Page 83 of Escaping Wildfire

‘He’ll think we’re beautiful no matter what.’ Amora said as she shook out her fur.

My heart was pounding like crazy, and I kept taking deep breaths hoping I’d smell something. Was he coming yet? What was taking so long? My eyes started to water as my thoughts went all over the place, so I closed my eyes trying to calm my nerves.

I heard the door click open, and I was overpowered by the most amazing smell of rosemary with hints of orange and pine. Amora started going crazy in my head and yelling out.

‘Mate! Mate! Mate!’

I was scared to open my eyes, and I felt warm tears falling on my cheeks. The bed moved down as he sat down next to me and grabbed my hand. My hand exploded with the feeling of tingles from the mate bond. I had never felt anything so wonderful.

“Gem…open your eyes, Gem…” He whispered as he cupped my face.

I slowly opened my eyes and blinked back my tears as I stared into the most amazing green eyes I had ever seen.

“Mate,” We whispered to each other at the same time.

“Cosmo’s going crazy right now. He can’t wait to get you out of this bed so that he can meet Amora.” His eyes flashed bright green as Cosmo showed through.

“She can’t wait to meet him either.” Noah wiped at my tears, before kissing me softly.

“I know you’re not fully healed yet, but I’m marking you as soon as you’re ready.” He laid me back down as he brushed my hair back with his hand. He was smiling so brightly at me, and I still couldn’t believe we were back together. He laced his fingers with mine as he sat down on the chair beside the bed.

“So, I’m supposed to give the others a turn to come see you. Jordan and the girls…but I kind of want to be selfish right now and stay with my mate. Also, I’m pretty sure they’re all waiting out there to find out if we’re actually mates.”

I giggled at the thought of everyone waiting outside. “I do want to see everyone, so maybe you can give them just a little time, and then you can come back and spend the night with me.”

“Okay, how about I get you some food, and come back once you’ve seen everyone.”

“Deal.” With that, my mate, I loved saying that, stepped out, and I got to talk to Jasmine and her siblings. She looked so much healthier than the last time I had seen her, but I knew she still had a way to go.

Noah came back with a burger and fries for both of us, which I devoured, along with half of Noah’s fries. He was also nice enough to bring a burger for Hadley and her mate, even though she hadn’t woken up yet. I was certain Hadley would be beyond excited to meet her mate, who we found out was named Sawyer, or Dr. James as everyone at the clinic called him.

Everyone was happy for me and Noah, and I fell asleep peacefully for the first time in weeks.

36 Mates

NOAH

I woke up to the most amazing feeling of tingles everywhere, and when I opened my eyes, I looked down to see my beautiful mate in my arms. Her long hair was pulled up into a messy bun, and she had faint traces of the makeup she’d been wearing two nights ago still smudged on her eyes. She had never looked more beautiful.

Yesterday, when Jordan showed up at the clinic, I had been pacing in the waiting area. Having known me all my life, he could tell I was nervous. We sat down, and he ended up talking sense into me. Jordan would give anything to have a mate like Gema who would want him unconditionally, and he made sure I remembered how lucky I was to have her. Everyone was so certain that we’d end up being fated mates that a part of me was worried we would disappoint everyone if we weren’t. Even Cosmo was certain, so as soon as I saw Cristian come out of Gema’s room, I pushed past my nerves and went inside.

As I opened the door I was hit by the overwhelming scent of red apples and honey. It was the same scent I had always loved but a million times stronger. Her eyes were closed, and I could tell she was just as scared as I was. When she opened her eyes, though, all I could think about was how much I loved her. I could spend my life staring into those beautiful brown eyes of hers.

Cosmo, however, was already planning for our mating and marking. He was sending me all kinds of images that would have to wait until Gema was completely healed.

Gema stirred in the bed, and I took that as my cue to get off the bed. It was much too small to fit two people, but we made it work. I also did not want to be without touching my mate all night.

“Good morning,” She stretched out as she smiled up at me.

“How are you feeling?”

“So much better, it doesn’t hurt to move like it did yesterday.”

“That’s good, the doctor said he’d be in this morning to check on you, but I’m pretty sure he’s really coming in here to check on your friend. He’s been in and out all night making sure she’s okay.”

“Has she woken up yet?”

“No, but she was a little more scraped up than you were. The doctor said her wolf must still be tired from trying to heal.”