Chapter 78

Everything outside went quiet and Amanda leaned back, turning to stare at the door. “It’s awfully quiet out there.”

Emma turned as well to stare at the door with a look of concern and hope on her face. “Do you think that’s a good sign or a bad sign?”

Amanda shook her head. “I don’t know. I hope it’s a good sign.”

Suddenly a howl echoed through the area and Amanda jumped in surprise.

Is it over with? Have we won?

There was no reply for several moments and Amanda’s fear suddenly kicked up by several notches.

Cole? What was the howl—

Her question was cut off when a host of other howls joined in with the first. Amanda’s tension relaxed, but only slightly. She offered Emma a slightly nervous smile. “I think that sounds like a good thing.”

A moment later, there was the sound of scratching at the door. Amanda nodded to Emma. “Check first, look and see who and what it is. Don’t open it until you’re sure.”

Emma nodded and hurried over to the door. She peeked through the window and then she laughed. “It’s your wolf and mine!” She hurriedly flung the door open and hugged Sean around the neck tightly.

Cole loped his way over to her with a proud look on his fuzzy face.

Amanda couldn’t help but let out a laugh as tears filled her eyes. “We really did it? You beat them all for us?” She asked and then threw her arms around Cole’s neck and buried her face against his throat with a cry that was somewhere between a laugh and a sob of relief.

“I could kiss your fuzzy nose for this. I don’t know how you did it. I don’t know how you managed to survive, but I don’t care. I’m glad that you did. I’m so glad that you did.” She mumbled into his soft black fur.

We did it for you, Amanda. You called us all here and we came for you. Once we get back home, will you let me speak with you before you run away again? I think if you would hear what I have to say that you might just be able to forgive me, maybe.

Amanda choked back a soft sob and nodded. “Yes. I think after you rescued me from prison I could at least give you some time to say whatever you need to say. Not until after we get home though. I want out of this place.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two days later, the sun broke through the curtains in the windows and Amanda groaned softly. Her fingertips ached and her ankle felt sore and swollen but it had been carefully wrapped and a pair of crutches leaned against the wall by the nightstand just within reach.

Cole pushed the bedroom door open and grinned at her.

All he wore was a pair of loose basketball shorts and her eyes trailed over him from head to toe and back again. A little growl escaped her lips as she pushed herself up and licked her lips.

His eyes turned that sexy amber shade immediately and he prowled toward the bed. “Don’t you growl at me like that. I have breakfast ready and if you growl at me---”

Amanda growled again and then squealed as Cole pounced her faster than she could react. He yanked the blankets off her naked form and tugged her legs up over his hips. “You’ve been asleep for two days. You need food so you can regain your strength.”

He leaned forward and bit her neck lightly. “I can’t contain myself when you do that…” He whispered huskily against her throat and ran his tongue lightly over the mark he’d left there weeks before.

She hesitated for only a moment and then bit his neck and growled again. It broke the last of his control and he flicked the shorts off his hips and joined his body with hers in one swift movement.

Hours later she relaxed against his chest and her stomach growled. Her fingers curled against his chest and she sighed in contentment. He gently nudged her to the side and climbed out of bed, walking in all his naked glory across the room through the doorway.

She could smell the food as he warmed it again in the microwave, then returned with a large platter of bacon, eggs, sausage, and biscuits and settled onto the bed beside her. “Here. Let’s eat. You’re going to need more energy for rounds two, three, four, five and six.”

Amanda let out a little laugh and snuggled up against his chest, eyes dancing with pleasure and joy. She’d found her home. She leaned up and kissed his lips softly. “I love you.” She whispered out loud. Finally, ready to tell him what she’d known but denied for so long.

He pulled her tighter and kissed her until neither of them could breathe. “I love you, mate. I love you with all that I am, and I will never let anyone harm you ever again.” He pulled her in for another kiss. “I promise you this.”

She smiled and at long last, she knew where she belonged.

The End.