“Fuck, Zoey,” Warner moans, sitting down on the bench with me in his lap.He buries his head in my neck, partially muffling his next words.“You can’t be saying things like that when I have to go back to work.I’m going to be sporting a partial for the rest of the day.”
Laughter bursts from my chest, and I pat his head as if he needs consoling.“Poor werewolf.I’m sorry.I promise to pretend like I don’t want to soap you up.”
He makes some adorable grumbling noises before giving me a gentle bite and pulling back.
“Besides, I’ll make for a poor shower companion with my arm wrapped in plastic.”I hold up my cast but regret the joke the moment I take in Warner’s face.
Like my brothers, he seems to think my fall is somehow his fault.Which is ridiculous.I’m the one who kept climbing up in the decades-old tree house.
But I remind myself that if any of them were injured in a freak accident, I’d also be upset, knowing they were in pain.So, I forgive their hovering.
For now.
“Burrito time.And don’t worry.Even though it broke my vegetarian heart, I got you one with beef.”
He smiles with a playful curve to his lips, joy pouring from his eyes.
I guess Warner loves burritos.
Sliding off his lap, I place the bag on the table and start pulling out all the sides.
“You know …” Warner trails off, hesitating.
“How will I be sure if I know unless you finish your sentence?”My shoulder bumps his, and he chuckles, nuzzling his nose into my hair in the animalistic way he has.
“What I was saying is, well … this isn’t the first time you’ve given me food.”
“So?”I unwrap my burrito and take a bite, chewing for a moment as I consider his comment.Then, I balk in horror, swallowing dramatically.“You’re not trying to give me those meat jars back, are you?Because that’s a done deal.”
Warner grins, and the sight eases a tight ball in my chest that formed when he hesitated.
“No.Those meat jars are mine.Don’t worry.”He bites into his burrito, chewing slowly and amping up my curiosity.Finally, he swallows.Not looking at me, he finishes his thought.“Exchanging food is part of the mating ceremony werewolves perform.So, gifting it indicates … that you want to mate.”
“You mean have sex?”I’m confused.“Like, we wouldn’t have done it if I hadn’t given you the meat jars?”
“No!”Warner chokes on a laugh, but he calms down quickly, gazing down at me.
There’s a hopeful glint in his eyes, and for some reason, the sight has me tensing up.
“A mate is a partner.Mating is like our version of marriage.But it’s stronger.There’s an element of magic to it.We’re bound to our mate.”
We stare at each other—him searching, me baffled.
Mating?Marriage?
“So”—I set down my food and clutch my head in my hands, trying to get my thoughts to stop their swirling—“the meat jars were like an engagement ring?Did I propose to you?”
“No, Zoey.No.It’s not like that.Especially because you didn’t know.”
“Then, what are you saying?”
“I’m not—” he cuts himself off, then firms his mouth.“I am.I am saying something.”Warner’s focus on me intensifies.“I want you to be my mate.I want to beyourmate.”
Oh God.This is it.
Commitment.The future.Life choices.
“Pine Falls is supposed to be temporary.”
