The connection was powerful and unexpected. No one had warned her about this. Her mother had told her many things about what it meant to be mated, but never once had she mentioned this intense attraction she already felt for a man she had not yet seen.
It was difficult to maintain her balance throughout the short ceremony. She kept her hands clasped at the small of her back and wobbled on her knees, beyond grateful when her mate set his hand on top of her head.
It was part of the ceremony, but it grounded her, helping calm her heart as well as keeping her from toppling to the side.
Amber couldn’t focus on the words. She didn’t care what her mate’s father was saying. She simply wanted this to be over with. She somehow managed to say her dutiful parts at the right times and breathed a sigh of relief when everyone but her mate departed.
In the silence, it seemed like her heart was beating so fast that he could surely hear it.
“They’re gone, Little mate,” he said, his voice deep and tender. He slid his hand around from the top of her head to cup her cheek, squatting down in front of her.
When she lifted her head, she drew in a deep breath. He certainly matched the man Sienna had described. Thick brown hair, brown eyes, about twice her age.
His age was intimidating. Sienna had told her that the Alpha Protectors appeared to be all different ages. She thought the man who was destined to be her own mate was in his late twenties. She believed Rylee’s mate was younger than his brother but still in his thirties.
So much information, and Amber shouldn’t have any of it. That’s not how this worked. Girls from the valley weren’t meant to know a single thing about their mates until this moment. And yet, Amber felt like she had a small window to the future.
She had a million questions, but she was afraid to ask them. She feared angering this man. He surely had no idea she’d learned so many things about him and several other Alpha Protectors.
She knew his name now. Isaac. She hadn’t learned anything like that from Sienna because Sienna only had visions without sound.
Isaac smiled at her warmly and took her hands. “You can’t be comfortable on your knees.” He rose, helping her stand at the same time.
As soon as they were on their feet, she realized how tall he was. At least a foot taller than her. She’d expected him to be larger than the average wolf shifter in the valley, but his size still stunned her.
He cupped her face with both hands, threading his fingers in her hair while he stroked her cheeks with his thumbs. “You’re stunning, Little one.” He dragged one hand through her long hair and lifted a lock of it. “I love these blond curls.”
Amber said the first thing that came to mind. “It’s an unruly pain.”
Isaac chuckled, the sound making her lean into him as his voice vibrated through her body. “Rylee told me you weren’t a huge fan of the curls.”
Amber gasped. So he did know Rylee. That was a relief in and of itself. “You know my friend?”
“Yes. She’s eager to see you. It’s customary for new mates to spend several weeks alone getting to know each other, but when we venture out, I promise you will reunite with your friend.”
She tipped her cheek more fully into the palm he still held against her. “Thank you.”
“I thought you’d be happy to hear that.” He slid both hands around behind her and pulled her closer to him. For long seconds, he held her gaze, staring into her eyes. His own eyes danced with what could only be described as happiness.
Her soul calmed more each second. The bond between them seemed to intensify. It was so odd. Why would she feel sucha connection with this stranger just because they were now mated?
“It’s powerful, isn’t it, Little one?”
She nodded.
He slid one hand back to her face. “I want to kiss you. May I?”
She wanted that, too, and she leaned into him. “Yes.”
He bent at the knees to bring his mouth to hers and gently set his lips against hers. A soft moan escaped him. “You smell so good,” he muttered against her lips.
“You do, too,” she whispered, enjoying the little nibbles he rained down on her mouth. He was intoxicating, and her body was responding to him in ways she had not expected. Her breasts felt heavy. Her sex clenched down over and over. If she wasn’t mistaken, wetness was leaking out of her.
Isaac eventually leaned his head back and inhaled deeply. “Heavens… Your scent. I heard it would be powerful, but it’s so much more than I expected.”
She agreed. She hadn’t known what to expect at all. No one had told her. But she certainly agreed it was powerful.
“Shall we get out of here?” he asked.
