“But every wolf has one true mate,” he continued, cutting off my thoughts. “Not every wolf finds her, but they say you’ll know her by scent. Your wolf will recognize her on a deep biological level.”
The pounding against my ribs grew more frantic. I tried to keep my expression neutral. Was he saying that I was–
His gaze held mine as he said, “I knew you were mine the moment you ran into me in the hotel.”
Oh. My. God!
Um, wow.
This was so much to take in. I blinked. And again.
“I’m your… what?”
“My mate.” He said it clearly and proudly, and I couldn’t miss the way his mouth turned up, and his gaze shifted to something like reverence.
I forced some words out. “So, that’s why you helped me?”
His eyes turned fierce and determined. “Yes. Of course. I mean, I would’ve helped any female in distress–that’s how I’m wired–but it felt like some kind of miracle. My mate–the one female Fate put on earth as my perfect match–ran straight into my hotel room.”
He let out a shocked chuckle. “Fuck, sugar. I almost didn’t come to Denver. I hate cities–they trigger my wolf, as you now know.” He shoved his fingers through his hair. “To think I might have missed out on you.” He cradled my cheek in his palm. “That thought scares the shit out of me.”
I smiled.
“What about all this sex you had with other women?” I couldn’t hide the bitter tone from my question. The thought of Roy being with other women made me jealous. And angry because while he kept saying I was his, I wanted him to be mine and mine alone.
“Shifter females. It’s biological to have sex after running on a full moon. There’s no emotion. It’s a need that’s met. With a mate, with you, it’s different. Everything is different. There’s no one else ever again. Your scent, your taste is in me.”
Okay, wow.
This was a man who faced down four armed drug dealers without a blink. A male who probably wasn’t afraid of anything other than small spaces. Not bad guys or guns or being shot. Apparently, one of his biggest fears was the possibility of missing out on meeting me.
I spent a lifetime trying to curate a controlled, safe environment because my mom moved me from stepdad to stepdad, and here I was with a man who literally changed into a wolf. Who had no problem killing with his bare hands. Who knew I was “the one” the moment he smelled me.
Everything felt incredibly out of control, but in the best kind of way. Like when you’re on a rollercoaster, and can’t wait for the next dip or turn because with complete total certainty that you were safe.
We were alone in a small cabin in the woods. No distractions. No dangers. Only the two of us.
And his wolf.
Roy made me feel totally protected. I’d trusted him with my body–many, many times, but letting him into my heart, trusting him not to hurt me. To feel like I could possibly depend on someone for the first time in my life–it was all encompassing. My chest was warm and full. My body was aglow with the incredible orgasms, and nothing felt better than snuggling skin to skin with the man who believed Fate sent me to him.
Did this make me crazy?
Possibly.
I didn’t care.
“I know it’s probably a lot to take in,” he continued. “My brother mated a human, and she already knew of our existence, and she still wanted to run fast and hard to get away from him when he told her she was the one.”
I laughed softly, bit my lip. “What’s your brother’s name?” I suddenly felt the need to know every detail about Roy’s life.
“I have two–Boone and Ace. Boone’s my oldest brother. He’s the one who mated a human. Her name is Summer, and she’s a country singer. She got a recording deal this winter.”
“Do they live in Montana, too?”
Roy nodded. “We all live up on the mountain outside a small town called Cooper Valley. Ace has a tree farm, and Boone is a retired investor turned lumberjack. There’s a whole pack of us there in Cooper Valley. Wolves are pack animals, so we live near each other.” He was watching me carefully. “Would you ever, ah” –he scrubbed a hand over his stubbled chin– “consider moving away from Denver?”
My heart thudded again.
