Page 27 of His Lucky Charm

“I know, I know.” He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture I rarely saw from him these days. As Alpha-in-training, he’d grown increasingly confident in his leadership role. “But something’s come up. Something important.”

My mind immediately went to pack business—perhaps another supernatural crisis like last year’s brief territorial dispute with a neighboring group, or the pixie infestation that had required all hands on deck.

“What’s happened?” I asked, already mentally rescheduling my presentation. “Do we need to call Siobhan? Kieran?”

“No, nothing like that.” He squeezed my hands. “It’s about us. You and me.”

Now I was concerned. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes. No. I mean—” He took a deep breath. “I had this all planned out. Dinner at L’Auberge tonight, the nice wine you like, romantic setting… but I can’t wait anymore. I’ve been carrying this around for a week and it’s driving me crazy.”

Before I could ask what “this” was, he reached into his pocket and dropped to one knee.

Oh.

Oh.

“Eliot.” His voice was steady now, green eyes locked on mine. “Three years ago, you walked into my pub to debunk a legend and ended up becoming part of it instead. You’ve embraced my world, my pack, all the weirdness that comes with loving someone who occasionally grows fur and howls at the moon.”

I couldn’t speak, throat suddenly tight with emotion.

“You’ve seen all of me—man and wolf—and loved both parts equally. You’ve taught me to be patient with tourists who ask stupid questions.” His lips quirked in a smile. “Well, more patient, anyway.”

I managed a watery laugh at that.

“You’re my balance, my anchor, my mate in every way that matters.” He opened the small box in his hand, revealing a platinum band inlaid with a thin line of polished wood. “The only thing missing is making it official in both human and Guardian traditions. Will you marry me, Professor?”

For a man who made his living with words, I found myself momentarily speechless. Three years of building a life together in this strange, wonderful town—learning its secrets, becoming part of its community, loving a man who defied scientific explanation—had led to this perfect moment.

“Yes,” I finally managed, my voice embarrassingly choked. “Of course, yes.”

Rafferty’s face lit up with that smile that still made my knees weak. He slid the ring onto my finger, then stood to pull me into an embrace that lifted me clear off the ground.

“Thank god,” he murmured against my hair. “I was worried you’d say it was illogical or something.”

I laughed, wrapping my arms around his neck. “There’s precedent for werewolf-human marriages. Statistically speaking, they appear quite successful.”

“Nerd,” he said fondly, setting me down to examine the ring on my finger. “The wood is from the oldest tree in the Guardian forest. The elders helped me harvest it during the last full moon. It’s tradition—connecting the human partner to pack territory.”

The significance made my throat tight again. “It’s perfect.”

He brushed his thumb across my cheek. “You’re perfect.”

“Hardly,” I scoffed, though I leaned into his touch. “I’m stubborn, obsessively detailed, and I still refuse to participate in the full moon hunts.”

“Perfect for me,” he clarified, bending to press his forehead against mine in the gesture that had become our private connection. “My mate.”

The term, once strange and foreign, now felt like coming home. “Your mate,” I agreed. “Though we still have the small matter of my presentation in—” I checked my watch. “—fifteen minutes.”

“About that.” His expression turned sheepish. “The presentation’s been canceled. Or rather, replaced.”

“Replaced? With what?”

“With an engagement announcement.” He grinned at my surprised expression. “The whole town’s been in on it. They’ve been waiting for me to finally pop the question for months.”

“The whole town?” I repeated incredulously. “Even Mrs. Hathaway?”

“Especially Mrs. Hathaway. Who do you think helped me pick the ring size? She got your measurements when you were trying on those white gloves for the archive restoration project.”