Page 36 of Fated Guardian

When we get back home, Nolan walks to my side of the truck. He tugs me down, and I sink into his arms.

“That was a lot,” I murmur.

“I’ll say. My mate is a literal fairy princess.” Nolan nuzzles my ear. Sadness punches through me, and he pulls back. “Sorry. I didn’t mean?—”

“It’s okay. It’s just… I wish I had known earlier.”

“What do you want to do about it?”

I wrinkle my nose. “Whoever sent the favor, I should probably get in contact with them. They’ll know more about my… status.”

“Favor?”

I nod, and Nolan sets me on the couch. He shifts my legs on top of his as he sits, too, and I cuddle into his arms.

“That’s the thing that Thorne has. A favor. You can receive a favor from the fae, or make a bargain. Making a bargain is nevera good idea, as most faeries will make them into something that benefits them only. The bargain I made with Thorne is probably the most benign faerie bargain that’s ever been made, and it’s been fulfilled ten times over. But a favor… it’s high praise.”

“So someone paid handsomely for your protection.”

I nod. “I guess they did.”

Nolan kisses the side of my head. “I should thank them.”

“Why?”

“Because without them, I never would have met the faerie princess that I love.”

Love.

I must look startled, because Nolan laughs. “Yes, Coral. I love you.”

“Oh, thank goodness.” I wrap my arms around him and bury my nose in his shoulder. “I love you too.”

His hands pat my hair gently. “I’m glad you’re my mate, Coral.”

“Coraline,” I whisper.

Nolan pauses. “What?”

“My true name. The one that you can use to summon me. The one that you can use to name me and bind me to you. It’s Coraline,” I whisper.

It feels so right for him to hear it.

“I don’t need to bind you, Coraline,” Nolan rumbles.

The use of my true name sends a shiver of arousal through me.

“I love you. I choose you, and all I want is for you to choose me, too.”

Hugging him close, I kiss him. The kiss deepens, and before I’m too far gone, I pull back.

“I love you, Nolan. I choose you. And I’ll always choose you.”

As we sink onto the couch, touching and tasting each other, I see a jasmine vine creeping above our heads.

I grin.

Life with Nolan and the pack is a chance to start over. A chance to begin again.

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