by Vivian Arend
Screw content, he was so damn happy he hummed like a fool as he slipped out the side exit and headed into the trees.
A date with his mate. It was the only thing that could make his day even better.
He slowed his step as he got closer, keeping to the shadows and trying to sneak up on her, but it was no use.
“I hear you,” she called before he was within visual range. “Hurry up.”
Oh. Cole skipped forward before catching himself and returning to a more sedate and manly form of locomotion. Although, he was still skipping inside. “Coming, love.”
He rounded the corner and strode through the break in the trees toward their favourite meeting spot—a smooth, grassy bench above a calm, quiet bend in the river. They’d spent a number of days there, swimming and sunning, discussing what needed to happen next at the retreat house.
They spent time discussing what they needed as a couple. Cole knew he really had gotten everything that he’d ever wanted, although he wasn’t sure why he deserved it.
Especially her, his mate.
Dani was sitting on the ground and leaning back on her elbows, face raised to the sun. The swell of her breasts was enhanced in the position. Cole let a rumble of happiness escape as he strode toward her.
Also happy making was the second swell visible from the side. The bump in her belly that continued to grow at what Dani thought was an alarming rate. Cole dropped to her side and placed a hand possessively over her belly, leaning in to kiss it before murmuring against the bump. “Hey, guys. You being good in there?”
“No,” Dani informed him sharply before tilting her chin and offering a sheepish grin. “You dangerous, wild wolf. Rub my back? Your babies are giving me muscle spasms already, and they still have three months to go.”
“Let me take care of you,” Cole offered. Let me take care of you forever.
He pulled her into his lap, her slight form fitting snugly against him, so he could enjoy their torsos rubbing together as he put his hands on her tight muscles and rubbed and squeezed until she was purring and boneless against him. “We got word there’s something fishy happening out in Hudson Bay. Do we have any operatives in that area?”
“I think so. When we get back to headquarters I can check for you. Did you get the message that Martin from Chicken called?”
He had, and the conversation that had resulted was going to make his mate laugh. “He’s worried about Nadia.”
Dani hissed. “Her? Seriously? That woman is a walking, talking nuclear weapon. What she got to worry about?”
Cole gave her butt a sharp little slap. “Stop with the pretend cattiness. You and I both know you did some research. Looks like you were right—”
“And this surprises you, why?”
He kissed her quickly, both of them laughing around the motion. “I never doubted you for a minute. The truth is, Nadia’s special gift isn’t working properly anymore.”
His mate caught him by the shoulders, looking intently into his eyes. All the caring and thoughtfulness and beautiful analytical preparation slammed together into him, and he felt so grateful. “Sounds as if it’s time for Nadia to get out of town for a bit,” she suggested.
Cole nodded. “Exactly what I thought. You ready to send them their assignment papers?”
Because the one thing they had discovered was that the Northern Lights Retreat House had a lot of power. When there was a shifter who had the skills they needed, they could temporarily recruit them, Nadia included.
Dani tilted her head. “Them?”
“Oh, come on, now. You wouldn’t be so mean as to set that sweet, innocent little lynx halfway around the world without a big bear to protect her, would you?” He snuggled Dani tighter, belly pressing close and sending a thrill through him. “I know I would never have made it without my bear at my side.”
Her look of absolute love swamped him—God, he loved how she gave everything to him in that one glance—
“I’m still mad at you for knocking me up so fast, but yes to sending Nadia and Martin on assignment, because every smart person takes a bear with them when they’re going somewhere important.”
“And where are we going that’s so important?” he asked with a smile.
“Into forever?”
That sounded perfect to him. “I love you.”
Dani nodded briskly. “Of course, you do. I’m very lovable.”
They laughed, together. The way they were going to be for the rest of their lives.
I hope you enjoyed Cole and Dani’s story. For now, if you want more wolfies to read, try WOLF SIGNS, the first book in the Granite Lake Wolves series.
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Robyn has never let her deafness slow her down—but she didn't expect her wilderness adventure to include bumping into the sexiest hunk-of-a-man she's ever met in her life. Keil was looking a quiet back country retreat before challenging to become pack Alpha. He wasn’t planning on meeting his mate, or discovering she's unaware of wolf shifters or her own untapped heritage.
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WOLF SIGNS is available now.
About the Author
With over 2 million books sold, Vivian Arend is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 50 contemporary and paranormal romance books, including the Six Pack Ranch and Granite Lake Wolves.
Her books are all standalone reads with no cliffhangers. They’re humorous yet emotional, with sexy-times and happily-ever-afters. Vivian pretty much thinks she’s got the best job in the world, and she’s looking forward to giving readers more HEAs. She lives in B.C. Canada with her husband of many years and a fluffy attack Shitzu named Luna who ignores everyone except when treats are deployed.
www.vivianarend.com
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Wild Prince
Copyright © 2018 by Vivian Arend
ISBN: 978-1-941456-54-5
Edited by Anne Scott
Cover Design by Angela Waters
Proofed by Lynda Ryba
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations.
First electronic publication: January, 2018
www.vivianarend.com