“And once your trap is ready, we’ll capture Will and his men.” I studied each face, seeing the concern there. “I can do this. I want to do this. It’s my fight, and it’s only fair I be the one leading the charge.”
“Wewill lead the charge, mate,” Hail said, his hand squeezing mine.
“Mate?” Beth cried out. “Show us!”
Hail lifted my hand with the mark, and everyone cheered, grins ringing the room.
Then we got back to planning how we’d set the trap once we were sure Will and his guys were in town.
Any plan was better than running. I could see that now. And I was both humbled and grateful to have the support of this family.
Myfamily? I was beginning to believe it was so.
I leaned into Hail’s side as we went through it one last time, each person giving great suggestions.
“I like this,” Dungar said once we’d finished. “It’s simple yet effective.” His gaze met mine. “Soon, you won’t have to worry about them any longer.”
Chapter 16
Hail
Three days later, after Greel and I had followed Allie from town and two states away with her being obvious she was running at first but then hiding like she’d done so many times in the past, we snuck her back into Lonesome Creek. She hid for two days at my home until it was clear Will’s men had all left to follow her false trail.
She was safe for now.
We hadn’t yet heard from the outside law enforcement other than that they almost had a plan in place and would get back to us soon.
But Will and his men appeared to have followed her, and my brothers hadn’t seen her since. We’d decided she could be out and about with my protection.
Morning light peeked around my bedroom curtains, shining on Allie’s face as she slept beside me, her hair spread across the pillow like spilled paint. It also outlined the mate bond mark on my wrist, reminding me that this incredible female belonged to me if she chose to accept the bond fully.
I studied her peaceful expression, memorizing the curve of her cheekbones, the way her lashes rested against her skin. Mychest ached with feelings I’d never experienced before. Love. Deep, consuming, terrifying love that made me want to wrap her in my arms and never let go.
Last night, the realization had hit me like a sorhox kick to the gut. I loved her. Completely, desperately, with every part of my being. The knowledge should’ve terrified me. I’d never been in love before, never understood the vulnerability that came with caring so deeply for another person. Instead, it felt wonderful and amazing and scary.
It was the best feeling in the world.
She was so beautiful it hurt to look at her. More than that, she was brave and kind, and talented, everything I’d never dared hope for in a mate. The fear that she might not feel the same way gnawed at me though, and I wasn’t sure what to do about it.
She wasn’t only staying because she needed protection, but that didn’t mean she wanted everything with me. My stomach clenched. I’d gladly spend my life protecting her even if she never loved me back, but the hope for more scorched across my ribs.
I wanted her mornings and evenings, her laughter and tears. I wanted to teach her every pottery technique I knew and learn new ones with her by my side. I wanted to wake up beside her for the rest of my life and fall asleep holding her every night.
Tressa padded into the bedroom and settled on her bed in the corner, watching us. She’d taken to following Allie everywhere, as if my wolf understood how precious our mate was.
Allie’s eyes fluttered open, and I quickly looked away, not wanting her to catch me staring like a lovesick youngling.
“Good morning.” Her voice, husky with sleep, sent shivers across my skin.
“Morning.” I risked a glance back and found her smiling at me, which made my heart skip a couple of beats.
“Were you watching me sleep?” Amusement shone in her brown eyes, but there was warmth there too.
“Maybe.” I shrugged. “Is that…is that weird?” A human term with no orc equivalent. I’d discovered it could be a good and a bad thing, much like many human words. Humans were confusing. Complex. And, with Allie, mesmerizing.
“Not at all.” She tugged me down until our faces were close, her fingers easing through my hair. “I like it.”
Her lips met mine, soft and sweet at first, a gentle morning greeting. But the kiss deepened as I responded, my hand finding the curve of her waist beneath the covers. She tasted like dreams and promises, like everything I’d been missing without wishing it could one day be mine.
