“Mates?” I asked breathlessly. He nodded. “Like… a couple?”
“A pair,” he said quickly, wetting his lips with his tongue. “Among wolves it means that we’re always regarded as being a unit… Loyal. Committed. We belong to each other. That’s what you’re feeling, Cara. That’s what I’ve been feeling. I was so dumb—I didn’t want to accept it at first because of everything it could mean. But I couldn’t deny it. Once I realized…” He trailed off, clearing his throat. “When… when we accept each other and complete the bond it will get even stronger. Can you imagine it, Cara?” His hand was still extended towards me. It trembled slightly. He wanted me to take it. Even though he hadn’t said anything, it felt significant somehow. Like taking his hand was some kind of declaration.
I wanted to touch him so badly I twitche
~ RIG ~“Thank God,” I whispered, then, unable to resist, I kissed her hair. “Don’t ever let go, Cara. I won’t. Just please… don’t ever let go.” I doubt I’d ever spoken a more genuine plea. It felt like I’d cracked my ribs and bared my heart and left it there, at her mercy.Cara trembled in my arms, but I could feel the tension in her fading as I held her. Then she nodded. “I won’t.” The whispered words fluttered against my chest and I wanted to howl with joy.Thank God. Thank God. Thank God.Relief washed through me like a wave. Even though I knew her acceptance would ultimately only increase the danger, I couldn’t find it in myself to care. In that moment all I could feel was joy and re
~ CARA ~Nothing seemed real.I stood just inside the door at Rig’s house, Rig right behind me, his warmth pressed against my shoulder. Mack was standing in the doorway into the kitchen, talking to Rig. Jack and Charlie had arrived right behind us. Apparently Natalie was on her way.I stood there, uncertain what to say.When Charlie edged past me, I flinched. Rig’s hand appeared on my arm and he leaned into my ear. “You’re safe here.”
~ CARA ~ The skin on the back of my neck prickled. Rig put a hand to my back, but I leaned around him to look at Natalie who’d just walked into the room looking gorgeous as usual, unwinding a scarf from around her neck, her cheeks pinked by the cold outside. The guys greeted her casually, which made me feel even tenser, but I swallowed it back. She’d been out in the forest with them—apparently completely unfazed by them being naked. She’d known them since they were kids. She was… one of them.
~ CARA ~Rig cleared his throat and I waited, holding my breath.“I’ll explain better later, but just think of… an old-boys system. The guys in power do everything they can to keep their power—they hold prejudice against anyone different, they exploit weaker wolves, they use their strength to hurt or even kill anyone who stands against them. It’s all about power-plays and—”“And won’t they do that to you, then?!” I asked, suddenly panicked. I hadn’t realized I’d grabbed his arm, until he turned his hand and entwined our fingers.&nb
~ RIG ~We were all in the living room, my brothers laughing and joking, emotions running high after the rush of becoming a true pack.On a normal night it would have been a rush for me as well, to suddenly feel even more connected, even more certain of them. As a pack, this was a milestone night.It was unfair to them that my attention was so completely divided. But as everyone relaxed and sprawled around the living room with their drinks or snacks, I had only half an ear on the conversation, and even less of my mind.Cara was here. She was touchi
~ RIG ~Natalie and Mack glared at each other, while Jack watched them like a tennis match, waiting to see who’d serve the ball next.Charlie shifted in his seat and glanced at me. ‘Do you want me to handle this?’I shook my head. I was about to open my mouth and order them both to calm down, when Cara leaned forward.“It’s so weird now, finally understanding what keeps you all close to each other. I mean, I’ve always seen that, you know? How tight-knit you are. You
~ CARA ~Something happened. Rig changed his mind suddenly about needing to stay with the others. But I couldn't complain. I was desperate to have him to myself and just figure this out.He drew me out of the living room and up the old, banistered stairway in the hall, ushering me ahead of him like he was afraid someone might come for my back. He... hovered, right behind me. One hand on my hip, just one step below me as we climbed so his body shadowed my back.I was suddenly washed in the same feeling I'd always had when Ralf showed up outside the library.
~ CARA ~Rig blew out a breath like a balloon that had been deflated and he raked a hand through his hair. “You scared me,” he murmured, then took a deep breath, holding my gaze. “We do have a power… it’s called the Allure. But you need to know, Cara, I never used it on you after that first day. Even before I knew who you were… what you were going to be to me… I wasn’t using it. Mack was, the fucker. But I wasn’t. The draw… that tugging inside, I feel it too. It’s the matebond.” A shadow passed behind his eyes, but then he offered his hand, much like he had back in the forest, palm up. “I’m telling you the truth. Touch me. Feel me. Feel how our bodies pull for each other. That draw we’re feeling, it’s never going to go away. That’s not the Allure. That’