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I blink and tears drip down my cheeks.
Jillian covers her mouth with her hands as she starts to cry, too.
“Anything could have happened …” I trail off, realizing I’m not just mad at her.
I’m angry at myself for not being firmer and telling her no when I felt like going to the beach to look for gators was asking for trouble. I knew it was a bad idea, and I gave in. I let her have her way.
Because she’s the full-blood wolf, and I’m just a lowly hybrid.
Goddess. I always let her have her way, and I had no damn idea how self-destructive I was being.
“I’m sorry, Jillian, but I need to think about some things.”
She gives me a sad look as she removes her hands from her mouth. “I didn’t mean to … I’m just so sorry, Amanda.”
“I know,” I admit.
She’s never means to invite trouble, but it has a habit of following her around.
If that doesn’t change, I can choose not to do the same.
Jake looks at me. “Do you want me to take you home?”
I shake my head slowly, then I wipe away my tears and look him in the eyes.
“I’d like to stay with my mate,” I tell him. “If he’s willing to accept me as his.”
That’s what I’ve been worried about for weeks, months even.
It doesn’t matter if he kissed me once, if he’s going to reject me then the way he makes me feel means nothing.
I can see the surprise in his stare. I’m not used to being this bold, but coming so close to a fatal injury has made me realize what’s important. I can’t settle for being useful to the real wolves in this pack town anymore. I’m worth more than that.
I deserve better.
He takes my hands in his. “I accept you as my true mate, and I’ll make it official at the ceremony tomorrow night.”
Jillian gasps. “You will?”
“Not that it’s your business,” Jake says, glancing back at her with a wry expression.
He moves in closer and kisses me softly on the lips.
It’s the simplest touch, but it means so much.
He smiles at me. “Come on, we should get you something to eat.”
I let my mate take care of me, leaving my so-called best friend sitting in the front yard alone.
Chapter forty
Amanda
Somepartofmecan’t believe this is happening. It feels like I waited so long to be seen.
Jake leads me into the kitchen, never letting go of my hand.
He turns to me once we’re alone in the room and gives me a searing look.
