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Before I can lose my nerve, I take the tray and place it on the nightstand. Then I slide out of bed and kneel on the floor.

Elsie’s eyes widen. “Pyrce?”

I pull out the wooden box, taking a shaky breath as her hands fly to her mouth.

“I know we’re already bonded,” I tell her. “As far as my wolf and I are concerned, you’re my mate, my family, and the only woman we’ll ever belong to. Nothing could make me love you more than I do right now.”

Tears shine in her eyes, but she’s smiling, so I keep going.

“But I want to choose you in every way I can, Angel. I want the pack to know you’re mine. I want the human world to know I’m yours. I want my name beside yours on every piece of paper that matters, and I want to stand in front of anyone you choose and promise that I’ll cherish you for the rest of my life.”

I open the box, studying her as she stares at the ring.

“It belonged to my mother. She told me to save it for the woman who made me understand forever.” My throat tightens. “That’s you. It was always going to be you.”

A tear slips down Elsie’s cheek.

I reach up and catch it with my thumb. “Marry me, Elsie. Choose me again.”

She launches herself at me so quickly that I barely get the ring box out of the way before we both land on the floor.

“Yes,” she says against my mouth. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

My wolf howls in triumph, and I beam as I wrap one arm around her and kiss her, pouring every feeling I can’t name into it. She laughs when I roll us so she isn’t trapped beneath my weight.

“The ring,” I remember, breathless.

“You could have asked me with a twist tie and I would have said yes.”

“You’re getting the ring.”

I sit us up and take it from the box. My hands are shaking as I slide it onto her finger. Thankfully, it fits.

Of course it fits, my wolf says smugly. Mate.

Elsie holds out her hand, turning it so the diamond catches the early morning light. “It’s beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you.”

She looks at me, and the happiness in her eyes settles me. The fear is gone. So is the uncertainty. My mate is wearing my mother’s ring and looking at me like I’m the home she’s been searching for.

Then she climbs into my lap and kisses me again.

The kiss starts soft, but the mating heat is still simmering between us. Her fingers slide into my hair, and my hands settle on her waist beneath the sheet. Her skin is warm and smooth, and when she shivers, my wolf pushes close to the surface.

Careful, I warn him. She’s sore.

Cherish her, he answers.

Always.

I lift Elsie and carry her back to the bed. She smiles up at me as I lower her onto the pillows.

“You didn’t have to carry me,” she teases.

“I promised to carry you to bed whenever I got the chance.”

“I don’t remember that promise.”