I think it’s been long enough, and I should give into the need I have to see him. I’ve asked around about him a little here and there. It’s how I know he’s a park ranger and where he lives. Which is how I find myself pulling up to the small cabin at the edge of the woods.
Well, edge is kind of subjective, isn’t it? Hell, I live at the edge of the woods, this place is definitely more woods than not.
And I’m nervous. My palms are sweating and the anticipation inside of me is almost too much to take. Will he turn me away? Will we get caught up again in everything between us? I don’t think I’d mind that too much.
My pussy clenches at the memory of his knot inside of me. When it first happened, I wasn’t aware of it considering I was being rocked by an intense orgasm which made me feel like my entire world was being spun on its axis. Then I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Honestly, that has never happened to me before.
The ache in my shoulder where he bit me along with being able to feel Jace’s emotions was overwhelming. I wanted to pull away from him and give myself some space, but I couldn’t, and it freaked me out a little. I’m not proud of it now, but I needed some distance and some time.
I’ve had both and I’m ready to deal with this head-on, I need to. No more hiding from fate. I don’t think I could if I tried. It brought me to Screaming Woods in the first place and now it’s time to put my big girl panties on and face my future.
I get out of my car and close the door like I’m about to commit a fucking robbery and don’t want anyone to be alerted to my presence. Considering the way that the link between us is humming in acknowledgement, I’m not hiding anything. He knows I’m here.
I go to walk up the steps onto the small porch of Jace’s cabin and the door swings open to reveal my wolfman. My wolfman in just a pair of sweatpants. They’re black and not gray, which is kind of a shame, but they still don't hide a damn thing from me.
His chest is heaving as if he just came in from a run, but the feeling in my chest is telling me it’s really because of how hard he’s holding himself back.
I swallow hard when my eyes travel up his body, which, admittedly, was holding me hostage for a moment, and meet his eyes. The yellow is swirling, the green disappearing with every heaving breath. I find myself matching him breath for breath as I harness my bravery and take another step closer to him.
His hands grip the wood of the doorjamb which groans under the force of it. “Dakota,” he growls sending a shiver up my spine. “Little mate, have you come back to me?”
When I’m only a few steps away from him, something breaks inside of me, the pieces shattering at my feet and the golden tether between us glittering. It’s so tangible, I can almost see it binding us together. I launch myself at him and he moves quickly to catch me, a small grunt falling from his lips at the impact.
I bury my face in his neck as I’m overcome with emotion and tears start sliding down my cheeks. “I’m sorry,” I sob.
Jace purrs deep in his chest as he steps back into his cabin and kicks the door closed. He’s moving, taking me somewhere, but I don’t care about the destination. This is so right. Now that I’m in his arms, I don’t understand how I could have stayed away from him for a whole week.
I can see how broken I was while away from him, fractured and lost, but everything is different in his arms. I’m whole again. I’m found.
He sits on the edge of his bed, and I snuggle into his chest, the tears falling uncontrollably. Embarrassment fills me, but the relief is something I can’t deny and can’t push away. I know he can feel what I’m feeling anyway. The thought gives me comfort, even while a voice in my head tells me it should feel suffocating.
Jace’s fingers and claws run through my hair. His touch is so gentle, at odds with the big wolfman he is. He murmurs sweet words in my ear, but I’m not really listening to them. His purr has me hypnotized, relaxing me down to a cellular level and I’m able to get my emotions under control.
“I’m sorry,” I whimper the words again, knowing how inadequate they are.
His claws tangle in my hair and he gives a gentle tug, pulling me away from his chest and peering down at me. “Why are you apologizing, little mate. You did nothing wrong.”
“I pushed you away. Even though it felt wrong. Even though I hated every moment I spent away from you.” I reach up and rub the spot on my chest where it’s ached for him, the spot where he’s bound to me. “It hurt and if it hurt me then I know it did the same to you, but you still stayed away and gave me space.”
My wolfman’s cheeks turn a little pink and the blush travels up to his ears. It’s adorable. When he looks away from me sheepishly, I bite my lip so I don’t laugh at the expression on his face.
“I didn’t exactly stay away,” he mumbles.
I can’t help it anymore and a laugh bubbles out of me. “I know.” His eyes snap to mine, and I flash him a smile. “I could feel you watching me.” I wave my hand between us and tease him a little, “You know, this bond thing doesn’t just go one way. I knew when you were close to me. I could feel you.”
“I just wanted to make sure you were safe.” His eyes bore into mine with an intensity that has me wanting to strip down and get on all fours for him. “I needed to do it.”
I nod slowly, my eyes roaming over his features. When some of his hair falls forward in front of his eyes, I reach up and brush it back. There’s a vulnerability in his gaze and it guts me. I know I didn’t help by pushing him away. It’s clear to me that my wolfman hasn’t fully accepted what he is.
“I did feel safe, my mate,” I whisper the words and Jace stills before growling, the rumble vibrating through me. “You kept me safe. I didn’t mind you being there.” My eyes slide closed at the memory of the pain we were both feeling, looping back to each other and magnifying. “I’m sorry I pushed you away.”
“I understand, Dakota.” His arms tighten around me, and I feel how hard his cock is through the sweatpants he has on. I’m very aware that we have too many clothes on. “I was willing to give you all the time you needed.” My eyes open slowly and the heat between us flares to life even though it was never extinguished no matter how much time passed or how much distance there was. “It wasn’t going to change anything. You’re mine and that’s forever, but I knew you needed time.”
“Forever?” The word sounds like hope on my lips, even to me.
“Yes.” His hands glide up my back and with my next breath, he tugs my shirt up and over my head. “Mating is for life.” He leans forward and licks the mark he left on me. “This is for life.”
“Jace,” I moan, “I need you.”