Page 348 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

“Then it’s settled. We leave.” His smile widened as though he won some imaginary war between us, even though I was the one to invade his territory and threaten his people. “I just need to drop by the bar on our way out to give Liam the keys.

“Hang on. You’re serious?”

He brushed his thumb along my bottom lip. “I love you, baby. For me, there’s only ever been you. I can’t imagine existing without you in my life. I’m coming with you.”

My pulse quickened and tiny butterflies fluttered in my chest. “What about the bar? Your brothers? Your home is here.”

He thought for a moment, and I almost held my breath waiting for his response. I wanted him to come with me, of course I did, but I’d never ask him to leave his family. No one should give up their family for the one they loved. Family was everything.

“My brothers understand. Liam’s buying the bar from me.” He swept a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Some wise person once said home is where the heart is. Mia, my heart is yours, it has been for fifteen years, ever since I sensed you in the backyard of this house. Where you go, I go.”

Could it be? The thought of leaving him made my chest ache, but the thought of staying freaked me out just as much. I was a hunter, his sworn enemy. But…what if by mating with him, we achieved what Joan couldn’t? I so desperately wanted to be happy, to have him by my side as I figured all this out.

He bent, eye level with me. “Say yes, baby. Tell me you want this too.”

I stared into those impossibly bright blue eyes, full of familiarity, comfort, and love. Was I still scared about becoming a hunter and what our future held?Absolutely. But I made a vow long ago that I’d take life into my own hands and make it my own. I wouldn’t let my screwed-up childhood shape me into the woman I wanted to be. The woman I was meant to be.

And that woman wanted to be with Noah.

My heart fluttered as I smiled. “Yes.” I placed my hands over his on my cheeks. “Yes. Okay. Let’s do this.”

He kissed me deep and hard, like he resealed the bond between us so it would never break. This kiss was more than a mating bond, this felt stronger, as though he not only vowed his protection and love for the rest of his life, but he also gave me his heart.

His full heart.

He eased back and smoothed his hands along my face to rest at the nape of my neck. His thumbs idly stroked my jaw. “Ash said he’ll bring your car up one weekend if you want me to drive.”

“I’d like that.”

He kissed my forehead, lingering for a moment. “Let’s get outta here.”

With one hand, he grabbed my suitcase by the door and my hand with the other and led me to his truck. While he secured my belongings in the truck bed, I grabbed the two boxes of keepsakes from my car. The sight of Noah’s packing boxes next to mine made my breath hitch.

He was really doing this. We were really doing this.

He paused glancing at me over the hood. “You ready?”

I forced a smile. “Yep.”

Was I though?

His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t say anything further. Instead, he hopped into the truck and I did the same. A few minutes down the road, we pulled into the parking lot of the bar.

“I just need to give Liam the keys.” His lips rolled in. “And a stern talking to about not running my…his…bar into the ground.”

Something heavy pressed against my chest, squeezing air from my lungs.

“I can give him your car keys too if you like?”

I nodded. “Sure.” I fished them from my purse and handed them to Noah.

His fingers stilled around the keys clasped in my hand.

“Baby, are you okay?”

“Yeah. Sorry.” I let him take the keys. “I’ll send Ashton a text to thank him.”

He nodded. “I’ll be back in a second.”

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