Page 176 of Knot What I Expected

The memory makes warmth crawl up my neck. Because somewhere between Rowan whispering Honey Girl against my skin and me saying his real name like it belonged on my lips, something happened.

Something I can’t pretend didn’t.

The matebond.

Even now I can feel the faintest echo of him.

Warm.

Golden.

Like firelight flickering somewhere far away.

I don’t know if that’s how Wolves experience a mating bond. Hell, I don’t even understand how a Wolf and an Avian Shifter are capable of forming one.

But it’s there.

And I chose it. I chose him.

That’s the part that keeps knocking me sideways.

I chose Rowan.

He told me what knotting meant. Told me what his Wolf believed I was to him.

His Omega. And then that huge, possessive Alpha male gave me an out.

But I didn’t take it. Instead, I marked him.

My hand stills on the paper bag.

“Oh shit,” I whisper.

Because Rowan has absolutely no fucking idea. Those scratches I gave him across his back and hips?

Those weren’t just passion.

That’s how Avian Shifters mark their mates.

Instinct took over before my brain caught up. And Rowan Cross is walking around somewhere on this mountain right now, carrying my marks.

The very thought has my panties growing moist and my heart skipping a beat.

My mate.

I swallow.

Oh shit. I have a mate. I slap the receipt onto the bag and stare at it.

How the hell did this happen?

Two days ago I was convincing myself I could have one night with him.

One.

No emotions. No expectations. No complications.

Apparently the Fates heard that and laughed their fucking asses off.