Connor looked to Celeste. Blood dripped from his snout and he hoped she wouldn’t be scared of him. His eyes scanned her, looking for any sign of injury. Satisfied that his mate was unharmed, he walked to the front door and nudged it shut.
Looking at Celeste, he lumbered up the stairs to the loft. When he reached the top, he changed back to his human shape and went into the bathroom to clean up. Once he was free of blood, he went back to his mate.
He found her sitting on her knees at the foot of the stairs. She was shaking violently and staring at her hands.
“Celeste?” He reached down and gently touched her shoulder.
She tensed and looked up at him. “Connor?”
“It’s okay, honey. He can’t hurt you anymore.”
She reached for him with trembling hands.
He lifted her into his arms and cuddled her to his chest. Carrying her upstairs, he sat her on the bed.
“Stay here. I’m going to clean up downstairs.”
She nodded, but didn’t say a word.
Connor left her and went back to the living room. Opening the front door, he hauled the alpha’s body outside. Carrying the massive wolf, he disposed of him in the woods where scavengers would take care of the body.
When he returned to the cabin, he went to the kitchen to get cleaning supplies. After the blood was gone and the living room looked as it had before, he returned to Celeste’s side.
She was still sitting on the bed where he’d left her, staring but not really seeing.
Connor knelt at her feet and took her hands.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” he said.
“You saved me,” she said softly.
He shook his head. “If it weren’t for me, you never would have been in trouble.”
“Maybe, but if it weren’t for you I would still feel lonely.”
“And you don’t now?”
She shook her head. “When I saw you attack the other wolf, I realized something. I realized that I’m glad I’m your mate. I don’t want to be alone anymore.”
Connor pulled her into his arms. “I promise you won’t be alone, Celeste. You’re my mate and I love you.”
“I think I love you too,” she whispered.
Epilogue
A year later
Celeste stood in the kitchen sipping a cup of tea. Connor had been gone for hours and she was anxious for him to return. He’d barely left her side for weeks after the incident. It had taken her forever to convince him she would be okay on her own.
Rubbing her rounding stomach, she stared out of the kitchen window. The full moon shone brightly in the night sky. Millions of stars winked at her.
The front door opened and closed.
“Celeste?”
“In the kitchen,” she called.
Connor walked in and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her gently. “I’m sorry I’m late.”
“Is everything okay?”
He nodded. “The pack seems to be back to normal.”
“That’s good.”
“They decided to keep me as alpha.”
She looked at him in surprise. “Did you accept?”
He nodded. “It was the only way to ensure you’re safety and the baby’s.”
Smiling, she rubbed her stomach. “It’s probably a good thing. If you’re the alpha, won’t the baby be in line for the position if he can change into a wolf?”
Connor smiled and cupped his hands around her stomach. “Yes. I wasn’t sure if you would be happy about that though.”
“Connor, being able to shift into a wolf is part of who you are. I would be delighted for our child to be like you.”
Connor kissed her, his tongue tracing her lips.
Parting her lips, she welcomed his kiss. Liquid fire raced through her. It amazed her that after a year he could still turn her on with just a kiss.
Celeste broke the kiss and looked up at him with teary eyes.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“And I love you, more than life itself.”
Smiling, she lost herself in his embrace.
About the Author
Jessica lives in a world where warlocks, shapeshifters and fairies exist, and everyone deserves a happy ending -- from tragic vampires finally finding love after centuries of being alone, to super hunky womanizing werewolves finding their destined mate –- it’s all in a day’s work.
Unable to find a werewolf of her very own, she decided to marry someone who thinks he’s one -– minus howling at the full moon, fleas, and a rousing game of chase-the-mailman. Okay, so he sometimes howls at the full moon.
When she isn't writing, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, reading (mostly romance), or going to the beach. She’s especially fond of bookstores and Starbucks!
Jessica loves to hear from her fans! You may email her [email protected] or visit her on Facebook.
WolfsMate_JCS Page 3