Heart of a Wolf

Fallen nipped Ash on the neck. Ash couldn’t accept this, of course, and nipped back. In the next moment, the two of them were rolling on the front lawn like a pair of pups. It was kind of cute if I’m being honest with myself, and it was all the

reassurance I’d need when it came to Fallen and her friendship to Ash.

After tumbling a few more times, the two of them separated long enough for the dust to clear. Laughing, Ash pressed her head against Fallen’s, licking the side of her maw before finally turning to leave.

“You sure you guys don’t need the room?” I teased them both, ducking before Fallen had the chance to bap me on the head. “Because I’m totally fine if—”

“Get out of here,” Ash groaned, rolling her eyes once she took on her human form. “I’ll see you both in the morning.”

With that, Ash gathered the rest of the pack and headed inside.

Fallen waited a moment more before finally rushing over to greet me, nuzzling my neck as she spoke. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“I know.”

“And I never meant to get you into trouble with Ash.”

“You didn’t. At first, I thought she wasn’t going to help, but then she shifted right in front of me, ready to go.”

“It’s nice seeing her in her pelt again, and not just because of a new wolf losing her way.” She nuzzled me again when I averted my gaze. “It’s okay, really. She’s safe. You’re safe.

Even Val’s safe. Tonight is a good night.”

“You don’t think they’ll circle back?” I asked, making my way toward the shed where we could be alone.

“Twice in one night?” She shook her head and walked beside me. “That’d be a new level of stupidity. We’ll keep an eye out, though. Ash might not look it, but she’s taking this threat as seriously as anything else.”

“Because of what happened with Dani?” I hedged, pausing outside the shed door so I could sit under the moonlight a while longer.

“And others.” Fallen licked me then, paying close attention to the side of my muzzle until I did the same in return. “Trust me, she’ll have guards positioned all over the boundary before we even fall asleep.”

“And you?” Would Fallen be among them?

“The only place I want to be right now is with my mate.

Besides, if anyone comes this way, we’ll be the first to know.”

“Guard duty and trying to protect me all at the same time?

I don’t know if I should be honored or hurt,” I teased.

“Pleased,” she said, adding a choice of her own. “Unless you don’t want me to join you.” She kept a straight face long enough to get my attention. Once she did, she passed me a knowing smile.

“Like you even have to ask.”

Fallen opened her maw in a wide grin, shifting so she could get the door. After looking at the moon one last time, I followed her into the shed I’d started to call home.

Chapter Eighteen

“Jo, wake up.”

Half-asleep, I was vaguely aware of someone compressing the other side of the bed. When I didn’t respond, she leaned in and nuzzled my neck.

Smiling, I opened my arms until Fallen fell into my embrace.

After our first two nights together in the shed, Fallen convinced me to move into the manor with her. Now, weeks later, it had become commonplace to wake up to her burrowing under the covers after a long night of running the perimeter around our territory. Today, however, I had her all to myself.

“I know you’re awake,” Fallen said, sounding slightly amused.