by Eve Langlais
“No,” Liam said with a grin. “Thank you. From what I’ve heard, the area you scouted near the Kirkham trail has plenty of game. It was lucky you came across it.”
With that, Liam took his leave. Colin closed the door behind his alpha and turned to face his mate. He certainly had been lucky, but a bountiful hunting ground for the pack was the least valuable thing Colin had found there. He looked up at his mate, who smiled brightly. Finally, Colin had everything he’d ever wanted. And he couldn’t wait to start this new chapter of his life with Ellie at his side.
* * *
Ellie’s heart nearly burst with happiness for Colin. She wasn’t usually much of an eavesdropper, but she couldn’t help herself. When he’d left the bedroom, she’d thrown on some clothes and crept to the top of the stairs. It showed how engrossed the two of them had been in their conversation that neither of them had noticed her. Ellie had learned pretty quickly over the past several days that a werewolf could hear a pin drop in the next room. Pretty tough to be stealthy up against keen senses like that.
“Looks like I’ve got a new job,” Colin said with a wide grin.
Ellie walked down the stairs as though she couldn’t help herself. Since the moment she’d laid eyes on him, she’d felt a magnetic draw to Colin. She might not have possessed a werewolf’s instincts, but when it came to matters of the heart a human’s natural instincts could be just as powerful.
“Congratulations.” Ellie hit the bottom stair and Colin was there waiting for her, arms outstretched. She leaned into his embrace as though she’d always been meant to be there. His arms went around her and she let out a slow, contented breath. The thought of eternity used to frighten Ellie, but now she welcomed it in the same way Colin had welcomed her. With open arms.
“I’m sure Wade will be in touch, but I’m going to tell him I need a couple of weeks before I can start.”
“Why?” Ellie asked.
“I just think we need time to settle, don’t you? Everything’s still so up in the air.”
True, but Ellie was starting to realize that a little uncertainty made life more exciting. “Colin, we don’t have to have everything figured out right now. It could take two days, two months, or two years. And that’s okay. No one should ever have to put their life or their dreams on hold for anyone else. If Wade wants you to start tomorrow, I think you should.”
He searched her expression for a few quiet moments before leaning in to give her a gentle kiss. “Has anyone ever told you you’re amazing?”
Ellie returned his kiss, lingering a bit longer this time. Her hand came up to stroke the weathered oval of the gold locket around her neck. For two centuries she’d shunned any notion of love. She’d formed her relationships keeping a wary distance in order to guard her own heart. Colin had opened up a whole new world for her. He’d given her hope, affection, passion, and adventure. “You’re the one who’s amazing,” she said against his mouth.
“I’m okay,” he teased. “But my mate is extraordinary. Immortal. Invincible. Resilient. Strong. Beautiful. And hands down, the best kisser.”
Ellie laughed. She couldn’t get enough of Colin and couldn’t wait to spend eternity learning everything about him. They had all the time in the world and Ellie vowed never to waste a single second. “I don’t know if I’m the best kisser,” she teased back. “But I give my best effort.”
“Oh, believe me.” Colin’s voice went low and husky, sending a thrill through Ellie’s bloodstream. “You’re the best.” He put his lips to hers in a slow, openmouthed kiss that nearly made her knees buckle. If anyone was the best, it was Colin Courtney. One of a kind.
When he finally pulled away, Ellie could hardly quell the intense want that overtook her. “You should call Wade now and get all the details worked out.” As much as she wanted to go back upstairs and spend the day in bed with Colin, she knew he was anxious to solidify his position as a sentry.
Colin put his arms around her and lifted Ellie off her feet. She let out a surprised squeal as he carried her up the stairs to the bedroom. “Not a chance, love. We’re spending the rest of the day in bed and I don’t want to hear another word about it.”
So bossy, her werewolf. Ellie wrapped her arms around his neck as a contented smile curved her lips. Love. The word sounded so right when he said it. As though he’d always been meant to say it to her. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he climbed the last several stairs and headed for the bedroom. She’d always thought she needed to be free of the boundaries that boxed her in in order to live her life. But she was beginning to realize that a million adventures alone would never compare to a single adventure with Colin.
“An entire day in bed,” she mused. “How will I ever endure it?”
“Don’t worry,” Colin murmured as he deposited her on the mattress. “It’ll be tough, but we’ll get through it together.”
Together Damn, Ellie liked the sound of that.
Also by
Eve Langlais, Milly Taiden, and Kate Baxter
Thanks Fur Last Night
The Big Alpha in Town
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
EVE LANGLAIS is a New York Times bestselling Canadian author who loves to write hot romance. She enjoys strong alpha male heroes, shifters, and a happily-ever-after. You can sign up for email updates here.
MILLY TAIDEN is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the renowned Paranormal Dating Agency series, the Sassy Mates books, and the Federal Paranormal Unit novels. You can sign up for email updates here.
KATE BAXTER is a die-hard romantic with a thing for Shakespeare. She lives in the great Northwest and writes about all things fanged, furry, and undead. You can sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Bearing His Touch by Eve Langlais
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Epilogue
Fake Mated to the Wolf by Milly Taiden
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Epilogue
The Witch, the Werewolf, and the Waitress by Kate Baxter
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Also by Eve Langlais, Milly Taiden and Kate Baxter
About the Authors
Copyright
These novellas are works of fict
ion. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in these novellas are either products of the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously.
IN THE MOOD FUR LOVE. Copyright © 2018 by St. Martin’s Press.
Bearing His Touch. Copyright © 2018 by Eve Langlais.
Fake Mated to the Wolf. Copyright © 2018 by Milly Taiden.
The Witch, the Werewolf, and the Waitress. Copyright © 2018 by Kate Baxter.
All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.stmartins.com
Cover design by Danielle Mazzella di Bosco
Cover photographs: couple © Kiuikson/Shutterstock.com; bear © Clickalps/Getty Images
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-250-16672-2 (trade paperback)
ISBN 978-1-250-16673-9 (ebook)
eISBN 9781250166739
Our ebooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension 5442, or by email at [email protected].
First Edition: October 2018