Page 127 of What a Wolf's Heart Decides

When they touched down again, he broke off the kiss and tucked her against him. She rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes, content to hear his heart beating sure and strong.

“Haley?” he murmured against her hair.

She opened her eyes.

“What did Sabine mean by virgin?”

Epilogue

Haley trotted to the edge of the cliff overlooking the valley and looked over her shoulder. Her tail drooped, and her tongue lolled out the side of her mouth. She lowered her head as she fought to catch her breath.

Should have packed water.

No matter how many times she made the trek from the mansion to the valley, the ascent always kicked her butt. Ben had taken to calling her “lowlander” in a Scottish brogue, claiming she was “nae but a weak beastie.” When she threatened to kick his ass, he clucked his tongue and said, “Och, an’ a cruel lassie, too.”

The sound of crunching snow brought her head up. Ben approached, his brown fur a dark contrast to the white snow silvered by moonlight. His blue eyes smiled at her as he pulled his burden up the trail. He carried a rope in his mouth, his needle-sharp fangs sunk deep in the nylon.

She wagged her tail in a return greeting, but it was the wolf on the sled behind him that captured her attention. Large and black, he rode with his eyes closed and his head tipped back like he relished the feel of the wind ruffling his fur.

As if he felt her gaze on him, he opened his eyes—two shocking points of glowing blue in a coat as black as midnight.

Her breath caught, and her heart pounded faster. Would she ever get used to seeing him? They had been mated for a month and she still got butterflies when he walked in a room.

Or rode toward her on a sled.

Ben stopped at her side and dropped the rope. Then he gave a small yip and tossed his head toward a clump of trees that bordered the trail.

Haley nodded, letting him know she understood he was going to make the Turn in the trees to give her and Bard privacy. As he headed off, she rubbed her flank along Bard’s shoulder. He turned his head quickly and nipped at her rump, nearly catching her.

She danced away, giving him a doggy grin.

He responded with a growl and a hard stare, the message in his eyes clear. Enough play time. Hurry up and shift.

She snapped her jaws at him. Spoilsport.

He continued to stare, not giving an inch.

Fine. She moved a few steps away and turned her back to him. Then she dropped to the ground and began to shift. She didn’t have the heart to keep teasing him. He’d been planning something for days, even recruiting Ben to help with the surprise. She wasn’t going to ruin it for him. But curiosity ate at her. When she pestered him for details, he gave her a cryptic smile and said, “Patience has its rewards.”

Which, of course, made heat rush to certain places.

She finished her shift and got to her feet, taking a minute to catch her breath. When she turned around, Bard was already dressed and rummaging through the pack attached to the back of the sled. He balanced on his good knee, his dark head bent over his task. His shoulders threatened to burst from his ski jacket, and his black hair gleamed almost blue in the moonlight.

A wistful sigh rose in her chest. She was almost going to miss the silver . . . and maybe even the eye patch a little.

On the other hand, it was heaven running her fingers through his hair without worrying about catching the strap.

And it was sexy as hell to look into both of his eyes when he made love to her.

Wind gusted, making goosebumps rise on her skin.

He swung around. As soon as he saw her, heat entered his gaze. “I’d tell you to get dressed, but I have to say I enjoy the view.”

“Oh?” Her nipples tightened. She put a hand on her hip and gestured around. “You mean the mountains or . . .”

His voice was like smoke curling around her. “You know exactly what I mean.”

Her breath hitched.

---