Page 44 of In The Shadow of The Wolf

“I’m the one who’s sorry.” Terry corrected, with a hitch in his voice. “If I’d shown you more care and been a better mate, none of this would have happened. Jamie told me that first day to get my head out of my ass, or I would lose you. I thought I could have both my old life and you.” He kissed Henry before continuing as if he just couldn’t help himself.

“My old life sucks. I hate the man I used to be, and I hate the friends who think like Kelvin. If I could do it all over again, I would start with this.” He reached down and held Henry’s face between his palms and stared into his beautiful eyes. “I am so proud to have you as my mate Henry that I can hardly breathe when I think about it. I love you so damn much, and to think that I came so fucking close to losing you forever . . .” He trailed off as his voice became tight with emotion. “I will never cause you to doubt me ever again. Stay with me, sweetheart; please let me claim you properly, and we can begin our lives together. If you can’t stay and need to go back to Washington, I will go with you. I’ll go anywhere as long as it’s with you.” Terry hugged him as much as was possible in their current positions and waited for Henry to say something.

“I own my own business, so I can operate anywhere. I noticed that there aren’t any CPAs in the area, so I could set up business here.” Henry smiled so happy and hopeful for their future, a future he never actually believed in until now.

“As soon as you’re well enough, we can go to Seattle and clean out your apartment and office.” Terry burst out with plans. “You can bring anything you want to my place …. our place.” He corrected himself. “I’ll speak with the Alpha and see how soon I can present you to the Pack, and we can have our own commitment ceremony. I want everyone to know that you, Henry Grange, belong to me.” Terry was out of breath but smiling when he finally slowed down.

“Sounds good; how long do I have to stay here in the hospital?” Henry threaded his fingers through Terry’s blond hair and ate him up with his eyes.

“A couple days, just to make sure they didn’t miss anything.” Terry watched as Henry’s face fell.

“I’m going to miss out on Ronan and Molly’s ceremony tomorrow. I worked so hard on the setup, and I was looking forward to attending.” Henry knew he was whining but couldn’t stop. He wanted to be a part of their celebration and the beginnings of their new lives. He was confused by the indulgent smile that crossed Terry’s face.

“Ronan is a computer expert.” He pointed to the large screen TV on the wall, which was wired up to a laptop. “You and I are going to watch the entire thing live, right here. Ronan and Molly didn’t want you left out.

Henry started to shuffle to the far edge of the bed carefully while holding onto Terry. Terry smiled, “What are you doing, sweetheart?”

“I want you to get on the bed with me. I need to hold you.” He started pulling Terry closer, forcing him to comply. Terry chuckled and readily eased himself up on the bed beside his mate. He stretched out next to him and carefully took him into his arms, holding him against his chest. “I love you, Terry. Thank you for choosing me.” Henry pressed his face against Terry’s chest and inhaled, relaxing with his mate's familiar, comforting smell.

“I will always choose you. If you would have called for me, Henry, I would have saved you. I know that I never showed you how much I care and for that, I am so sorry, sorrier than I can explain in a lifetime. I would not have let anyone lay a hand on you. Not even my Alpha.” He held him as tightly as their confines would allow, and then he kissed him long and deep. He pulled back and ran his free hand over Henry’s face, loving the softness of his skin.

“As soon as they release you, I want you to move to my place right away.” He acknowledged Henry’s nod of agreement before continuing. “There may be times that people will still say hurtful and hateful things, but I don’t care what anyone thinks. I only care about you and what you think of me. I want you to think highly of me, Henry, and I want you to be proud that I am your mate.”

“I am so happy, Terry. I am so proud of you already. It took so much strength to do what you have done and risk everything for me.” Henry kissed him lightly, his love and respect shining in his eyes.

“I want to have our commitment ceremony as soon as possible. I want you marked, claimed, and legally bound to me before you come to your senses.” Terry laughed and pulled Henry up onto his chest as carefully and cradled him there. Terry and his wolf were finally at peace and satisfied that their mate was home.

...

