“It’s going to be nice, having you here in Black Paw.”
“It’s going to be weird, knowing that everyone knows my story now. And with the big bad wolf circling around wanting to sink his teeth into me, it’ll be even more weird. I’ll stay here, with you and Lars for now, if it’s okay. Just until I get to know James and everyone a little better.”
“Of course. You can take whatever time you need. You know that, right? My home will always be your home. No matter what.”
“Thanks, Sofia.” Ginger gathered herself and stumbled to her room, collapsing on the bed. Emotionally and physically wiped out, she desperately needed sleep. Thankfully, she wasn’t denied.
In her dreams, her memories continued stitching themselves together, filling in the missing pieces of her story. The feeling of community she picked up on when she’d first arrived at Black Paw now made perfect sense. Her mind relaxed and opened, allowing new visions to fill in. Flashes of Chance’s eyes reflected the flickering fire as his lips moved closer. His hand stroked her side as they kissed.
Suddenly thrown into a cyclone of snow and ice, their wolves playfully raced down the mountainside. Unable to outpace him, he pounced on her, and they tumbled together through the snow and the majik.
Then they were suddenly back in front of the fire, lounging in bed. She traced her fingers over his naked torso, slowly outlining every muscle covering his chest and abs. Her fingers leisurely danced a path past his belly button and down to his cock. Her fingers closed around his length, and she began to stroke him up and down.
Without warning, he pulled her close, his canines sinking deep into her neck.
“Wait. What?” Her initial shock was quickly swept away with the realization that Chance was claiming her as his mate. And she wanted nothing more than to complete the mating ritual.
Throwing her leg over him, she straddled him, needing to feel him stretching her like no other could. Ginger inched her way down his cock until he was fully seated deep inside of her. She rocked back and forth, loving the way he lifted his hips to meet each move she made.
Just as her climax began to crest, she leaned forward and pierced his neck with her canines.
Her own scream woke her with a start, and she sat straight up. Nearly falling out of bed, she stumbled to the dresser and bared her neck in front of the mirror.
The bedroom door flew open. “What happened? Are you okay?”
Still pawing at her neck, she turned to Sofia. “Help me check my neck! I think I got bit!”
“Bit? By what?” Sofia asked. She was puzzled as to what could have bit Ginger but kept examining Ginger’s neck anyway. “Nope, there’s nothing there. Your neck is fine.”
“Was it a a dream? But it was so fucking real. How could that have possibly been a dream? Is that what it feels like?”
“Umm, what doeswhatfeel like?” Sofia asked.
“The mating. Being claimed. Claiming him,” Ginger replied, returning to the bed.
Sofia smiled, “Even more intense than you can ever dream. Let me guess, it was Chance?”
Ginger nodded silently.
Biting her lip, Sofia held back on a dozen smartass comments flooding her mind. She knew that with some patience, the majik barrier would dissolve and her friend would likely experience the mating ritual for herself soon enough. Teasing her wouldn’t help matters along. In any case, even Rafe’s command could only keep Chance at bay for so long, if at all.
“I know you think I’m stubborn, jaded, or just plain afraid of commitment. But there’s suddenly a lot more to think about. I just learned my parents were killed by witches. My memories, my identity was hidden through majik in order to protect me while I was hidden away. Obviously, someone worried the witches would be coming for me next. Now, that cloaking spell is gone, suddenly this wolf starts pursuing me? Insisting I’m his mate? Excuse me for being a bit suspicious, but considering the situation, I probably should be.”
“He’s a good man, Ginger. People respect him, trust him.”
“I have no doubt he isn’t. But witches’ spells are powerful and insidious. Nobody is immune. What if—”
“Ginger, you can lay here and ‘what if’ the rest of your life away. Until you end up asking yourself a whole new set of regrettable ‘what ifs.’ But it’s fine to be cautious, just don’t be blinded by it.”
“Are you suggesting I tend to overthink matters?”
“I’m not suggesting, I’m pointing out a fact!” Sofia said, laughing softly. “Now, back to more pleasant thoughts, like that second kiss you had. I get that he caught you off guard the first time, but the next kiss? You sounded like you were scheming for a repeat performance.”
“Honestly, I just wanted to talk. He can be so sweet, and funny. But then he gave me that look of his…serious, burning eyes, like he was hungry, and I was the entire menu. And his confidence? It’s one of the hottest things about him.”
“Oh, I know that one. Lars gives me that same look. I call it the panty dropper. Instant turn on.”
“Yeah, well it hasn’t gotten to that point. But if I ever find myself in that situation with Chance again, I’m totally not responsible for my actions.”
