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She didn’t answer right away, but he saw a rim of gold around her light blue eyes. Even her cheeks had elongated wolf-style. It was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen.
She stroked his fur with her fingers and looked at him. You’re beautiful as a wolf, Braden.
He waited, his body tense. If she didn’t verbally agree to the bond, he’d have to take a cold shower. Maybe an ice bath. Then he’d have to leave, take up a room in the shifters’ quarters.
But her wolf-features softened so that she smiled. “Of course, I’ll bond with you. You are the man I want, the wolf I desire, and more than anything in the world, you’re the future I know that’s right for me.”
His own wolfness eased back. His fur disappeared as well.
In this moment, he was more man than wolf. “I vow to do everything in my power to bring a portion of happiness into your life. Our work has only just begun. I never thought my path would take me permanently here to Elegance, but together we’ll scour the Graveyard every night and hunt down dark covens and free those enslaved by dark spells.”
She caressed his neck, his shoulders, his chest. He loved the feel of her hands on him. “And I vow to love you, to ease you, to be your burrow-mate for now and always. Thank you for coming to Elegance and being willing to stay. I will be your partner in everything.”
“So, you’ll bond with me.”
“I will.”
He let his wolf swell over him once more. His scent poured from his body and enveloped her. He remained in his fully human form as he kissed her and entered her. His mark was already there. The bond sealed the mark and made it permanent. No other wolf would come near her without knowing she belonged only to him.
It seemed odd that at the very moment he was most wolf, he felt more human than he had in a long time. He made love to her, taking her to the heights repeatedly.
She was with him completely, nothing held back.
She wept more than once, but laughed just as often.
Her cries of ecstasy brought him close to the edge of heaven.
~ ~ ~
Later, with the sheets rumpled and Braden on his back, snoring, Maeve awoke. It was noon. She didn’t know what had disturbed her sleep.
She was exhausted, though, and started to drift off. In this drowsy state, she felt someone come into her bedroom, yet she didn’t feel panicky.
She forced her eyes to open and there they were, Frank and Laura. They hovered at the foot of the bed. Each was smiling. Suddenly, a tremendous wave of peace flowed over her, like a warm, gentle breeze. All the suffering of the past eighteen-months drifted away and in its stead was nothing but tranquility and bliss.
Laura held her gaze and nodded. Be well, Maeve of Elegance.
Frank blew her a kiss. Be well, Sweetheart. You deserve him.
She wanted to say something, to thank them both, to express her gratitude. But just like that, they were gone.
Be well. She would treasure the words forever.
She turned on her side and drew close to Braden, easing against his big warm body.
Be well.
Laura’s words fit the state of her mind and heart perfectly. She’d become an alter witch through no design or desire of her own. Five Bridges had for months seemed like it would hold nothing but death and horror for her.
Now she had the love of a good man, she would share his bed for as many years as would be given to them, and together they would raise their son and daughter with every ounce of love each possessed.
Braden startled awake, as he’d done after he’d been recovering from his wounds. “Maeve?”
“I’m here.”
She stretched her arm across his chest and he covered it with his own.
“I dreamed Laura was here and your Frank.”
