Page 244 of The Werewolf’s Wrong Mate

None of it disappeared.

But Cassie was alive. The bond was whole.

When I bent to kiss her, it was not goodbye.

I cupped her face with one bloodied hand and kissed her carefully, because she was hurt, because she was human, because she had come back for me when I had tried to make myself a sacrifice without asking her permission.

She kissed me back like she was still angry.

She should be.

Behind us, Aunt Linda applauded again and said, “Finally.”

Cassie laughed against my mouth.

I felt it through the bond, warm and bright and impossible. And for once, it didn’t feel like defiance.

It felt like living.

Chapter 26:

Paradise, After All

Cassie

Nobody spoke for several seconds after Ronan said no one would touch me, my family, or Ian. That was probably because everyone was busy mentally sorting the categories of the afternoon.

Dead rival Alpha in fountain.

Ruined wedding.

Actual werewolves.

My sister’s dog promoted himself to supernatural security.

Ian naked.

That last one was becoming a problem. Not for me, exactly. I had seen him naked before, and my opinion remained supportive. The problem was that my father was standing ten feet away with a champagne bottle gripped in one hand, his face locked in a state of paternal horror so complete it had almost become spiritual.

“He needs pants,” Dad repeated.

Ian looked down at himself.

I felt the small ripple of his embarrassment through the bond before his face could manage anything so human. It was subtle. Barely there. To anyone else, he probably looked like a blood-covered nightmare considering a tactical inconvenience.

To me, he felt mortified.

A laugh pushed up through my chest. It hurt. Everything hurt.

Ian’s head snapped toward me. “Cassie.”

“I’m fine.”

Sava appeared at my side so fast I nearly jumped. “Lie again and I will sedate you in front of both families.”

“I am mostly fine.”

“You are bleeding through your sweater.”