Month: November 2023

**Nost So Familiar is out in the world! Have you checked it out yet? It’s an expanded and edited version of the story once here. I have plans to release the next one in a couple of months, and I’m beginning work on book three. But in the meantime, how about a little snippet from Gareth and Owen’s current life? Enjoy!**

I loved Owen. I loved his family. I loved this pack and the life we were creating. I was happy and content and all the good things that, for most of my life, I didn’t really experience. If it weren’t for my brother, my life would have been unbearable. But now things were so damn good it was scary.

Like actually scary. Because I was waiting for something to come and take it all away.

I’d never really thought I was a fatalist, and maybe I hadn’t been before. But after the past few months, I didn’t think anyone could blame me for the change in my thinking. Everything we’d been through would be enough to put anyone on edge.

I was fine when Owen was close. He was my mate and familiar, and that meant he protected and cared for me. And though I knew I was perfectly capable of doing all that for myself, having him nearby gave me extra reassurance. But he’d gone back to work, and though I didn’t begrudge him that at all, it made me a bit twitchy to be alone all day.

Logically, I knew the threats to me were gone. There was no way I was in any sort of danger. And when I buried myself in my own work, ensconced in my workroom with even more protections, I could function just fine. But it was always a relief when Owen got home at the end of the day.

As if my thoughts conjured him—and maybe they had, considering our bonds—Owen stuck his head through the workroom door and gave me a smile. I immediately set down my pestle and mortar and crossed to him. He didn’t hesitate to pull me into his arms. For a minute or two, I just soaked him in, his warmth and his smell, and then kissed him liked he’d been gone for eight days instead of eight hours.

“Hi,” I murmured when I pulled back, smiling at the way he was looking at me. I always felt like the center of his universe when he looked at me like that.

“Hello, there.” He kissed me again, quick and easy. “Ready to go?”

I blinked. “Where we going?”

“Come on.” The mischievous grin could mean any number of things, but since I trusted him completely, I wasn’t worried.

Shoes, coat, scarf, and then we were out the door. He gave me a boost into his pick up, even though I didn’t need it, just because he liked touching my butt. I chuckled as he shut the door and rounded the hood to climb in.

It only took me two minutes to figure out where we were going. There wasn’t much on this side of town, and the only reason we ever came this way was to meet up with the pack at their running grounds. Annalise’s territory was vast and partially encompassed a national forest, but the meeting grounds was a wide open space with a pavilion and plenty of parking.

The pack was already there. At least most of them. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few more filtered in because I saw a few missing cars. It was easy to spot Owen’s parents, talking with the alpha and her husband. My brother was also there, Remy on his shoulder and his every present wolf bodyguard Marco, a silent specter standing behind him.

The real question was why everyone was there. It wasn’t a full moon. Even though shifters were obligated to shift with the full moon, it still called to them and was as good a time as any to have monthly pack meetups. And as far as I was aware, there wasn’t anything to celebrate. No birthdays this week or new pairings. Nothing that we usually got together for. So why?

“Owen?”

He grinned, and shrugged one shoulder. “You’ve had a rough week. You need to get out. So.” He gestured with one hand even as he shut off the engine with the other. “Out.”

I was touched but also a bit embarrassed, and the two emotions warred within me. “There’s no reason to get everyone to drop whatever they’re doing to—”

“Gareth. Get out of the truck.” Owen’s laugh was warm and even though I was still embarrassed, I did as he said.

Annalise’s head snapped up, and she grinned wide as she strode toward us. I hurried to meet her half way, not wanting the alpha to be the one to come to me. That wasn’t right. She immediately pulled me into a tight hug and scented my neck by swiping her wrist a long my skin.

“You all right?” she asked, gaze searching but warm.

“I am,” I assured her. She pinned me with a look and I chuckled. “Mostly. I promise. Just thinky thoughts. There was no need for everyone to go to all this trouble.”

Annalise looked confused, her brow creased. She stared at me for a moment, then turned her attention to Owen. Owen, for his part, threw up his hands like I was just so exasperating, but the twinkle in his eye gave him away.

“This is what pack does, love,” Owen said softly. He draped an arm around my waist, pulling me in. “We take care of each other. You need to get out of your head, and maybe be reminded that we’re all here to look out for one another, hm?”

I let that sink in. I was still getting used to that kind of care, because I hadn’t had much of it for most of my life. Only my brother had stood by my side, and it had been the two of us against the world. But now I also had pack. And I needed to remember that.

“Yeah. Maybe.” I leaned against Owen, letting him take my weight.

Annalise squeezed my shoulder. “Come eat. There’s so much food.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

She turned, but when Owen made to follow her, I stopped him with a hand on his wrist. He turned back, brow lifted.

“I love you. Thanks for this.” I moved my hand to clasp his fingers. “I really did need the reminder.”

Owen kissed me. “I love you. I will always do what you need.”

I poked his shoulder with a grin. “And maybe you needed pack time too?”

“Well, yeah. Maybe. But I get it a lot more than you. We need to do better about that.”

I nodded and led Owen toward the pack. They called greetings, and we waved back, joining the throng. It was still a little overwhelming, but comforting in a way that I never expected. Aeron wandered over and stood close, bumping me with his shoulder. Remy bounced over to make kissy noises and press his beak to my cheek.

Owen wrapped his arms around me when I pushed in close, and I let out a contented sigh. I took it all in, unable to stop the smile, and realized I was exactly where I was meant to be. The path to get here hadn’t been easy but it all culminated in a happily ever after that, until a few months ago, I’d never let myself hope for. But now, with Owen by my side and his pack surrounding us, I could have it. And I couldn’t be happier.

Gareth Evans is on his last chance. If he doesn’t manage to call a familiar this time, then the High Council will strip his magic and he will no longer be a mage. Gareth thinks he’s prepared for the worst, but never expects the wolf shifter. Who just so also happens to be his mate. Owen might be a surprise, but he’s exactly what Gareth needs.

Solidifying their bonds would be a whole lot easier if the High Council wasn’t breathing down their necks. With their bond on the line, Gareth and Owen take a stand. If they want their bond to continue, they have to fight for it. And that’s only the first hurdle the pair must face.

All Gareth wanted was a familiar, but he got so much more in Owen. Their bond is strong, Gareth’s magic is growing, and Owen’s support and care mean everything to Gareth. Just as things seem to be settling, a new threat emerges from an unexpected place. With Owen by his side, Gareth can do what is necessary. Love and a mate were the last things Gareth anticipated, but what started out as not so familiar has become the mage’s everything.

Get it here!