Tori POV “Mate” I crashed my lips to his. I grabbed a fistful of his hair and pulled him closer. I could feel his arms around my waist pulling us together as close as he could. The idea of his eagerness exited me as my feelings for him were intensifying. His lips were firm and sensual and soft like cotton, his hands were as gentle as if I were a priceless artifact. I could hear his soft moans escape breathlessly as he explored every inch of my mouth as if he couldn’t get enough of my taste. It felt so right being here in his arms, his lips on mine like we belong to each other. I nipped at his bottom lip and then licked the sting away. My grip became stronger as I pulled his hair. My other hand dragging down his back with the urgency I needed to have him as mine. “Tori” He whispered as we separated to catch our breath. He leaned his forehead against mine and stared into my eyes. I watched his baby blues brim with tenderness and passion,

Victor POV “You do not have to worry about Corinne.” I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight. A moment later, I feel her tense up and I know she caught me. I didn’t answer her first question. Because I don’t know. I should tell her something, that she has nothing to worry about but I honestly have no idea. I’m hoping after ten years there would be no problem. I want us to be open and honest with each other. No secrets, no lies, no games. I never had a girlfriend, and I only had the mothers of my friends to learn how a mate should be treated. My own mother passed when I was young, so I only had my father to teach me. Most of it is common sense on how to treat a lady. Being in love with one? Is a whole nother can of worms. But with Tori, I’d be glad to open that can and figure it out. She’s a bit sensitive since her last boyfriend used her and lied and cheated on her. He never told her that he had found his mate. Not knowing she was a wolf herself; he couldn’t break

Tori POV “Stay the night with me?” I looked into his eyes and saw nothing but love and…. Sadness? “Victor?” He got to his knees and then stood before me. Reaching down, he grabbed my hands and lifted me up. Carrying me to the bed, he sat down as I straddled him. Wrapping his arms around me, leaning down to kiss my neck and take in my scent. “Tori” He whispered as he peppered kisses to my neck and up my jaw. Slowly making his way across my cheek and kissed the tip of my nose. Leaning back, he smiled at me. “Tori, I would love nothing more than to stay with you, nothing more than to wrap my arms around you, hold you tight, make sweet love to you all night, but I want to do this right. I know your father is happy about us, but I need to formally ask his permission, and Apache’s. I want you to be treated like the queen you are. Not just a moment of lust, but a moment of true love. I want to show you the love I have for you.”

Tori POV I was having a wonderful dream where Victor and I were sitting on the huge lawn in front of the packhouse watching the children running around playing tag, just like we used to do. He was staring at me with the most beautiful blue eyes and a loving smile on his face. I smiled back and he leaned over and kissed my lips. I heard voices coming from behind us and turned to see Tammy and Eric happily walking up to us. Tammy plopped herself down next to me and began tapping my nose. I shook my head, but she kept tapping it. “Tori! Tori!” I heard her yelling as she giggled in my ear. I swatted at her hands, and she laughed. “Tori! Open your eyes!” I snapped my eyes open to see Tammy sitting on the edge of my bed. Eric was standing in the doorway. “Wake up sleepy head! Time to make the donuts!” I covered my head with my pillow and groaned. “Go away” I mumbled as she giggled again and tried to pull the pillow away.

Tori POV After the meeting was over, I apologized to Dr. MacDonald for my behavior, but there was something about Alpha Black that I wasn’t comfortable with. Without going into too much detail about my abilities, I explained I saw something in the healing bond that Mystic was very wary of. He wanted to talk more about it, but I was not feeling too well diving through that man’s clouds. I also thought it would be best to discuss with my Alpha what I saw and felt. Being the Alpha of one of the most powerful and largest packs on this side of the country, the information might be of use. Eric and Tammy helped me to the car, and we drove back to the pack in silence. After what the doctor witnessed, he suggested I go home and rest. We pulled up the driveway to the packhouse and Eric parked the car. Shutting off the engine, all three of us just sat there quietly thinking about what had just happened. I was angrier about his treatment of Eric than anything.