Page 53 of The Reluctant Wolf and His Fated Mate
“Yes.” Damon exhaled with a low groan. “What that means yet, I don’t know. My priority is you.”
“I’m fine, Damon.” She gave him a sympathetic smile. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. Do whatever you need to do.”
When Rafe came,Damon told him all that had happened in front of Sophie. From now on, there would be no secrets.
Rafe’s expression was hard. “Killing one of their wolves has brought this to a new level.”
“He kidnapped my mate,” Damon said.
“It’s true,” Sophie added. “He grabbed me right out there.” She pointed to the front of Damon’s cabin.
“I’m not faulting either of you,” Rafe said. “The fact that their wolf had trespassed and kidnapped Sophie justifies your action in my eyes, but that won’t matter to Kane.”
When Sophie furrowed her brows, Damon added, “Their pack’s alpha.”
“Things may be tense for some time,” Rafe warned before he walked outside. “Be careful.”
Guilt prickled Damon again at causing more anguish for his pack, but he knew with a certainty that he’d do it again to save Sophie. She was worth it and a thousand times more.
After Rafe left, Damon said, “With everything that happened, I’m sure you’re more eager than ever to go home.”
Sophie bit her lip. “I thought about that. I’ve thought about everything about a thousand times tonight. I thought I’d want to go home to process all this—but I don’t.”
“You don’t?”
She shrugged. “I can already picture it playing out—kicking myself for being an idiot and trying to be rational and trying to distract myself with work, while all the while worrying about you here, knowing I left my heart here in the mountains with you.”
His heart beat in response with a loud, resounding thud. “Sophie.”
“No. Whatever this is that you feel connects us, I feel it, too.” She motioned between them. “I may not understand the mate concept yet, but I know I want to be with you, Damon.” She took a step closer to him.
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Was he dreaming? “You want to be with me?” he repeated.
“Yes.” Her smile was wondrous, like the morning sun warming the cold snow that covered the mountain. “You saved me more than once, Damon. I’d be a fool not to believe that there is something bigger out there connecting us. Whether it is soul mates or fate or something beyond my comprehension—I know it’s there.”
“We don’t have to rush anything. We’re together now and that’s all that matters.” Damon took Sophie in his arms and held her tightly.
“Damon—”
“What?”
“You’re crushing me.”
“Oh. Sorry.” He released her and gave a sheepish grin. “I’m just afraid of letting you go.”
“You don’t need to be.” Her soft voice was soothing. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He caressed her face. “Good.” He bent down and kissed her. “You’ve changed my life for the better, Sophie.” He took her hand and covered his heart. “All the chaos out there doesn’t matter because you calm me.” He searched her eyes and promised, “No matter what happens from this point on, we face it together.”
“Together,” she repeated.
The palpable heat that often hovered between them grew hotter. Damon’s throat turned dry, and he swallowed. “Beyond this whole mate business, I want to tell you something.”
“What?” Her eyes sparkled.
“I’m falling in love with you.” He cupped her face and kissed her again, more deeply this time.
Damon wanted to show her just how much. As their tongues tangled, he didn’t hold back any of the desire he felt for her. Passion rose higher, turning practically explosive in the cabin.
