He ate while she talked, nodding his head at some parts and humming in agreement with others. But when she got to the bit in the car park where Alpha Gallen attacked her, he carefully set his plate on the table, and Rachel glanced down to see his claws slide out. They dug into the table surface.
“Dad?”
“Give me a minute.” His voice, rough and strained and edged with alpha power, made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.
Rachel watched in silence as he closed his eyes and breathed slowly in and out a few times. “He didn’t hurt me,” she said quietly. “It was Sara—”
“But he meant to.” His eyes flashed open. “He went for your throat, Rachel. He tried to kill you, and for that I want to tear that bastard limb from limb and spread the remains all over his fucking territory. Tipping his head back, he roared in anger. The sound filled the room, but Rachel didn’t so much as flinch. She’d known he wouldn’t take that bit of news well.
“I’m okay,” she said, reaching for his hand.
“I know, and I’m forever grateful that Sara protected you when I couldn’t. I wish—” He sighed and shook his head. “I wish I’d defied his wishes, let you and Sara complete your bond, here, where you belong, then none of this would’ve happened.”
“No.” She took his other hand in hers too. “You had the whole pack to think about, not just me. People would have died if Alpha Gallen had attacked us. I would never want that. And you are the kind of alpha that respects another alpha’s wishes. I wouldn’t want you to change that for me. No matter what.” She managed a smile. “It all turned out okay in the end. Alpha Gallen is on probation and must report regularly to the alpha council. Things will either change for the better in their pack, or he’ll be forced to step down.” He might be Sara’s father, but Rachel hoped Gallen failed miserably and was replaced as alpha. She kept those thoughts to herself. “And I get to complete my bond with Sara.”
Her father returned her smile, his own crinkling the corners of his eyes. “Yes, you do. And I couldn’t be happier for the two of you.” Glancing out the window, his smile suddenly got a whole lot bigger. “Talking of which…”
“What?” Rachel listened hard, straining to hear whatever her father could. Sure enough, she caught the faint sound of a car coming up the road to the farmhouse. She shot to her feet, about to head to the door, then stopped, looking over her shoulder at where her father remained seated.
Etiquette dictated he should be the one to greet a member of another pack. She bit her lip, desperate to rush out there and pull Sara into her arms.
Her father laughed and waved her away. “Go on. I’m sure we can dispense with formalities this once.”
She grinned at him, then raced out of the door as Sara’s car pulled to a stop next to Rachel’s SUV.
The door swung open immediately, and seconds later Rachel had her arms full with eleven stones of excited shifter. Their lips met, Sara crushing her mouth to Rachel’s, and it was like their first kiss all over again. Hot and desperate, but at the same time, Rachel felt everything click into place.
Sara eventually drew back and buried her nose in the crook of Rachel’s neck with a sigh. “Fuck, I’ve missed you. I know it’s been less than twenty-four hours, but I feel like I can finally breathe now I’m here.” Her grip bordered on painful, and Rachel held her just as tightly.
“I know,” she whispered. “But you’re here now, and we never have to be apart again.”
Pulling back a little so she could see Rachel’s face, Sara grinned at her, eyes alight with excitement. “I can’t believe it’s finally happening.”
“Me neither.” Rachel rested their foreheads together. “But it is.”
They’d decided to wait until it was dark out. Not so much for privacy’s sake—nakedness was a part of shifter life—but completing their bond under the light of the moon seemed right. For them.
Rachel looked up at the sky, the sun already sitting low. “It’ll be dark in about an hour.” The evening was mild, the wind settled down to a soft breeze that ruffled their hair but nothing more.
“I’m not sure I can wait that long.” Sara trailed her hands down Rachel’s back, making her shiver. “Can you?” She gave Rachel’s bum a squeeze, hands lingering in place.
Swallowing back a groan, Rachel managed to find her voice. “No.” She didn’t want to wait another second. Cupping Sara’s face with both hands, she placed a soft kiss on her lips and whispered, “Let me go tell my father. I think he was hoping to meet you first.”
“Oh, well, we can—”
The door to the farmhouse opened, and her father stood there, looking happy and proud, a knowing smile on his face. “Go,” he said. And gestured to the fields surrounding them on three sides. “There’ll be time for talking later. You’ve waited so long for this; I won’t make you wait any longer. I’ve already sent word throughout the pack. You won’t be disturbed.”
“Thank you, Alpha Tregarrak.” Sara moved to the side a little to face him properly. “I’m sorry about my father’s behaviour.”
He shook his head. “Your alpha’s actions are his to be sorry for, not you.” He looked to the setting sun. “Go complete your bond before my daughter vibrates out of her skin with anticipation.”
Rachel laughed and grabbed Sara’s hand, tugging her back towards the side of the building. “Come on.” She waved to her dad and set off at a run when Sara started to follow.
“Where are we going?” Sara’s hand tightened around hers as they rounded the back of the farmhouse. “And where is everyone?”
The place was deserted.
“I think my father told everyone to make themselves scarce.” They ran past the barns and out into the fields at the back, where Rachel brought them to an abrupt stop. She turned to face Sara. “Let’s shift.” She gestured behind her. “I want to run with you.”
