Page 20 of My Mate

“Don’t,” Dex said, suddenly coming out of the forest.

She gasped and turned toward him, to find he was once again naked. “Shouldn’t you be a wolf?” she asked.

“I was one, and I had to sit back and watch as you started to cry.” He shook his head. “I’m not going to let you do this.”

“Dex, don’t worry about it. It’s nothing. Just stupid monthly hormones.” Although, she wasn’t on her cycle, or even close to being there. “It’s fine. Go and run with the pack, enjoy your night.”

“No,” he said. “Every full moon, this is where I come.”

“You do?” she asked, unable to help but frown, as she’d never seen him.

“Yes.”

“I … I’ve never seen you.”

“I watch you.”

“Ah, so you’re a bit of a stalker?”

“Not even a bit, but a lot.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s incredible.”

“You’re not angry?”

“No, I’m not. I’m actually quite glad. Yeah, I’m glad.”

She got to her feet and went to brush the earth from her body, but then realized there was no point, seeing as she’d been lying on the blanket.

“I mean, I’m not glad, because you should be running with the pack, but the past few months, I’ve been thinking that someone is watching me, and I’m right.” She laughed. “You are.”

“Yeah, I am.” He reached for her waist, pulling her close, and then took possession of her lips.

Casey forgot what the tears were all about the moment his lips brushed against hers, and she couldn’t help but melt against him. At first, she kept her hands at her sides, but she just couldn’t help herself, so she began to wrap them around his body, holding onto him.

Once again, that feeling of peace and calm washed overher.

“I’ve got you,” he said.

“And I’ve got you.”

“Don’t cry,” he said.

Casey sighed. “I … I don’t think we should do this.”

“Don’t.”

“Come on, Dex. You’re going to be an Alpha one day. Do you want a mate that can’t turn into a wolf? I bet there are a lot of people in the pack who would agree I shouldn’t be your mate.”

“Then they can fuck off out of my pack. I don’t give a shit.”

She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “It’s not that simple.”

“Yeah, you know what, it is that simple. It has always been that simple.” He stroked some of her hair behind her ear. “And it can always be that simple. I don’t want anyone else, Casey. You’re my mate. You will always be my mate.”

“But—”

“No, no buts. I didn’t sign up to leave when it seemed to be getting a little harder. I signed up for life with you. You’re my mate and there is no way I am backing down from this. You’re mine, just as I am yours. Forever.”

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