It’s unbreakable and, for that, I am eternally grateful.
A lifetime and more with my wolfman sounds just about perfect. The thought of adding kids and growing our family? I know it’ll go a long way to heal both of us from our pasts.
Jace lifts me up and I wrap my legs around his waist. As I snuggle into him, I know he’ll never let me fall. I can feel it so clearly—his determination, his love, his devotion.
When we get inside, I’m a little surprised when Jace doesn’t take me to bed right away. Instead, he takes me to the kitchen where there’s a large roll of paper. For some reason, I want to see what it is, but I also feel a little bit of anxiety through my bond.
“Open it,” Jace whispers.
I look at him and give him a smile, knowing that no matter what it is, it’ll be perfect. Still, knowing that doesn’t prepare me for what I find. They’re blueprints.
Not just any blueprints, but ones for a house. I can tell by the floorplan it’ll be big. Definitely big enough for the two of us along with any kids we may have.
Jace might not have been certain I wanted kids, but he planned for them. My jaw is slack as I look down and take in what’s in front of me.
“It’s a cabin, for us. This place isn’t going to be big enough for the both of us and I need a place a little closer to the woods.” I look up at him to find him running his clawed fingers through his hair. “I thought this would be a good compromise. Not that we’ll be spending a night apart, but I wanted to give us a place together."
"It’s perfect,” I breathe out.
The relief I feel in him turns into lust as I put down the plans and drop to my knees. I can’t help but look up into his eyes as I reach for his belt. The yellow is taking over the green, telling me how much of the feral wildness in him is yearning for my touch, for the pleasure only I can give.
I fully intend to show him just how much his plan means to me. Then, knowing my wolfman, he’s going to take me to bed and knot me until I’m screaming his name.
I was running from ghosts when I came to Screaming Woods. I didn’t understand it at the time, but I wasn’t running from fate, I was running toward it the entire time.
EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER
DAKOTA
I rub my belly while I look out into the woods surrounding our new house. It’s perfect out here. Peaceful. It’s everything Jace promised me when he showed me the plans a year ago and so much more because it’s ours.
As I watch the moon shining brightly over the woods I’ve come to love just as much as Jace does, I’m reminded of the night I know our little one was conceived. It was so similar to this; the air was crisp, and the moon was shining down.
There was something in the air, something charged I couldn’t put my finger on. We were staying the night in Jace’s cabin since this place was still being built and Jace was out doing one more check of the forest, something out there calling to him.
The moment he opened the door to the cabin, I jumped up and took in the way his chest was heaving, his yellow eyes locked on me. He stalked me, one of his clawed hands diving into my hair and giving a little tug, testing me. When all it did was make me wet for my mate, a feral grin grew on his lips.
He kissed me hard until I was panting and clinging to him. When he let me go, he stared into my eyes with an intensity that had me almost vibrating in place. I thought I was going to combust when he leaned into me and licked a long stripe up the side of my neck.
“Run,” he rumbled.
I don’t know what came over me, but the word was barely out of his mouth before I was darting out of the cabin and into the woods. I could see okay with the moonlight, but I also knew, with my wolfman chasing me, I was at a disadvantage.
My heart was pounding in my chest, but it was from excitement. The thrill I felt from running from him, knowing he was going to give chase at any moment, was almost too much for me to contain. I’m not sure how long I ran, it felt like forever and no time at all, until a howl rang out.
I knew what it meant. The chase was on.
I couldn’t hide, that much was clear right from the start. I was his prey to be caught and there was no way I was going to be able to get out of it. Not with the bond humming between us and giving away my location.
The thought of being caught, knowing what it would mean and how good it would be, had my legs slowing slightly. I wanted it and my pussy was gushing as my fight or flight response was pushing me and confusing me.
I pushed myself to run faster, not knowing where I was going. The moment I broke through the tree line at the edge of the clearing, I heard the snap of a twig behind me. I barely had time to turn around before Jace’s arm wrapped around my middle and he took me down to the ground.
I screamed and tried to wiggle away from him, my instincts pushing me. He was too strong, but I didn’t give up. I kept thrashing. With a dark chuckle, he crawled over me, and his claws made quick work of removing my clothes.
“You’re mine,” he growled, the sound going straight to my clit and making it pulse with need.