Page 239 of Knot What I Expected

“Rowan.”

“If he finds you, he finds whatever the fuck this thing is we’re building right here on this mountain.”

My voice drops.

“But, Gabby, most of all? If that motherfucker finds you, then he finds me. He finds Monster. And finding you will be the last thing he does. I swear it.”

Monster presses against my skin.

Not wild.

Certain.

Mate.

Pup.

Protect.

I kiss her forehead.

“You're not running anymore. And you are not alone.”

Her eyes squeeze shut. And when she folds into me, I hold her as tightly as I fucking dare.

The urge to bite her burns through me.

To sink my teeth into the place where her neck meets her shoulder and finish what Fate started.

Claim her fully.

Give her my mark.

Make the matebond undeniable.

Fuck yes, I want that. I want to make sure every supernatural bastard who gets within scenting distance knows Gabriella Santos belongs with a Wolf who will tear the fucking world apart before he lets anyone put chains on her again.

But right now she's crying. She's giving me pieces of herself that I don’t know if I deserve. Pieces of her past that cost her tears and pain and more to hand over.

One thing I know is that my mate deserves a choice.

She's had enough males deciding what happens to her body.

So I hold her. I listen. And I wait for the rest.

And when I finally put my bite on my Honey Girl?

It won't be because Monster demands it.

It won't even be because the Fates decided she's my Omega.

It'll be because Gabriella looks me in the eyes, knowing exactly what it means, and chooses me right fucking back.

Chapter 26

Gabriella

If that motherfucker finds you, then he finds me. He finds Monster. And finding you will be the last thing he does. I swear it.”