Page 21 of Promise & Artem

Axtyn stepped aside and said, “Come on in.”

Artem gave Promise’s hand a squeeze as they walked through the hall and into the kitchen, where his mom was looking at her old recipe book with her best friend, Angel, who also lived and worked at the campground with her mates.

After telling his mom and Angel the good news, his mom whooped a cheer and raced around the island to hug them both.

“Oh, honey!” she cried, “I’m so very happy for you! I’m so happy for you both!”

Brierley stepped back and his dad put his arm around her. Angel said, “Congratulations to you both. This is a family thing, so I’m going to scoot.”

“But the rolls?”

“We can do that later!”

Angel was gone moments later.

Brierley said, “So I want all the details! How did this happen? When did this happen? And where? Oh my gosh! Are you hungry, do you want something to eat or drink? Look at me, I’m so happy I’m shaking!” She held up her hands and they were trembling, which Artem thought was sweet.

“We’re good, Mom. How about we sit on the back porch and chat? We’ve both got a lot to tell you.”

His dad growled and his eyes flashed red. “I told you not to get into those damned shifter fighting rings, Artem.”

“I know,” he said, rubbing his thumb over Promise’s hand. Their fingers were linked, their joined hands resting on his thigh. He couldn’t stop touching her. It made his beast feel grounded and not out of control.

His mom put her hand on his dad’s arm. “Hold on, that’s important and everything, but the main news is that once they’re mated, then there’s no danger to Artem for shifting and never coming back from it. Let’s celebrate that and be happy, you two can deal with the fighting thing later.”

His dad gave him a long look. “When is your next fight?”

“Not for a couple nights.”

“All right, so you’ve got time to enjoy your mating and then I’ll go with you to get out of the fighting.”

“I can go by myself.”

“No way. The guys who run these things are always unhinged. You need backup.”

Promise elbowed him. “He’s right. You shouldn’t take your safety lightly. I just met you, I need you to stick around for a few decades.”

“Just a few?”

“As many as possible,” she said.

“Okay, thanks Dad.”

“Well, I’ve always thought we should have a healer in the baro,” Brierley said. “I can’t believe there are wolves out there who can heal.”

“To be fair, it’s pretty painful,” Promise said. “My mom healed a deep cut I had on my hand and it was really terrible to go through.”

She told them how they’d saved the life of an alpha wolf’s mate.

“Incredible,” his dad said. “And really wonderful.”

Artem was damn proud of his mate, and he’d only just met her.

“So what are your plans? A first date?” his mom asked.

“Yes,” Artem said. “But I can still work on the four-wheelers for a while this morning and Promise can hang out with me in the workshop.”

“Are you sure? Because I’d love the help,” his dad said. “Then you can take the rest of the week off.”

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