Page 40 of Plus-Size Mate

“If you feel that bad about it,” Eddie joked, kicking Will's shin playfully, “I'm sure I could come up with some way for you to repay my self-sacrifice.”

Will threw back his head at that. “You forget, I've seen your witch. You're hardly sacrificing yourself by binding yourself to her for the rest of your life. She's fucking hot. Sure, she's a witch, but even I have eyes.”

Something bit into Eddie's stomach at his friend's words. What the fuck was that? Jealousy?

As if he saw it sparking in Eddie's eyes, Will said, “Don't look at me like that. Your witch is safe from me. I don't do magic users. Things get too messy when it goes wrong.”

Eddie cringed. What was that supposed to mean?

In truth, it didn't really matter. This was happening. He was going to protect his town. More than that, he was going to protect Winter from ever being attacked in her own store again.

The strength of his determination on that one startled him. Somehow now, always, she was at the forefront of his mind.

His desire to protect her overshadowed everything else entirely. Maybe that was why he had even bothered pretending to look for another option in those books; he was willing to do just about anything to protect her, even if it meant putting an end to a spell she didn't really want to cast.

“Well, it looks to me like you've got a lot on your mind,” Will said, and it was only then Eddie realized he had closed his eyes and lost himself in thought. He had been doing that a lot lately, especially when Winter was on his mind. “Maybe I should leave you to it?”

Will made to get up, but even before he was on his feet, Eddie jumped up and said, “Actually, what I could really do with is a run. Fancy joining me?”

Will looked uncertain. “Shouldn't you be saving your energy for tomorrow night?”

Eddie cocked his head and pointed out, “We're werewolves. A quick sleep tonight and a nap tomorrow afternoon before the madness and I'll be fine. Right now, all I need is to run.”

“Well, I guess Jack would never forgive me if I let you go out alone and you took it upon yourself to try and skip townto avoid your own mating ceremony,” Will said, laughing, but it was in that moment Eddie realized he didn't want to run from anything. In fact, he wanted to run towards it, towards Winter and towards his future.

He couldn't sleep. He was finding a way to pass the time until the full moon finally glided overhead.

“I don't think you need to worry about that,” Eddie said, shaking his head as he shoved his feet into his sneakers. “I just need a little company, is all.”

“Hey, if you're expecting some of that the night before your ceremony, maybe I should call Carly back after all.”

Eddie shoved Will hard yet playfully in the chest, breathing a sigh of relief. It was good to feel as if they were real brothers in arms again.

Will things still feel like this after the spell has been cast?Eddie wondered. Somehow, he couldn't help but feel as if everything was about to change.

Chapter 14 - Winter

The full moon rode high in the sky as the Nightstar pack gathered on the lawn outside the manor. Feeling more than a little out of place, surrounded by werewolves, Winter focused on her breathing.

This was it. This was the moment she had been trying to avoid for what felt like an age, and yet, it had come upon them in the blink of an eye.

Standing at the center of the crowd, facing Eddie, she couldn't help but think of the dreams that had been plaguing her every time she slept. Sex dreams, dreams of being chased, dreams that always ended with him.

Was this really where she was meant to be? Was she truly meant to do this?

If so, she would do it without hesitation, just like Eddie would, for the sake of the town. And yet, she couldn't help but wish there was something more to it. If only she had managed to talk to Eddie properly about it. If only she hadn't been so damn defensive. But it was too late now.

“Winter, would you mind my saying a few words before we begin?” Jack asked, stepping into the circle.

She would rather he didn’t. She just wanted to get this over with so she could go home and hide under her favorite fleecy blanket for the rest of her life.

But instead of admitting that, she nodded and gave the floor over to him.

“Tonight, beneath the light of the full moon, with the wolf gods bearing witness, we finally put an end to the torment that has been plaguing this town,” Jack said, speaking loud andconfident as he gazed around at all his packmates. “But what we must remember is that without the bravery of Winter and Eddie, this would not have been made possible. I would like us to take a moment to show them our true appreciation for the sacrifice they make here today.”

With that, Jack threw back his head and began to howl. In an instant, the rest of the pack began to do the same.

It was a wondrous noise, one filled with elation and gratitude, and yet it still made Winter's skin crawl.

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