How much should he say? He didn’t want to keep things from her, but doubted she’d want to hear all the details. “I sowed my share of wild oats, but all that changed the second I scented you. I wouldn’t go back if I could,” he said. “You mean everything to me now. Besides, you’ve some secrets of your own, Mattie.”
After a short pause, she said, “Mathilde. Mathilde means “mighty in battle.” My parents said I kicked and punched so much in the womb, they figured I’d be a great fighter. So they named me Mathilde. In their defense, they knew it was often shortened to Mattie.”
Colin kissed her temple. “Thank you. I promise to only call you Mathilde when we’re having a horrible fight that tickling won’t solve.”
She punched him lightly. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll take my real name to your grave. And mentioning it when we’re fighting would be a bad move.”
“I’ll do whatever’s necessary to throw my opponent off her game.”
Mattie gazed at him. “Hopefully we’ll be allies, not opponents.”
Brushing the backs of his fingers down her cheek, Colin said, “That’s what I hope, too, lass. It’s you and me, from now on.”
“A team.”
“A couple.” He couldn’t help but kiss her. Behind them, his friends whooped and hollered at them, banging their hands on the tables.
Happiness welled up inside him, threatening to burst. He’d never imagined love could be like this. If he had, he’d have scoured the earth to find her. But now, he’d never let her go. Mattie was his.
Forever.
Author's Note
When I came up with the idea for the Colliding Worlds series, I felt so excited! And so far, each book that I've written in the series has been awesome to write. Mattie and Colin had it easy compared to what's coming for Darius in Her Forbidden Alpha or Lachlan in Her Scottish Alpha. And never fear. We'll see Mattie and Colin again.
If you liked this short story, it would be a huge help to me if you would please consider leaving a review.
Thank you!
Tabitha Conall
Coming Soon
Coming in September 2014 as part of a Scottish shifter boxed set...
Her Scottish Alpha
Tabitha Conall
The Colliding Worlds Series #3
A dragon slayer, an alpha werewolf and a war.
Dragon slayer Keira Harlow is on a job when everything goes wrong. Her twin sister and partner disappears and worse, Keira herself gets nabbed by a werewolf who turns her on in a most disturbing way.
Deep in negotiations with a dragon shifter, Scottish and UK Alpha Lachlan MacPherson doesn't expect his mate to barge into his home uninvited but when she does, there's no way he'll let her go.
While searching for Keira's sister, a bigger problem arises--the English Alpha wants the position of UK Alpha which Lachlan holds by right of birth and he's not above going to war to get it. If that weren't enough, Keira has to find a way to get herself out of the situation with Lachlan. He might think they're mates but she knows it can never be.
This 35,000+ word long book is the third in the Colliding Worlds series. HEA included.
Also from Tabitha Conall
Her Forbidden Alpha
Tabitha Conall
The Colliding Worlds Series #2
Can fated love triumph over the threat of war?
Aislinn Cavett lives a sheltered life, raised in a human supremacist compound and kept separate from the wild variety of non-humans teeming outside the compound’s fence.
North American Pack Alpha Darius Bishop believes peace with the Humans First group is the only way to protect his wolves from ongoing, senseless violence.
When Darius arrives at the Humans First compound for peace negotiations, he finds something he didn’t expect—his mate. Fate couldn’t have chosen a more inconvenient mate for him in the General’s daughter, but Darius doesn’t care. Aislinn is perfect.
War could be the result of their mating. But when her father advances and his own wolves turn against him, Darius is asked to make an impossible choice—his love and his sanity, or the lives of his pack.
This 40,000+ word short novel is the second in the Colliding Worlds series. HEA included.
Excerpt
Aislinn carried a platter full of meat into the meeting hall, following after several of the older women. She wanted to get her first look at werewolves—real werewolves—but was afraid she’d drop the platter if she didn’t look where she was going. How horrible would it be if she dropped it and everyone stared at her?
After she put the platter down, she turned to take a careful look, only to find one of the wolves staring at her. He wasn’t even trying to hide it. He was standing out in the middle of the floor looking straight at her and another one of them held his arm as though holding him back.
Had she done something wrong?
He stood taller and broader than the others. His hair looked black but it was hard to tell with it so short. His dark gaze was so intense she could almost feel it on her skin.
She headed for the kitchen, eager to hide away from his eyes.
Her father came through the hall door. “Aislinn!” He motioned her to him.
She was supposed to play hostess. The dark wolf had almost made her forget. She wiped her damp palms on her skirt and went to stand by her father.
“Welcome,” her father said. “I’m General Cavett. We’ll get started shortly. In the meantime, I’m sure you’ve had a long journey. My daughter and some of the women from the compound will serve you lunch.”
When she raised her eyes, the dark wolf still stared at her. He took a breath then tore his eyes from her face to look at her father. “I’m Darius Bishop, North American Pack Alpha.” His voice sounded deep and commanding. He walked toward them, reaching his hand toward her father. “We thank you for your hospitality.”
Her father gazed at the wolf’s hand for a moment before gripping it in his. Then he held Darius’ hand so tightly the veins stood out on his skin—her father’s skin. The wolf showed no reaction at all…until her father let go. Then his gaze darted to hers.
“It’s good to meet you,” he said as he held out his hand to her. “I’m Darius.” His voice sounded husky as he said the last few words.
She was going to have to shake hands with him? She wiped her hand on her skirt before placing it in his, hoping he wouldn’t take her father’s rudeness out on her. “Aislinn.”
“Miss Cavett,” her father corrected.
She barely heard him. Darius held her gaze, his hand firm around hers but not too tight. His attention made her feel light inside. For a long moment, there was nothing and no one but this mysterious stranger and her.
“Aislinn.” Her name sounded fresh and warm falling from his lips. “It suits you.”
Acknowledgments
Thanks so much to my wonderful beta readers, Angela Franklin, Penny DeLoche, Cindy T., Phyllis Wolford, and Kirsten Hale.
About the Author
Tabitha has been in love with love since the first play she wrote at the age of eight. That story involved three princes who fell in love with three princesses. What could be more perfect?
Age has brought not just deeper conflict to her stories but also a lot more flesh. Now she describes not just the princes and princesses falling in love, but also what happens when they close the bedroom door. She's looking forward to sharing more stories with readers very soon.
© 2014 Tabitha Conall
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
First Printing, 2014
Little Death Books
www.LittleDeathBooks.com
Cover design
© The Killion Group, Inc.
Book design © Little Death Books
Table of Contents
Author's Note
Coming Soon
Also from Tabitha Conall
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Her Kilted Wolf Page 3