I dropped onto the couch beside him and stole one of his fries. He’d ordered from the burger place down the street, and my stomach growled. Now I would have to go get one too. “Oh, c’mon, you’re just jealous.”
“You’re damn right I am,” he sniped, licking the grease off his fingers before pulling a second burger out of the grease-soaked paper bag. “Here, I got you one.”
“Youdolove me,” I gushed, batting my eyelashes at him. “Just for that, you can have one of the drinks I bought.”
He grabbed the shopping bag from me, and his eyes lit up when he saw the energy drinks. “Ooh! Kiwi strawberry is my fav.” But then he paused when he saw what was left in the bag. “No.” He pulled out the box and turned wide eyeson me. “You’re not pregnant, are you? Already? Why are you so lucky?” he wailed, flopping back on the cushions dramatically. “You’re not even a shifter. You didn’t even want a fated mate! When’s it gonna bemyturn?”
“No, I’m not pregnant,” I assured him, taking the test back. “I’m just… being prepared. Besides, I’m sure fate is working on your happy-ever-after too. I mean, have you tried to figure out what your tattoo means?” I took a massive bite of my burger and groaned as the favor exploded on my tongue.
Kedi paused with his burger halfway to his mouth. His jaw went kinda slack, before a crease formed between his eyebrows, and he turned slowly to look at me. “What about my tat?”
My chewing slowed. Oh shit, was it not common knowledge that North’s tattoos were gifts from Fate? “Um, so… I maybe shouldn’t have said anything, so if I tell you, you have to be sworn to secrecy.”
He plopped his burger back down. “Start talking.”
And so, I explained as much as I could, though it wasn’t like I understood a thing about how the magic worked, just that it held a connection to his fated. “Does a full moon mean something to you?” I asked. Our food was long gone by now, and we were lying back on either end ofthe couch, nudging our legs back and forth as we jockeyed for who had to lie on the edge.
He rolled his eyes. “I’m a wolf shifter. What do you think?”
“Well… maybe you’ll meet him on a full moon,” I suggested, before wincing. “Sorry. That doesn’t narrow it down much.”
Smiling at my best friend, I pinched his big toe where he’d propped his foot on my stomach. “I know it sucks not to know, but… it’ll be worth the wait. I promise.”
He sighed. “Yeah. I know.”
Chapter 19
North
Thecarbouncedaroundas the road grew more rutted the deeper we got into the woods. The headlights cut through the inky darkness, illuminating the trees closing in on all sides. We were miles from civilization and far from what any tourists would consider for hiking or camping. This was the first time I’d driven out here. It was my favorite spot to hunt, but I usually just ran here on four legs. This time, though, I had a passenger.
Joel grabbed the handle over the door for dear life. He was looking a little queasy, so as eager as I was to get to our destination, I eased off the gas and did my best to maneuver Mace’s Camaro around the worst of the potholes. The car was a classic, and its low chassis was built for city driving, not going off-road.
At long last, the road emerged into a grassy clearing, the clear night sky opening overhead, and I brought the car to a stop and put it in park, turning to assess my mate. “Are you sure you want to do this tonight? You look a little… flushed.”
“I’m fine,” he insisted. “And there is no way we just tackled that road from hell, only to turn around and drive back. I’m getting chased, dammit.” He was so cute when he made demands.
“As you wish,” I said, and as he got out of the car on his side, I unloaded my supplies from the back seat. A tote with some snacks, energy drinks, a thermos of hot chocolate, as well as towels, pillows, and cozy blankets. Everything we needed for a little post-hunt aftercare.
I set everything up in the clearing and then turned to find Joel scanning the tree line, perhaps planning out his route. I couldn’t help watching him, not just as a predator looking for weaknesses in his prey, but as his alpha. His skin was practically glowing in the moonlight, a thin sheen of sweat covering his face, and I wanted to lick it from the little divot of his upper lip.
His instincts must’ve told him he was being watching, because he turned to catch me staring, the hunger on my face obvious. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You’re so fucking sexy,” I purred. “I’m the luckiest man alive.”
He scoffed. “Oh please. I didn’t know shifters needed glasses. I’m wearing literal rags right now.” It was true. I’d told him to dress in something he didn’t mind me getting ruined, and his sweats were more holes than fabric. I was looking forward to tearing it off his body.
“Sexyrags,” I amended, pecking him quickly on the lips. He swayed toward me, searching to deepen the kiss, but with my beast so close to the surface, I had to keep all contact casual—for now. I didn’t want things to get out of hand until we were both ready for it.
“Do you remember your safe word?” I asked, booping his nose to get him to focus.
He nodded, though his gaze was starting to go a little unfocused the closer we got to the main event. I could smell his arousal, even with the wind at my back, drawing it away. “Peaches,” he recited dutifully.
“Good boy. You’re going to be careful, or I won’t indulge you or my jaguar again. Got it?” He nodded sharply, his entire body vibrating with excitement. “Alright, then you’d better get going. I’ll give you a head start.” I held my wrist up and looked at my non-existent watch. “Is five minutes enough?”
A sound slipped out from his full lips, greedy and horny. “Better make it three,” he said on a breath.
Grinning, I let out a low growl. “Run, little omega.” He took off like a shot, and before I’d even peeled off my shirt, he’d disappeared into the trees.
