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After another day of watching and waiting for his return, she closed the door, fed, and bathed Daphne, and then put the little girl to bed. She sat on the sofa with a single candle, staring at the flame. She was so tired but she didn’t want to put it out.
What if Rocko had died?
Tomorrow, she was going to leave, head into town with Daphne, and figure out what to do. Rocko would find her if he wanted her.
Her plans were interrupted by a knock at the door.
Heart racing, she looked toward the front door. Rocko said no one knew of this cabin or where it was.
Why was someone knocking on the door?
“It’s me, Winter, let me in,” he said.
She got to her feet and rushed toward the door. She threw it open and there he stood. He didn’t look like he’d been in a war zone, or locked up. He wore a pair of jeans and a shirt, no dirt on them. No cut flesh. He looked well.
Stepping away from the door, she watched as he entered.
“Is Daphne asleep?”
“Yes.”
“I figured as much.” He closed the door and turned to look at her. She had his full attention. “How have you been?”
“You mean besides terrified about what could have happened to you? Yeah, I’ve been fine.”
“I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I know what you didn’t mean to do. It doesn’t mean it was any easier to put up with it. Do you know how worried I’ve been? How I’ve waited for you to return? I thought you might be dead. I didn’t know what to do. What to think. You are constantly moving me from one place to another, giving me orders, and then leaving,” she said. “I don’t want to fight.”
“Neither do I.”
“Then why did you put me through this? Why did you make me wait until now?”
“The pack, the town, most of it was destroyed when I went back,” Rocko said. “Lucas is dead. So is the town doctor. Many have fallen and I’ve been helping to put more security up.”
“What?” she asked.
“I left them and Lucas walked them right into an ambush. The humans were going to unleash the pack they’d taken and kill them one by one. Have a special kind of hunt.”
She put a hand to her mouth, feeling sick. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
She snorted. “No, that’s not fine at all. That’s … barbaric.”
“It is what it is.”
“You don’t have to justify it,” she said.
“Humans hate wolves. Wolves hate humans. It’s what is going to happen for the rest of our lives. Nothing is going to stop it.”
“It’s wrong.”
Again, he shrugged. “They need an alpha.”
She nodded.
“The town is a mess. There’s no way they are going to survive on their own. I took care of the humans and rescued the pack, but there will be others.”
“So the pack wants you back?” she asked. “They need you back.”
She felt so selfish. What about her and Daphne?
“You have to do what is in the best interests of the pack. I know that.” Her heart was breaking.
“Winter, all I can think about is you,” he said. “I know we’re two different people. Two different species but…” He stopped talking.
She watched him.
“I don’t want to let you go.”
“Your pack will always come first. I know this. I knew it for a long time.”
“I’m not picking my pack over you.”
“What’s going on?”
“I never thought for a second that I would fall for anyone, least of all a human.” He licked his lips. “But you’re not like anyone I’ve ever known and that’s a good thing.”
She frowned but rather than interrupt him, she sat, waiting.
“I don’t do love, I never have. I didn’t even think it was possible to fall for anyone but yet, here I am, falling for you. I love you, Winter. I know I’m a wolf and I’ve got a great deal of anger and some resentment for humans, but you, I love you and Daphne. I want to take you back to my pack, marry you, and make a life with you. Mate with you. I’ll treat you like a queen.”
“You love me?”
He advanced toward her, cupping her face and tilting her head back. “More than anything in the world. I didn’t expect to feel this way about anyone but I love you, Winter. So damn much. I want us to make a life together.”
“But your pack.”
“They’ll accept you and if you don’t want to live there, we’ll move away.”
“You’re being serious.”
“Deadly serious. I want you more than I want anything else.” He slammed his lips down on hers.
She couldn’t believe this was happening. This was everything she’d ever wanted and even more. Kissing him back, she moaned. “Yes.”
He pulled away. “What?”
“Yes. Yes. I want it all with you. I love you and I’ve been so afraid to tell you, but I’m not going to be anymore. I promise.” She sank her fingers into his hair and laughed. “I love you so much.”
