She wrapped her arms around him and snuggled closer. “So, this feeling is mine for the rest of my life, barring that we make it through this Volcan witch mess alive,” sheclarified.
“Yes, Criña, this is yours. I am yours.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, and because his wolf was still much too close to the surface, his tongue darted out and tastedherskin.
“Did you just lick me?” She laughed, though it soundedtired.
“My wolf likes the way you taste,” he said without shame. “Now, hush, and let me hold you while you sleep. You need rest. I can feel the weariness in your body. Let me take careofyou.”
She yawned. “It’s a little disturbing to me that I find your bossinessincrediblysexy.”
Gustavo smiled. “Then I will use it to my full advantage, mybeautifulmate.”
“I’ve no doubt you will.” She sighed, and he felt her relax.“You’ll be here when Iwakeup?”
“Every morning for the rest of our lives,”heassuredher.
“I can livewiththat.”
Gustavo’s wolf practically purred as he felt his mate surrender to them. She wasn’t scared. She wasn’t running. She wanted them. He thanked the Great Luna for giving him such a precious, brave woman. He would protect her with his life. And he would wait to mark her until she said she was ready. He was pretty sure resisting that instinct would be more difficult than even being separated from herhadbeen.
“Stop worrying. I won’t make youwaitlong.”
“I will remember you said that,Criña.”
Chapter19
“If I’ve learned anything in all my centuries, it’s that I should never be surprised by being surprised. I know, it sounds ridiculous, but pump the brakes, I’m going to explain. As old as I am, you would think I’ve seen it all. But that is the beauty of creation and free will. Creation is ever changing, evolving as the Creator intended it to. And the ability to choose our own fate forever keeps things interesting. So as many times as I’ve faced evil, I will not underestimate the enemy who has risen up. I will not assume he will be like all the others, because he is evolving and he has free will as well. And yes, it sucks that one so evil still gets free will. Life isn’t fair. Blah, blah,blah.” ~Peri
Peri staredout the window as the sun began to rise. The rays slowly ran across the sky, higher and higher, waking up each thing they touched. The night had slipped away much too quickly, and the light of day brought with it the worries they’d tucked away while they took comfort in being with the ones theyloved.
“It went better than you expected,” Lucian said as he stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. He pulled her back against his chest and let his calm seepintoher.
Peri relaxed her head back against him. “Yes, occasionally, they surpriseevenme.”
“Do not growl at me!” Jewel’s voice carried from down the hall. “No, you cannotkillhim!”
Peri turned and smiled up at her mate. “And then they return to acting like the barbarians they are, and all is right with theworld.”
Lucianchuckled.
She stood up on her toes and pressed her lips to his. A simple kiss, and yet he always made her feel as though it was as essential to him as the air hebreathed.
“I love when you kiss me, Perizada. Whether you realize it or not, every kiss is a tiny claim upon my soul. My wolf loves when youclaimus.”
She knew the smile on her face was stupid big. “Then I shall try to claim you more often.” His answering growl made her laugh as she turned to find Jewel walking down the hall looking rather put out. Dalton was a couple steps behind her looking equallydisgruntled.
“Jewel.” Dalton growled as he tried to get around a chair she’d stepped behind. Every time he moved left, she went right, and vice versa. “You smelllikehim.”
Peri stepped closer to Jewel as Dalton’s eyes began to glow. “Who exactly do yousmelllike?”
“Probably me since she was hugging me when her mate walked into the hall,” Z answered as he enteredtheroom.
Dalton roared and swung around. Lucian was there in a heartbeat shoving the warlock out of the path of the enraged wolf. Peri flung out her hand, her magic freezing Dalton inplace.
She took a deep breath and let it out before finally speaking. “Jewel, I will admit you are at a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to your mate because you can’t feel what he does through the bond. But let me assure you, something like hugging a male friend, even one who has been through a ton of stuff with you, is a huge deal, even if it seems insignificant to you. In the world of the Canis lupus, other males do not touch their mates. Their inner wolf never handles that well, especially when they’ve been separated for long periods of time, as you andDaltonhave.”
“I didn’t think,” Jewel said. “I stepped out of the room, and Z was in the hall. He said good morning and gave me a quick, side hug. It barely classified as a hug, and it was completelyplatonic.”
“Perhaps,” Peri said coolly. “But now you have another male’s scent on you. You’ve forgotten how strong the noses are on these mongrels. The wolf will only tolerate its own scent on you. The presence of another man’s scent will quickly turn the most well-behaved Canis lupus into an unthinking beast. The fact that he doesn’t know Z only makes itworse.”
