Page 41 of Out of Peril

The answer to that might just be Walker.

I was struggling to believe it. Not only was he perfectly sculpted and made my heart race and my mouth drool, but the more I got to know him, the more wonderful I learned he was. He was kind, loving, and patient. He was everything I never knew I wanted—no, needed—in a mate. And he was mine.

As if that wasn't enough to take in, he suddenly shifted, revealing his wolf to me and introducing him to the beast. I couldn't believe this was really happening.

At first, he just sat back on his haunches and looked up at me. I towered over him, making his rather large wolf seem small in comparison. There was no way for me to shrink down or make this any easier.

I stayed perfectly still as the wolf walked around, occasionally sniffing me. When he'd made it full circle, he pranced around and then rubbed against the beast, coating her in his scent. After he finished that, he sat back once more and lifted his nose towards the ceiling and howled. My beast mimicked him and howled too.

She actually howled, not roared, or screeched, but howled like a perfectly normal wolf accepting her mate's claim.

Mine! she screeched in my head as she started to prance around him like an idiot.

I'd never seen her behave like this, and I wanted to cry in relief and happiness. Maybe, just maybe, this could actually work out.

I didn't dare shift back to my skin until he did. Even then I hesitated.

He stepped closer to me and pulled my face down to his.

“I have the most beautiful, unique mate in the world.”

And then he kissed the bridge of my large wolf nose. I was so stunned, I didn't know what to do, but after a few minutes, I let the familiar ripple run through me as I shifted back to my skin.

“I think we're going to be okay,” he said with a sly grin that left his dimples on full display.

I couldn't help it, I swooned. My face hurt from smiling so much.

He pulled me into his strong arms and he kissed me. This wasn't the same passionate first kiss we'd shared. But this one was full of promise and acceptance, maybe even a bit of love.

My breath hitched at the thought.

Was this what love felt like?

Was I falling in love with Walker?

I considered that for moment. Who wouldn’t fall in love with Walker?

And was it too much to ask that we just be left alone by the outside word to live out the rest of our lives right here in peace?

Our special moment was quickly broken.

“Ew, they're kissing,” Dante said.

“Naked kissing,” Maya added with a giggle.

Walker jumped back like I'd just burned him or something. And he covered himself while he ran around trying to find his clothes.

“Go away,” I told the kids, and prayed they listened.

They jumped up and ran down the hall as laughter filled the air. It was a nice sound and reminded me of carefree days of my own childhood.

“Sorry,” I muttered, just a bit embarrassed and not sure I could look him in the eyes again after that.

When he didn't say anything I was forced to look up.

He just smiled back at me. “It's all good. I knew from the start you came as package deal. Fortunately for you, I love kids, especially those two munchkins.”

My heart felt like it was going to take flight right out of my chest.

---