I nodded, pleased as punch with my kill. Usually, I didn’t take down such large animals, since they would be wasted on only me, but after using the hide and taking off the best bits, I would leave the rest of this for the pack. They wouldn’t even know who stocked the freezer with the fresh kill.
I certainly wasn’t going to tell them.
Dean had missed out on the pack grilling meat. He had wanted to go but stayed behind because of me.
Hopefully tonight would make up for some of that.
I peeled the backstrap from the animal after silently giving thanks for the meat. The backstrap was the best, most tender part of the deer. I cut it into slices and then grilled it over a fresh fire while Dean looked on.
I thought maybe I’d traumatized him by bringing home the deer, but as I turned to face him, his expression was kind and sweet, just like it always was. We ate in silence, but there was something palpable between us as we sat around the table.
A boulder sat in my throat in between bites, knowing what I wanted to do, but the fear was choking me.
This might be your only chance at happiness, Jillian. Take it. Take it now.
“Jillian, I…” Dean began, wiping his mouth. He’d enjoyed the backstrap, I could tell. But now his face was somber. “I know there’s something between us. I’m just scared. I…I used to like someone and she, well, she didn’t return my feelings. It nearly broke me the way she rejected my words. They were honest and true but she stomped on them as though they were dirt. I know you wouldn’t do that. I just…I thought you should know that. If we do this. I’m all in. All of me. My heart. My soul. My life. If you’re not ready for that, then…”
I couldn’t take any more. His voice and tone had pierced my heart. I would never reject him, my mate, in a million years.
And despite his hurt, I was glad the other female had turned him away. Because now he was free to be mine.
I took his hand in mine, mustering every bit of courage I had inside me. In less than ten steps, we were by the bed. Our breaths filled the otherwise silent space.
“Jillian, you don’t have to. I wasn’t…”
There was no way to tell him that more than anything I wanted this. I wanted him and all that meant as a shifter, taking a mate.
I wanted us for life.
Without words, there was only one way I could let him know that I was ready for this.
I unbuttoned my dress and let it fall to the floor.