“Rob!” I yelp, laughing as he tosses me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing.
“Not letting you out of my sight again until you’re wearing my mark, Cookie,” he mutters, already turning, already heading back toward his house.
“Hey!” I smack his back lightly. “I just said yes, you caveman!”
“Exactly,” he shoots back. “Which means you’re mine.”
Warmth blooms in my chest at that.
Not fear.
Not panic.
Something else.
Something right.
I glance over his shoulder as we pass the others—Jessica grinning, Kylie beaming, the Pride watching like they just witnessed something inevitable.
And for the first time in a long time—I don’t feel like I’m being dragged into something.
I feel like I’m running toward it.
Toward him.
Toward us.
Toward something that might actually last.
Yes. Mine, growls my Bear.
Chapter 23
Rob
By the time we make it back to my house, I’m hanging on by a thread.
Not from restraint.
From need.
From the sheer, overwhelming pull of her.
Hadley.
My mate.
My Tiger is alive under my skin, pacing, prowling, practically vibrating with anticipation.
Now, he demands.
Take her. Keep her. Claim her.
I don’t argue.
I can’t.
Because the second we cross the threshold—it is on.
