Page 617 of Love Bites

“I already know,” he said as he wrapped me in his arms. “Granny told me.”

She’d certainly been busy, but I was grateful I didn’t have to speak the horrible story out loud. My Granny loved me fierce, even if she couldn’t keep her damned mouth shut.

“We’ll go,” I said firmly. “We’ll go back to Chicago and let Junior find his place. I have to find out what happened to my parents and…”

“We. We have to find out what happened to your parents and then we will figure out what’s next.”

I laid my head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat—so strong, sure and mine. No matter what else life handed me, I knew my first priority would be to take care of the alpha who loved me.

“I feel very attached to you right now,” I whispered as I breathed in his scent.

“I can work with that.” He chuckled and held me tighter.

“I’m also feeling the need to jump your bones.”

“As much as it pains me to take a rain check, and let me be very clear…it pains me,” he said, referring to the impressive bulge in his jeans. “But I think we should get back to town and make sure our people are okay.”

Reluctantly, I slid from his arms and stood up. “I agree, but I will take a rain check.”

“That’s good because it’s definitely going to rain tonight. All night.”

“You sure about that, Big Boy?” I giggled.

“Never been more sure about anything in my life. Can you shift?" he asked as he gently tucked my wildly messy hair behind my ear.

I closed my eyes and drew on the power of my inner wolf. She was there and she was ready. "Yes. I can."

We quickly removed our torn and bloody clothing as the magic engulfed us. A magic so wondrous and rare it always humbled me. My skin changed to fur, my bones shifted painlessly, and my body became what it was meant to be. My wolf—my strong and beautiful wolf.

Hank's wolf was breathtaking. His shiny chocolate coat glistened in the sun. He was much larger than me in his Lycan form, but his eyes were the same mesmerizing green. He nipped at my nose as I mooned at his beauty.

"You gonna just stare at me or are you gonna race me back to town?" His amused voiced bounced through my head and I giggled.

"I'm gonna kick your Wolfy ass," I challenged as I took off leaving him in the dust.

The wind in my fur and the sun beginning to dip on the horizon into the ocean made this day one I would not soon forget. Of course, ripping the head off of a Dragon did figure in, but running with wild abandon next to my mate made me complete. No matter where we went, Hank would always be my home. That's the part that would stay with me. Always.

---