Page 36 of Plus-Size Mate

Her mind reeled. How had she come up with something so damn imaginative? Why was her imagination determined to frighten the living daylights out of her?

No answer came to her, but once her attackers were down, Eddie did.

He turned, panting, and slowly approached. His head low, he offered her his snout, his golden gaze meeting hers with a clarity that made Winter's heart skip a beat.

There was nothing to say between them, nothing Winter would understand if he did try to communicate, and yet, it felt as if it wasn’t needed.

Lifting her trembling hand, Winter placed her palm beneath Eddie's chin and whispered, “Thank you.”

It was at that moment that the air around Eddie began to shift. She could visibly see it, almost as if his body were growing hot, letting off steam as his being began to change shape.

Heart hammering in her chest, all Winter could do was watch as the wolf changed into a golden-haired, ripple-muscled man. He crouched, naked, in the leaves before her, his head bowed low as Winter's hand dropped back to her side.

Still open-mouthed, never having seen a wolf shift before, she struggled to swallow past her surprise.

When Eddie raised his head to look at her, the emotion in his eyes caught Winter off guard.

“You don't need to worry, Winter,” he told her firmly, his gaze glowing with determination. “So long as I am by your side, no harm shall come to you.”

Winter opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, she was suddenly plunged into darkness.

It lasted only a second before she sat bolt upright at the dining room table. Her forehead ached. She guessed that was where it had rested on the surface of the table when she had fallen asleep. Her half-drunk coffee was cool in its mug next to her.

How long she had been asleep, she didn't know, but suddenly she wanted to sleep again. She hadn't wanted that dream to end, not yet.

It had started out as a terrible nightmare, but by the end of it, she had felt safe and content. She felt it still now, a swelling of happiness in her chest that she had never experienced before.

But as it subsided along with the memory of her dream, it was replaced by anger.

How could she possibly be feeling this way when Eddie had made it abundantly clear that the only reason he was going through with this mating ritual was for the benefit of the town and his pack?

How could she possibly be falling—if that was what this was—for a man who clearly did not reciprocate any feelings for her?

It was one thing to be mated to a man she had no feelings for, but it was quite another to be mated to a man she had fallen for if he did not feel the same way about her.

Bile rose in her throat. She was setting herself up for a lonely life indeed.

Mated to a werewolf, she would most likely lose access to her coven. She would be surrounded by other werewolves day in and day out, werewolves who likely despised witches as much as witches despised them.

Winter closed her eyes and placed her head in her hands. Was it too much to hope for that there might actually be something between them? Something more than just protecting the town?

Anger flared inside her again and she slammed her fist down on the table.

“Damn it!” she cursed. She had to get a grip on her emotions. None of this was about her. This was about protecting the town and those she cared about. She could worry about herself later.

And yet, the question wouldn't leave her.What if there really is more between us?

She wasn't sure whether that offered her relief or sheer terror. Could she really be falling for a goddamn werewolf?

Chapter 13 - Eddie

It was the night before the full moon, and Eddie lay in bed, hoping to catch a good night's sleep. The only problem was, his mind wouldn't seem to let him.

Whether it was nerves or perhaps a little excitement, he wasn't entirely sure.

Either way, he lay staring at the ceiling, wondering if it might be better to go for a run instead.

He was just considering getting up when a knock at the door startled him. His heart skipped a beat as for one moment, he wondered, what if it was Winter?

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