I plopped down in the water next to Cricket. I was exhausted. One too many big waves and throwing Cricket into the deep part of the pond had worn me out.

"Saigon, come on!" Cricket gathered his boats. "The rogues are coming." He drained the water out of the 'rogue boats.'

A little brown pup was holding one of them. I saw Cricket's fur bristle.

I cleared my throat. "I think he wants to play with you."

"But he's too little," Cricket muttered.

"You could show him how to have a battle. What do you think?"

The white pup sighed. "Yeah." He herded the boats over and sat with the little boy.

It didn't take long before Cricket was really getting into fighting off rogue boats and showing the pup how to sink them with giant waves. The pup laughed and helped Cricket build a fortress to keep the 'pack boats' safe.

I spot Archer lounging against a rock. Wading over, I took the spot beside him.

His eyes opened. "Where's Cricket?"

"A new friend came by." I motioned to the two pups. "That'll keep him busy for a bit. Sorry about abandoning you."

Archer shrugged. "I got a nap in, so I didn't mind."

"Well, let's go over there." Grabbing his hand, I pulled Archer into the water.

We swam through the deep section and over to the waterfall. I sat on a submerged ledge and put my arm around Archer. I watched the pups play for a bit. A few others had joined Cricket and were really enthralled with the white pup's antics.

"He should be an alpha." Archer rested his head on my shoulder. "He knows how to draw a crowd."

I nodded. "He can be timid. Pups his age scares him a bit, and he's not a fighter. He's more of a peacekeeper."

"Nothing's wrong with that. It's his instincts keeping him safe."

I turned to Archer and leaned in close. "So, what do you think?"

"It's nice. I was wrong about Bloodhound. Sorry about earlier."

"Don't worry about it." With a smile, I kissed him. I went back for another and deepened it.

Archer hummed. "We have an audience."

I heard squealing and saw all the pups pointing and giggling. Cricket was covering his eyes with his hands. Shaking my head, I kissed Archer again.

"I don't mind."

"Their mother's might," he said with a smirk. Grabbing my hand, he relaxed against me. "Thanks for bringing me."

I rested my head on top of his. "No problem."

We sat there for a while before the heat was getting to be too much. We crossed across the water to the shore.

"I'll get the towels." I went to get my bag while Archer retrieved some of the boats that had sunk into the pond's deeper areas.

A group of mothers chuckled at me. I gave them a sheepish smile in return.

"He'll be leading you around by the nose," one laughed. "Just like Aden does to the beta."

I shrugged. "Sorry."

They simply grinned at me.

"Well, you are engaged."

My fur hid my blush as I hurried back. Archer took one of the towels and held it up as he shifted. He wrapped it around his waist and wiped the water off his arms. I did the same. My eyes kept going to the scar on his shoulder.

Archer placed his hand over it. "You're making me self-conscious."

"Oh, um... sorry. Here." I handed him another towel for his hair.

He dried it as I simply stood there with water dripping down my face. They were right, Archer had me completely smitten.

***

(Archer)

I watched as Saigon put more blankets on the bed.

He placed another pillow at the top and let out a sigh. "It'll be tight, but I think we'll both fit. I could sleep in the main room if you want."

I shook my head. "It'll be fine if we sleep as humans."

"It might be cold."

With a shrug, I knelt down at his side. "I doubt it."

Shifting forms, I shivered when the cold air touched my bare skin. I hurried under the covers by the wall. Saigon slipped in behind me. The underside of the blanket was covered in soft fur. He pulled it up around our faces.

"Do you have enough room?"

Turning around, I pulled him to me and closed my eyes. "I'm fine."

"What did you think of Bloodhound?"

"It's nice." I smiled slightly. "Cricket is a cute pup."

Saigon chuckled. "He's a spirited boy." He rubbed my arm. "We might have to live here for a bit. You'd be okay with that?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I'd have to take frequent trips to Northern Ridge to see my parents, but I don't think I'd mind living here. The pack is nice."

He kissed my forehead. "They're going to love you."

"Hmm..." I said with a yawn. "You're going to make a great dad."

"What?" said Saigon, sounding shocked.

"Watching you play with Cricket made me think you'd be good with pups."

Saigon shifted and pulled me closer. "How many did you want?"

I shrugged. "A couple."

"More than one?"

I nodded. "Like two or three. I was always jealous of my friends, who had siblings. I don't want a whole pack, but a couple of pups would be nice."

"My grandma will be thrilled to hear it."

"Don't tell her," I muttered. "I'm not raising pups in the human world. You have to be done with college before we even start thinking about it."

"Deal. I'd prefer to wait. I'm stressed enough as it is. Goodnight."

I muttered a response and took in a deep breath. My senses were filled with Saigon's scent. It was a comforting smell that warmed my whole body and chased away the cold.

***

I helped Saigon haul some of his parents' luggage to the ATV. Most looked like presents and I was sure I saw my name on a couple. We started up the path to meet up with Titus and Aden. The beta was going over some things with Gage. I stood to the side as they talked pack business. I felt something brush my side and flinched.

Turning around, I spotted the white pup.

"Um..." said Cricket. "Archer?"

I smiled at him.

"Um... will you come back? Will you come back with Saigon?"

I nodded. "He's pretty much stuck with me."

The boy grinned as his tail whipped back and forth. "He really likes you. I had to keep that secret for years," he sighed. "It was hard. But, I'm glad you're going to be a part of the pack. Maybe next time, we could play, too?"

"Sure." I tousled his head fur. "I can't let you and Saigon have all the fun."

He kept smiling until he spotted Saigon watching us.

The boy ran over and hugged him. "Come back soon. You go away for too long."

"I'll do my best." Saigon gave the pup a squeeze. "You be good and try hard in school. Alright?"

Cricket sighed. "You sound like my sister."

Saigon eyed the boy. "I thought you wanted to grow up and be as smart as me. So, you better start now."

"Fine," he muttered as his ear flicked to the side. "I'll do better."

Picking Cricket up, he hugged him tightly. The boy laughed as he fought to get free.

"Stop! I'm going to be crushed!"

Saigon let him go and a laughing Cricket escaped to his sister.

"We'll see you later." Titus waved as he took his mate's hand and led the way down the path.

I walked along with Saigon.

"What did Cricket want?"

I smiled at him and put my arm around his waist. "To welcome me to the pack."