Page 61 of Breathe Again

Cole smiled. I could tell my praise of his Pack Mother made him happy.

“Here’s my cell number. I’ll have it on me all night. If there’s anything I can do to help, or you run into trouble, just call. For now, I’m going to take Elizabeth home so we can get a little sleep before the big day. Stay alert and don’t underestimate them, because they’re coming,” Cole told Wyatt and James as we said our goodbyes and left.

It didn’t really dawn on me that I was still wrapped in a blanket, forgetting we had run over. I had been so focused and worried when learning about the threat not just to my brother, but to my mate as well, that I had been oblivious to Cole being stark naked beside me the entire time.

Back out in the fresh night air, alone, I was more than aware of it once again. I gave him a once over, watching him smirk in delight before shedding the blanket and reaching for him. I pulled him to me and kissed him with all the passion and fears that had been building inside me since we first stumbled across the Larken wolves.

Cole ended our kiss and took a step back, staring into my eyes. “I think we need to get you home. Like right now.”

I giggled and shifted before him, rubbing my fur up against his body. He reached out and stroked the soft hair on my head, scratching my ears, before leaning down and kissing me on the nose.

“So beautiful,” he whispered, causing my wolf to wag her tail frantically and prance around before him.

He laughed and shifted to join me. His black-as-night wolf was powerful, and the most gorgeous creature I’d ever seen. Side by side, we ran all the way home without passing another soul or running into any further trouble.

I didn’t want to admit the exhaustion that took me over when I shifted back to my skin and walked into the house. The run had settled my wolf some and wore me out. I was ready to collapse.

“I know how you feel. I’m about dead on my feet too and tomorrow’s a big day,” Cole said, reading my mind.

I looked at the clock and frowned. “You mean today is going to be a big, long day.”

He groaned. “Okay. As much as I’d love to take you to bed and ravish you, we have the preservation of two packs on our shoulders. So no fooling around, straight into bed. . . to sleep,” he added.

I pretended to pout, but secretly I was just grateful. I was done and ready for sleep, and glad that my flirtations outside the jailhouse hadn’t encouraged or promised things to come that I wasn’t sure I could deliver on just then.

Loving that we were on the same page, I happily collapsed into bed, snuggled up against my mate safe and warm, and fell quickly to sleep until the alarm sounded the next morning far too early.

I groaned. “Just a few more minutes,” I begged.

“Come on, sleepyhead, it’s time to wake up,” Cole said.

I peeked one eye open and found him sitting on the bed next to me, freshly showered, and dressed for the day. I pouted. “When did you get up?”

“Few hours ago. Couldn’t sleep,” he admitted.

“Why didn’t you wake me?”

“Are you kidding me? I think a tornado could have come through, picked you up and carried you off, dropping you in the river, and you still wouldn’t have woken up,” he teased.

“Jerk,” I grumbled, forcing myself to rise and head for the bathroom. Even a quick shower didn’t help much. I took care to apply makeup, hoping to hide the bags under my eyes and look good enough to not draw attention to the fact I’d barely slept and was terrified of what the day would bring.

I slipped on the blue dress I’d bought just for the ceremony and examined myself critically in the mirror. I loved the dark shade of blue because it was the exact color of my eyes and seemed to make them pop. I twirled around, deciding it was as good as it was going to get.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, Cole was standing there. He dropped the phone in his hand and his mouth fell open. Something between a hum and a growl rumbled through his chest before he cleared his throat. “Wow, you are breathtaking.”

My heartbeat raced in excitement at his reaction. He swore under his breath as he picked up his phone. “Later tonight, when all this madness is behind us, I’m going to spend hours showing you just how much I love this dress on you.”

I blushed at the thoughts running through my man’s head. Not that I’d deny him one single bit.

“Look at you,” I said, quickly changing the subject. “You clean up rather nicely yourself. Need help with that tie?”

He quirked an eyebrow at me. “You know how to tie one of these things?”

“Of course I do,” I said, snatching it away from him and quickly fixing the knot. “Mom said it was important to know how to take care of your mate, even with the smallest gestures.”

“Remind me to thank her. I hate wearing a suit and avoid it at all costs,” he confessed.

“I don’t know why. You look very sharp,” I praised.

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