"Why can't you just go away, Ian!" I spat. "We don't need you!"
"I think you do, Amber." Ian countered calmly, slowly circling the large table to get to me. "At least speak with your pack. I think some may welcome the change--"
"We've done fine!" I...
"Well, I'm technically closest to it," Amber sighed. "Truthfully, I don't get to use it as much as you'd think. My pack has access to it anytime from six in the morning to midnight. I have twelve life guards who stay here all day, either watching or cleaning the pools."
"So this is a public facility?"
"Yes," she nodded. "Parties have to be booked in advance so that others know they can't use it. It is great for morale, Ian. Between this and the party room in the house, they know why my house is so big. One part is the office, one part public changing and party rooms, and then there is where I live. I oversee these public entities so I am near them. Yet, to all the alphas and packs, it may appear as mine. I am custodian more than anything."
"But if you need it?"
"I follow the same rules."
"You do?!"
"I enjoy watching other packs visit and meet my people," her eyes shone with pride. "They know I trust them with guests. There are also swim class times, too. We have mountain biking, camping, sports, fighting--all are classes for our packs to be well-rounded. We have natives who teach aromatherapy and herbology, too." She led me away from the public pool to a small area behind the waterfall and under the house. "This is mine."
"Really?" I could feel the heat coming off the water. "This is a Jacuzzi, isn't it?"
"Yep," She eased in and sat, taking a deep breath. She tilted her head back. "It got out that I get stress headaches, and--" She reached for a small bowl built into the wall and pulled a bottle out. "They wanted me to not have them. This is actually not public." She poured a few drops in and sat back. The small area filled with the scent of an herb. I frowned, having smelled it before, but the name escaped me. "Ylang ylang."
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"Ah, yes." I closed my eyes. "This-this is nice--" I saw Amber's eyes open and look over my shoulder a split second before my senses picked up on someone coming. I turned to see Cole and Vida in swim gear, her smile bright as all outdoors and his was guarded but small.
"I knew it!" Vida smiled. She took his hand and led him into the Jacuzzi. "Do you have one of these, Cole?"
"Not like this, no, not this..." he looked about and back at her as she descended into the tub and sat. "beautiful." He sat next to her.
"Aw," She rubbed noses with him and curled against him, making him laugh softly.
No wonder the Goddess picked Vida for Cole. She was going to be the light of his life. He was a hardened warrior, and at times he saw the glass as half empty. I had no doubt that Vida would fulfill him, help his perspective.
Suddenly, a chime sounded. Amber moved over to a rock and hit a button. "Yes, Hannah?" I marveled at the hidden intercom.
