Freedom. Wilderness. Home.
I wrapped the shawl tighter around my shoulders.
Luca.
His name whispered through my mind, a calm balm for my soul. The only thing that made me feel at ease in a world that felt anything but.
The Highland estate he’d purchased before we’d even mated was everything I’d envisioned for a home of my own. With the rolling green hills and the forested property framing our massive house, it was as perfect as it came.
My inner wolf stirred, knowing her mate was near. After that first time I shifted all those months ago—awakened to protect my mate—the cataclysmic situation finally awakening my inner animal, I felt her at a constant. But even if I could shift now, it wasn't at will and was triggered by intense emotions.
Fear.
Anger.
Pleasure.
And I was fine with that, because truth be told, I had intense emotion almost every day, Luca ensuring I was constantly happy, always filled with pleasure.
Being mated certainly took some getting used to, as was living with someone other than my immediate family. There was a push and pull between us—mainly me, as my mate was so giving and amendable where I was concerned.
But living with an over-the-top Lycan alpha had its challenges. And those were in the form of his overprotectiveness, his need to make sure I was always taken care of, and his gruff, stubborn nature. But I was not the same Ainslee I’d been when we first met. I was stronger, had come into my own over time. I was comfortable in my skin and felt powerful.
And once Luca realized that, knew I didn’t need to be wrapped in bubble wrap, he understood we were partners. I could take care of myself, even if I did enjoy my mate being as attentive as he was.
I looked around the property and let all thoughts wander as I just enjoyed the scenery. I could see the sheep in the far distance as they grazed. The sun crested over the trees and made everything seem to glow golden.
I heard the sound of the bubbling brook on the property, far enough away human hearing couldn’t pick up on it, but thanks to my wolf emerging, my senses had increased in sensitivity as well.
I closed my eyes and inhaled, scenting the sweetness of flowers starting to bloom in the gardens. I smiled, but my grin wasn’t because of my surroundings. I smiled because I sensed Luca.
My hand went to the end of the shawl that was draped loosely over my shoulders, my fingers running over the delicate hand embroidery.
It was a gift my mate had given me on our mating night, one he’d purchased centuries ago at a little Romanian stall. It was from another time, one I’d never experience, and it made it all that more special because Luca had gotten it just for me. And although Luca enjoyed taking care of me in all ways, and very clearly taking “provider” to the highest degree, the truth was I didn’t want all those materialistic things. I just wanted him in my life.
My mate truly derived pleasure from making me happy, and I couldn’t even deny I got very warm and soft because of the effect he had on me.
And as if he’d known I’d been thinking of him, I saw his massive wolf emerge from the covering of the forest. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes locked, his glowing ones trained on me.
Forever trained on me.
He rarely left me alone, rarely strayed far. And even when he needed to let his Lycan roam and run for a short while, he always stayed within the property and in earshot in case I needed him.
My possessive, territorial mate.
But I encouraged—enforced at times—Luca to go and shift. Keeping his inner wolf chained within him could start to deteriorate his mind again, that insanity once more taking over.
Over the last six months, he’d healed so much, and although he probably would never be a “normal Lycan” again, his body still so much bigger than the males of our kind, I loved every single part about him.
He was the perfect half to me.
I continued to run my fingers over the sapphire at my neck, yearning and longing to once again explore the grounds with him. Although I loved shifting myself, I missed climbing onto his powerful Lycan back in my human form, holding his fur tightly in my hands, and letting him take me as far as we could go in a day. But despite the need to feel that freedom riding me especially hard, I had other priorities to watch out for, to protect.
I placed a hand on my slightly rounded belly, looking down as my shirt hugged the curve and small bump of my stomach as my womb grew.
Our baby.
I smiled again as I felt pure happiness that a little piece of Luca and me grew in the safety of my body.