Page 52 of The Reluctant Wolf and His Fated Mate
“It is. It means—everything to a wolf.”
Her chest rose and fell in a slow rhythm as she stared at him. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything. I just want you to know how I feel.” His heartbeat drummed in his ears. “You asked about my family, and I need to tell you what happened. Despite how bad it was when my mother left, it was worse for my father. You see, when a wolf is rejected by his or her mate, it’s brutal agony. Some describe it as losing a part of your soul. My father went downhill, slowly unraveling. He went mad and left the pack.”
“Where did he go?” Sophie’s voice was gentle.
Damon rubbed the bridge of his nose. “He ran off into the forests, living alone—a lost, broken-hearted wolf rejected by his mate.” Damon swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth. “His body was found by another pack. He died alone.”
She gasped. “Damon.” She shook her head. “If I’d left…. Would you…?”
He stared down. “I don’t know. I’ve been adamant that I’d never have a mate.” He took one of her hands in his and searched her eyes. “Until I met you. And then I finally realized no matter what happened, it’s worth it.”
Sophie’s eyes widened, her expression torn with anguish. “I almost left.” Her face turned white. “I didn’t know. If I knew what it would do to you…” She rubbed her temple with her free hand. “I was just—confused.”
“Of course you were, Sophie. I hadn’t told you any of this. And part of it was because I was a coward. My wolf sensed you were my mate right away, but I refused to believe it. I was so terrified that what happened to my father would happen to me.” He shrugged. “Maybe I acted like an idiot to create a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
She gazed at him with eyes warm and full of love. “That’s sounds like a very human thing.” She smiled. “I’m glad you told me. And as time goes by, you’ll tell me more about what it’s like to be a wolf and to live as part of this pack and all of it.” She exhaled with a whoosh. “But maybe not all in one night.”
“I understand completely. There’s one more thing I want to tell you, so it doesn’t scare you when it happens.”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
“When shifters find their mate, instinct urges them to claim their partner. It’s usually done with a bite to mark them.”
“Have you felt that with me?”
“Absolutely,” he declared. “Never so much as last night. My fangs emerged while we were making love. It took all my self-control to hide them from you. But I promised you, no more secrets.”
“Fangs?” she repeated. “While you’re a human?”
“Yes. I thought you should know in case you see them.” He shrugged. “Then you’ll know why. It’s nothing to fear. It just means that I want to be with you—always.”
Sophie gazed at him, her eyes wide. “Thanks for letting me know.”
Rafe interrupted,Is everything all right?
Damon motioned to Sophie. “Hold on one second. It’s Rafe.”
Yes. We’re still in my cabin, recovering.
I’ll be there in ten minutes.
Damon returned his attention to Sophie.
Her expression turned confused. “What’s going on?”
“Rafe is the alpha of our pack. He just communicated telepathically to check on us.”
Her eyes widened. “You can do that?”
“Yes.”
“Oh boy.” She took a sip from her mug. “I have alotto learn.”
“He’s on his way here. I need to explain what happened in more detail. This will make things worse with the Sacco pack.”
“Will there be consequences?”
