Page 82 of Rescued

By late afternoon, they’d made all the plans they could. And Breanna still knew that everything could go to hell the minute they started the mission.

Because that was how it worked—she’d learned that much since she came to the Ridge. No plan ever lasted beyond contact with the enemy.

Switch took Breanna back to the cabin, and made her eat. High-calorie foods.

“I know you don’t want to,” he said. “But stress and adrenalin burn calories. That’s what they’re intended to do—put your metabolism into high gear so you can survive. You have to give yourself all the fuel you can.”

Breanna nodded, and forced the food down. But her stomach felt like it was full of rocks.

When they were done, he stacked the dishes in the sink and turned to her, his eyes serious.

“Look,” he said. “I’m not sure this is the best time for what I’m about to say. Actually, I’m pretty sure it’s the worst time. But I can’t take you into this mission without saying it.”

He had his hand in his pocket, toying with something in there.

“Someday, if you’ll let me,” he said, “I’d like to do this thing shifter wolves do, with their mates. It’s called claiming. They bite their mate right here.” He indicated the big muscle between his neck and his shoulder. “I know it sounds gross to a human, but for wolves…” He gave her an uncertain smile. “For wolves, it’s everything. It bonds them with magic, forever. They can give each other strength, heal each other. Stuff like that.”

What Mikey had with Gunn, she realized. Loyal forever, not ever wanting anyone else. He wanted her to have that.

“Wow,” she breathed. It sounded amazing, but she wasn’t sure she was ready for getting bitten by a wolf. It sounded like it hurt. “Can you do that with a human?”

He nodded. “It makes it so a human can feel the same bonds that wolves do. And they can also become part of a pack bond.” He searched her face, looking for a reaction. “And we usually do it during sex, so it doesn’t hurt much. I’m told it’s actually kind of hot.”

Breanna asked, “Would it turn me into a wolf, too?”

He shook his head. “I mean, I could do that someday, if you wanted, but it’s dangerous. This isn’t that. It’s just a bonding. But all that would be for later. I just wanted you to know that’s how I feel about you.”

She got up from where she was sitting and put her arms around him, overwhelmed. “Thank you,” she said. “I—you don’t know what that means to me.”

“I love you,” he said simply, resting his cheek on her hair. “I think I loved you from the first time I saw you barfing in a field.”

She laughed at that. “And I think I loved you when you held my hair back and tried to make me feel better, even though you didn’t know what to do with me. All you had to do was touch me, and suddenly I felt okay.”

“That’s how you always make me feel, Doe Eyes.” He rubbed her back. “But anyway, claiming is a big thing, and you can’t make that decision at a time like this. So I made something else for you.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out Hank, the tiny robot. “I modified him for you. He’s yours now.”

Breanna didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “You know I love Hank.”

“Yeah. I got him working just the way I wanted. Go ahead. Turn him on.”

There was something in his eyes she didn’t understand. She put Hank on the counter and activated him with the little switch at the base of his neck.

Hank swiveled his hips, kicked up one leg and then the other, and danced in a circle.

Then he went down on one knee and a little cavity opened in his chest. He reached inside with his robot hand and pulled something out.

A ring—made of perfectly crafted electronic parts. A band of gold, with wires and tiny beads welded to a miniature circuit board, making the shape of a rose.

Breanna’s hand went to her mouth. “When did you make this?” she asked.

“A couple nights ago. I was going to give it to you after the barbecue, but…”

But all hell had broken loose.

“Anyway, I wanted you to have it before the mission. So you’d know I’ll always have your back.” He took the ring from Hank and held it out to Breanna. “Will you be my mate?”

“Yes!” Breanna threw herself into his arms, then pulled back so he could slip the ring on her finger.