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Her heart opened wide in that moment. Frank had helped her to get past her grief. She would always miss him. But Braden had become her present and as long as they both lived, he would be her future.
The celebration continued until shortly before dawn.
Even then, as Braden walked her back to her burrow apartment, she could hear several plaintive howls draw the night to a close.
~ ~ ~
Braden wanted to bond with Maeve, but he wasn’t sure if the timing was right. Laura’s appearance earlier and her words to him, had cemented his determination to do right by Maeve, no matter what. The critical part she’d played in Laura’s death had changed his view of the situation. Instead of rage, he felt nothing but relief that she’d saved Laura from hours of unimaginable pain and torment.
Laura was right as well. Maeve would need his help in overcoming her guilt and horror about what had happened that night.
As he crossed the living room with Maeve and entered the bedroom, Sheba jumped up on the foot of the bed. “Well, look who’s here.”
He released Maeve and went to the cat. As soon as he extended his curved palm, Sheba lifted her head and met his fingers with a purr.
He took his time trailing his hand along her silken fur.
“I still can’t get over how much she likes you.” Maeve stood a couple of feet away. She was smiling at her cat, her witch’s muse.
“Sheba knows I love you, that’s why. I’ve loved you for a long time. For months.”
She moved closer. They were finally alone.
He turned toward her and drew her into his arms. A kiss followed, but it wasn’t like anything he’d known before. Maeve was a first for him. His alpha-wolf was at the fore, but beneath were his growing warlock senses.
He slid an arm around her waist and pulled her tight against him. With his left hand, he held her loosely across her shoulders. He kept kissing her.
His alpha drive took over. He knew he was releasing a flood of his bonding scent, but he couldn’t help it. Everything within his soul and his body wanted her, wanted to make her his own, now and forever.
She drew back. “Braden, what is this?”
“What do you mean?” He tried to kiss her again but she pulled away just enough to plant a hand on his chest.
“I’m sorry, Maeve. I…want, no I need to bond with you.”
She stared at him, her lips parted. Tears touched her eyes. “Even after what happened with Laura, you want to bond with me?” She sounded stunned.
“Well, yes.”
She laughed, then she slung her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. You are the most remarkable man I have ever known.
Maeve.
She parted her lips and he drove his tongue inside. He was trembling. His wolfness was taking over. I can’t control this, Maeve. If you don’t want to bond with me, I’d better leave now.
He drew back and released her. He shook with need, head-to-toe. His cheeks kept elongating.
But she didn’t leave, instead she picked Sheba up off the bed, went to the bedroom door and gently pushed her outside. Sheba meowed, but to Braden’s ears, it sounded like approval.
Maeve closed the door and turned to face him. “So, how do we do this, wolf, because I’m all in.”
Braden levitated swiftly toward her, picked her up and carried her to the bed. He levitated as he tore her clothes from her body. He then stripped faster than lightning out of his own.
Maeve laughed the whole time and the sound was a symphony to his wolf’s ears. She would never fully shift, but she sprouted a thin layer of red fur on the backs of her hands and along the sides of her cheeks.
When he had her on her back, he jumped on top, part wolf part man.
She reached up and stroked his face, digging her nails into his fur. Will you bond with me, Maeve? Will you be my alpha-female? Will you serve the Landing Pack as you’ve served them for months already?
