“I meant what I said. I want to hire you,” Grove said. “We’ll get your stuff and you’ll live with me. I need someone to handle a few tasks for me.”

“What kind of tasks?” CJ asked between bites.

“Don’t want the job?”

“I do, but I’d like to know what I’m doing before I accept.” CJ stuffed a piece of bacon into his mouth.

“Cleaning up, some laundry, stuff like that,” he said. “Are you interested? I’ll give you a place to live and clothes, plus food and internet. You’ll be able to do your artwork, too.”

CJ ate a bit more and seemed to mull over the opportunity. “You’re not afraid of me? I shift.”

“So do I.” He thought they’d established that they were both wolves.

“Oh yeah.” CJ put his fork down. “I’m so used to dealing with people who are just humans, not shifters. Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” He cut up his salad. “How long has it been since your last shift?”

“Six months.” CJ finished the bacon. “Do you shift a lot?”

“I’ve tried to tamp down my wolf.” That sounded so silly. Why restrain the wolf? He had a power few others had and he didn’t seem to want it.

“I did, too. If no one knew, then no one would try to kill me.”

“Well, if you come with me, I’ll protect you. Promise. You’ll have space to relax, exist and run if you want to shift in return for hard work.”

CJ cut his burger in half. “You’re serious?”

“Deadly. I can’t let you get hurt in the elements and since you don’t have a pack, you’ll need protection. You should be part of a pack and we have space. Why not join us? I can help you and I want to.”

CJ rested his hands on his lap “I do want to belong.” He hesitated. “Can I leave at any time?”

“If you want to.” He didn’t see why that should happen, but he’d give CJ his freedom if he so chose.

“Can I bring my pet?”

“Pet?” A wolf shifter with a pet? “What kind?”

“My cat.” CJ didn’t move. “I can’t leave her behind.”

“Sure.” He’d never had a pet and wasn’t sure how hard it’d be, but he’d give it a try. “I’ll ensure you’ve got supplies for her, too.”

CJ nodded. “Then I’ll work for you. I’ll put in honest work for honest pay.”

It wasn’t the most eloquent way to put it, but he didn’t care. “Then we’ve got a deal.”

CJ frowned. “It’s starting to rain harder.”

“Sure is.” He nodded to the food. “Why don’t we get it to go and we’ll eat at my place? We’ll retrieve your things and your cat, then head to where it’s safe.”

CJ’s smile returned. “Deal.”