48

Waking up my body was stiff from the couch, but it had been one of the best nights I had in a long time.

Vienna didn’t have to trick me into giving her the bed. I would have freely given it to her if she had asked. I would have given her anything if she asked.

It was better she didn’t know that. For my own health. Who knows what my mate would do with that sort of information.

Somehow during the night she managed to pile all of the blankets on top of her. The only part of her not covered was her face and bare shoulder not covered by her tank top. Her sweater now being used as a pillow. Her original pillow nowhere to be seen.

My animal instincts wanted me to mark her now. It would have been easy. Before she realized what was happening it would be too late.

If I did that, she would no doubt kill me before I could leave the room. I did not have a death wish.

I needed to mark her soon though. The longer she went without my mark the more danger she was in. The need to protect her grew every