Page 50 of Unbreakable Bond
He swallowed past the knot in his throat, “You can’t promise that you’ll come back. That’s out of your power. That’s in fate’s handsand…”
“Exactly. Exactly, Rafe. It’s in fate’s hands, not mine and not yours. We’ll have as much time together as fate allows and we both have to trust that it’s going to be a really, really long time. That we’re going to get to grow old together, have pups together and raise themtogether.”
“I wantthat.”
“I know.” Zoey leaned up and kissed him softly, “I know. I want that too. But what kind of life will it be if I can’t leave this cabin? Think about it. Logically. Be reasonable. I know you want to protect me but you have to be reasonableRafe.”
The thing was, logically, rationally, he knew that keeping her locked up here was unreasonable. He knew it was impossible. She was too strong to allow it, to allow him to control her that way. But the unreasonable side of him, his wolf side, was going crazy at the idea of letting her out of hissight.
The last time he’d let someone he loved out of his sight, they’d all been slaughtered likeanimals.
“Zo…” He winced and shook hishead.
He didn’t know what to do. It was something he could work on. He could promise her that. But he couldn’t do it today. He couldn’t let her go today. Not today. Not when she was just barely his and his wolf hadn’t properly claimed her yet. Not fully. Not on a fullmoon.
“How about we compromise fornow?”
He sucked in a surprised breath and studied her face, curious what she could possibly mean, “What?”
“I know that it’s going to take some time and some adjustments on both of our parts to make this relationship work but it’s what we both wantright?”
He nodded instantly and the pain in his chest eased a little when she smiled up athim.
“So we compromise.” Zoey stroked his cheek, “I need to go into town and you can’t bear to be away from me so you’ll come withme.”
“I…” He stuttered and tilted his head, “I didn’t know that was anoption.”
“It won’t always be. I won’t have you stalking around me like a bodyguard all the time, Rafe. But you’re my mate and it’s a full moon and I understand why you’re worried. So for today, you can accompany me to town while I run my errands,okay?”
He fought the hot liquid that built behind his eyes. His mate was so sweet. So sweet and smart and understanding. She was giving him what he needed, just like a good mate should. He could give her what she needed too. In time, he would be able to loosen his hold, at least he hoped that he could. He was a born Alpha. He was a dominant shifter. She was his mate. He would always want to keep her close and protect her. But he would learn how to loosen his grip without losing his sanity.Someday.
“You’d do that?” He managed to chokeout.
“Of course I will.” Zoey wiped at his cheek and he realized a tear had slipped from the corner of his eye, “You mean everything to me. I want to make you happy and I want you to be part of my life. Not just here in the cabin but everywhere. You’re my mate, Rafe. So come to town with me and let me show my hot, sexy, Alpha mate off to my friends wouldyou?”
He hadn’t thought it was possible but he snorted a laugh, “You want to… show meoff?”
“Mmhmm.” Zoey rubbed up against him and coyly batted her lashes, “I have a hot born Alpha mate that makes me wet just breathing. I want all those bitches in the pack to know that you’re mine and I’ll claw their eyes out if they so much as look at you for toolong.”
Rafe nuzzled her neck and the mark he’d put there, “Onecondition.”
“Hmm?”
“No shower before we go. I want my scent all over you if we’re going to town. Want all those males to know you’re mine and I won’t just claw their eyes out, I’ll rip out their throats if they put a finger onyou.”
“Mmm.” Zoey hummed happily, “How is it sexy when you talk like a homicidal maniac? Is that a bond thing or a mate thing or am I just into super possessive crazyguys?”
He chuckled again, ignoring her question, “Do we have adeal?”
“Deal.” She nodded and arched when he slid a hand down to cup her breast, “Oh, God, Rafe… we don’t havetime.”
“We’re skipping showers.” He reminded her, his lips following the trail his hand took down her body, “We have plenty oftime.”
“But the… Ohhhhhh!” Zoey moaned, her hands going to his hair as he knelt between her legs and put his mouth onher.
Rafe grinned against her soft pink flesh. His. She was all his. They’d had their first argument and they’d reached a compromise. He fully intended to show her how happy that made him. That they could work together, find a way to fit their lives together. He dipped his head and suckled, taking her flavor onto his tongue and feeling his wolf relax with the knowledge that he would be able to keep her close allday.
She was already theirs and when the moon rose tonight… they’d make itofficial.
