Page 86 of The Wolf's Mate
“You would say that if I was wearing a potato sack.” She giggles.
“I doubt I’d be able to keep my hands off you in one of those.”
“You’re so weird.” She smiles. “Get dressed! Tallie is going to kill me if I’m late helping her run the games for the pups. We’ve been planning hard these last few weeks.”
I love her dedication to our pack, but more importantly, her love for the pups. I would be lying if I didn’t admit it makes me want to start a family with her sooner rather than later.
“You’re great with the pups,” I try to say casually, reaching for my pants.
“They are so fun. I wish I had half their energy though,” she says. “Will our future kids have that much energy?”
And there it is. Proof she wants the same future I do. My chest swells, knowing my mate wants to have pups with me. If I think about her plump with our babies for too long, I will not let her leave this room.
“They’ll be the children of a human and an alpha. I’m afraid they will have more energy,” I break the news.
“Figures.” She finishes up her hair. “Ready to go?”
I pull on my shirt and reach for her hand. “Yeah, Dove. I’m ready. You lead.”
A cute smile plays on her lips. “I lead? I like the sound of that.” She leans in for a quick kiss. She doesn’t know that I will follow her lead to the ends of the earth. Wherever she goes, I won’t be far behind.
“I love you, Alpha,” she says and pulls away. “Don’t say it back. I want you to show me you love me once the celebration is over.”
We’re celebrating our victory and the end to our curse. It’s time my pack experienced joy and laughter once again. For the first time, I feel like I’ve succeeded as my pack’s King Alpha, which I couldn’t have done without my queen by my side.
With one last smile, Hettie tugs on my hand, leading us out to join our pack. Our family.
This isn’t the life I expected, but maybe it’s the one I deserve.
Epilogue
The Guardian
The rain is unforgiving. All those with a shred of self-preservation would know to stay in their homes, escaping the worst of the flood coming to Grym Hollow. “Flood” is perhaps dramatic, but it’s more than we’ve seen in years. Mother Nature is punishing us for our sins.
Or maybe she’s just punishing me.
I deserve the ire.
Visions of bloody greed and corrupt power play in my mind like my personal hell. I’ve built my prison within Grym Hollow, and the humans here are none the wiser. How quickly they allow themselves to trust me is frightening when I don’t even trust myself.
My prison grows weaker with each mate I deliver to the Kings of Mescos. Seeing others find their happily ever after is torture, but one I hope will pay off in the end. Besides, I owe Malix, Rip, and the other four kings everything, cleaning up the mess I’ve made and left behind.
Only once the wrongs have been righted will I be able to find her again.
My mate.
My love.
My enemy.
Redemption is why I’m out in the pouring rain, looking at the cozy duplex in front of me. At first glance, it appears like every other duplex on this street. Small porch, with a planter box of coneflowers decorating the concrete slab. The brown door leaves much to be desired, with peeling paint and uneven coats. A single tree grows in the yard.
However, this is where the similarities stop. If one cared to pay attention, they would notice the grass hasn’t been mowed in months, and the white mailbox is near bursting with untouched letters. There’s also a rather impressive dent in the middle of their garage door. One the size of a fist.
The front door suddenly slams open, revealing a stumbling man dressed in old denim and a faded black shirt. He holds a beer in one hand, bringing it to his lips to sip every last drop. Judging by the way he’s stumbling and cursing, this isn’t the first beer he’s had this evening. Maybe not even the third.
“You fucking bitch!” he screams, though thunder drowns out most of his words. “You’ll never find a man that loves you. Fucking slut, sleeping with any man that looks in your direction.”