Page 72 of Stealthy as a Wolf

His confession had the desired effect—I no longer felt like running.

I decided to stay, and if I didn’t like what he had to say, one of us wouldn’t be leaving this closet alive.

“Had?” The question was barely a breath of air. I didn’t have the voice to speak louder. I tipped my head to the side, aware that I was acting like a psycho but unable to do anything about it. I clenched my fists, barely feeling the tips of my claws gouge into my flesh. I needed the pain to keep me in check so I wouldn’t lash out and go for his throat.

Which was stupid.

Of course he’d had relationships and sex with other women.

So why did I have to fight the urge to punish him for it?

“She died a few years ago.” He noted my every reaction, his expression wary, like he knew he was cornered by a dangerous animal and needed to tread carefully. “I only recently turned my pack over to my sons, now that they’re finally old enough, strong enough, to hold it for their own. They say finding a mate is a blessing, but they don’t tell you about the dark side. Of how utterly devastating it can be. Losing a mate feels like losing the other half of your soul.”

I released a shuddering breath when it felt like he’d reached into my chest and shredded my heart with his claws. “You loved her.”

Not me.

“Not at first. We dated for a year before we decided to become mates. It was a commitment. We were good together. Mating is a partnership. I gradually came to care for her. After decades together, she became my center. Being mated twined our two souls together. We weren’t meant to live without each other.” His pain wove through his confession like a living beast, and I felt a pang of compassion for him.

I didn’t want to hear about how he loved someone else so deeply.

A perfect mate.

Undamaged.

Worthy.

Not a woman who was slowly going feral.

I looked away and crossed my arms, wanting to protect myself from the devastation his words inflicted.

“I went to the cabin to try and find a semblance of peace. The last thing I expected to find was you.” He reached out, forcing me to look at him, his expression so fierce that his blue eyes burned into my soul. “Everything is different with you. There is nothing gradual or soft or easy about what I feel for you.

“The truth of the matter is the instant I walked into the restaurant, I was yours. One look at your gorgeous eyes, and I was a goner. You owned me heart and soul. I didn’t have that with my first mate. This obsession I have for you consumes my every thought, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.” Honesty shone from his blue eyes as he stared down at me, and my throat ached at the sweetness of his confession.

“Mating isn’t about ownership or controlling the other person.” He cupped the back of my neck, lowering his head, and pressed his forehead against mine. “Being a mate is about giving yourself over to them completely and trusting them to catch you. You, my fierce little alpha, are my mate, and I will prove it by worshiping you every day for the rest of our lives…if you’ll let me.”

My heart was nothing but a massive lump of tangled emotions. While I might not have been sure of much, I knew he was nothing like the monsters of my past. If anything, he was too good for the likes of me.

But it was much too late.

His fate was sealed.

He was mine now.

I wasn’t strong enough to let him go. I placed a possessive hand on his chest, never more sure of anything in my life.

“You’re right—you’re mine.” I heard him grunt as I set my claws into his chest just short of breaking skin, staking my claim. “Mymate.”

He inhaled sharply, his eyes dilating, and I didn’t have time to catch my breath before he yanked me against him and claimed me for his own with a kiss that was pure fire and magic. He groaned and pulled away much too soon, leaving us both panting and my body craving more of his touch.

He blew out a heavy breath, looking almost youthful as he studied my face. “I never thought I would hear you say those words out loud.”

I scrunched my nose up at him and gave him a wry smile. “I have no idea what it means to be a mate. The very word has been tainted by my experiences with the wolves. What if I don’t know how to be a good at it?”

A huge grin split his face, and his irresistible dimples made an appearance. It was almost enough to get me to order him to strip again. I was so distracted by his smile that he bopped me on the nose to get my attention. “We’ll find our way together. I promise. But for now, we need to get back to the others. We’ve spent so much time away that if we don’t show up soon, they’ll come looking for us.”

He grabbed my hand, threading our fingers together, then kissed the back of my hand almost reverently as he pulled open the door…and led us straight into chaos.

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