“Abel?”
“No. I’m not going to hide this anymore. Cassie, I know it has been a short time, and that feelings can take a long time, but I’m not wrong about this. You’re my mate. You’re the woman that I want, and I will do everything in my power to make you mine. This pack is yours, I’m yours, and I will fight for you.” He slammed his lips down on hers, drawing her closer, not wanting to let her go. “You’re mine and have been from the first moment I saw you in the gym.”
She smiled, and he saw her eyes filled with tears. “I want you too.”
“This pack is yours, and they will all have you.”
Stepping away from her, he changed into his wolf form, and as he did, so did his pack. He watched as Cassie did the same. Within the pack there was no fear, no control, just acceptance. Urging Cassie out toward the forest, he watched as she took off. His pack did the same, running, enjoying the full moon as they all howled up at it.
Allowing his wolf to take over, he charged toward his woman, watching her as she went toward the clearing, going past the lake where they’d been training to go to the very edge of his land that overlooked the town where the humans lived.
He rarely had any interactions with humans, preferring to stick to his pack.
Abel watched as Cassie changed back into her human form, sat on the small hilltop, and stared out at the town.
Making sure they were safe, he turned to human form and settled in behind her.
“That was a little scary,” she said.
“I know. I didn’t want you to keep on hiding.”
“It’s not about hiding. What if this … fades? What if in a few weeks or even months you decide you’ve had enough and you don’t want me anymore?” she asked.
He wrapped his arms around her, placing his chin on top of her head. Compared to him she was so small, delicate. He never broke her though. She took everything he gave her and didn’t back down.
He had found his soul mate, and there was no doubt in his mind.
“My mom told me many years ago that when you find your mate you know without a shadow of a doubt. When it comes to you, Cassie, I have no doubt. You call to me in so many ways. I can’t help these feelings, and you know what? I don’t want to. I don’t want to stop wanting you or thinking about you during the day. You’re my life, and I want to build a future with you, have a family. Kids.”
He knew she wanted kids, and he’d been put off the idea until he saw how much she wanted them. She’d make an amazing mother, he just knew it.
Placing his hand on her stomach, he felt so protective of her, wanting to make her life better.
“Your pack is so wonderful, and you’re an amazing man, Abel. You know you are.” She sighed. “My old pack, they’re monsters, but I know what they’re like. I don’t want you or anyone else to be hurt because of me.”
“Don’t.”
“I could go back and then the threat is not there.”
He quickly pulled her beneath him, locking her hands above her head, keeping her in place.
“No.”
“I don’t want you or anyone else that I care about to be hurt.”
“And we won’t be. We’re a good pack, Cassie. It will take a hell of a lot to hurt us, I promise you.”
She pouted, and he captured her lips with his.
“Don’t argue with me.”
“You’re all good people.”
“And we’re together, and I’m not risking it. You leave, Cassie, I’m following. I’ll come and take you back. If they hurt you, I will not just stand around and let that happen. I will fight for you. I know you think you’re doing the right thing with this, but you’re not.” He moved between her thighs, resting his cock against her apex. They were both naked. “Give me a reason to chain you to my dungeon.”
She chuckled. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes. I’d have you at my mercy twenty-four hours a day. What’s not to love?”
She tilted her head to the side and released another sigh. He saw the fear in her eyes, and his wolf wanted to hurt whoever put it there.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Then trust that I will do everything in my power to keep you safe.”
“Why haven’t they attacked, Abel? I’m scared for you and for our friends.”
“I think they did it to draw me away from the house. I wouldn’t go alone. They expected me to go to them with my strongest men and women. While I was gone, they’d have attacked the house.”
“You didn’t do what he expected?” she asked.