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She stares at me blankly, and I start to pace in front of her. My wolf is busy watching her every move. He’s not letting her out of his sight. I don’t blame him.
“We can change from a human into a wolf. A lot of people in this area can, and they all belong to one of our packs. We don’t talk about it in public, though. We can’t let humans know about us.”
“Uh-huh,” she says slowly, the doubt clear in her tone. “Then why are you telling me?”
“Because you’re my fated mate.”
“Excuse me? Did you saymate?”
“Yes,” I say with a nod. My eyes latch onto hers, needing her to see my truth. “We’re fated mates. Each shifter has one partner, one perfect mate. Fate designed us to love each other unconditionally. I could never hurt you or leave you. You’re mine, Malia. My fated mate.”
“But… I don’t understand,” Malia whispers. Her emerald eyes shine with confusion and hurt, which kills me, but beneath that, I see a glimmer of hope. I just need to draw more of that out.
“I’ll answer any question you have,” I offer.
“You said your Queen wasn’t here. You were so sure of it all week. Now you’re telling me that we’re meant to be? Or are you saying I’d be your mate and then some… someotherwoman would be your queen? Because I can’t–”
“No,” I snap, instantly regretting my tone. “Sorry,” I say more softly. “The thought of being unfaithful… fuck, it hurts,” I cough out, rubbing my hand over the tightness in my chest. “You’re my queen, my mate, my partner. Malia, you’re everything. I know this is all overwhelming and confusing, especially after this week.”
“Yeah,” she agrees, her shoulders slumping.
I take a step closer to her, needing her soothing presence, even when she’s mad at me.
“I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. I had no idea you weren’t eighteen yet, remember? Shifters can only find their fated mate once they’re both adults. All week I was drawn to you, but I couldn’t figure out why until yesterday evening.”
“Right before dinner,” she whispers, swaying closer to me. “You came up to my room and called me gorgeous.” I nod my head, reaching out to tuck a few strands of hair behind her ear. “I thought maybe… but then today you were so distant.” She blinks away tears, and Christ, my chest cracks in two. It kills me that I made her doubt how special she is.
“I’m so sorry,” I rush to say. “I didn’t know how to tell you. I was afraid I’d scare you off.”
“So you decided to lock me in my room?” She raises an eyebrow at me, but I see the hint of a smirk on her pouty lips.
“I never said I had a plan; it just sort of… happened,” I say sheepishly. “I panicked. The thought of watching you leave, of not having you as my queen, of not waking up next to you every morning… I freaked out and did the very thing I was trying to avoid. Scare you away.”
“For the record, I’m more confused and mad than scared,” she says saucily.
I give her a hopeful grin. She’s giving me shit. That has to be a good sign, right?
“But…” she starts, then pauses. “How do you know for sure I’m your mate?”
“My wolf and I can smell it.”
She stares at me and I chew my bottom lip, debating on shifting or not. I’ve already come this far, so I might as well go for it.
“Koda says that I should show you my wolf before I tell you about the mating moon and mating heat.”
“Thewhat?” she squeaks out.
“He said that you seeing me shift will help you believe it faster.”
“Wait, but what is the mating moon? And mating heat?”
I clench my hands into fists. I can feel it bearing down on me, and so can my wolf. He howls in my head, demanding that we make her ours.
“Can’t you feel it? This pull between us?” I ask her.
Her eyes lock onto mine, wide, vulnerable pools of green that can’t hide any secrets from me. “I thought I was making it up,” she murmurs. I take a small step toward her, cautious so as not to send her running.
“I need to take my clothes off to show you my wolf,” I tell her.
