Page 49 of Auctioned Wolf Bride

“I know,” I said. “I figured it out after you ran off.”

“So all those feelings… does that mean they were real?” she blushed. “God, that sounds so dumb.”

“It doesn’t sound dumb at all,” I said. “And if you ask me, yes, they’re real. I should have figured it out a lot sooner. And Imeant it when I said I want to give us a shot.” I cracked a grin. “I mean, hell, we’re already married. We got that part out of the way.”

“And what about the other girls?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “Because I have no intention of sharing you.”

I brushed a strand of hair from her face, cupping her face, thumb stroking her cheek.

“You’re the only woman I need,” I said. “I love you.”

Her face brightened, giving me the most radiant and beautiful smile I’d ever seen. “I love you, too,” she said.

“I just wish it hadn’t taken all this to make me realize it,” I said.

She shrugged, a small smile growing across her face as her eyes sparkled. “Better late than never,” she teased.

I chuckled, smiling as I bent down to press my mouth to hers. Gently at first, then with more intensity. She moaned against my lips, and the sound of it began to drive me wild. I gripped her tighter, fully prepared to lay her down in the grass right then and there.

A loud, deliberate cough snapped me back to my senses. I pulled back, albeit reluctantly, hands still holding onto Thea. Rand watched from a distance, a knowing smirk on his face.

“Shouldn’t we be getting back?” he asked. “I know you guys have some things to work out, but keep it to the bedroom.”

“You don’t seem surprised,” I remarked.

“Oh, I’ve been calling this for weeks,” he said. “Long before all of this started up.”

“Astrid isn’t going to be mad?” Thea asked.

Rand let out a loud laugh. “Are you kidding? She’s going to be furious. She bet me a hundred dollars it wouldn’t happen for at least another year.”

“To be fair, I’m pretty sure the whole forced marriage and kidnapping accelerated things,” I pointed out.

Rand shrugged. “Hey, I’ll take my victories where I can get them. Now, come on. Let’s get back to town.”

Chapter 19 - Thea

The party was in full swing, and I watched as everyone laughed, danced, and drank. Astrid had insisted that if Tannen and I were going to stay married, she got to plan a reception to “make up for missing out on being the maid of honor,” as she put it. I had to admit, she knew how to throw a great party. And Tannen’s house—my house now, too—seemed perfectly suited for the occasion.

As I took a break from the dancing, I leaned against a corner, and Astrid came up to me.

“Thanks for the party,” I said.

“Of course. It’s the least you could let me do.” She winked, then her expression sobered. “It’s going to be weird not having you in the house anymore. I won’t be able to hover over you every second anymore.”

“I can handle myself.” I nudged her affectionately. “You taught me well.”

Astrid sighed, looking out at the rest of the group. “I’m always going to worry about you. It’s part of the job description, I think. But I always knew you’d leave when you found a mate.” She groaned, closing her eyes. “God, I sound like a mom, don’t I?”

“Nah,” I said. “Okay, maybe a little.”

She gave a laugh. “Sorry if I’ve mothered you too much over the years.”

I leaned against her. “I wouldn’t have had it any other way. You’ve been an incredible sister, really. And seriously—all the self-defense you had me do really paid off in the end.”

“I told you there was a reason I made you keep going to those classes. Anyway.” Astrid glanced over to where Rand and Tannen were chatting with Sam and Mark, all laughing. “I’m glad it’s Tannen.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Really? With his reputation?”

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