“Whichever you want.”
I nod, moving to the left-hand side, and we both climb in at the same time.It feels a little awkward until Cooper curses and reaches for me.He grabs my hips and drags me against him.
I grin as I fall asleep in his arms, knowing it won’t be the last time this happens.
5
Cooper
I wakeup with my mate in my arms, and for one perfect, quiet second, everything in the world feels right.
Landry is tucked against my chest, her back pressed to my front, my arm wrapped around her waist as if I knew better than to let her get too far away, even in sleep.Her hair is spread over my pillow and across my shoulder, and her sweet scent fills my room, bed, and lungs.
Ours,my wolf sighs happily.
I smile.Yeah.Ours.
I tighten my arm around her, and she makes a soft little sound in her sleep, wiggling back against me.My body hardens in an instant, and I grit my teeth, closing my eyes as I try to regain control.
Just sleep,I remind myself.
My wolf growls in protest.
I promised her just sleep.
My wolf is not impressed with that promise.He’s been pacing and growling since the second she crawled into bed with us last night.He wanted me to roll her beneath me, sink my teeth into her shoulder, and mark her as ours in every way possible.
I wanted that too.Fuck, did I want that, but Landry is still getting used to this.To me.To shifters.To fated mates.To the idea that her whole life changed in the span of a night because she crashed into a giant wolf in the woods.
I’m not going to rush her.Even if it kills me.
My eyes drift to the window, and I frown when I see the pale gray light leaking around the curtains.Morning already.I barely slept.Every time Landry shifted or sighed, I woke up, ready to make sure she was okay.Ready to fight off anything that dared to come near her, even in her dreams.
She slept deeply, though, and warmth spreads through my chest at the knowledge.She feels safe here.With me.
I press my nose to her hair and breathe her in.
Tomorrow is the full moon.
The thought hits me hard enough that my wolf stills.For most shifters, the full moon is nothing to worry about.We feel it, sure.It makes our animals restless and our instincts sharper.Makes us want to run and hunt and claim what’s ours, but it’s manageable.
Usually.
I’ve never had a mate before.Never had my mate sleeping in my bed, smelling sweet and warm, trusting me with her body tucked against mine the night before the moon is full.
My wolf’s reaction is already stronger than I expected.He’s been riding me hard since the second we found her, and every hour that passes makes him more impatient.More possessive.More desperate to complete the bond.
Mark her,he growls.
Not yet.
Our mate.
I know.
Then claim her!he orders.
I blow out a slow breath through my nose, careful not to wake Landry.
