“You’re looking at me like I’m something to eat.”
“You are.”
She smirked but, at the same time, her pussy tingled in anticipation.
He ran a hand over her hair, touching her with care. David made her feel loved and wanted. “You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this … for you. At one point, we believed Caleb would never choose a mate. No matter what we did, he revolted. I felt trapped, impotent. Now I’ve found my own mate, and that constant sense of unease is gone.”
“I’m sorry I tried to push you away for so long. I’m glad you didn’t give up on me.”
“You were worth the wait, Heather. You’ll never regret choosing me as your mate.”
She turned and took his hand, tugging him along with her. If she looked into his eyes another minute, she’d succumb to his charms.
“I’m going to make a snack. We’ll need our energy.”
The kitchen was quiet and empty. It was usually the heart of the house. With the pack gone, and Bethany camping at the deep woods cabin to be close to Caleb, they were all alone. The local paper was spread out on the kitchen table. She’d avoided looking at it, not wanting to remember her ordeal with the hunters. She dared to take a look at it now.
Their faces were listed on the front page. The obituaries on page four. They were made out to be victims of a violent wolf attack, not the aggressors they were. Caleb warned of the retribution to come from the human world. They’d need closure to keep human society from panicking. Wolves had been on the shit list before. She hoped they’d survive another one. It was so unfair that so many natural wolves would likely have to die for this. When humans got scared, their first reaction was to eradicate the threat, even without knowing the consequences.
They’d been so careful with the cleanup, bringing all the bodies and equipment back to the original fighting pit. They didn’t want any evidence leading authorities back to their home or anyone in their pack.
She wished the problem would just disappear and they could live out their lives in peace.
But there would trouble to come.
For now, for today, Heather would only focus on her happiness. She had David and they were about to finalize their mating. She’d worry about tomorrow’s troubles when they came.
David’s arms wrapped around her from behind. He kissed the side of her neck.
“Don’t worry about that.”
“I’m not,” she said. “But it’s important to have a strong pack. It’ll keep us focused if problems show up on our doorstep.”
“We have a strong pack.”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure about my uncle, and the rift between you and Maddox isn’t healthy.”
David took a deep breath and exhaled as she twisted in his arms. “I’m trying my best, Heather.”
“Once I have your mark, other males will stay away, then you can relax.” He used to be so calm and patient, and she wanted him to feel at peace again. Soon his overprotective nature and her mating heat would be put to rest.
“It’s hard to explain how it feels. I blame my wolf.”
She kissed him once on the lips. “Trust me, I understand.” Heather remembered that woman at the gas station. She knew she would have killed her if given the chance. David was showing more restraint than her, especially for a male.
“I’ve been waiting for this day for so long,” he said.
“Forever is a long time, David.”
“It won’t be enough. I can’t wait to see you carrying our child, to build a life with you.”
She knew he’d be an amazing father even though he didn’t have one himself. Most of the pack was made of misfits, coming together to make their own fresh start. David was no exception. He didn’t like to talk about his past and she never pushed him.
“I’ll need help. I don’t have my mother or grandmother to lean on for advice. There haven’t been any babies in our pack since Mika.”
“We’ll do it together.”
He hoisted her onto the kitchen table and stood between her legs. She held her breath in anticipation. David cupped her face and kissed her forehead, then all over her face before meeting her lips.
“It’s not time,” she whispered, her eyes closed.
“I’m not trying to mate with you, Heather.” He waited for her to open her eyes again. “You’ve shown me what love is. I’d do anything for you. I’d kill for you. Die for you.”
“How about you just love me?” She smiled up at him.
“I can do that.” Then he kissed her and nothing else mattered.
****
The transition was happening. The pink streaks in the sky had long faded. Night creatures began to sing, the evening coming alive once again. He took a deep breath, absorbing it all.
David’s heart raced. This was actually happening. Although he already considered Heather his mate, tonight would make things official. That permanence and security were what they both needed.