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“No need to be sorry,” she says with a smile. “Let’s just move on and have fun.” I lean in to give her a soft kiss, attracting a lot of side glances and whispers from those around us.
“Ethan, do you think people know who I am? In your email, you only say I’m your guest, but do you think they suspect I’m your mate?” she asks, almost in a whisper, while we look at our menus.
I shrug because I’m not worried about what any of them are thinking. “They might, but they can also tell you’re human, so that might throw some people off. Tomorrow, I’ll send out communication to emphasize the behavior I expect from my pack toward my guest.”
“No, Ethan. Please don’t say anything to make me stand out more.”
I grin with a dry laugh. “Baby, you couldn’t stand out more than you do now if you tried. I don’t care what anyone may or may not think, because until you and I are ready to announce things, it’s none of anyone’s business but our own. But, I will not have them treating you as if you don’t belong here.” I will protect her at all costs, even against members of my pack. She deservesto feel safe and special with me. “We have a right to privacy. I like having you all to myself right now,” I say, squeezing her hands in mine, as our waitress returns with our margaritas and takes our order for dinner.
“I have a question for you.”
“Of course, ask anything.”
“When can we talk about what needs to be done to complete the mate bond? I don’t see a reason to put it off.”
My heart sinks because I’ve been dreading this, but I agree with a nod. “Would you like to discuss it tomorrow?”
“That would be great. Do you think Chloe could be there just as a little friendly support?”
I’d rather have this discussion privately, but I want her to be comfortable. “Sure. It might not hurt to have a female perspective.”
“Thank you.”
“Yeah, it’s no problem. Let’s leave the details for tomorrow, though. I just want to enjoy you tonight.” I have plans for us tonight. I can’t leave it up to chance that she’ll agree to go along with everything involved with the mate bond. I have to solidify our connection now.
“Okay, sure.”
I smile and kiss her hand. “I thought we could do something special tonight.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“How would you feel about seeing my wolf tonight?”
I smile as her face lights up. “Really? I would love that!”
“I want to share everything with you.”
“I just got really nervous,” she says as she takes a drink of her margarita.
“Don’t be nervous. It’ll be okay. I’ll explain everything when we get home.”
Twelve
Olivia
“Let’s get you comfortable,” Ethan says, leading me out to the covered deck. He hands me a glass of wine and drapes a blanket around my shoulders as I sit on the couch. Sitting on the edge of the table across from me, he takes my hands in his. “So, the first thing you need to know is I have to be naked to shift.”
I blush with a giggle. “Naked? Why? And, why outside…can anyone see you here?”
“We’re surrounded by woods. No one will see me here, and I guess I usually shift outside, so that’s what feels natural. And, to answer your question about being naked…if I weren’t, the process would ruin my clothes.”
I scrunch up my face. “So, does that mean people walk around naked on their way to the woods if they’re going to shift?”
He laughs. “Not exactly. A lot of homes back to the woods, and most everyone has an outdoor building in their back yard where they can undress, shift, and then come back to dress. Wealso have some public changing stations at a few points in the woods. That’s my outbuilding down there,” he says, pointing toward the yard, “but we’re surrounded by trees here, so I can shift wherever I want behind the house.”
“Huh, interesting.”
“We do our best to keep things private, but nudity isn’t as big of a deal here as it is in the human world.”
