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“We can always take it back if you want,” Xander offered, reaching for it.
“Oh, no, you don’t!” I yelped, pulling my hand away. I clutched my fingers against my chest protectively, even as Xander made half-hearted swipes at the ring like he was planning on repossessing it. “I love it.”
He grinned. “Good. I want everyone to know you’re off the market from a mile away.”
“They’ll know it from space.”
I held my hand out again, lower this time. For the better part of the year, I’d known that I was Xander’s mate. For shifters, that was the most significant and profound thing two people could be. I was already the mother of his cubs, the woman who’d stood at his side while he roused his pack to ready them for war. By comparison, wife was such a silly title—something that would only matter when it came to the real estate on my left ring finger and taxes.
Like usual, we were doing this ass-backward.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Unable to stop smiling, I wound my arms around his neck and crushed my lips to his. The ring box clattered to the ground as he took my jaw in his hands, deepening the kiss. He breathed out as I breathed in.
“What are you two sucking face about?” Denny barked.
We broke the kiss to find him marching toward us across the lawn.
I flashed my ring at Denny while Xander grinned. “We’re engaged.”
Denny bent down and peered at the ring—as if it was possible that, in his eyes, the diamond was actually too small.
“Didn’t think you should ask her father for permission first?” he asked Xander.
“Would you have given it?” Xander countered.
Denny scratched his chin. “Nah,” he admitted. “Am I invited to the wedding?”
I lifted a shoulder. “Someone will need to walk me down the aisle.”
Denny straightened. His cheeks flushed slightly as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I…I’d like that. You know—”
Denny cut off abruptly. He raised his nose to the wind, his shoulders tensing as he sniffed the air.
“Get the boys,” he ordered without moving. “Get back inside.”
“Why—” I started to ask, and Denny turned to me.
“Go!” he snapped. “Now!”
“What’s going on?” Xander asked. He gathered up Rylan as I took Ryder into my arms.
“A wolf. I don’t recognize the scent.”
“Not from our pack?”
Denny sniffed again and shook his head hard. “No.”
A chilling howl rose from the trees. A moment later, another followed as, and in tandem, we scrambled to our feet.
“Those yours?” Denny asked.
“Luke and Mandy. They’re on patrol. That’s the alarm.” Xander passed me Rylan, shifting his body to shield us from the trees. He shot a glance over his shoulder. “Dylan!”
“I’m coming!” On the lawn, Dylan was already gathering up the dart gun. He slung it over his shoulder and sprinted our way.
“Inside,” Xander told me sternly. “Send Connell out, then lock the doors.” He kissed me quickly, then pushed me toward the house. “Go.”
