“Stop that!” Kira cried. “They’re here to drop off food.”
Joshua cut off his growls instantly. He adjusted his position so he could look up at Kira while keeping Jenny in his periphery.
Kira sighed as she embraced his head, pressing his forehead into her breasts. “Jenny came to apologize for how she used to treat me, Joshua, and to drop off some food since she knew we’d be busy for the next few days.”
Joshua’s tail swung back and forth as he absorbed the information. With a huff, he gently pulled away from Kira and turned back to Jenny, giving her a short nod.
“And we will be taking the food with thanks,” Kira continued, turning her attention to her former bully as well. “It will be greatly appreciated. And I also appreciate your apology, Jenny. But let’s be honest, if your husband wasn’t part of the special ops team today, and if my potions hadn’t saved his life, you wouldn’t have changed your opinion of me.”
Jenny flinched, her gaze going to the ground. “I…”
She trailed off, looking ashamed.
Kira’s fingers tightened in Joshua’s ruff as she continued. “Like I said, I appreciate your apology. I’m glad that we might have a turning point. That being said, I’m not ready to forgive you yet. But I will, provided your actions really prove that you change your ways.”
Joshua trotted to the house, where he shifted back to human form. He rearranged the fridge and freezer so they’d have room for these new meals. So it seemed that Kira had finally earned their respect now that she had proven her usefulness to the pack. He was still of the opinion that she shouldn’t have had to prove anything to anyone.
At least it meant she wouldn’t be looked down on anymore. He would be grateful for that, even if he thought their attitudes should have changed a long time ago.
Jenny and the other women brought in their dishes and left quickly. Kira and Joshua quietly put things away, except for a crockpot that they plugged in and set to ‘warm’ so that they could have warm food when it came time for supper.
“I’m sorry for reacting the way I did,” Joshua said once the food was taken care of. He ran his fingers through his hair. “What happened to your phone?”
“I didn’t charge it last night. Stupid battery died.” Kira rested a hand against his bare arm. “And I completely understand why you reacted the way you did.”
Joshua studied her expression. “You’re not angry with me?”
She laughed lightly and shook her head. “No. After today… I don’t blame you for your reaction. I thought the same thing when I saw them coming. That’s why I called you.”
It struck him just how little he deserved her. He had always known that, but the impossibility that a woman as kind and compassionate as her could possible love someone like him… He smoothed her hair from her face.
“And you’re okay?” he asked, wanting to make sure.
Kira nodded. “I’ve been reading as the potions brew. I’ve found a huge passage about the witch hunters and their curse. I haven’t gotten through it yet, but it looks to me like the curse is activated at first breath, and then grows stronger over the years before it starts causing actual harm. And since we broke the curse on you, we have time.” Her hand moved to her stomach. “We have time, Joshua. We’ll break the curse on our baby, too.”
Warmth flooded through him. He thought of a baby, their baby, in his arms. He thought of being a father, of raising his child alongside Kira. Tentative hope blossomed in his chest. With Kira, he believed it was possible. They could defeat this curse for good, free their children from the same fate he’d had.
“Thank you,” he whispered. He pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her hair. He breathed in her scent as he kissed her neck and cheek, loving the feel of her body against his.
“Whoa, there,” Kira murmured, though she ground herself against his hardening cock. “You’re too naked for this.”
Joshua groaned but pulled back, bringing himself back under control. He couldn’t stop himself from one last, brief kiss on her lips. “I should get back to my office. There’s still a lot of work to be done.”
Kira’s hands tightened on his arms. “Wait. There’s something else I need to tell you.” She slid her hands up over his shoulders, wrapping around the back of his neck. Her fingers played with the little hairs at the back of his neck, and it sent shudders of pleasure through him. Kira smiled, as though this was exactly what she’d wanted, despite her earlier warnings for control. “I wanted you to know, I always knew that your apologies were sincere. But I wasn’t sure they were enough.”
“I understand.”
“I know you do. You’ve proven it with your actions now. If you hadn’t trusted me on the demon hunt…” Her expression darkened, and she moved closer to him again. “I hate to think of it.”
Joshua indulged himself with one more kiss. “I know. And I understand why you reacted the way you did to all of my actions. I wish I could go back and tell myself not to act that way.”
“The point is, I forgive you,” Kira said, her voice low. Her eyes were soft, a smile crossing her face. “And I trust you.”
Gratitude swelled up in his throat. Who knew that phrase would be the most beautiful thing he’d ever heard?
“I love you,” she whispered. “So much.”
Ah, fuck it.Thatwas the most beautiful thing he’d ever heard. “I love you, too,” he rasped, pulling her tight into him. To hell with work. He could spare another fifteen minutes. “You’re my mate, Kira Woods. I’ve known it from the moment I laid eyes on you. Thank you, my love. Thank you for giving me another chance.”
