Page 63 of Drive me Wild (South Island Shifters)

“You’ll have to wait and see.” The tone of her voice isn’t as light and fun as it usually would be, though. My heart suddenly feels heavy, and I feel my head go all fuzzy like there are some thoughts I’m trying to sort through. Is this her dilemma? Is she trying to organise her mind? I don’t blame her if the wolves have scared her, but I want her to talk to me about it. I want so badly to dip into her head and see what’s going on, but I vowed if I ever got a Luna, I would never do it.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You too.” She ends the call as a beep tells me she’s gone.

“I love you,” I say into the now empty phone line.

I put the phone down and sigh. I’ve wanted to say those words to her for weeks. In truth, I wanted to say them on our first date. I’ve opened my heart up again, and I fear everything I worried about is coming true.

I dig around in my pocket for the gift I was going to give her when she got home this morning. It’s the key to my home hanging from a LEGO brick keychain. It’ll have to wait now. I want her to feel at home here. I want her LEGO creations decorating my house, but most of all, I just wanther. This house feels more like a home since Winter has been here, and I love it. Come hell or high water, I will find out what is happening. She owns my heart. With every kiss and touch, she has broken my heart open and made me believe in love again. All I want is to love her and receive her love in return.

* * *

WINTER

I hated lying to Declan. Well, technically, I didn’t lie. Autumn was meant to be home last night, but she ended up having a date and stayed alone. It wasn’t a bad thing. With everything that has happened over the previous few weeks, I needed to think. I know it would hurt Declan if I asked for space, and I want to talk to him, but I struggle to find the words.

I love youhas been on the tip of my tongue for weeks, but I need to tell him everything before I can say those words.

Iamin love with him.

The way he protected the clan and house with those wolves while I felt so useless. Then, the way his clan turned on him because of me. I feel bad about that too. I don’t want that to happen. I never want to hurt him, and this divide within his clan does just that.

Our trip from Queenstown was uneventful yesterday. He learned I had never been to Wellington before, and I told him I looked forward to sharing my first trip here with him.

We are now in our hotel suite, and it’s gorgeous. It has its own lounge room, a king-sized bed and a huge spa bath, which I plan on using every day we are here.

Once we checked into our room, Declan and I decided to explore the city together, and he took me to Toyworld, where I bought a couple of new LEGO sets. We went to lunch, and then I saw a jewellery store with a wolf necklace in its window. I’m thinking of going back there today to buy it. He literally made yesterday the best day ever. He’s shown me beyond words how much he cares for me, and I want to show him the same. I want to talk to him, but I have to pick the right time, although I may already be too late.

He’s currently in the shower. Climbing out of bed, I head towards the bathroom to try and give him a good morning before the conference. I’ve made up my mind. We have a couple of hours tonight before the conference starts, and we will talk. I’m ready to tell him everything because I will lose him forever if I don't.

Declan is leaning against the wall of the shower, so I slide my arms around his middle, rubbing my hands up and down his chest.

He grabs them, pushing me away. “Don’t. I’m not in the mood.”

Since when?“Okay, I just wanted to-”

“To what, Winter? Give me a morning blow job? Believe it or not, that’s not what my problem is. Not this morning.”

“Then what is because you were in a weird mood all day yesterday.”

“I dunno, maybe my girlfriend has been the weird one this week. You’ve been pulling away from me, Winter. Then you didn’t come home on Friday morning. Why? Did you not want to be with me? You wanted to be with your sister, and when I suggested coming over, you pushed me away. Why can’t I meet the person you don’t shut up about? I want to. I told you the mark means I can’t look at anybody else. I love you, Winter. I love you with all my heart, but you are breaking me apart.” I can feel his anger coming off him in spades as he breathes heavily before, his eyes start glowing, and I wonder if his shifting is close to coming. “I told you I’d never hurt you. And right now, it’s you who’s hurting me. I don’t have time for this. I have a conference to get ready for.”

He exits the shower, and I quickly shut it off, grabbing a towel, then enter the bedroom where he is getting ready. He doesn’t look at me even as I sit on the bed in nothing but a towel, watching him.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t tell me you’re sorry. Tell me what’s going on.”

“That’s what I wanted to tell you this morning. I want to talk tonight. I’m ready to tell you everything.”

He exhales. “Yet, you’re still waiting and hesitating.”

“Because you have a conference to get to. I don’t want you to be late.”

“Right,” he drawls.

“Don’t be like this. Declan, you have no idea how hard it’s going to be to tell you everything. This entire situation is why I vowed never to fall in love again. But then, you come barging into my life and changed everything.”

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