Page 10 of Mated By Moonlight

Gideon no longer fought the beast. Their end goal was the same. Both man and wolf yearned to close the gap, to claim her, to soothe her fears. It was only the man who feared overwhelming her, driving her farther away with his intensity.

Suddenly, Maize stumbled over a hidden root. Her cry sliced through the night. Instinctively, Gideon slowed, his approach now cautious, protective. He circled her slowly as she regainedher footing, her chest heaving with panicked breaths. His wolf whimpered, the sound soft and coaxing.

Her eyes met his in the moonlight, wide with a tumult of fear and awe. Gideon stayed still, every muscle quivering with the effort as he waited for her to understand, to accept him not just as a wolf, but as her destined mate. The night held its breath, the forest a silent witness.

Under the watchful eye of the moon, the wolf reveled in the nearness of its mate. Its golden eyes locked on to Maize’s wide, expressive ones. She was a prone statue, her chest heaving with rapid breaths that sent her scent swirling temptingly around him.

The wolf leaned forward, its snout inches from her face. Maize didn’t scream; she didn’t flinch. Her eyes, dark and deep, watched him. She might have run, but she knew better than to show fear.

Good girl. The wolf’s approval vibrated through their shared consciousness as it tenderly, almost reverently, gave her a long lick across the cheek.

"Hey!" Maize protested, swiping at the moisture with haughty indignation.

Then, as if her calm acceptance was the balm needed to soothe the savage spirit, the wolf finally receded. The shift back was a withdrawal of fur into skin, claws into nails, fangs into teeth—a retraction of the wild into the confines of the man. Gideon hovered over her once more, his body now human, naked, and vulnerable under the night sky.

He took a deep, stabilizing breath, feeling the cool air fill his lungs and calm his racing heart. His eyes never left Maize’s, searching for signs of fear, of rejection.

“I’m sorry,” he rasped, his voice thick with the remnants of his transformation. “He—I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

"You’re naked."

"Yeah. Being a shifter is murder on the clothing budget."

Maize pursed her lips. Then huffed out a breath. Then pressed her hand to her forehead before yanking it away and glaring up at him. "So we're fated mates?"

"Yes."

"Do I get a choice?"

"You could reject me."

She licked her lower lip, as though considering. "If I say no, you'll leave me alone?"

"No."

Her eyes went wide with incredulity, and she shoved at him.

Gideon rolled over onto his back. It wasn't in defeat. He just knew it was better if he didn't look at her right now, not when he wanted to pounce on her and make her submit. Instead, he stared up at the moon, trying to keep his hands to himself so he didn't reach out to her.

"I would never take you against your will, but I could never leave you unprotected, either. I would keep to the shadows and look after you. I'd go wherever you go. I couldn't help myself. It's you for me or no one."

There was a long silence. Gideon didn't look over at her. He didn't need to. He could feel the whirlwind of conflict rolling off her skin.

"And you'd run off any guy I tried to date?"

"No. I wouldn't do that." That was one truth. Another was that he'd more than likely rip their throats out.

Maize stood. She towered over him. It was a lovely sight.

She was taking him in as well. Her gaze dipped to his hips. Then she immediately looked back up to his eyes, her cheeks darkening in the pale moonlight. “How can you be so sure I’m your fated mate?”

“How did you know you loved your sister?”

“That’s different. Liza is family. The moment I knew of her existence, I loved her.”

“It’s the same,” Gideon insisted, his eyes never leaving hers, willing her to understand the depths of his sudden and overwhelming affection. “The moment I knew of your existence this afternoon, Iknew. Call it fate, call it duty, call it love. You are family now.”

He wanted to saymine.But family was likely the smarter play.

---