by Jen Talty
“What?” she asked.
He stepped around the island and swiveled the stool so he could burrow himself between her legs. Curling his finger, he gently lifted her chin. “Do you accept me as your mate?”
“Don’t we need witnesses of some kind if I’m going to say, I do?”
“This isn’t a wedding.”
“Good, because I kind of want the white gown, though no church. Maybe outside somewhere like in a field of flowers.”
“That can be arranged,” he said, fanning his thumb over her delicate chin. “But you haven’t answered my question.”
She draped her arms over his shoulders and leaned in, brushing her lips gently against his. “As crazy as it all is, I love you. I can’t bear the thought of being without you.”
“I love you, too,” he whispered, before taking her mouth with fury.
Everything he thought he didn’t want was everything he needed and it came in the form of a blind date.
Epilogue
Two Months Later
CHAZ LEANED AGAINST the tractor trailer at the family farm, loosening his tie, trying to ignore the threatening stares coming from Mr. and Mrs. Jade as they embraced Daphne less than an hour after they’d formally married in the human way. So much had happened and he could understand their trepidation, but he was getting tired of being ignored, especially since it turned out that her father was indeed a wolf, with the ability to shift now at any time, thanks to Chaz’s father.
Daphne’s mother, a Fairy, while not very powerful, did have some healing powers that helped ease the pain of those who suffered from illness or injury. That kind of healing was a gift to many, one that Chaz valued and respected.
He also valued and respected her parents, yet it didn’t seem he got the same in return. Hell, they liked his parents more than they did him. His father had ran in the woods as a wolf with her father, but Chaz had been left behind.
His mother cooked and went for long walks with Daphne and her mother, but excluded him.
Daphne glanced in his direction and smiled.
His heart melted all over again. It drove him nuts that she could reduce him to a pile of mush with a look. He was an alpha male about to be the leader of millions of wolves, not to mention King of the Fairies, a role he didn’t think he’d ever get used to, considering he had no Fairy powers.
He groaned the moment her father strolled in his direction. The last time they’d had a private conversation, Chaz had embarrassed himself so badly that even his mate had been mortified, telling him he had tried too hard.
“Relax. He likes you,” Daphne’s sweet voice tickled his mind.
“He likes me about as much as you like hot dogs right now.”
“The mere mention of them makes me want to vomit, but that aside, my father likes you. You could have been as human as the day is bright and he’d still act this way. Give him some time. He’ll come around.”
“Yes, dear.” God, did he love that woman. If he could walk on water for her, he would.
“Chaz,” Mr. Jade said, holding out his hand. “It was a fine wedding.”
“Yes, sir, it was.” Chaz swallowed, staring into Mr. Jade’s green eyes. He wasn’t a large man, nor had he become a large wolf, but that didn’t make Chaz any less terrified. “It’s exactly what Daphne wanted and all I want is to give her everything she desires.”
Mr. Jade nodded, leaning against the farm machinery. “As you can imagine, this has been a major adjustment for all of us.”
Chaz nodded. “Please come help me with your father,” he pleaded with Daphne.
“I’ll be right there.”
“My daughter loves you,” Mr. Jade said.
“And I love her.”
“I believe you do, son.” Mr. Jade rested his arm on Chaz’s shoulder. “I think you’ll make a fine husband and father.”
Chaz sucked in a breath. Hearing those words from him was about as sweet as hearing Daphne accept him as his mate. “Thank you, sir.”
Mr. Jade laughed. “I can’t tell you how much fun it has been to watch you squirm in my presence for the last few months.”
“Excuse me, sir?” Chaz craned his neck.
“I might be coming into my wolf self, but you, man or wolf, are twice my size, so knowing you’re utterly terrified of me brings me great pleasure. But my daughter has asked me to stop and since you’ve got two of my grandkids on the way, I figure it’s time you call me Ned.”
“I kind of like Mr. Jade,” Chaz said, eyeing his wife, who smiled sweetly as she sauntered in his direction. “But I think I can get used to Ned.”
“Good.”
“I’ll do everything in my power to make her happy,” Chaz said.
“You’ve already done that.” Ned shoved his hands in his pockets and wandered off toward the food tent just as Daphne approached.
“I take it that went well,” she said, easing into Chaz’s arms, kissing his neck with her electrifying lips. Her baby bump protruding against his stomach. His children, a boy and a girl, fluttered about. He could hear them giggling. Their language skills lacked, but they enjoyed their parents bantering.
“It did,” he said, wrapping his arms around his wife. “Remind me when our little girl gets to be of dating age so that I can scare the shit out of her suitors until she finds the right one, and even then, I should still be able to make him squirm in his shoes.”
Daphne laughed. “You’re going to be a great father.”
“And you my precious, are already the best mother any being could ever ask for.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere.” Her skin let off a white puffy rainbow of sparkling glitter. Her powers had strengthened, though they suspected it was because of the twins.
“I love you,” he whispered, resting his hand on her swollen mound. Life might have brought him an odd twist of fate, but if he could go back and do it all again, he’d go on that blind date.
The End
Books by Jen Talty
NY State Trooper Series
IN TWO WEEKS
DARK WATER
DEADLY SECRETS
MURDER IN PARADISE BAY
TO PROTECT HIS OWN
DEADLY SEDUCTION
WHEN A STRANGER CALLS
Other novels
REKINDLED
JANE DOE’S RETURN
Dare to Love Kindle World by Carli Philips
DON’T DARE ME
The Omega Team Kindle World
THE LIGHTHOUSE
HER LAST HOME
THE LAST FLIGHT
THE RETURN HOM
The Phoenix Agency Kindle World
THE LOST SISTER
THE LOST SOLDIER
THE LOST SOUL
THE LOST CONNECTION
Dallas Fire and Rescue Kindle World
STEALING HIS FIRE
IGNITING HIS FLAME
Special Forces Operation Alpha
BURNING DESIRE
BURNING KISS
BURNING SKIES
BURNING LIES
BURNING HEART
About the Author
Jen Talty is an award-winning author of Romantic Suspense. Dark Water hit #10 in Barnes and Noble and her books have been in the top 50 on Amazon. Jen grew up in Rochester, New York. She recently retired from being a full-time hockey mom as her children hung up their skates. She and her husband still live in Rochester while her children travel globe. Jen is the co-founder of Cool Gus Publishing with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer. To learn more about Jen Talty please visit her website: jentalty.com
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