Page 359 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

“What just happened?” She extricated her hand from his and brought it to her mouth. He wanted to rip her fingers away, replace them with his mouth again. It was an effort to regain control, to wrestle the wolf back into submission.

“I would think it was obvious.” A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

“Um…”

Her eyes flit wildly around the room, landing everywhere but on him, even as her luscious scent got stronger. His focus sharpened and his cock throbbed.Down boy.

“That was… unexpected.”

Warmth surged through him, tightening around his heart.Shewas unexpected. But just being with her felt right.

“I’d say I was sorry,” Jarrad said with a grin, “but I’m not. Not at all.”

“I don’t think anyone would be sorry about a kiss like that.”

Her fingers traced her lips again, and he let out an involuntary growl. Startled, her big, sky-blue eyes darted to his. Her hand left her mouth, her face already creased with a frown.

“But I don’t even know you. We haven’t dated. I have a child who comes first, at all times. And I could be—”

“Stop.” He chuckled. “Stop overthinking it. It was a fucking amazing kiss and just so you know, I’m probably going to do it again tomorrow.”

“Were you going to ask permission for that, or is it okay to just take?”

Irritation laced her tone, so he swallowed his smile.

“No, next timeyou’regoing to kissmefirst.”

She blinked a few times, and her mouth twitched at the corners. She might be fighting it, but she found him charming.

“You’d better go. I have a lot to do before bed. And I’ll need to figure out how I’m going to get the car from school.”

“I’ll pick you both up in the morning,” he offered.

“That’s really sweet but what if the Inquisition—”

“I can handle the Inquisition,” he said on a growl, low and threatening. She looked him up and down, and he preened, flexing the enormous arms and tree-trunk torso that were a product of strong genetics and hard work in the gym.

She nodded slowly.

“You’ll be safe while you’re here.”

“Yeah. Funnily enough, I believe you.”

Jarrad stood, taking that as the perfect cue to leave before he made her uncomfortable. This was enough. He’d found his mate and got his first taste of her—he considered that a big win. And she trusted him to keep her safe.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. School starts at nine, right?”

“Pick us up fifteen minutes before. I want Luna to get as much rest as possible. She used a lot of energy today.”

Tabitha’s brows creased again as she walked with him to his vehicle. He wanted to smooth the concern from her face but stopped himself before his fingers rose. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be too long before she trusted him to take care of her.

“I’ll be here,” he said. He’d also be there during the night, or one of his pack would, but she wouldn’t know that. There was no way he would leave his mate and her child unprotected when there could be a threat around. The Inquisition could be on their way.

Unable to resist, he tucked a strand of that blonde hair behind her ear. She leaned into his hand as it cupped her face. He looked down at her, drinking in her features and committing them to memory. His mate.

Thank God he’d finally found her.

Jarrad swung himself into the car before he ruined the moment and pushed her too far. She stepped back, giving him a smile and a little wave as he drove down the street. He had a million things to do in the fire’s wake, but she was his top priority. He’d call his pack, put everyone on the alert for strangers. And he’d have to set surveillance on the house when he wasn’t there.

No one would get to his mate.

Not on his watch.

---