Page 46 of Ancient Promises

He let go of her and rocked back on his heels. “Are you surprised? I love books. Not as much as I love you, of course.”

She leaned away a little. “What?”

“What?” he asked.

“What did you just say?”

“Oh, yeah,” he said, pulling her close so fast her breath gusted from her lips. “I love you, Diem. From the bottom of your wolfy toes to the top of your lioness head, and every part in between. You’re my treasure and my mate, and the epicenter of my universe.”

“Epicenter,” she said, grinning. “I like that.”

“And?” he prompted.

“And I’m pretty damn happy.”

He grunted. She giggled. “And I love you too!”

They kissed again, but this time the kiss had even more meaning. They loved each other, fought to get back to each other, and nothing on this earth was going to tear them apart.

“You could definitely be the school librarian,” she said when the kiss ended. “I love helping, but it’s too much for one person to do part time, plus I’m not really trained for it. I know Isak would love to have you on staff. We can meet with him.”

“Not today,” he said, knowing it was well after midnight and already Monday. “Maybe Tuesday or Wednesday. We need time to rest and recuperate and get to know each other.”

“Perfect. I’ll keep the shop closed too. Just you and me for a few days sounds like a wonderful idea.”

“And sexy too.” He wiggled his brows, and she chuckled.

After she gave her statement, he took her home to Cider Falls, following behind the other pack members’ vehicles as they left the storage facility. It had been a hell of a night, but out of the ashes of the terror had come a sweet peace knowing that they were safe now. He didn’t have to wonder if his brother would come for him; Zihndyr was nothing but a terrible memory.

Eivross thought he couldn’t be with Diem because it would put her in harm’s way, and he’d been right. But being with her was the best thing that had ever happened to him, and he would go against anyone who came after them. No matter what, he would ensure that Diem had a sweet life.

She leaned against his shoulder and yawned.

“Sleepy?” he asked.

“I wasn’t. I think I’m just crashing from the stress.”

“We’ll be home soon.”

“This was a really great first date.”

He snorted.

“Well, I mean, aside from you nearly dying and me nearly becoming some kind of house whore for your brother and his cronies. But before that? Seeing your treasure and spending the evening talking? I loved every second of it.”

“Me too.”

“And I’m really glad that we’re together.”

“You forgive me? For everything?”

“One hundred percent. But I do reserve the right to bring it up occasionally. I’ll say,remember when you wouldn’t claim me because you were a little bitch?”

“Damn, that’s cold.” He barked out a laugh and kissed the top of her head.

“I promise not to do it. Too much.”

He’d take it, though.