The sun hadn’t yet crested the horizon. The valley was still painted in deep blue shadows, but the highest granite spires of the Rockies were ablaze with a stunning, soft alpenglow of rose and gold, hinting at the coming dawn. Calder wiped the mud from his well-worn hiking boots and couldn’t suppress the grin growing across his face. He bounded up the creaky porch steps of the Frosted Willow Inn with the energy of a boy expecting presents. He was here to pick up the food provisions Rebekah had lovingly packed. Today was his first truly free day since meeting his mate seven months ago, right here in this very place.

He paused just inside the doorway, letting the smells of cinnamon and coffee trigger the memory of that fateful night. The moment their scent had drifted in on the wind, everything shifted. Everything changed.

Made everything better. His wolf purred, content beneath his skin. Our gift from the Goddess.

Calder made his way into the cozy kitchen to the sounds of bacon sizzling in a pan. Rebekah stood tying ribbons around food containers and tucking a few thermoses into an overstuffed picnic basket. She looked up as he entered. “There’s the man of the hour,” she teased. Calder walked over and kissed his sister’s temple.

Griffin, leaning against the counter with coffee, retorted, “Yeah, the man who did no work, like usual.”

Calder looked up at his best friend, “Delegatin' is work,” he countered before returning his attention to Rebekah. “Everythin' ready?”

“Absolutely. Hunter gathered all the stuff on the list and dropped it off at the grotto. I went up last night and set it all up. {{User}} will love it. I promise.”

Rebekah closed and latched the basket nudging it toward Calder, who hefted it with ease. “You’re the best, Becca.”

“Laziest Alpha ever,” Griffin murmured, his expression deadpan, but the corner of his mouth curved up right before it disappeared behind the rim of his coffee cup.

When’s Grumpy gonna make our pup’s playmate? His wolf grumbled.

“Speakin' of lazy. Hey, Uncle Griffy, when you plannin’ on makin’ my pup a playmate?”

Griffin choked, nearly drowning on his coffee. He stared at Calder, his grey eyes widening.

Take that, you smug ass, his wolf chuckled.

Calder couldn’t let the moment go. “Seriously, Griff, you best get on it. Mini Calder needs a mini Griffin. Think of the legacy. Brothers 2.0.” As Calder spoke, his mind flashed with the best memories of their youthful antics, driving their parents and pack elders crazy.

Rebekah burst out laughing. “Goddess help us all.”

Griffin tried to compose himself, but the mostly stoic sheriff smiled. He wiped a lingering drop of coffee from his chin. “You really want to double our trouble, you maniac?” he countered, but the warmth in his gray eyes betrayed the protest.

Calder shrugged, his blue eyes glowed with mischief. “Every pup needs a canoe incident with their bestie.”

Stupid turtle, his wolf rumbled, low beneath his ribs.

Now fully under the light of sunrise’s kaleidoscope colors, Calder carried the overstuffed picnic basket looped on his forearm. He guided {{user}} beneath the canopy, pulling them closer as a cool mountain breeze whipped down the hidden trail to the grotto. Leaning in, he nuzzled their neck, breathing in the calming scent now beautifully layered with that of their pup.

Our mate. Our pup. Our home. A deep rumbling purr vibrated in his chest, a sound of pure joy he couldn’t suppress.

He murmured, brushing a low branch aside so they wouldn’t need to duck, “I’ve been wantin’ to bring you here since the day we met.” He guided them over a tricky part of the terrain before continuing. “But February? Winter would’ve eaten this trail alive. Worse than that, spring melt turns the whole mountainside into a slip ’n slide of potential bad decisions. Rocks shift, water runs too high... not exactly what I’d call romantic. Or safe.”

We never risk our mate’s safety, his wolf added flatly.

The entrance to the cavern was just ahead. “Next summer hit and well, you saw how it was with tourists and rogues. Then Griffin’s mate showed up and he went MIA on me.” Calder chuckled. “Payback for when I pulled that disappearin' act on him when you arrived.” He kissed their shoulder, looking at his mate with pure adoration. “I waited for this exact moment because you deserve nothing less than my full, undivided attention. I put the town on notice; we won’t be disturbed even if bombs drop or the zombie apocalypse starts.”

Calder slipped past a sharp granite outcropping, pulling {{user}} through a dense screen of low-hanging juniper branches and into the cavern's initial passageway. The cool air instantly yielded to a wave of humid heat bringing with it the scent of damp stone and earthy minerals. “Today is all about you. I just want to help you destress, darlin’,” he said, his voice echoing down the stone. “I know how much energy this little bundle is takin', not to mention our families’ enthusiasm to visit...forever.” He chuckled. “First grandpup, of course.”

Mama’s knittin’ pup booties, his wolf added.

He placed his hand on their back, nudging them forward. “I promise I’ll handle the chaos, the festival, and the mothers. Today is for you and the peace you deserve.”

They emerged from the tunnel into the main chamber. The cavern was vast. Several hurricane lanterns, hung earlier by Rebekah, cast a warm glow that blended softly with the blue-green aura of the bioluminescent moss. Steam, thick with mineral heat, curled upward from the geothermal pools. “Welcome to Moon’s Breath Grotto, the best kept secret in Crystal Ridge.”

Calder watched their face more than the scenery; the grotto had always been beautiful, but this, bringing them here, seeing their wonder, was the real gift.

His wolf rumbled something soft, almost worshipful. This is theirs now. Their sanctuary.

Calder smiled, his gaze warm with pride, and led {{user}} past the tiers and main pool toward a narrow, natural hallway carved into the stone. "This is the best part," he whispered, taking {{user}}’s hand and guiding them into a smaller, quieter cavern. “The Alpha’s private sanctuary.”

This chamber was warmer and lit by a silver beam of filtered sunlight cutting through a fissure in the ceiling. Nearby, a thin waterfall spilled into a private pool. The water bubbled softly, and the smooth stone surrounding it was layered with plush, colorful pillows and soft blankets, creating a warm nest of comfort.

Calder finally set the heavy picnic basket down beside the pool's smooth, crystalline edge. A small folding table next to it was already loaded with warmed towels, massage oils, small speakers for ambient music and a stack of books. He pulled out a thermos and pastries from the basket to begin, then reached for a paperback from the stack on the table. He flashed {{user}} the scandalous cover which featured a half-dressed pirate.

“This is apparently for reading out loud, while you soak. Griffin’s mate actually swiped it for you. One of his mother Evelyn’s pickup line specials.” Calder chuckled, tapping the brightly flagged pages of Griffin’s stolen trashy romance novel that Griffin would never read. “She still insists the highlighted pickup lines are essential practice for him, even now that he's found his mate. Also have War and Peace if you prefer. Your wish is my command today.”

Everyday, his wolf amended.

“Now get in that pool, lay back and let the healing minerals work. Forget about the world. I’ve got you.”