Tulip turned and ran to her father, throwing her arms around him. Thistle stood beside him and they both had a packed bag at their feet.
“You’re staying here too?” Tulip asked her.
“I’ll find a place to stay, but I hoped I could meet with your alpha here. Cedar will need to speak with him too. Now that he’s part of this realm, he’ll need protection from the pack, if enemies come after him.” Thistle looked at Vaughn. “Will you call the alpha?”
“I’ll see if Connor will come. Gabriel is busy.”
Thistle nodded and Tulip invited them both into the house. It only took fifteen minutes for the alpha to arrive, with the pack enforcer on his heels. Ramsey was an imposing figure standing well over six feet. She’d met him briefly, but Tulip had to admit the man gave her shivers. Vaughn had explained that if someone broke pack law, Ramsey dealt with them. That was one wolf she wanted to make happy.
“I understand we have some fae wanting to join our pack?” Connor asked as he stepped into the living room.
“I’m Tulip’s father, Cedar. I was cast out of the fae realm and would like to live in Ashton Grove to be near my daughter.”
Connor shook his hand. “As family, you are certainly welcome to join us. I understand you’re staying here with Tulip and Vaughn, but if you decide you want help finding other lodgings, a friend of the pack runs a real estate company. He could help you find something to purchase or rent. Do you have funds?”
Cedar smiled. “I have all of my earnings for the last four thousand years, but I’ll need to transfer gold into whatever currency is used here.”
Connor’s eyebrows rose. “Four thousand years? Never mind. I don’t think I want to know. You don’t look a day over forty.”
“We age well,” Thistle said. “I would also like to join your pack, in hopes I might find a mate among you.”
Connor circled Thistle. “How do I know you don’t mean harm to anyone in my pack? You’re light fae, correct?”
“Yes, alpha,” Thistle said.
“And the light fae just tried to kill one of my pack members. Tulip was a part of our family when they put out the order to bring her in dead or alive. How do I know you weren’t part of that?” Connor asked.
“I can only give you my word,” Thistle said. “I’ve never wanted to harm any living being. Even though I worked in the palace, when the royals were taken, I wouldn’t participate in the torture and incarceration of the dark fae. It goes against everything I believe in.”
“I’ll take your word on it for now, but if there is even a hint of trouble out of you, you’ll be asked to leave.” Connor looked at Ramsey. “And he’ll be the one to administer any punishments.”
Thistle swallowed audibly and nodded her head, obviously as intimidated as Tulip felt around Ramsey. He seemed like a perfectly nice wolf, but she had no doubt that punishment would be swift if someone broke the rules or endangered the pack.
“Welcome to the Ashton Grove pack,” Connor said. “Where will you stay for now?”
“I don’t know, alpha,” Thistle said.
“There’s an apartment available in the pack owned complex. It comes fully furnished. Until you’re able to transfer your funds into our currency, I’m sure we could stock the kitchen and bathroom.”
“How do we transfer our gold into cash?” Tulip asked. “Assuming the light fae didn’t drain my account.”
“If they did, it would have been put back when you were exonerated,” Thistle said.
“I don’t make a lot,” Vaughn said. “But I’m able to take care of you, and any children we have.”
Tulip placed a hand on his arm. “I want to help. I know I don’t have much to offer in this relationship, so please let me do this. It may not amount to much, but maybe it would help buy things for the baby.”
“If it means that much to you, then we can get your gold transferred to cash and put it in an account. But I only want you to use it for things you want, or things you want the kids to have. Like their college fund or something.” Vaughn kissed her. “I’ll contact the sorcerer tomorrow and see what needs to be done. Maybe he can handle it for all three of you.”
“Thank you.” She hugged him tightly and rested her head against his chest.
“Are those apartments available for men too?” Cedar asked. “I don’t mind staying with Tulip and Vaughn for a few days, but perhaps I could move into one for a month while I get things set up here.”
“I’ll see what can be arranged,” Connor said. “If you need anything, Vaughn knows how to reach me.”
The alpha and enforcer left.
“Does the big one ever talk?” Thistle asked.
