Page 42 of Her Convict Wolf

A smile tugs at my lips. “No, actually. I came to warn you.”

“Warn me what?” He’s leaning forward now, handcuffs clanking as he crunches his knuckles.

I sit closer, until my face is practically touching the glass, and I stare deep into his eyes. My wolf rises to the surface, and I see him flinch. He has a hard time looking it in the eye. “You’re going to prison for the rest of your life. And it occurred to me that you might try to take it out on Emory in some way. But if you ever do that, if anything happens to her, I have associates at the prison who will destroy you. Eat you alive.” My wolf’s canines are pushing through. I let them come, and I snap my jaws at him. “And I don’t mean that figuratively. You know what kind of place you’re going to be kept in? It’s a shifter prison. Full of hungry beasts.

“This is not an idle threat, Manzoni. You understand me?”

His face contorts. He’s still not used to taking orders. But he’ll learn.

“Let me hear you say it.”

He snarls. “I won’t do anything to hurt Emory.”

“Or anyone she’s connected with.”

“Or anyone she’s connected with,” he spits.

“You should be very proud of your daughter. She’s an incredible woman,” I say. “Enjoy the rest of your life.” I get up and leave him still sitting at the table, trembling with impotent rage.

Then I push the speed limit all the way back to my beautiful mate, excited to give her the news: for the first time in her life, she’s free. She can do whatever the hell she wants.

As long as that involves spending every day of her life with me.

EPILOGUE

Three months later

Ipull up in front of our little cabin in Wilder’s Edge and leap out, looking around for Emory. My wolf is tearing up my skin and there’s a heavy ache in my chest that I know won’t quit until she’s back in my arms again. It’s the same every time we’re apart. There’s a powerful bond connecting our souls, and it’s only growing stronger, day by beautiful day.

When I left to run an errand a half hour ago, Emory was sitting on the porch, drinking coffee, but now she’s nowhere to be seen.

My heart rate skips up as I dash around the building.

There she is—on the far side of the cabin, working at the vegetable garden. Crouching down, her blonde head dipped, my mark exposed on the back of her neck.

I snort, shake my head.Take it easy, Banks.I never stop worrying about her when she’s not right by my side. I’m not sure if I ever will. Guess it’s my job to worry about my mate—and make sure she’s as relaxed and happy as she can be.

She turns her head, curiously. And when she catches sight of me, a beautiful smile spreads across her face. She springs up and runs to me, arms outstretched, blonde hair flying.

I hug her tight, and as our hearts press together, that ache in my chest eases away. We’ve talked about it before. She says she feels it, too, when we’re separated. My beast settles in me, happy to be back with its mate.

But I sense something isn’t right with her. I draw back and gaze into her sky-blue eyes. My pulse speeds up again.

“Emory, what is it?”

“Oh, I was just feeling sad that all the vegetables are done for the season. I loved planting this garden with you.”

I grin, falling in love with her even more. After all she’s been through, her spirit hasn’t changed—she hasn’t gotten jaded or cynical. She has the purest heart of anyone I know.

“Me too, my angel,” I say. These three months have been magical. Just Emory and me in this wild little place, living a simple life; getting to know each other, loving each other more every day. I catch her hands in mine. “But, guess what? We can plant it every single year if you want.”

She beams. “Yes, please. I’d love that.”

“I’ve got something that’ll cheer you up.” I pull a bunch of papers out of my back pocket. “Since it’s the down season for our garden, I was thinking it might be a good time to take a little trip.”

I hand the papers to her, and watch in anticipation as she rifles through them.

“Two first-class tickets to Paris… and a voucher for Le Cordon Bleu cookery school…” She lets out a gasp and throws her arms around me. “Maxim! Oh, my god!”

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