Page 33 of Rock Pucking Bottom

"Thank you. You're my guy and I love you. That doesn't change, and I think we're in the safe zone since I'm not leaving you. I still want to go with you to Minneapolis together. That is, if you will have me?"

We should be fine going there. He said that we had to be mated or seriously partnered. We definitely were the latter. Even if the mating itself failed, he was my boyfriend.

The right side of his lips lifted as if he thought I wouldn't come with him. "Of course, I'll have you. Are you sure you want to go to wolf central? I won't be able to keep the wolves away from my house. I can promise they won’t shift close to the homes, since we don’t want kids knowing our secret too soon. Many wolves roam around just to keep an eye on things. Although if they smell you, they will probably be good, but I can't make any promises since people forget.”

It was so sweet that he was looking out for me and my fears. He didn't hide anything, and I respected that. Even with the high stress of coming home, I didn't think he was going to take a drink so soon after getting clean or even hurt me.

"Yeah. It would be good to go back there. Let's book the flights." He didn’t move right away to grab a phone or laptop. Was he having second thoughts? Which only made me worried. “Everything okay?”

He licked his lips and then shook his head. “It’s nothing. Just worried about the pack and if they find out that I shifted in front of you before we were trying to seal our mating bond. Plus I’m worried about you. I know how the guys are.”

I put my hand over his and squeezed his. “I won’t tell them about that night. That’s our secret. If I get really spooked, I could just stay with my parents. I’ll be okay.”

He nodded and reached for his phone and started to tap away.

Chapter 28

Eoghan

Myhackleshadbeenraised since the moment we landed at the airport. While my senses were still dulled down from the personal dampeners, I was sure the boys had something up their sleeves. I probably should have taken off the dampeners the moment I landed, but I relied on them to keep me sane and not wanting to drink.

At least Emmy was at my side, holding my hand. If I wasn't so nervous, I would carry both of our luggage. But I would rather hold her hand than carry both of our roller bags.

Right before we got to the doors to get into the non-secure portion of the airport, I froze. The guys were all on the other side.

Emmy gave me a quick kiss and her thumb rubbed my palm. "Don't tell me you're getting cold feet."

"Sorta. I think the guys are all here on the other side of the doors. Are you ready for the onslaught?"

That got me a giggle that put me so much at ease.

"It'll be fine. I'm sure they won't hump my leg."

The images of even one of them trying such a thing in human form got me to chuckle. But it also caused a surge of jealousy within me. "I'll kill them if they even try."

Emmy smiled and said, "See? I'm safe with you. Come on. Let's go meet the boys."

My heart swelled when she said that she felt safe with me. It was a step in the right direction. I just wish she could trust me in my animal form as much as she trusted me as a human.

We strolled out through the stupid gates that separated the secure part of the airport and the outside world. Almost immediately, I saw the guys waiting for me with a shit ton of signs and they roared with their shouts.

I wanted to die. They knew I was shy and hated when the spotlight was on me, and yet here they were, acting like complete idiots.

I turned to Emmy. "I'm so sorry, but those fools are my friends."

"It's fine. But the longer you stall, the louder they will get."

I chuckled and knew she was right. We walked up to them and almost immediately, they started the interrogation.

Chapter 29

Emmy

ReturningtoMinneapoliswaslike seeing a more vibrant Eoghan. Before, you would see these flashes of his personality. He was so open and honest, but as quickly as they would come out, he would button himself back up.

The greeting at the airport just showed how much his friends and former teammates loved him. One thing that I had never noticed until today was how many Wild players had that same distinct silver eye color as Eoghan, which I thought was so unusual.

The drive from the airport was longer than I expected. He lived out in the suburbs in a very woodsy area. It was lush and idyllic. There were houses of various sizes. It was clear there wasn't a normal HOA trying to control the look and scheme of things.

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