Page 38 of Drive me Wild (South Island Shifters)

He leans down, placing a kiss on my forehead, causing a current to rush through my body. “Alright, we’ll meet you there when we are done paying, okay?”

The moment he lets me go, I feel empty and lost. His arms feel safe, his lips are a comfort, but can I get past the betrayal I feel? Liliana kept a secret, and Declan kept the same one.

Along the walk, it dawns on me that perhaps this is what he had wanted to tell me last night but was called away before he could.

Moments later, the door to the ladies bursts open, and I’m staring at Declan.

“What’s wrong?” he demands. I don’t answer. Instead, I lift my shirt, revealing to him the mark. He responds by holding his palm open to me, bearing the same mark.

“So this…this…is real?” I sputter. He nods. “Is this what you wanted to tell me last night before you were called away?” He nods again. “Damn it, Declan.”

“I know, Winter. I’m sorry. I hadn’t meant for you to find out this way.”

“I want to go home,” I say.

“We need to talk about this.”

“We will, but I want to do so in my own home.”

He nods and escorts me out to the car.

I have many questions, and right now, I’m questioning my sanity.

* * *

DECLAN

The drive back to Winter’s place is long and agonising. Liliana tries to make small talk, but neither Winter nor I are interested. I wish I could hear her thoughts already and know what is going through her pretty head.

Pulling into her drive, I shut off the engine, and we get out of the car. Following Winter inside, she turns to us. “Does anybody want something to drink? I know I need a glass of wine,” she says.

I shake my head. “No, thank you. You said you wanted to talk.”

“Don’t push me, Declan. Please.” I need to give her time, as my Nana said.

I make my way over to the couch and take a seat. Watching her move around her kitchen, she pours two glasses of wine and hands one to Liliana. They join me moments later. Well, Lily does. Winter paces the floor before us, sipping her wine before stopping to look at me. Her steel-grey eyes stare directly into mine.

“How long have you known about this mark?” she asks.

“A week. I found it the morning after you and I had sex when I was in the shower.” I sense she’s about to explode, her anger boiling deep within as it races through me. “Winter, please sit down so we can talk about this. I’ll tell you everything.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Either of you! I don’t know if I can trust anything that comes out of your mouths.” She bites out. I can’t say I blame her for being mad. I should’ve told her when I had the chance, but I stupidly didn’t.

“Winter, I didn’t come to you immediately because I wasn’t sure what was going on. I didn’t think our kind could mate with humans. So I got some advice from my Nana first. She’s an elder of our clan, knowledgeable with the generations. I wanted to be sure before I spilled my guts to you and told you everything, only to have you run away from me. I don’t want to lose you. Not now that I’ve finally found you.”

She looks up at me, tears of hurt swirling in her beautiful eyes. A hurt I put there.

“Declan, you clearly don’t know me very well. I’m a very loyal person. Would I have thought you crazy? A little. But I’d never have run.”

I open my mouth to speak, but… “Winter, I am sorry I didn’t tell you, but it’s an unwritten rule. You don’t tell humans unless you have to, or they are your mate. Then, you can tell them everything,” Liliana says softly as Winter moves towards the couch and sits down.

She grabs a pillow to hug, and at this moment, I wish it was me comforting her instead of some piece of overstuffed cloth.

I nod, confirming what Liliana has just said is the absolute truth. “Winter, I am the Alpha of my clan of animals. We aren’t one species of animal. I have all sorts on the housing estate. As I am sure you are already aware of what Liliana transforms into.” I smile at Liliana. I don’t mind her telling Winter what she is, so long as Winter tells no other.

“I have bears, leopards, storks and a little blue penguin. So long as they help out around the vineyard or use their trade skills to do some odd jobs, they will always have a home.”

Winter takes a sip of her wine, and I can feel her calming slowly, but she’s not there yet.

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