Page 17 of Shattered Mates

His responding smile practically melts my body into a puddle. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

His hand, gentle yet firm, cradles my cheek, and his thumb caresses the skin there as if memorizing its every detail. The air between us trembles, charged with the anticipation of this kiss, one both long-awaited and deeply yearned for.

His hazel eyes, reflecting a kaleidoscope of emotions, never leave mine as he leans in, reducing the distance to a mere breath. The initial touch of his lips against mine is soft, a tender glimpse of his reverence. A kiss that whispers of longing held back for far too long and that’s ready to break free.

Sensing my eagerness, River deepens the kiss, his lips moving against mine with a slow, deliberate passion that sets my senses on fire.

My hands find their way to his hair, tangling in the longer, still-damp strands, and pulling him closer. River responds in kind, his arms wrapping around me, drawing me into the warmth of his embrace. Our bodies press closer, heartbeats syncing in a rhythm that feels familiar, yet thrilling.

His tongue sweeps across my lips, taking my breath away as he captures me, body and soul. I return the action, needing to know how he tastes, and the sweetness is nothing I will ever forget.

As we finally part, breathless and grinning, our foreheads rest together. “That was one hell of a first kiss,” I say.

“Just wait for the second and third and every one after.” His words are a promise I can’t wait to collect on.

I expect more, but he moves back to his side and pulls me against him before gently brushing his lips over mine. “Get some sleep, my mate. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a long day for the both of us.”

I’m not sure how I’ll be able to do that with him in my bed, but I know that whatever tomorrow brings, we can handle it together. Our time apart is over. Nothing and no one will ever separate us again.

Chapter Eight

Dawsyn

River’s home. He’s really here and he’s okay. Maybe not entirely, but he’s breathing and walking and… Damn him. I’m going to cry all over again. I haven’t been this emotional since I was pregnant over a decade ago.

Cillian steps up behind me and stops my pacing in front of our bedroom window. “You need to rest, Mate.”

“I can’t sleep.” I haven’t been able to since Jules left. I hated sending her on her own to bring my best friend back, but I’d run out of options. At least I was right. She was the key all along.

“It’s been months since you’ve laid more than a couple hours with me in our bed,” he reminds me. “While I’ve understood your concerns and your need for action, River is safe in our pack. You can rest now.”

I’ve been a terrible mate. I know that, and still, I can’t shake the shadows from my thoughts. For six years, I helped provide wolves to search and retrieve the stolen supernaturals. For the first year of that, I had no idea what Uncle Maciah had done.

I thought our uncle had merely sent River on another job to help keep things above board with him and Jules. Instead, Uncle Maciah and Aunt Andie, along with River’s parents, had come up with their own plan that backfired in our faces.

Even though River stayed on task and never turned on us, he forgot everyone. My best friend who is more like my brother… He forgot me. His family, his home. He was a shell of the man he once was. He’d become a machine, and when his tasks were over, I wasn’t sure how we’d ever get him back.

For so long, my heart broke for River and Jules. I hated that time hadn’t been on their side, that they’d had such a ginormous obstacle, but seeing the way he looked at her tonight, it was nothing like before.

Sure, I could sense River’s need to protect and care for Jules, but tonight, he needed his mate. I almost thought she was going to turn him away. Selfishly, I might have been okay with that because then he could have leaned on me, but being with Jules is what River needs right now.

Just like you need to be with Cillian, my wolf reminds me.

With a sigh of agreement, I turn toward my mate who is still standing behind me. My arms loop around his neck and I smile. “Take me to bed. Make me forget the hell we’ve been trapped in.”

His returning grin makes my knees wobble. “That I can do.”

As soon as he lifts me into his arms, the tension that’s held my body captive releases like a dam bursting. I rest my head against his chest and listen to the beat of his steady heart. By the time he settles me into our bed, I can’t stop yawning.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him with a frown.

His fingers brush back my hair. “As long as I wake with you by my side in the morning, you sleep all you want, my love.”

Gods, he really is the best.

Not only for the way he treats me, but for the way he’s stepped up with our pack and taken his role as the alpha’s mate above and beyond what I expected.

Cillian not only takes care of me in his many ways, but he checks on the elder members of our pack, he teaches our kids to be strong and capable, he shows up even when nobody asks for his help. He’s just always there.

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