Page 91 of Jace's Mate
“Seriously?”she asked, laughter in her voice.“That’s the part you’re choosing to focus on?Not the defiance?Not the boundary-pushing?”
“What other part?”he asked innocently, already lowering his head to nibble along her neck.“I heard you say you’re sorry, that you’ll never disobey me again, and that you love me.”
She squealed when he found a sensitive spot.“Jace!”she scolded through laughter, pushing against his chest.
He didn’t budge.
“I’m not going to stay behind,” she said again.“So you might as well accept it.”
“I can handle myself in a fight,” he said gruffly.“What Ican’thandle is something happening to you.”
“Nothing’s going to happen to me.”She wriggled until she could meet his eyes again.“Because we’re mates.We’re a team.And I finally get what that means.You’re stuck with me.Forever.And I’m going to protect you just as fiercely as you protect me.”
He sighed.Long.Deep.
“You’re going to stay safe, Anikka,” he said firmly.
“Of course I am,” she replied, pressing a kiss to his jaw.“Because you’ll be there, protecting me.”
“Damn straight,” he muttered, and pulled her close enough that the water couldn’t touch either of them.He kissed the top of her head and held her for a long, quiet moment.“I love you too.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.“But I’m still going to protect you.”
This time, he didn’t smack her ass again.
Notyet, anyway.
They finished their shower, their argument momentarily set aside.Then Jace carried her back into the bedroom and made love to her—slowly, sweetly, as if trying to memorize every inch of her skin and every sound of her sighs.
Afterwards, he pulled her into his arms, her body pressed against his, and ran his hand down her spine in a gentle, rhythmic stroke.
And as she drifted back to sleep, safe and warm in his arms, he whispered words he’d never imagined himself saying.
“I love you, Anikka.More than I ever thought possible.”
Epilogue
Anikkasighedcontentedlyasshe watched her children.
Brock and Faith—her twin shifter pups—were frolicking on the playground with the other kids, blissfully unaware of the stir their true nature might cause if discovered.The rest of the children squealed and laughed, completely oblivious that two of their playmates weren’t just extra fluffy puppies...but actual wolf shifters.
She laughed softly when Brock scrambled up the ladder, his tiny claws barely making a sound on the plastic rungs.At the top of the slide, he paused—scanning the scene like a tiny sentinel, his golden-furred ears perked and alert.Even in his pup form, Brock was already watching out for everyone, his little Alpha instincts kicking in as he surveyed the playground for potential trouble.
Then, with a joyful bark, he crouched low and slid down on his furry belly, tail flapping wildly behind him.
“Your puppies are adorable,” one of the nearby mothers said, smiling warmly.
Anikka turned, smiling back.“Thanks.They’re a bit rambunctious this morning.”
The other woman laughed, waving a hand.“Goodness!Those little fluffballs are precious!I wish I had half their energy.Can you imagine if those werehumankids instead of puppies?”
Anikka chuckled, giving a lopsided grin.“It’d be pure chaos.I wouldn’t survive breakfast.”
Another mother approached with a tentative smile.“I hate to ask,” she said, glancing toward the playground, “but would it be okay if my kids played with your puppies?They’re usually terrified of dogs, but they’ve been watching yours, and I think… well, I think this might help.”
Anikka kept her smile polite and refrained from rolling her eyes.If only she knew.Her twins weren’t just puppies—they were young wolves.And in a few years, they’d be powerful enough to lead packs.But for now?They were happy, fluffy, and as gentle as could be.
“I’m sure the pups would love to help your kids get more comfortable around dogs,” she said with a reassuring nod.