Henry was released from the hospital on Monday. He ended up having a slight infection, so he needed to stay a couple extra days. Terry never left his side the entire time. He was proving himself to be the perfect boyfriend, perfect partner, and perfect . . . mate. He and Terry had watched the bonding ceremony as promised on the TV in Henry’s hospital room. They lay in each other’s arms discussing their own bonding ceremony. It had been a perfect four days.

Henry prayed that Terry continued to desire him and a future together once they were away from the privacy of the hospital. He made the declaration in the paper for everyone to see, but would he be able to show what he felt in public? Henry knew there was no going back now.

He’d bared himself to Terry in every way, and at this point, he would be forced to suffer whatever Terry deemed able to give him. He couldn’t walk away now, not without losing part of himself. They had already started the bonding process on Friday as they lay together on Henry’s bed watching the ceremony. After some very heavy petting, Terry had bitten him, marking Henry as his own. It had been gloriously sensual, and Henry wanted to complete the process right then and there. Terry warned that he was still in the hospital, and as much as Terry wanted to comply, he said that Henry’s health came first.

Henry reached up and stroked the scar as he waited for Terry to bring his car around. He was so glad to be finally leaving the hospital and to be heading into his new life. Terry came to an abrupt stop across from the entrance, jumped out, and rounded the car over to where Henry was sitting in the hospital policy wheelchair. He crouched down in front of the chair and took Henry’s hand.

“I can’t wait to get you home, sweetheart. Ronan took all of your things to our place, so you’re all moved in. Once we get the rest of your stuff from Washington, there will be no reason for you to ever leave.” He stood and then bent over, putting a loving kiss on Henry’s lips. “I love you, Henry.”

“I love you too, Terry.” Terry just kept staring and rubbing his thumb back and forth across Henry’s cheekbone, making sure that Henry knew the depth of his love. Ever since the beat down, Terry had been bending over backward to assure Henry of his love and devotion. On more than one occasion, Terry had asked him to please never doubt him and to never doubt that he would give his life to keep Henry safe.

Terry was helping Henry to his feet with a secure arm around his waist when someone spoke. “Terry.” It was Gary, and he was walking toward them. Instantly Terry gently pushed Henry to stand half behind him, taking a protective stance in front of him. Terry did not respond but kept a wary eye on his friend as he continued toward them. Gary moved to the side and stuck out his hand towards Henry. Terry growled, grabbed the hand, and began to twist it.

“Touch him, and I will kill you. I let Kelvin live for Henry’s sake as long as he never showed his face around here again, but I will not be so merciful a second time.” Terry stated with cold authority that even had Henry quaking.

“I meant no harm.” Gary quickly assured. “I heard what happened, and I’m sorry. I wanted you to know that I don’t feel the same way that Kelvin does.” He pleaded with them for understanding, although Terry still stood in front of Henry because he wasn’t taking any chances. He’d nearly lost him, and he would never allow that to happen a second time.

“I don’t care that you’re mated to a human guy. He is your mate. That is the only fact that matters. We don’t all agree with what you used to believe, Terry, but like Jamie, I liked you in spite of your prejudices.” He smiled at Terry’s surprised expression. “It was only you and Kelvin that had a problem with gays and humans. The rest of us just tolerated your limited thinking. I knew the time would come when you would wise up and be the man, I knew you were.” He smiled so warmly at Henry that Terry actually relaxed just a little.

“You have a fine and beautiful mate Terry, and I am proud of you for recognizing it and embracing who you are.” He again reached his hand towards Henry, asking for acceptance. Henry reached around Terry and took his hand, and he was gifted with a wonderfully accepting grip.

“Thank you, Gary.” Terry sounded humbled by the information given to him. He never realized that the only human-hating homophobes in their group of friends were himself and Kelvin.

“I was hoping that you both will come to dinner at my place once you two get settled, and Henry is feeling better. The wife and I would love to have you.” Gary waited hopefully for their response.

“Sure, we’d love to,” Henry spoke for both of them, and Terry nodded, completely bowled over by Gary’s behavior.

“Thank you, Gary,” Terry said again, and Gary nodded.

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