Total pages in book: 173
Estimated words: 168701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 844(@200wpm)___ 675(@250wpm)___ 562(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 168701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 844(@200wpm)___ 675(@250wpm)___ 562(@300wpm)
“Thank you for digging into that straight away, baby.”
“I could tell it was important to you. Even if you said ‘fuck this’ and that might’ve meant you were done with me.”
“It is important to me. Because I don’t want anyone or anything stopping us from living our life together. We’ve had enough get in the way. And that made me selfish for a minute and I’m sorry about that. But what I was done with was fighting. I needed to run off some steam. I’m never gonna be done with you. Never.”
“I’m relieved,” she whispers.
I kiss her. She pulls back.
“I’m relieved because not only is it going to be okay, also… you acted like a dick which means you’re not perfect. And that’s kinda good because it might be really hard to spend the rest of my life with someone who is perfect and never ever screws up. Because I’m a big screwup. Big one.”
I laugh. “If you haven’t figured out after the last few days with me here that I’m far from perfect, you’ve got rose-colored glasses on, little witch.”
She smiles and kisses my jaw. “I’m glad you’re not mad at me.”
“We’ve got a lot of things to wade through, darlin’. Can’t promise I won’t lose my cool once in a while, got a whole lotta testosterone in me. But if I do lose it, please gimme time to sort my head out and chances are I’ll come back soon after with a calmer head about things.”
“Okay, Riley,” she says.
“You wanna whip us up some banana splits?” I ask.
“I want you.”
“Yeah?” I ask.
“Yeah. And then I want you to make the banana splits. I mean, it’s the least you can do after you threw that tantrum and left me here.”
I throw my head back and laugh.
And then I sober. “I asked the guys to watch over you. Cade ‘n Gus. I didn’t just leave you here. I’ll always have a mind to your safety, your wellbeing. Especially after fucking up but not just that, because it’s my job. My job and my honor to look after you. Okay?”
She nods slowly, face brimming with sweetness. “Just tell me next time that you’re going. Maybe kiss me goodbye before you go and tell me you’ll be back soon?”
“I can do that.”
“Thanks, fuzzy wuzzy.”
I snicker. “Fuzzy wuzzy?”
She shrugs. “Doesn’t feel right calling you Scooby Dooby. That’s your wolf.”
“I am my wolf.”
“Even still… I’ll keep tryin’ pet names on for size until I find one that feels right.”
“We’re goin’ home in the morning, little witch.”
“Home?”
“Our place. We were here to sort ourselves. Feels sorted, doesn’t it? Day seven tomorrow.”
She smiles.
“Besides, our place has a lot more comforts. You are down to move in with me, right, mate? Be part of my pack? Make the village of Arcana Falls your home? Fair warning, if you say no, I’m gonna have to go the route Ty and Mase went and kidnap you.”
“Of course I am,” she whispers, looking emotional. “Since the minute I saw you, it’s what I’ve wanted most.”
I kiss her.
She breaks away. “But can you pretend to kidnap me? That sounds kinda hot.”
I stare for a second.
“Because it’s you, I mean,” she says quickly. “Only because it’s you.”
I laugh, lean in and press my mouth to hers. “I bought my house from my folks a couple years ago. You can redecorate if you want. Haven’t done much since I bought it. It’s big. Got four bedrooms. Lots of space. The shop for Savage Construction is out front in the garage and we’ve got a building out back with all our tools and equipment. It’s not far from Roxy’s. Stumbling distance, in fact.”
“That sounds perfect,” she says. “And I do come with some stuff...”
My phone sounds off. “Got lots of room. I’m gonna go see what that’s about,” I say.
“Okay, I’ll call my sisters and ask them to bring my stuff when they come, okay?”
“Good.” I drop a kiss on her mouth and then go find my phone on the kitchen counter.
Mitch Blakely: We are coming to meet with you and your mate. We’ll be there in your village Thursday. Early afternoon. Can you accommodate us overnight? 3 of us.”
I reply.
Come to the town hall. I’ll work out accommodations.
I message the council group chat.
Heads up. We need to accommodate 3 SCC guests Thursday. Want you all there for this meeting with me at noon.
Joel responds.
Jase called and told us about the SCC. We’ll all see you for a run in the morning. Congrats on your mating.
Me: Thanks brother.
Linc inserts a thumbs up in the conversation.
I smile, thinking about the fact the other three haven’t answered because they’re likely busy with their mates. Two of the three of them have already started building their family. And I don’t know if it’s fated for me and my mate to have a child soon, but love that her sister saw kids for us. I don’t know if our kids will or won’t be in the next council. If they will or won’t be able to shift. But what I do know is I feel lucky.