Page 310 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

Mia trailed close behind me around the rock formation, pausing as we came to a hidden clearing.

“Surprise.” My voice a little gruffer than usual.

“It’s so beautiful,” she whispered.

Crystal clear water gushed down a mossy rock formation, into a deep pool. Standing beside Mia, I inhaled a full breath filled with fresh, pure water, earth, and her. Her scent wrapped around me like a warm summer night, attaching itself to every inch of my skin. My wolf stirred, torn between curling up like a sleepy kitten and protecting her from possible threats.

This time when my hand reached for hers, I didn’t hold back. I slipped my pinkie around hers, shooting a wild thrill through my blood. She took it a step further and curled her whole hand in mine. My breath bottled up deep in my chest, a familiar warmth expanding through my middle. The same feeling I experienced every time I thought of her.

Hope.

Hand in hand, I led her to the bank and dumped our bags near the narrow stream. “It’s spectacular after all the rain we’ve had this week.”

We stood there for a moment, admiring the view before I slipped her hand from mine and flipped off my shoes. I grabbed the hem of my shirt and lifted it.

“What are you doing?”

I paused, shirt half off. “Swimming?”

“Oh, right. Obviously.” She peered at the waterfall, biting her bottom lip. “It looks cold.”

I stripped off my shirt and tossed it by my shoes. “A little fresh maybe.”

“Don’t lie. That’s code for freezing.”

My laugh ended abruptly when I sensed Mia’s gaze, burning a path over my body. I didn’t dare look. Not yet. I couldn’t let her know how much she affected me. Having her so close after so long, a second chance, an opportunity to right my wrongs. A chance to finally be happy.

She grounded me like only a mate could, giving me more peace than the forest. I needed that every day for the rest of my life. But I hated not telling her what I was or worse, what I’d done. The more I avoided it, the harder it would be.

I pushed those thoughts aside and walked down to the water. The second my toes hit the freezing abyss, my balls shriveled up and died. Jesus, I hadn’t swum here since I was a teenager. Clearly, the entire time I was drunk or just plain stupid.

Regardless, I couldn’t back out now. I’d committed to swimming, and I never backed down on a commitment. No matter the cost.

The first few steps were always the hardest. In life and in this damn pool. Teeth clenched, I inched further into the water until it reached my knees.

To hell with it.

I dove in. An invigorating rush burst over my body, stealing air from my lungs. When I resurfaced, I wiped the water from my eyes and spun to face the bank. Mia stood there, her arms hugged across her middle, in a goddamn scrap of fabric.

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