Page 50 of A Love Bite
She sadly shakes her head. “Not until after…”
“We’ll handle things,” I say. “Let’s not worry about that right now.”
“I don’t want to pretend that everything is good and fine and dandy,” she protests.
“We aren’t pretending. Right now, everything is fine. It’s better than fine.” I pick up a piece of nice, thick, crispy bacon and take a bite. “If you don’t start eating, I’m going to eat all of this delicious bacon.”
She makes a face. “Jake…”
“Alex, I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll keep you safe. The entire pack will. You’re a part of Steel Falls. Don’t forget that.”
“When I woke this morning, I… I thought I might wake up and think it was all a dream, but…” She taps her chest. “I can feel her yet. My wolf. How did she… I don’t understand. I mean, being born a werewolf, that makes sense, but to be bitten and turn into one… where did she come from?”
“Maybe she was inside of you all along. Maybe that’s how it works with fated mates if the mate is a human. I don’t have all the answers.”
“No? You could’ve lied to me and pretended that you did.”
I snort. “I won’t ever lie to you, and if you believe that, then you should get eating or at least drink your coffee while it’s hot.”
She laughs and rolls her eyes. “You’re too much, Jake.”
“I take that as a compliment.” I lift my mug and cheer the air in her direction before taking a sip of the burning hot coffee.
Alex does the same and then fills her plate to overflowing. If I have to make more food, I will.
For a while, we eat in silence, and everything is so serene and perfect. Sitting here with her in my kitchen is surreal, and I pause mid-chew so I can watch her. Just the sight of her stirs something deep inside me—protectiveness, love, and fierce determination. She’s my mate, my future, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure she’s safe, no matter what the world throws at us.
Her hair is a little wild, and her eyes are still soft from sleep, and it’s only now that I realize she’s wearing one of my shirts. The sight of her like that, comfortable and at ease, makes my chest ache in the best way.
“I really am glad you can cook without burning the place down,” she jokes.
I snort. “Why don’t you think I’m competent?”
“No. I’m sorry. It’s just that my dad could never cook. He would burn toast and overcook pasta. My mom and I used to tease him about it all of the time.” She laughed. “They died, and I don’t have any family. Just friends.”
“And me,” I say softly. “The entire pack.”
“That’s going to take some getting used to.”
There’s a flicker of worry in her eyes that makes my stomach churn.
I reach across the table to take her hand in mind. “What’s on your mind?” I ask gently.
Alex hesitates, her fingers tracing patterns on the table. “It’s just… everything. The werewolves, the rival pack, the danger… it’s a lot to take in. And now, with us…”
I squeeze her hand. “Alex, listen to me. I know it’s a lot, but you don’t have to face any of it alone. I’ll protect you. Always.”
She looks at me, her eyes searching mine. “Jake, I’m not just worried about right now. What if something happens down the line? What if?—”
“Stop,” I say softly, cutting her off. “Nothing’s going to happen to you. Not while I’m around. You’re my mate, Alex. Myeverything. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you live a long, happy life. You’re going to grow old, all wrinkled and gray-haired, and I’ll still be right there with you.”
Her lips twitch into a smile, and she laughs lightly. “Wrinkled and gray-haired, huh?”
“Absolutely,” I say, my voice firm but warm, “and I’ll love you just as much then as I do now. Probably even more.”
Her smile widens, and she squeezes my hand back. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
“Yeah,” I reply, grinning. “But I’m your impossible.”