She pressed her head against his. “I love your wolf, I love your sexy smile, I love how you’ve been so patient with me. I know you’re my truemate, and that makes me the luckiest girl in the world.”
He lifted his head and howled, and in the distance, his pack answered.
They stayed on the riverbank for a long time, her talking quietly, leaning against him and stroking his fur. Then they caught up to Dare, Sigh, and Juliette, and the girls talked while the guys prowled the woods, chasing rabbits and tackling each other.
They were back at their homes when they could shift back, and Trick returned to human and caught Cass in a hug. “I loveyou, sweetheart. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“I love you too,” she said. “And I love it here.”
“Here?” he asked.
She leaned back enough to look at him. “King Lake. The woods, the river, The Howl.” Her gaze moved to the house, then back to him. “Your house, your pack.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. I didn’t expect to feel so at home here already, but it’s because you’re home for me.”
“You’re home for me too.” He brushed his lips over hers. “Move in with me. I don’t want it to be my house, I want it to be ours.” He wanted her there with him. Her clothes in the closet, her mugs in the cabinet, her next to him in bed every night.
“Yes,” she said, her eyes glittering with happiness. “I’d love to.”
To the side, he heard Juliette call out a “Woohoo!”
They turned and found Sigh and Juliette on their back porch. “Welcome to the neighborhood!”
“Thanks! Night bestie!” Cass said with a laugh and a wave. She glanced at Trick, waggling her brows like he had earlier. “I think you mentioned something about sexy shenanigans when you were back to human? And I noticed you’re still naked.”
His wolf perked right up.
“Cass,” he said, ducking to toss her over his shoulder, “I like the way you think.”
She laughed as he carried her into the house.
Finally, his mate was home.
Not quite ready to leave King Lake?
Come hang out with the wolves for a little bit longer withMini Bonus Chapter One: A Dragon at The Howl
A Dragon at The Howl
The following Sunday, Cass and Trick spent most of the day moving her things from the split-double she’d shared with Juliette to his home – their home – behind The Howl. The night before, they’d had dinner at her mom’s, and before they left, her mom had told Cass how happy she was for her and how much she liked him.
Cass could relate.
She’d never been happier. And it was because of her sexy mate.
That afternoon, she’d reached out to Lauren and asked if she and Lucy would like to come to The Howl for dinner with her and Trick so they could get to know him, and Lauren had accepted.
When Lauren and Lucy arrived, Cass hugged them both and brought them to the table where Trick was waiting.
“Lauren, Lucy, this is my mate, Trick. This is my sister and my amazing niece.”
He stood and shook their hands.
Lucy smiled at him and handed him a picture she’d drawn of a wolf.
“I don’t know what color you are,” she said, looking serious. “So I made your fur purple because it’s my favorite color.”
