Page 69 of Half Wolf Mate

“There’s no we. I’ll take care of everything.”

“But—”

“No buts. You and our child will stay safe. End of story.”

I rolled my eyes at the appearance of overbearing Cole. “You’re so bossy.”

“Get used to it, sweetheart.” I rolled my eyes again at his little smirk. “Now, no more about the pack.” His expression softened. “I just want tonight to be about us.”

I searched his face. Yeah, because after tonight, all hell would break loose. The fallout from him defying the elders and betraying his pack would be disastrous.

As if reading my mind, he planted a kiss on my lips and whispered, “Don’t think about it. Let’s talk about something else.”

“Okay.” My eyeballs rolled around as I thought of another topic. “I’m sorry,” I said, trailing a finger over his gorgeously chiseled jaw.

He lifted an eyebrow. “About what?”

A small smile lifted my lips. “For thinking you were an asshole. You’re really not that bad, and I feel awful for that misconception.”

After a bit, he chuckled. “You know, it’s for the best that I’ve claimed you, Sydney Sullivan.”

“Really?” I grinned. “Why is that?”

“Because you’re terrible for a man’s ego. As a man who sometimes exhibits arrogance—"

“Sometimes? You always exhibit arrogance.”

Laughter danced in his eyes. “I stand corrected. I need a snarky woman like you as a mate to knock me down a peg every now and then. You’ll keep me grounded.”

I snickered, loving the feeling of the new relaxed energy between us. “You think I’m snarky?”

“Adorably and hilariously snarky.”

“Well, I’m relieved you like those qualities in a woman because you’re stuck with me now,” I joked.

Cole laughed. He gazed at me with something I’d never seen before. Could it be love? “There are worse fates,” he murmured, pulling me close.

For the first time in a long time, I felt complete. The moment with Cole was amazing, and I’d savor it…until shit hit the fan with his pack. And the hunters. I couldn’t forget about the hunters.

Chapter 29 Sydney

I tried to steady my heartbeat because I knew everyone around me could hear it. It was hard to put on my usual brave front around werewolves who could hear and smell fear.

“Sydney, you don’t have to do this,” Cole said.

I surveyed the surrounding where we stood outside the Moon Guardian pack’s compound. Cole, Damian, Alex, and I arrived not too long ago. Stephan and Dominic were already inside.

“I have to do this,” I replied, holding Cole’s gaze. “I refuse to sit at home while you face an entire pack.”

“I don’t want you to do this,” he sighed. “You should be far away from here. I should have Damian take you home—”

“There’s no way I’m leaving your side,” Damian interrupted. He wore an impassive expression, but there was a hard edge to his tone.

“It’s just a meeting with the elders,” Cole said.

Damian snorted. “Yeah, the same elders who sent men to spy on us and then to kill you and your mate.”

“Damian is right,” Alex interjected. “I get the vibe that we’re not exactly a part of the pack anymore.” He frowned.

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