Page 7 of The Wolf's Mate

Followed by a dozen more.

It wasn’t gradual; it happened so fast.

And more will fall unless I find my human mate. Ender is the only one able to bring humans to Mescos, so, really, there was no choice at all.

And here she is, standing right in front of me, looking both curious and disgusted by my presence. I can work with that.

“Then I need not remind you that her safety is imperative to your future,” Ender says.

“I know that,” I snap, unable to hold back my ire. “She’ll be protected.”

“She has a fucking name, and she doesn’t like when you talk about her as if she isn’t here.” Hettie pushes her way past Ender, straight to me. This close, I see fire glowing in her eyes.

My mate has a temper. She’s going to be fun to break. And if she’s good, maybe I’ll put her back together again.

“Is there anything else we need to discuss?” I ask Ender, ignoring the human, which only seems to piss her off more.

Ender sweeps his gaze around the room before landing back on me. “Nothing, Alpha. I will be in touch.” With no further goodbyes, Ender takes his leave, opening up a portal with just a flick of his wrist.

Tallie audibly gasps when she sees the portal, something that has been missing from this world for so long to keep our human mates away, thanks to the Nephilim. Ender still possesses the ability to travel between worlds, though no one knows why. He uses it sparingly, though, and has just recently brought humans over with him.

He holds his secrets close, but his involvement is not out of the goodness of his heart. This I know.

The portal closes once Ender is through, leaving Hettie in my care for the first time. I stare down at the human before me. Too small and fragile. She won’t be permitted to walk around without protection. I don’t fear any of my pack members hurting her, but I can’t say the same for the rogues plaguing our land or the Nephilim.

Another item to add to my list: Keep the Luna alive.

Hettie stares at me expectantly, waiting for me to say something. So I do, the first thing that comes to my mind. “You smell like a dog.”

That’s clearly the wrong fucking thing to say because her brown cheeks grow red. I swear, if she had little fangs, they would be bared right now. The thought is almost amusing.

Though, not to her, because Hettie growls, “You would know that smell, wouldn’t you?”

I’m not sure if she’s trying to insult me by comparing my dire wolf to a dog, or if I also smell like a dog, but I don’t get the chance to ask because a large golden beast rounds the corner and dives straight at me.

Chapter 4

Hettie

Grass barrels across the room, making himself known in the most Grass-like fashion possible. The oversized dog knocks into a chair, tipping it over, and races past me to launch himself at Rip.

Oh my god, I think he’s going to maul my not-quite-yet husband. “Grass!” I don’t give a shit if Grass hurts Rip, but I don’t want this man hurting the only family I have left.

Rip catches him before they topple over, and, much to my dismay, Grass’s dramatic leap into Rip’s arms wasn’t to maul him to death. No, the big baby licks his face, wagging his tail like he does when I offer him an extra treat before bed.

This is twice now that Grass excitedly greeted a stranger. So much for my big protector. “You’re a damn teddy bear,” I sigh.

To further prove my point, Grass nuzzles his head against Rip.

Great.

Well, at least one of us is happy.

“That’s Grass, Hettie’s dog companion,” Thorne speaks up from behind Rip.

“Grass?” He narrows his eyes. “Why would you name your dog Grass?”

I don’t appreciate the judgment I hear in his tone, and I glare. “Because he likes to roll around in grass.”

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