“Forever?”
I pull back to look at him.His face is still wild, still streaked with blood, still terrified in a way that makes my chest ache.This huge, dangerous wolf of a man is looking at me like my answer is the only thing standing between him and ruin.
I cup his face in my hands.“Forever,” I whisper.
His eyes close.A sound leaves him, broken and relieved.Then his mouth is on mine.The kiss is desperate.Messy.Too hard for my split lip, but I don’t care.I kiss him back with everything I have, tasting salt and blood and Cooper.
He pulls away first, cursing softly when he sees me wince.“I’m sorry.Fuck, I’m sorry.Your lip?—”
“I’m okay.”
“You’re hurt.”
“So are you.”
He looks down at himself like he forgot.“I’m fine.I heal fast.”
“That is such a shifter answer,” I say, rolling my eyes.“You still need a shower.”
He lets out a rough, disbelieving laugh.It’s small, but it helps.
Cooper presses his forehead to mine.“I thought you were leaving.”
“I know.”
“I came back, and you weren’t where I left you.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No.”His hands tighten on my waist.“Don’t apologize.I shouldn’t have told you to stay there.You were scared.You needed to come home.”
Home.
I smile through my tears.“I did.”
Then I remember what I decided in the woods.
My heart pounds.
“Cooper?”
“Yeah, mate?”
I take a shaky breath.“I love you.”
Everything stops.
His breath.His hands.The entire room.
Then his eyes flash wolf-bright, and the most beautiful, devastated expression crosses his face.
“Say it again,” he rasps.
I smile, crying harder now.“I love you.”
He makes another broken sound and pulls me into his arms, burying his face against my neck.His whole body trembles against mine.
“I love you,” he says fiercely.“I love you so much it scares me.I loved you before I knew your name.My wolf knew.I knew.You’re everything, Landry.Everything.”
