Page 73 of His Wild Mate

“Trust me. I know the look of couple falling in love and it's written clearly over both your faces.”

Seeming satisfied with his proclamation, he picked up his paper and started to read once more, leaving me flabbergasted by his observation.

Love?

I wasn't falling in love.

I didn't even know what love looked like or how it was supposed to feel.

But the second I thought about it, an image of Emmett popped into my mind. He'd been everything I never knew I needed since the moment I arrived here, but it wasn't until I stopped trying to runaway from it that I started to relax and let him in a bit.

Could this be love?

Was I really falling for Emmett in the way Ernest was implying?

I didn't know how or even what I was doing. This was all so new to me.

Pushing those thoughts away because I knew no good would come by dwelling on them, I took the time of being mostly alone to go shower. It was the ultimate luxury for me being here.

It was rare that I stumbled onto a place with a shower. I could never afford a hotel, not even the cheap crappy ones, so I always slept outdoors in my fur. But twice, as I found myself high up in the mountains, I'd come across cabins abandoned for the season.

The last time that happened, I'd spent an entire winter there until the snow melted and the owners returned. It had been the happiest time in my life, well, until coming here and finding my mate.

Months of not having to move or fear finding a safe place to lay my head at night. It had been isolated enough that even the local wildlife hadn't bothered me. There was hot, running water too. I'd soaked in the tub and showered every day, sometimes even multiple times. The place had even been stocked with food and once I figured out how to break into the cans, I'd eaten every day, even putting on a little weight. It had been freeing. I would never forget it.

I looked down at my naked body as the warm water flowed over me and I realized that I'd put on some weight just in the last week here too. I wasn't as active, only having gone on one run since my arrival.And Emmett fed me three times a day. It was far more food than I was used to consuming in a week.

My hip bones weren’t as visible now and I couldn’t make out every rib. My cheeks weren't as hollow when I looked in the mirror, and the bags under my eyes were fading.

I looked . . . normal.

Might as well enjoy it while it lasts,I thought,because once I kill my stalker, there is no way Emmett will still want me, and the Alpha won’t let me stay afterwards anyway.

I vowed to enjoy every second of my time here, just as I had in that cabin. I didn't want any regrets when it was time to move on, even if it meant hurting my heart when I inevitably had to say goodbye to Emmett.

By the time I finished my shower, Emmett hadn't returned, but his mother and sister had.

“Hey,” Esme said, as I walked out of the bathroom.

I jumped. “Jesus, you scared the life out of me.”

I wasn't used to people sneaking up on me. I was always aware of my surroundings. Being here was weakening my awareness. I was too comfortable, and that was scary.

“Sorry. Mom and I picked up a few things for you. You'll have to try them on and see what works. We weren't sure what you like, but don't worry. I didn't let her buy anything that would make you look stupid.”

“Uh, thanks.”

“Go ahead, try them on. You can model them and I'll tell you what you should keep and what needs to go back to the store. Em says I'm brutally honest that way.”

“Um, okay. What should I try first?”

There was a whole stack of clothes and I had zero fashion sense. I had no idea what should go with what.

Esme picked out an outfit and handed it to me.

“Oh here. We picked up a pack of underwear for you so you can stop wearing my brother’s. And Mom grabbed a couple different bras to try. We just guessed on sizes so don't worry if it doesn't work. We'lljust exchange them and try again. Trust me, Mom and I never mind going shopping.”

I held up the bra and groaned. “Do I have to wear this thing?”

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