He acknowledges my nod, and I turn, running along the border.
The sun has almost disappeared behind the trees when I turn for home.My place is a few miles away from the town center, hidden by thick trees and shrubs.I like the privacy.A hiking trail runs past it, but no one ever comes that way.I take that path and let my mind drift as my wolf runs home.
I grew up here in Night Grove Falls, and I know every square inch of the land by heart.I ran these hiking trails, hung out with my friends downtown, and helped my parents around the house.We seldom left this place.When I came of age and moved out, I knew I didn’t want to leave.
This place is my home.
My parents left a few months ago.They wanted to move somewhere warmer after my dad hurt his hip.The cold weather aggravated it.They’re down in Florida now, and they seem happy.I miss them, but I’m glad they’re where they want to be.
The roof of my house comes into view through the trees, and I smile.I’ll head inside, take a shower, maybe have a snack, then hit the sack.I have tomorrow off, and I almost wish I was on patrol.At least that would give me something to do.Instead, I know I’ll be puttering around my place, bored out of my mind.
My pace slows as I approach my house.I’m distracted by the scent of dogs and rabbits to my left, so I don’t see or hear the other person until it’s too late, and we crash into each other.
I hear a yelp as someone bounces off me and hits the dirt.My wolf reacts to the threat instantly, turning toward them and snarling.
That’s when I see the dirty blonde hair and the wide, startled green eyes.
Shit.
The woman is clearly frightened.My first instinct is to shift and reassure her, but something tells me that doing so will freak her out even more.
I force my wolf to step back and give her some space.He does so reluctantly, and I frown at his reaction.He watches her intently, fascinated by the curvy little female, her cheeks flushed, her chest rising and falling with her heavy breathing.
I frown at his reaction to her.Then she stands, and her scent wafts toward me.
Oh shit.My fated mate.
It hits me like a punch to my sternum.My mouth drops open.
My wolf is quicker to react, quickly closing the distance between us.I grit my teeth, trying to hold him back.His mouth waters, and I know he’s thinking about biting her right here and now.
Wait!I scream at him.
We’re nose to nose with our girl now.Her throat bobs as she gulps.Then her eyes roll back in her head, and I watch in horror as she faints dead away.
I shift, catching her before she hits the ground.I breathe in her sweet scent as I lift her into my arms, cradling her against my chest.Fuck, she feels so right there, so perfect pressed against me.She fits in my arms like she was made to.I guess she was.
Her head rolls against my shoulder, and I hold her more firmly, making sure her face is tucked against my neck.
Happiness and anxiety war within me.I’ve finally found my fated mate, but I don’t feel ready.Now I have to figure out a way to explain shifters and fated mates to a human, and find a more permanent way to deal with the cult so that she’ll be safe.Oh, and keep my wolf from biting her before she’s ready.
Maybe this would’ve been easier if I hadn’t been in my wolf form the first time we met,I think as I carry my mate home.
I open the front door and hesitate as I try to figure out where to put my mate.Deciding on the couch, I place her down gently and pull the blanket from the back of the couch around her.I smooth her hair back from her pretty face and smile.
My wolf paces inside me, whimpering as he watches her still form.
She’ll be okay,I promise him.
Sitting beside her, I practice what I’m going to say when my mate finally wakes up.
2
Landry
I open my eyes,instantly afraid.I have no idea where I am.My first thought is that the cult grabbed me again.
I blink back tears, struggling to wriggle out from beneath the blanket tucked securely around me.If this is the cult, I’m not in the same place they took me to last time.
