Page 41 of The Wolf's Mate

“Omega Isla,” Rip greets. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, King Alpha. I’m sorry for bothering you, but I actually came here to speak to your mate,” she admits, turning her attention to me. My heart starts to pound loudly against my chest, but Rip reaches for me. His touch alone provides me with strength and stability.

Isla’s eyes turn glossy as a few tears roll down her cheeks. “I didn’t get the opportunity to thank you for protecting my son during the attack. Because of you and your bravery, Desmond is unharmed. I can’t thank you enough for keeping my son safe.”

Desmond pokes his head up to peer around his mother. He holds a chubby hand up and waves before burrowing his head back into the crook of his mother’s neck. Isla holds him tighter, leaning down to place a kiss on the top of his head.

I don’t realize I’m crying until Rip wipes away a stray tear. I glance up to see nothing but pride and admiration in my mate’s eyes. “I’m so proud of you,” he mouths, and it takes everything in me to hold back the dam of tears threatening to spill over. Mescos has turned me into a damn crier.

No one has ever been proud of me in my life. Granted, I’ve never given a person reason to be proud of me, but my goal in coming to Mescos was to start over. It’s such an immense honor and confidence boost to have someone believe in you. It’s a feeling I could easily get addicted to.

I take a deep breath, hoping my voice is steady as I speak to Isla. “I’m glad Desmond is okay. You don’t need to thank me. He’s pack, and I will always protect the pups in our pack.” As I say the words, I realize how much I mean them. This pack is my family now. I’m here to protect them, and that’s exactly what I want to do.

Isla catches me off guard and hugs me. I tense but then snake my arms around her. We share this moment together. Woman to woman. Using the hug to convey everything our words cannot.

When she pulls away, Isla is still crying, but she beams at me. “I wanted to make sure I thanked you in person. I’ll leave you two to enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Isla says goodbye to Rip before leaving us alone. My eyes lock with his, and he pulls me in for a kiss. One I easily surrender to. “My Luna,” he purrs into the kiss.

And for the first time, I feel like one.

Chapter 19

Hettie

Three days have passed since Rip laid me out on the dinner table and feasted upon my pussy like his fucking life depended on it. Three days of the scene playing over and over in my head rent-free. The phantom touch of his lips, his tongue, forever etched in my brain. This man sank his claws into me, and I loved every second.

I expected things to become awkward between us. That maybe Rip would regret what we did, and I would have to pretend to be completely unaffected by it all. However, he didn’t shy away from me in the days that followed. In fact, he kisses me good morning, and it feels like the most natural thing in the world.

But there hasn’t been any repeat of our dinner date, much to my dismay. Rip has been pulled in every direction, and it’s wearing on him, even if he won’t admit it. I feel his exhaustion in our bond and the way he carries himself. We only see each other at night and in the mornings right before he leaves on patrols or for meetings.

When he left this morning, Rip promised he’d see me this afternoon. Then he kissed me goodbye, leaving me alone with Grass. A familiar feeling took residence inside me: loneliness, which made little sense. Tallie or Thorne, sometimes both, were with me during the day. I enjoyed their company, especially Tallie’s. She’s Rip’s opposite in every way, but she shares the same stubbornness as her cousin.

I miss his stubbornness when he isn’t around. Being the King Alpha’s mate demands sacrifice, or so I’ve been told, but I’m selfishly missing the time he spends away because I want him to spend his time with me.

And I think he wants that too, if the soft caresses and lingering looks are any indication.

I think I’m falling for him, and I don’t know how to stop. I’m not even sure I want to.

Grass licks my toes, pulling me away from thoughts of Rip. He whines, ready to start our day. He’s pissed at me for taking him away from his new best friend, Tallie, so I’m certain he’s also eager to get back to her.

Traitor.

But a damn cute one.

I stumble out of bed, dressing in jeans, warm boots, and a warm coat. Snow falls in abundance in Lycan Forest, and the chill seeps deep within my bones. I thought I would love snow, and, admittedly, it is beautiful, but the cold is painful. The shifters never seem bothered by the cold since some are perfectly content to walk barefoot or shirtless. I can barely walk out of the packhouse without covering my face for too long.

I told Tallie we would meet at the packhouse to walk over to the House of Wolfsbane together. I haven’t looked over the healers’ progress, but I want to hear any new information they may have uncovered. Only two more wolves have fallen ill from the curse, but more will follow. I’m here to help with a cure, so I need to be actively trying to do so.

I don’t want to know what happens if I fail the pack. Every death will be my fault. Every cursed wolf will be because of me. I left Grym Hollow because I’m a fuck-up, but I refuse to be the same person here. I’m their damn Luna.

Grass barrels past me as soon as I get the door opened. He barks once, his tail wagging excitedly as he dashes down the hall. He pauses at the top of the stairs, waiting for me, but the moment I reach him, he all but rolls down the grand staircase.

Getting out of the packhouse takes longer than I would have liked since Grass insists on stopping to let everyone he crosses pet him. They all indulge him, and despite my eagerness to get to the lab, I can’t help but smile. I love how much Grass has thrived here, making my decision to bring him along the right one.

When Grass suddenly bolts off toward the entrance, I know Tallie is here. I hurry to greet my friend. She’s brought Thorne with her today, and I feel a stab of loneliness in my chest. Possibly jealousy too. I don’t want Thorne; I want Rip here with me. Seeing them together reminds me I’m without him.

“Good morning, Hettie.” Tallie gives me a big hug once she untangles herself from Grass, who has moved on to accost Thorne. Tallie wears similar jeans as me with a long-sleeved black shirt. I envy her ability to face the cold. Her hair is done, beautiful curls bouncing as she walks. She is sunshine, and I can’t help but smile at her radiance.

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