Page 110 of Awakening

Olivia

Are you okay?

Ethan

Yes, but I need to go for a run.

Meet me at home as soon as you’re done. Let’s shift and go together.

“He says they’re done, and now he wants me to meet him at home to shift and go for a run together.”

“Oh, that’s amazing,” Chloe says as her face lights up. “It’s going to be so cool doing that together for the first time. You guys were never able to have that bonding experience as new mates.”

“I don’t know how amazing it’s going to be to shift again,” I say, feeling a sense of dread. “That hurt like a bitch.”

“The more you do it, the better. It hurts less and less every time. You should go.”

“Okay. You’re right. This is who I am now. I need to be able to do this.”

“Yeah, you do, girl. You’ll love it,” Chloe says.

Olivia

On my way. XO

Ethan

Taking a deep breath, I lean against our outbuilding while I wait for Olivia. The peace and quiet is nice after the morning I had. Nick had to restrain me again today. It pissed me off at the time, but I know he was only looking out for me. Every part of me wants to kill Austin for his part in what happened to Olivia and Evelyn.

A weight lifts from my chest when I see her coming down the hill in the back yard. She smiles at me and tucks a piece of hair behind her ear as she gets closer. I still have a lot of pent up aggression from this morning, and connecting with Olivia on this primal level is exactly what I need right now.

“Hey, baby,” I say, taking her into my arms and pulling her into a hungry kiss as she reaches me.

“Hey.” She wraps her arms around my neck and smiles at me.

“I missed you today.”

“I missed you too,” she says. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re not hurt?”

“My knuckles are a little swollen.” I raise my hands to show her. “They’ll be back to normal by tonight.”

“I was worried about you. You were able to follow the council’s orders?” I know she’s been concerned that I might not be able to control myself, with good reason.

“Nick was there to be sure I didn’t take things too far. It’s probably a good thing.” I lift her chin so I can kiss her again. “Do you want to know what happened today?” I don’t really want to get into the specifics, but she has a right to know if that’s what she wants.

I’m relieved when she shakes her head. “No. I don’t need the details. I trust that you did what needed to be done.”

“I did,” I say, brushing her jaw with my thumb. “So, are you ready for this?” I ask with a big smile.

She shakes her head again. “No. It hurts.”

“It won’t be as bad this time, and it’ll get less painful every time until it eventually doesn’t hurt at all. I promise.”

“What if I’m sore? We’re getting married in a week.”

“You won’t be. I wouldn’t do that to you. It’s going to be okay,” I say, leading her into the outbuilding. “Now, undress all the way. We’ll leave our clothes in here. You don’t have to worry, it’s so wooded down here that no one can see you when you come out.”

“Okay,” she says with a sigh as she starts to undress. I’m supposed to be doing the same, but I can’t take my eyes off of her. “Ethan. I think you’re supposed to be joining me,” she says with a light laugh.

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