Page 70 of Understanding Fate

Shit.

Nearly missing where she cut off the trail, I slide into a nearby trunk before having to regain my feet.

For the next thirty minutes, we play a large game of tag: me catching her before taking off. Her coming around to catch me. By the time we find our way back to the path, I’m panting and grinning from ear to ear.

My girl is perfect.

It’s the most entertaining run I’ve had in years, and despite feeling like my legs might literally give out at any second, I can’t wait to do it again.

When I reach the porch, I shift back, grab my shorts from where I left them, and turn to wait for her to do the same.

She circles the yard before lying down in a pool of sunlight in the front.

Watching her wolf brings me a sense of pride I’ve never experienced, and I don’t think I could be more grateful that The Fates made her mine.

My Fated Mate.

My Firefly.

My Forever.

When I see that she’s going to lay out for a while, I head inside to grab her some warm clothes and pull out a hoodie for myself. Before returning outside, I brew another pot of coffee and start the fire in the living room.

She’s still basking in the yard when I come back out, and part of me wants to let her stay there, feeling out this part of her. The other part of me knows she needs to eat, and the longer she stays shifted the harder it will be for her to come back to me.

Cain: Time to come back inside before you freeze to death.

Bri: I can’t even feel the cold.

Cain: Be that as it may, you need food and rest. It’s been a big day.

Bri: Maybe later.

Cain: Come on. You need to shift back.

Bri: No

She replies, standing to face me. Challenge shining in fiery eyes.

Her defiance is both infuriating and hot, and I fight to keep myself from forcing her hand.

Cain: Mate…

Bri: She had twenty-two years. I think she can give me a few.

Cain: That is not how this works. You don’t get to have complete control over her. It should be a partnership—a team.

Bri: Well it looks like she put me in coach, and I’m ready to play.

The second she says it, I swear she raises her eyebrow exactly like Bri does, and my patience dissolves.

Cain:Shift Back

The command flows out of me, and I step closer to her. Her head tilts, and she casually lays herself down, paws crossing in the front.

Holy shit.

Bri: Funny how genetics work.

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