But he is. So I’d love to spoil Milton a little when I can.”

“Okay, well, thank you. I appreciate that very much.”

Julie winked, grabbed Milton’s leash and headed outside.

“She’s something else.”

“She’s a wonderful assistant. Pretty much did everything for me. I used to think she was the perfect wife.

Took care of my dry cleaning, ordered in the food and no strings other than a paycheck. Now, of course, I see all the other, very fine benefits,” he added quickly.

“Let’s get settled in. We’re to meet with the inner circle this evening. I’m betting there’s food in the kitchen.”

Gabe led them through the large, two-story apartment, and as the tour continued, Tracy continued to be impressed. The entire place looked out over the sparkling water and across the river lay Cambridge. The place was furnished with beautiful antiques.

“Gabe, this is all really lovely. I feel sort of guilty for bringing you to Portland now.”

He stopped and pulled her to him. “This is a nice place, yes. Beautiful view, expensive furniture. All very lovely. But what I have with you in Portland is a home. Stuff can never compare to what I feel here,” he put his hand over his heart. “What I have here is a nice place to sleep between working and traveling.”

“You travel a lot?” Nick rummaged through the giant Sub-Zero fridge and began to pull out food for a meal. He put a bottle of juice into Tracy’s hand and gave her a look that dared her to refuse to drink it.

She actually considered it just to see what sort of delicious response it might garner but the discussion was still very serious.

Gabe sighed and pulled out plates. “Yes. I travel out of state at least twice a month for a few days each time.”

Tracy barely held back a gasp. The thought of only being with him a week out of the month actually caused her physical pain. In between his travel and his responsibilities to the National Pack, realistically, he’d only be in Portland a week or so at a time, maybe once a month or six weeks with that schedule.

The reality of his dual roles hit her hard. It sucked.

Gabe looked at her with narrowed eyes.

Nick turned to her, put a slice of lasagna on her plate and popped it into the microwave. “You’re going to eat. You didn’t eat any breakfast and you haven’t been eating right the last week. When I was checking out your ass this morning I noticed your pants were really loose.”

“I’m fine. I just lose my appetite when I’m stressed.”

Gabe scowled at her and slathered a huge amount of butter on the bread in his hand. “Eat this.”

She took it from him, ate it and tried not to moan at the taste. “Ohmigod! What is this?”

“Julie and her husband live in Little Italy. She brings fresh bread three days a week.” The microwave dinged, he turned to pull out her plate, piled salad on it and shoved it in front of her with a look that dared her to argue.

Shrugging, she poured the dressing on and dug in.

“How do you feel about Gabe being gone so much, baby?” Nick asked as he got his own plate and sat down beside her. He knew the answer of course, he could feel it through their bond.

“It’s his job.”

“That’s not an answer to the question, Tracy,” Gabe said with narrowed eyes.

“What do you want from me? I can’t say anything supportive. I’m sorry. I don’t like the idea at all! In fact, I hate it. It makes my stomach hurt to think of only seeing you once a month or a few days here and there each month. I want you all the time, every day. I want you to come home every night to our house.

In our state. But it’s your job and you love it and I don’t want to make you feel bad.”

“I’m going to tender my resignation.”

Tracy goggled at him but before she could argue he shook his head and went on.

“I’ve been thinking about it since we sealed the bond. About how agonizing it would be to leave you so often. It’s hard enough with no one really. But impossible for me to leave you and Nick for so many days a month. I don’t want to. And I’m an Alpha of Pacific now, that’s important. And right now, in the shadow of all this crazy shit with Sarah and Ben, it’s more important than ever that we stick together and run Pacific right. I do love being the Mediator. It’s a great job. But I can be a mediator in the legal world too. There are law firms in Portland and I can take the occasional mediation job for National when and if they need me. But my place is with you and Nick. That’s where I want to be. Where I belong.”

“But who’ll be the Mediator now?” Tracy didn’t want to let herself fully accept it until she’d worked it all through with him.

“I’m not the only Mediator. As you know, werewolves are constantly fighting and having issues with each other. I can’t do it all. There are wolves on my staff who will do a fine job. And in fact, I think that my intention to resign and go to Pacific will help the Enforcer know that I’m not trying to challenge him but to get him to see just how dangerous Warren Pellini is.” He looked at her carefully. “Does that work for you? You’re the one who has to live with two Alpha wolves and two bodyguards.”

“I just don’t want you to give up something you love for me. I don’t want to be the reason you walk away from something you’ve worked nearly twenty years for.”

“You’re what I love. The rest can be worked out. And I love the house we’re renting but we need