Zelda

"Can I trust them?"

He eyed me from across the cave as I dressed. I tried to stay modest even though he'd just been inside of me mere hours before. He'd seen it all now—he probably saw into my soul.

"For the most part, yes."

"For the most part?"

He didn't move and he didn't hide that he was taking me in, either. I kind of enjoyed having an audience, but only him.

"If we're mates, are we going to have a ceremony and all that?"

"Not unless you want it."

"Really?!"

I couldn't contain my excitement.

"I...don't want something big."

"You just had something big," he winked at me.

"You're insatiable.." I smiled, "But I like it."

"Will I stay with you?"

I smiled, "Of course you will. I can't just let you out of my sight now—not yet anyway."

"Not..yet?"

"How many guards did you have at home?"

"Quite a few."

"You'll have the right ones here, pet."

"Oh?"

"Ones that will care for you better than anyone has ever done."

She seemed to like the sound of that and I liked the sound of that and I knew that I would kill anyone who ever hurt her.

Even if it was my own pack member.

We packed our items and even though I was delighted to go back to his cottage—I would miss that cave.

Somehow, Zane sensed my emotions.

"We'll come back," he said, "We'll make it ours. I'll make sure of it."

"Like a getaway?"

"Exactly that."

Zane

"Will I stay with you?"

I smiled, "Of course you will. I can't just let you out of my sight now—not yet anyway."

"Not..yet?"

"How many guards did you have at home?"

"Quite a few."

"You'll have the right ones here, pet."

"Oh?"

"Ones that will care for you better than anyone has ever done."

She seemed to like the sound of that and I liked the sound of that and I knew that I would kill anyone who ever hurt her.

Even if it was my own pack member.

Zelda

"Cathy will take good care of you."

"She is a healer," I smiled, "And a spitfire."

Zane chuckled, "That she is, but you always want someone on your side like her. She doesn't fuck around."

I felt myself aching for him—knowing that even though we'd been intimate once that that was going to be something we did quite often.

Zelda

"They're here."

I stiffened, suddenly worried and very aware that they all knew what we'd been up to in here.

Zane took my hand, "I won't let anyone hurt you."

"I trust you."

We exited the cave and came across Carver and Craig and a few others, including Marisol and Cathy who scanned me once over and nodded.

"She's well—in heat, but well."

I blushed profusely at her forwardness as Zane stuffed our belongings into the awaiting carriage.

"I'll shift and you can saddle me back to the den."

"I can't just ride you, Zane.."

As if I'd said something completely absurd, Zane paid me no mind and shifted, his red wolf form enticing me once more.

"Get on.." he linked to me.

He linked me...how did he..?

I took a step forward and tossed a leg over, holding on for dear life as he reared and nodded to Carver who led the way.

Marisol and Craig ran behind us as I felt the wind whipping through my hair and a freedom that I'd never felt before.

"Thank you.." I leaned in to Zane as he bristled and a twinkle formed in his eye as we raced back to his den.