Page 15 of Howling Holidays

Working at the tree farm must give him quite the work out, I think to myself as I admire him.

We lay there in silence for a while, just enjoying the comfort of each other’s embrace. The small storm outside has quieted, and the only sound is our breathing. I roll onto my side to face him, and he does the same.

"I've never felt like this before," he murmurs, breaking the silence between us. "Like I could stay here forever."

I smile, knowing exactly what he means. "I know," I say, "me too."

"You know," he says, his voice low, "I've been thinking about you ever since we met."

I arch an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh really? And what were you thinking?"

He grins, a mischievous glint in his eye. "That you’re the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. And that I wanted to do things to you that would make you scream my name."

I laugh, feeling a flush rise up my neck. "Is that so?" I ask, my fingers starting to trace patterns on his chest.

He nods, his eyes darkening with desire. “I never thought taking a mate was in the cards for me. But since you came to town, you’ve made me feel things I never thought possible. Tonight only proves what I’ve been feeling…that we’re fated mates.”

“What does that mean, exactly? Fated Mates?” I ask curiously.

“It’s like the wolf version of soul mates, it’s an intense soul bond that can also be felt physically.” He explains casually.

“So that’s why I’ve felt so connected to you since I’ve been here?” I question with a grin.

“Yes, exactly like that.”

A smile forms across my face at the sound of that. No wonder we both felt so drawn to each other. I am giddy with revelation. With Logan, I’ve found the missing piece both our lives lacked. My grandmother's passing chased me here toward this fated love awaiting. Now we walk the path ahead hand in hand, facing whatever danger or mystery comes our way together. I couldn’t dream a more perfect man.

"And now that I've finally got you in my arms, I don't want to rush it. I want to take my time and explore every inch of you."

I shiver at the thought of his strong hands on my body, his lips on my skin. "I want that too," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

He leans in to kiss me again, softly yet with burning intensity.

"Well, that was...hot," I giggle when we break apart from each other.

He chuckles and kisses my neck. "Yeah, that was. But I have a feeling we’re going to do even better tomorrow.” He shoots me a wink and pulls me back close to him.

My cheeks flush again at the sound of that. I slip my arm around his waist and press myself against him, resting on his soft chest and curling into him. I savor the moment, not wanting it to be over all too soon.

My thoughts return to his words. I hope we’ll get to do it all over again tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that. Laying here with this perfect man, the urgent sense of danger and any memory of my old life in Boston seem to fade away. Life as I know it is over. I dream of spending the rest of my life with this handsome man, making every day as perfect as possible for the both of us.

Chapter nine

Logan

Iwakebeforedawn,Emily curled trustingly beside me as first light seeps across the inn’s ceiling. The heavy contentment anchoring my heart is unfamiliar after so many years feeling alone. Her warm skin against mine feels like coming home - a home I thought lost forever. Fate guided Emily here to heal my fractured soul. Now I face each new day's mysteries with renewed hope, knowing she’s at my side.

Emily stirs soon after me, her smile drowsy and content. I brush golden strands off her forehead with reverent fingers, still hardly daring to believe this miracle is real and mine. She nuzzles my palm like a cat basking in affection. Last night unlocked something powerful between us, forging two fragmented souls into an inseparable whole. We speak little, letting touch convey what we still struggle to put into words.

All too soon the winter sun climbs high enough to chase us from bed. We get ourselves ready slowly, not yet wanting to leave this intimate space. The cozy familiarity of sharing mundane morning habits feels as profound as our intimacy last night. Sure, I had been with a few other women before, as my wolf couldn’t resist the exploration. But that was rare, just sex and nothing more, mostly when I was out on night patrols and visited the bar beyond the edge of town where no one really knew me. With Emily, this was something else entirely. I’d found my fated mate.

As we get ready to head out for the day, Emily wraps her arms around me in the sweetest embrace. "I wish we could stay hidden away from everything, just the two of us," she murmurs against my chest.

I stroke her hair, breathing in her delicious scent of vanilla and sugar. "I’d stay here with you all day if I could, my love. But duty calls." I tip her chin up for one more searching kiss before leading her toward the truck. I’m perfectly content to be here cocooned with my new mate, but we can’t ignore reality’s ticking clock forever. I pray the answers we seek bring closure, not more danger.

Hungry from all the activity the night before, we head to the diner for our typical breakfast date. This time, it feels more intimate and right. Emily glows across from me in our usual booth, warming me more than the diner's heat. I caress her hand, still marveling that she is truly mine.

"Come to the tree farm with me today?” I ask. “I want the pack to officially meet my fated mate."

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