“I had to get Ford because his ex-girlfriend is in town and told him she’s getting married.” At her confused look, he lifted his hand and smoothed his finger between her eyes. “He was with Mina for a while, but then they split up, and Ford just got… well, darker, I guess.” He exhaled. “So he got drunk tonight at Slater’s, and I had to smooth things over with the human he was trying to fight. He and Bram are staying overnight, so I can take them back to get Bram’s truck in the morning.”
“Oh God. Is everyone okay?” Bless her heart for thinking of everyone else.
“Yeah, baby, they’re good.” Shit, how did he now bring up Frank? He didn’t want to upset her further and knew bringing up that prick’s name would do that. Before he could bring it up, she told him what she already knew.
“You saw Frank at the bar, didn’t you? Fought him too?” At his nod, she looked away and swallowed again. “I smelled him all over you, his blood too. You’re okay, though?” He smiled when she started running her hands up and down his chest.
“Yeah, baby.”
“Did you kill him?” Her voice cracked slightly. There was pure worry in her eyes.
He shook his head slowly. “No, but he won’t be bothering you again.” She turned her head and looked at the ground.
“I’m not happy you got into a fight with him, but I don’t doubt he probably instigated the whole thing. Frank was always good at pissing people off.” She sighed heavily and turned to look at him. “I’m glad you’re okay and you didn’t kill him, even though Frank is worthless. But please promise me that we will put him behind us. I don’t want him coming between us.”
Turning her so they were facing each other, he stared into her eyes. “February Felina, I would never let anything hurt you. Ever.” He took her hand and placed it over his heart. “Do you feel that?” At her nod, he continued. “My heart beat before you came along, but it was for the sole purpose of living. Then you walked into my life, as unconventional as our meeting was, and it beat for a totally different reason. You are why it pumps blood through my body, and you are what makes it keep going.” Tears started to fall down her cheeks, and he leaned down and kissed away the salty remnants of her emotions. “I love you to the end of the earth and back.”
She smiled at his statement. “I love you too.” He took her mouth and tasted the flavor of her tears and everything that made up his mate. She was his, he was hers, and there was nothing that would ever change that.
His mark may have disappeared from her flesh, but his scent poured off her, and a low growl of possessiveness left him at that knowledge. From this point forward, it was only the future they had to focus on.
Epilogue
Two years later
“Momma!” The tiny wail that came from the living room had Ary dropping the plate she was washing and running out of the kitchen.
“What?” She looked around the living room and saw Cole standing by the patio doors. “What’s wrong?” She rushed over to him and scooped up her little boy. Scanning his body for injuries, she breathed out in relief when she saw none. “Why did you cry, Cole? Are you hurt?”
“No.” A little frown formed between his eyes. He started mumbling unintelligible things and pointing outside.
“He’s mad that I brought him inside because he wouldn’t listen and kept trying to eat worms.” Charlie came up behind her, pushed her hair off her shoulder, and kissed the exposed skin. A shiver worked through her, a reaction she had when he touched her even two years later.
Looking down at Cole’s tiny hands, she noticed for the first time they were filthy. “Cole Charlie Wylde, were you not listening again?”
A fat tear rolled down his chubby little cheek, and she brushed it away and kissed his forehead. Her little man looked just like Charlie, right down to his blue eyes and blond hair. Cole threw his arms up and went tense in the way toddlers did during a temper tantrum.
She set him down, and he ran to the corner of the room where his toy box was. Charlie turned her around and framed her swollen belly with his hands.
“You feeling okay, kitten?” He kissed her right cheek then her left.
“I guess. I just feel fatter than usual and ready to have this little girl.” He rubbed her belly, and she swore if he took a needle to her, she’d pop like a damn overfilled balloon. He smiled and continued to rub her stomach.
“You want me to massage your feet?”
She moaned. “Man, you know the way to a woman’s heart.” He chuckled deeply and led her to the couch. Once she was in position, he picked up her bare foot and started kneading the top and then the heel. The baby decided to start kicking like crazy.