Page 69 of So I Won a Werelion

“Lars shared a lot of information with us. With you.” I ran my finger along the edge of her tank top, considering whether I should share the information Hugo had given us before our last date. I decided not to. No need to cloud this amazing night with more uncertainty. “He claims he was here when this was a thriving village, and that the ancient spirits are talking to all of us.”

“Do you believe him?”

The information did come too easily, but my animal forced me to put myself in this guy’s shoes. He’d seen more than his fair share of shit. Probably had some well-founded trust issues with shifters. But Hugo and Bibi had taken him under their wing. He felt safe with us.

“I do.”

“What are those spirits saying to you?” She swallowed hard. “Lars said that you have special powers, Gabe. Maybe I’m a little biased, but I think it’s true. You’re different than any other shifter—”

“I don’t want to hear about any other beast you’ve been with,” I growled. “You belong to me now.”

My lips crashed against hers. She let out a little cry of surprise, but her hands were on my shoulders, grasping me like if she let go, she’d fall into the abyss. I would never let that happen.

“I keep thinking about that ancient ceremony.” I gave her another quick kiss. I was hungry for her. Starving. All the years I should’ve stood by her side. Warmed her bed. Dried her tears. The competitive part of me felt like I had to make up for all that lost time right now. But my animal knew better. Wendy was mine forever. “Seeing you there with me, hot and naked, hungry for my mark.”

“He described it exactly as you saw it.” She bounced on her heels. “As an aspiring archeologist—”

“You are an archeologist,” I growled.

“What I am is geeking out. And that’s before you factor it in that it sounds like maybe we did this in another lifetime.” Her eyes widened. “Holy shit, Gabe. Do you think this means that we were actually there? And it’s not a vision, it’s a memory?”

Her suggestion left me speechless. Because it felt too real. Like I knew Wendy turned around to offer me her back before she did it. Like I could name every single shifter who’d gathered around that fire. And their kin. If I closed my eyes, I could even see Lars there. With his mate.

I could feel the love he had for her.

I jumped when Wendy put her hand on my arm. “I didn’t mean to freak you out. But it all makes sense, doesn’t it? There’s a reason you decided to tell me about the Sempiternal Scepter all those years ago. Lars says the ancient spirits are okay with me knowing about the Scepter because I’m your mate. But what if…I was always your mate?”

“It’s possible.” Mind-blowing, but there was more that validified her feeling than disproved it.

“And maybe I pissed off the shifters way back then. It would explain why they all hate me now if these ancient spirits are whispering in their ears. Maybe they made me human as punishment.” She chuckled softly.

“Also explains why your sister always interferes with everything.”

She gasped. “What if it explains why that Derek Jared creep is so interested in me? Bibi asked if he was a shifter.”

“He could’ve been one of those wolves.”

“I bet he was.” She gave me a coy smile. Fuck, it was hot. “So I love all the history and lore, but I have another theory.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t think we found the Scepter. I think we found the Hudaknocker Lars mentioned. It wasn’t clear in the texts andjournals I found, but I believe it was used as a fertility idol to bless the crops and the packs.”

Oh. My dick was practically doing a kickstand at the suggestion. “Why have you changed your mind about what it is?”

“Because all I can think about is what it’s gonna feel like when you claim me.”

I tipped her chin up so she met my gaze. “How does it feel?”

“Familiar.” The light from the camping lanterns danced in her dark eyes. “Like I’m empty without you. My body is craving having you inside me.”

Yes, my animal was on board with this assessment. “My mate should never go without.”

“You’re purring.” Her breath caught in her throat. “What other noises do you make, lion?”

“You’re about to find out.”

I led her to the mattress. It was low to the ground and a little floppy. We’d be lucky if we made it through the night without destroying it.

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