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Dani tried to hide her laugh, but even Adam found it impossible not to chuckle at Acksel’s disgruntled look. He clearly didn’t appreciate Brynn thinking anything he did was gross.
Adam kissed Dani on the temple and said, “Ready to be my mate in truth?”
“I already am. This is just a formality.”
Fuck, he loved her.
“Right,” Acksel said, clearing his throat with a growl, “let’s get you two officially mated so we can get on with the night.” He grabbed Brynn and pulled her close, whispering in her ear. Her cheeks reddened, and her eyes flashed with heat as she gripped his wrist and let out a soft sigh.
Dani smiled at Adam. “I bet he explained why ‘gross’ wasn’t a good word to use.”
“I’m sure he did.”
“Just for the record, I love everything you do to me. And I especially love that you let me sex you up whenever I want.”
“Oh yeah?” he asked as he stepped out onto the snow-covered back deck and slipped her coat from her shoulders. “I was just thinking the same thing.”
Acksel and Brynn joined them, and the pack filtered into the backyard as the sun set and a deep chill settled into the air. Adam tossed his coat onto the railing with Dani’s.
Hollis, an elder of the pack, held a large leather-bound book in his hands. He stood between Acksel and Brynn on the deck, where flickering torches had been lit.
“On this night,” Hollis spoke in a loud, clear voice, “Adam Cruz brings Dani Grayson before the alphas, the elders, and the pack, to declare her as his mate. The laws of our people are clear: a wolf may claim a person who is not a wolf shifter as his or her mate, and that person is welcomed as an honorary member of the pack. If there are any among us who would disagree, speak now or remain silent forever.”
There was silence for a brief moment. Adam’s wolf was ready to bust heads if anyone had a problem with their mating. Not that he expected there to be issues. Wolves were generally happy for one of their own to find his or her truemate.
Acksel spoke. “As Alpha of the Wilde Creek Pack, I recognize Adam and Dani as truemates, and welcome Dani Grayson as an honorary pack member, under the authority of the alphas and the protection of the pack. I welcome Adam and Dani into the ranks of the stewards. Welcome to the pack.”
Acksel lifted his head and howled, and the pack joined in. Adam howled loud and long—his wolf celebrating that Dani was his mate in truth now, his forever to love and protect. As the pack voiced their approval, Adam pulled Dani into his arms and kissed her. His wolf rolled under his skin, anxious to shift and run with her. “I’m yours, Dani. Good, bad, hell or high water. I’ll drag the moon from the sky if you ask.”
“I just want you.”
The pack dispersed, and Adam grabbed their coats. “Thanks for everything,” Adam told Brynn and Acksel, who were standing in a tight embrace on the deck.
“Make sure you take the day off tomorrow,” Brynn said. “It’s your mating night, and you deserve a little time to yourselves. The alpha said so.”
“She damn sure did,” Acksel said, grinning. “Take two days. Turn off the phones and shut the blinds. I’ll send some of the young males to meet with my dad and take over for you.”
“Thank you, that’s so nice!” Dani said. She tugged on Adam’s hand. “Let’s hurry. I can’t wait to play in the snow with you.”
They said goodbye to the mates who were staying in the alphas’ home while their wolves hunted with the pack, and hurried to the truck. He was anxious to shift, too. Even though he wasn’t going to do any hunting, he knew his wolf would be content to just be with his mate in their shifts.
“The backyard is calling, sweetheart.”
She smiled brightly. “I think if reindeer had fangs I’d be flashing them right now, I’m so happy.”
“I’m happy, too.”
“Are you sure you won’t mind not hunting?”
“Of course not. I want to be where you are. If I went out to hunt, I’d be worried about you.”
“I’m sure I’d be safe within the fence.”
He shook his head. “This isn’t a hardship for me, sweetheart. I always went off on my own anyway. That I can be with you in our shifted forms, even in our yard, is more than enough to make me happy.”
“Aw.”
He pulled his truck into the driveway and turned off the engine, getting out swiftly and joining Dani. The sun had set completely, and the full moon cast a pale glow on the world. They walked through the house and out onto the back porch, where they stood in silence for a brief moment, hands clasped and gazes locked together.
