?" He covered his muzzle. "I didn't tell anyone."

"Yeah, it's him." Saigon put the pup down. "Cricket, this is Archer and we're engaged."

Cricket beamed up at me. "You're going to be Saigon's mate?"

I nodded. "I have his mark." Kneeling down, I pulled over my shirt. "See."

"Oh, wow, Saigon is going to be the beta," he said seriously. "So, that probably hurt a lot."

"A bit."

"Come on, come on." Cricket grabbed both of our hands and dragged us to the cave. "They're waiting for you."

We entered the cave and I felt out of place. It was strange to be in a different pack. Saigon knew everyone and plenty of people were stopping to congratulate him. He grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze. Cricket had raced on ahead.

"So, this is the lucky man?" said a light brown werewolf.

"Yes, Archer," replied Saigon.

"We're so happy for you."

I just stared, trying not to come across too awkward.

"Taking off your dads," laughed an older wolf.

Saigon laughed. "It's genetic, or something. I better go and find my parents. Thanks." He waved at the crowd and led me off.

"They care a lot about you," I said softly.

He grinned at me. "Not what you expected, right?"

"No." I bowed my head. I felt even more like an ass now.

We stopped outside a cave with hides over the entrance.

"Dad, I'm here." Saigon parted them and poked his head inside.

Aden walked out of the conjoined room. "Hello." He came over with his arms outstretched. "How were the roads?"

"Covered. I brought the big sled."

"Good, we can take it back in the morning."

"Morning?" I asked. I was under the impression this was a day trip.

Aden sighed. "Titus was procrastinating and it caught up to him. He'll have it done by tonight. I called my parents and let them know."

"Great, Cricket will be thrilled."

"That's my room." Saigon pointed to the last room with a bear hide over the door. "I never got my own cave since I was coming and going so much."

Nodding, I went with him to it and stepped inside. It smelled like Saigon. Books lined the shelves along with wooden animals. He dropped his bag on the bed. I placed mine in the corner as Saigon started to get undressed. Fur would help with the cold. Taking off my clothes, I shifted and started folding them. I glanced at the crumpled up pile around the black werewolf's feet. With a sigh, I grabbed them and added them to my pile.

"It's so good to be a werewolf." Saigon stretched his arms overhead. "Have you ever thought you could reach something and then realize you can't because your human form is too short?" He peered up at the top shelf.

"No." I eyed him. "I avoid human form."

"True." He opened his bag and took out the present. "Well, I better go find that pup."

"Cricket seems to like you a lot."

"He's had it tough. His parents are both dead. His sister raised him and actually mated Gage, the next beta."

I nodded. "So, is Gage as strong as you?"

He scoffed. "He pretends to me." With a smirk, Saigon lifted the hide for me.

The white pup was waiting with Aden in the living area.

He squealed when he saw the present. "Is that for me? Is it?"

"Who else would it be for? Aunty K and I picked it out for you."

Cricket hurried over and took it. "Can I open it, please?"

"It's not Christmas yet," said Saigon in an airy voice.

"Please, pretty please. I'm not human, so it's okay if I don't wait."

Saigon ruffled the boy's head fur. "Go for it."

Ripping off the paper, Cricket gasped at the assortment of toy boats. "I love them." He ran his hand over the packaging. "They're so cool! Look at this one." He pointed to the biggest and turned to show Aden as well. "I love it, thank you."

"No problem, pup." Saigon patted his head. "I think I need a soak in the hot pools."

The boy's ears perked up. "I'm going to ask my sister!" He raced from the room with the oversized packaging in hand.

I laughed as he struggled not to drop it. "How old is he?"

"Nine," said Aden. "Though, he thinks he's older."

"He's a cute kid."

"He's our Raven," laughed Aden. "The pack adores him. It's hard to be mad at a fluffy, white ball with way too much energy."

"Personality-wise, they're a little different," I replied.

"Very. I'm going to help Titus. I can't do much when it comes to numbers, but I can be his moral support."

"I could help," said Saigon.

Aden waved his son off as he left the room. "Cricket is expecting you to go swimming with him. You better get going or he'll be back here looking for you."

Saigon turned to me. "So, do you want to go swimming?"

"Sure."

"Great." Saigon went to his room and grabbed a couple things. "Their hot pools here are awesome. They have a waterfall, too, and this rock all the kids climb on."

I smiled and followed him into the hallway. He kept explaining things about the cave and different places he'd like to go in Bloodhound. It was clear Saigon loved this place, which seemed strange. All the rumors I heard never put Bloodhound in a good light and made the cave sound like it was going to collapse at any moment.

We entered a large chamber and the steam helped melt the last of the cold away.

"Wow, this is nice," I said.

Cricket was already there and with another werewolf.

"Hey, Ivy," said Saigon. "I see Cricket didn't waste any time."

The package had clearly been chewed on and the boy was already in the water with his boats.

"Thank you for the present. You spoil Cricket."

"It was my grandma."

"Sure," she laughed, eyeing him.

"It was him," I confirmed. "I was there when he bought it."

"Thanks a lot," muttered Saigon. "You just ratted me out."

The girl laughed. "I'm Ivy. I'm Cricket's older sister. Gage is my mate."

I nodded. "Archer, and I guess I'm stuck with him." I pointed to Saigon.

"That's not a bad thing," he muttered.

"Saigon!" Cricket waved his arm. "Come play with me. We're going to have a battle!"

"I'll be right there." He looked between us. "Don't tell him anything weird."

Ivy smiled slightly. "From what I hear, you've already marked him."

"It's not permanent yet," Saigon said under his breath as he went to play with Cricket.

I walked to the water's edge and sat down. There was sand along the sides and remnants of sandcastle were scattered about. It was a nice place.

"Bigger, bigger!" yelled Cricket.

Smiling to myself, I watched as Saigon made a bigger wave that crashed over the fleet of boats. It was fun to see the large werewolf being ordered around by a little white pup. Saigon would make a good father. My chest tightened up. That could be us one day. We could be sitting here with our own pups, playing in the sand. I let some slip through my fingers.

It was strange to think about, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited for that day.