Page 31 of Dutiful Wolf's Mail Order Mate

She took a deep breath, as if steeling herself. “I think I might have found what I want to do. Or try, at least.”

I cocked my head, waiting for her to continue. She fiddled with a loose thread on her jeans, her gaze fixed on the dancing flames.

“I got to talking with the shelter worker who brings the cats to the cafe. They’re short-staffed and overworked, and I just... I might have offered to volunteer.”

The words tumbled out in a rush, like she’d been holding them back. She risked a glance at me, her eyes wide and uncertain. Questioning.

I wanted to kill Bowen all over again. And her old pack. And any other fucker who looked at her wrong and made her feel small. They didn’t know what they were missing.

“I don’t know if it’ll lead to anything,” she went on, tucking her hair behind her ears, “but I want to try. I want to do something that matters. Something that makes a difference, you know?”

This woman, my mate, never ceased to amaze me. She’d been through hell, had every reason to close herself off and look out for number one, but here she was, ready to throw herself into helping others.

I reached out and laced my fingers through hers, giving them a gentle squeeze. “I think that’s a great idea. You’ve got a lot to offer, Maddy. Those animals will be lucky to have you in their corner.”

The tension drained from her shoulders, and she gifted me with a smile that could’ve powered the whole damn town. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I tugged her hand, pulling her closer until our foreheads touched. “Besides, you have plenty of experience with rescues like your brother.”

“Hey!” Kai slashed a glare in our direction, but his scent turned lighter. Very, very slightly, but I’d take it.

“And you,” Maddy said coolly, ever defensive of her brother.

“And me,” I agreed with a chuckle.

I tugged on her hand until she flounced from her chair and sank into my lap. She grinned and leaned in for a kiss. I lost myself in the intoxicating sweetness of her lips on mine, her body pressed against mine. The kiss was slow, deep, an unspoken promise of what was to come later, when the moon fell from the sky.

“I’m proud of you.” I murmured when we broke apart. “So fucking proud of you.”

She opened her mouth to reply, but a fake gag cut her off. Kai wretched again, miming thorough disgust. “Can we shift now, or do you two need some privacy?”

Tempting. So very tempting.

I stood, pulling Maddy up with me. She came easily, her body swaying into mine like it was the most natural thing in the world. Her hands slipped around my waist, fingers playing along the hem of my shirt.

“All right, you lot,” I said, pitching my voice to carry. “Moon’s not getting any fuller.”

A ripple went through the pack, a shiver of anticipation as they began to shuck their clothes. Tara was the first to strip and break free, her wolf form hitting the ground in a blur of golden fur. She threw her head back, a joyous howl spilling from her throat.

Orion cupped Brielle’s cheeks and gave her a deep kiss. “You’re sure you’re okay? I can stay.”

“Go.” She shook her head and gave him a small push. “Cass and I have movie night plans. The Wolf Man while our wolfmen wolf-out.”

Orion grumbled something that sounded suspiciously like “traitor”, but his scent was too happy for any real bite. He swooped in and gave her one more smacking kiss before trotting toward the tree line, his own shift already in motion.

Kai, then Elise followed suit until it was just me and Maddy left in our human skins. She turned to face me, her eyes glowing in the firelight. Excitement and nerves chased each other across her face.

I took her hand, pressed a kiss to her palm. “Ready?”

She nodded, her smile slow and sweet. “With you? Always.”

And then she was gone, her wolf bursting free in a flash of red-brown fur. She paused just long enough to bump her nose against mine before taking off into the trees, her paws churning up leaves and loam.

My own wolf surged to the surface, straining against the confines of my skin. I let him free with a rush of pure, wild joy.

The night exploded into a riot of new scents and sounds. We leapt after our mate, chasing her shadow through the woods. The moon spilled silvery light through the canopy, bathing everything in an ethereal glow. The wind rushed through our fur, our pack’s scents spurring us on as we ran.

Tonight, there was no worry, no stress, no threat of death. Tonight, we were simply wolves, bound by blood and moonlight and the earth beneath our paws.

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