When we reach the clearing on our packlands, River shifts back into his human skin. I do the same because I want to face my mate again when I can hold her in my arms. When I can use my words to tell her all the things I’ve been holding back for the past ten years we’ve been apart. Beg forgiveness at her feet. My ribs ache, every part of me hurts, and I would probably fall over if my cousin wasn’t holding me up, but still, I must get to her and nothing else matters.I lift my nose to the wind to try and catch the path her most recent scent leads. Her scent is imprinted in the air, on the very land it seems, my mate is very much a part of my pack, and I can’t fucking get enough of her divine smell. It’s intoxicating, and I’m already addicted. How had I ever left her? What in the moon was wrong with me when I fled all those years ago? Will she take me back? I will spend the rest of my life making it up to her if Sloane will allow me the privilege and honor.But she has already found ano

It starts to drizzle as I make my way home. The warm rain mixes with my tears. My head is a jumbled mess of feelings, of warring emotions. Part of me wants to turn around and run back to my mate and never leave his side again. To tell him I’ve always loved him and I forgive him. To be together. I feel the intense rush of love for Slade, even now. But the other part of me is mad as hell and hurt beyond belief. And right now, that side is winning. Because my mate doesn’t want me. And he never did. And he never will.All these years I loved him, but he doesn’t feel the same. This mate bond was forced upon him unwillingly, and he doesn’t accept it. I accepted it long before I even fully understood it, I dreamed of my wolf, I loved him from afar, and when I saw him again, it all clicked and fell into place for me. Things felt right and made sense for the first time in a long time. But my mate left his home, his family, his whole damn life, to stay away from me for ten long years. Slade w

Needless to say, it isn’t easy to get any sleep in the healing cabin. Not just because I’m in pain, the cot beneath me is harder than the forest bed, but I can’t stop thinking about my mate. That look in Sloane’s eye when she accused me of denying the mating bond because she isn’t good enough, the tears I saw there. I hurt her badly though I never meant too. The guilt is fucking eating me from the inside out. Worst of all, there is some truth in her words. Much truth.But if anything, I’m the one who isn’t good enough for her. And now I don’t know how to make things right. I’m not sure my mate will ever forgive me and accept our bond. She was right to walk away. My pride has cost me nearly everything. The pain medications numb the bond, but it still hurts like hell. Because I already know the things my mate is feeling. Olive busies herself with tasks around the cabin. She checks up on me frequently and watches me with keen eyes. Though she doesn’t say much. The silence is thick. And

I finish up lunch, and Lark volunteers to drop it off to Slade. I’m a bit anxious sending her near my mate and sharp objects. But I’m not ready to face him again just yet. Lark hasn’t seen her cousin in ten years so I’m sure they have some things to catch up on. Slade grew up nice, I’ll give that bastard that much credit. I’m glad he traded those brown spikes in for a sexy fade cut and the perfect amount of stubble along his sculpted jaw line, and those green eyes of his only got more bedroom worthy with time. Being his mate would be hard enough because the man looks like a fucking underwear model. And I look like a girl trying to play grown up, at times I feel like such an imposter in more ways than one.After lunch I force down, I have some cuddles with my baby while CeCe texts her friends and takes over the living room TV to watch bad reality shows. She gets a hold of Willow and River, and despite the events of last night, they decide to continue with our original plans, though la

At least my mate still wants me in our dreams. Last night was the best one yet, the tone different than the others. The sex was good, but in a different way, Slade was gentle, he spoke the words I so longed to hear in my ear as we made, sweet love. There was nothing savage or feral in it, he didn’t take me hard and fast, but nice and slow the whole time. Every kiss and touch were with purpose and he took his time. My mate made me feel treasured and loved and wanted like never before. And those feelings carry over when I open my eyes in the morning.I smile, despite the ache in my head from getting wine drunk the day before, and the sunlight streams onto my face from the open blinds. I feel bathed in light, warm, glowing, a woman in love. I bask in this moment, the joy, the fast thrum of my heart, the butterflies in my stomach, and I never want it to end. I never want these feelings to fade. I love him and he loves me. Mates, forevermore.Between my legs burn and ache in the most wonde