Page 58 of The Wolf's Captive

Skipping to keep up, I giggled as my brother apologised.

“You will always be my number one,” I said, squeezing his forearm.

A chuckle fell from him as my gaze was drawn to Malone. He watched us, a small smile dancing across his features.

“I know,” Drake murmured, “and you’ll always be my number two snot commander or whatever it was.”

We reached the end of the small jetty and I turned to face my brother. We had been there for each other since we were young children and here we were, facing a life far beyond what we ever imagined. “I will always be here for you,” I said, clasping his hands in mine. “No matter what.”

Leaning down, he kissed me on the cheek before pulling away. “Likewise, sister, likewise. Now go get your man.”

A grin exploded on my lips as I left my brother and walked onto the jetty. There were lit candles and rose petals spread down the sides, creating a gorgeous hint of colour on the light wood. Malone stood with Joseph, waiting patiently for me to join him.

“Are you okay?” he muttered when I approached.

My palms were sweaty and my heart beat ten times faster than usual, but I wouldn’t tell him that. Instead, I nodded, smiling up at him when he took my hands and kissed my knuckles.

His hair was short against his head, the brown spikes perfectly shaved. His square jaw was relaxed, despite what we were about to do. Not many men pulled off a short haircut, but his bulky frame and thick neck added to the sexiness.

“Are you sure you’re ready?” I suddenly felt shy as Malone reached out and stroked my cheek.

He tilted his head to the side and raised his eyebrows. “Have I not told you that as soon as you were free, I’d make you mine?”

My tongue flicked out to moisten my dry lips. Shit, we were about to bond together in a ceremony that was completely foreign to me.

“I can’t wait to make you mine, too,” I replied, glancing down the jetty as Joseph approached.

His long grey hair was blowing in the breeze and his smart shirt was done up to the neck, nice and smart. He held a carved wooden box in one hand and a metal goblet in the other. When he reached us, he skirted around Malone and stood at the end of the jetty, facing the shore.

“Let’s commence with this alpha bonding,” he announced, nodding at Malone.

The alpha nodded back and held my hands tight, as if he were preventing me from running away. As if I’d do that?

“Fellow werewolves,” Joseph said, addressing the pack.

I glanced at them, a little too afraid of all the attention, but pleased to see that they all smiled, even Lionel. And to think, it had all started with him. He had been going about his day when Drake had attacked him. Even after saving him, he hadn’t forgiven me. Now, he must have realised how much I meant to Malone. And that always made a wolf loyal, even if he was dubious.

“When Malone told us that he’d turned a witch, we freaked the fuck out.” Joseph shrugged his shoulders when I frowned at him. “As if the witches didn’t also lose their shit.”

It was my turn to shrug when everyone laughed. Yeah, I couldn’t deny that the freakish accident had caused a fallout beyond our wildest imaginations. Shit, we’d been through a lot since we’d realised we were mates.

“However, as each challenge faced the pair of you, you stuck it out. It’s not surprising, Malone is a stubborn arsehole most days.” Joseph paused to enjoy the hilarity.

That’s what made the pack so great. They could take the piss out of the top dog because he was one of them. He had struggled to find his feet after the Frizz incident and allowed his pack to run without him. Since he had met me, he’d put the effort in and redeemed himself. He had saved the ones he cared for in more ways than one.

“And here we are,” Joseph went on, “seemingly free of our enemies – thank the wolf spirit that the council disbanded and banished the Crawley Pack.”

I frowned up at Malone, intrigued about the new development. So they’d decided to be lenient and not killed them all. It wasn’t a bad thing. Actually, my breath rushed out of me in relief. They’d been led astray by Kieran, influenced and forced by his witch.

“Except for the bastards who killed Emiliah,” Lionel called, sadness crossing his features.

“They would never let murderers free.” Malone agreed, shaking his head. “If they did, we would kill them ourselves.”

Ah, yes, that part of the Crawley Pack deserved to be locked up for life.

“Talking of Emiliah and the wolf spirits, we invite them to be here with us today.” Joseph held his hands to the side. “And ask their blessing for the union of Della and Malone.”

Malone dropped to his knees, tugging me down with him. I lowered myself, careful not to dirty my dress as I looked up at Malone.