Page 63 of Unnatural Fate

With those words, we were out. A hush fell over the wolves. Not a sound broke through the quiet except for the beating of my mate’s heart in time with mine. He didn’t say more. He allowed the crowd time to absorb. Slowly, one by one, they got to their feet and turned toward us as the news sank in. They drank me in, noted my cock, and that I wasn’t one of them.

I’d been waiting for him to say those words, craving them, and I could not have predicted the impact they wracked through my body. Joy filled my spirit, followed in an instant with dread. With loss. With the sands of time slipping between our fingers. How fragile he was. Would I mourn his loss until it happened? I’d let him get too far inside my head with his talk of prophecy and death to even enjoy this moment. I finally had him.

I squeezed his hand, reaffirming myself in reality. I wouldn’t accept anything less than every last day he had left. As long or short as it may be.

Dominic didn’t move or make a sound, like a silent standoff with a pack of feral wolves. They surely knew I was something to him after the run, but this solidified it. Solidified my place among them, above them, and not one of them.

A ripple went through the wolves. Whispers. Exchanged information. Gasps as it sunk in what it meant to the pack and the future. Looks were exchanged, but I think the news came as such a surprise there wasn’t a way to challenge it. What were they going to do? Go up against Dominic, unsure of their support? It hit me, as well as the wolves, what would happen.

The real danger would be when Dominic was alone or with those he thought he could trust. There would be enemies at every turn because of the faith lost in his judgment. I saw it in the faces around us, and I knew we’d never be safe here again.

I didn’t like the implications and the new knowledge. Would I ever be able to leave him alone now?

Dominic held up a hand after a few more moments. “Not only do I claim him as my mate, but as my soul tie.”

Another gasp, but this stopped all the whispers.

“As taught and handed down by our people for hundreds of years, you all know what this means and what it means to deny it. I won’t be denying my true mate, no matter our customs. The Gods willed it, and I give my life to their will.” He lowered his head in respect.

I did the same.

Silence stretched out until it was uncomfortable, but Dominic didn’t move. He had the patience of a creature much older than he was.It made me wonder how old his soul was.

Another ripple broke as wolves devolved into chatter. Parts of it reached my ears.

“How could he?”

“It can’t be true?”

“Surely he’s mistaken.”

On and on. It turned my stomach to hear the doubt. To hear them speaking so poorly of the one who’d saved them from the brink of ruin.

“This will not be questioned.” Dominic’s words carried an edge to them that went right to my cock.

The acknowledgment of us after so long was hotter than anything he’d ever said to me. He chose me over health and safety and family.

He chose us.

“Furthermore, it is my right, as handed down by our elders, to be withonlymy soul tie and deny the quickening.”

Another low murmur started at the back and traveled forward.

Dominic turned away from his people and into me. His hand found my cheek. “I love you.”

My face spread into an unexpected smile. “I love you.”

“I know.” His pupils were still mostly black. The wolf lingered there. Vargr. He was mine, too. Dominic just didn’t know it yet.

“You realize you’ve set yourself up to die.” I kissed his palm hoping he was wrong but realizing he probably wasn’t.

“I know. But do we have to worry about it tonight?” he asked, grabbing my cock. “I’ve denied my need too long.”

“Is the wolf sticking around for this?” I asked, flicking my tongue into his mouth.

“Is that what you want?” Dominic asked, squeezing my dick and pulling a groan from me.

“I thought I was promised a breeding, or am I mistaken?”