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I flipped through my memories of that night. There had been a moment when he’d seemed confused. I had asked if he was all right, but he’d brushed it off and changed the subject. I crossed my arms. “You didn’t say anything. Were you…disappointed?”
His eyes widened. “No. I was stunned that fate would be so kind to me.”
I wasn’t sure I believed him. “If that was true, why didn’t you say something?”
“We had just met in person for the first time. I thought you’d be running for the hills.”
How would I have reacted? Probably not well. But he’d had plenty of other opportunities. I narrowed my eyes. “You could’ve mentioned it after we had sex at your place.”
“I was going to, but when I woke up…you were gone.” He raked his hand through his hair. “You stopped taking my calls and avoiding me. I was losing my mind, Winter.”
He was going to tell me. My mouth went dry. “You’re serious.”
Jackson nodded and took my hand. “You’re my mate.” He lifted his eyes. “I know this isn’t a traditional courtship, but we can take it slow. I’ll do whatever it takes to earn your love.”
Had anyone ever thought my love was worth earning? Suddenly my eyes filled with tears and his face blurred as I blinked them back. “I thought I could be with you until you found her, but I was wrong. That’s why I left the other night.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “For once, I wanted to be…the one.”
“I’m so sorry, Winter.” He brought his other hand up to caress my cheek. “I didn’t know you Ruby had told you how we recognize our mates. I thought I could wait to drop that news on you after you fell in love with me.”
A tear rolled down my face as I lost myself in his blue eyes. “I think I already am.”
He drew me in close and kissed me. My pulse raced as I wrapped my arms around his waist. Time slowed. His fingers slid into my hair and our tongues tangled in a sensuous dance.
Gradually he pulled back, resting his forehead on mine. His nostrils flared as he whispered, “I give you my heart, my protection, and my life.”
I searched his eyes. “That’s what you said the other night, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “But I was too chickenshit to admit it. I thought it would be too intense.”
Laughter bubbled on my lips. “You mean like everything else has been since the day we met?”
He chuckled, arching a brow. “Did you expect anything less with a werewolf?”
CHAPTER 10
Jackson
Jaron clapped myshoulder from behind. “When you told me you found your mate, you didn’t mention she was a witch.”
I looked back at him with a smirk. “When I told you I found my mate, I didn’t know you’d blab the news to Mom either.”
He stepped back with a sheepish grin. “Wasn’t my intention. You know how she gets.”
“I know.” I chuckled and shook my head. “I’m just busting your balls.” I looked at Winter and took her hand, pulling her to my side. “This is my brother, Jaron.” I grinned at my brother. “And this is my mate, Winter.”
He tipped his head. “Good to meet you. It’s nice to see my brother so happy.”
Winter smiled. “Great to be officially introduced.”
She glanced up at me and my heart hammered in my chest. Maybe I was seeing what I wanted to see, but the love in her eyes had me wanting to toss her over my shoulder and take her home right now. She looked at Jaron again. “He makes me pretty happy too.”
My mom hurried over and put a hand on each of our shoulders, her gaze moving from me to Winter. “Please tell me…”
I finished her thought. “Winter is my mate. I just told her.”
Her jaw dropped. She looked at Winter, her lips gradually curving into a smile. “I’m so glad it’s you. When I said Jackson found his mate, I didn’t realize it was you all along. I’m so sorry if I upset you earlier.”
Winter shook her head. “You couldn’t have known.”
