Page 49 of Understanding Fate

Thanks, Snowball.

Getting you out of trouble is becoming a full-time job, City

Yeah, and I hear the pay and benefits are shit. You should quit.

Tempting.

I laugh, pulling Cain’s attention, and his eyes flash to the phone.

“Apparently, keeping me out of trouble is a full-time job,” I repeat Ghost's words to him with an eye roll.

“Well, he’s certainly right about that,” he says, and I backhand his arm in mock outrage.

“Hey, now, you two can both shove it. I never asked for a team of bodyguards. I just wanted to graduate, get a job, and live my life in peace,” I say, realizing all of those things may be completely out of reach now.

I’m not even sure if I can graduate at this point.

The thought is jarring and pulls my mood back down.

“Firefly…” Cain says slowly, pulling my eyes back up to his as he pulls into a parking space.

“If you want those things, then you will have them. I will do my best to ensure you have the life you choose,” he says, unbuckling his seatbelt and reaching for my chin. “You and me, Firefly. We’re in this together, and I plan to spend the rest of my life making your list of dreams come true,” he says before leaning down and capturing my mouth in a kiss.

I close my eyes, leaning into him and letting his declaration wash over me.

The rest of the world falls away, and for a moment, it's just Cain and I. No LLC. No wolf packs. Just the man who snuck his way past my defenses by showing up and protecting me at every turn.

I love him.

The words used to scare me, but now they comfort me. My future may not be crystal clear anymore, but my heart knows exactly what I want.

Tipping my chin up, I allow him more access. It causes him to respond with a growl before pulling back, my lip between his teeth in a gentle nip.

“As much as I would like to pull you into my lap right here and fuck you until we can’t see out these windows, we have to getto the safe house,” he says, his eyes glowing silver as he calms his breath.

“Why do they do that?” I ask, holding his face near me as I examine them.

Pools of iridescent mercury.

“Do what, Firefly?” he asks, his brows dropping in confusion.

“Glow. They glow sometimes,” I say, mesmerized.

“Oh, when my wolf threatens to take control, they shift,” he explains, prompting more questions.

“So is your wolf separate from you, or an extension of you, or how does it work? Can you talk to him, or is he you?” I fire off the questions.

“It’s hard to explain. He’s me, but also, he’s not me? I can hear what he needs or wants; he can feel when I need him to take over. His needs are separate from mine, but we live in the same body, so our goals have to align. When we aren’t on the same page, it's hard to maintain control because he wants to take over,” he says, trying to explain.

“So why did your wolf push to take over now?”

“You're his Mate. Or rather, your wolf is. He wants to Awaken you and claim her as his. Every time I’m with you, I’m pushing him back. It’s a delicate balance of keeping him at bay while allowing you to make your own decisions,” he says, kissing my forehead.

When he leans back, his eyes have returned to their smoky gray hue.

“Well then, I guess come on, you two. We have supplies to get,” I say, a smile forming on my face as I unbuckle and jump out of the truck.

***

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