Page 21 of Sanctuary

“Thank you,” Gemma said sincerely.

“Yeah, well, keep those wolves away from my livestock,” Lance said, then gave her a grin followed by another nod at Eric.

“It wasn’t my wolves,” Gemma shot back with a smile, then grimaced. Damn, her face hurt.

Eric lead her out the door, and she knew he was leading her away from where Foster lay, but she turned to look anyway. Foster lay naked, in human form.

“He’s not in wolf form?” she asked.

“When shifters die, we return to human form,” Eric replied, opening the door for her.

Once she was inside, he shut the door and climbed into the driver seat. He started the truck and took off. The wolves had disappeared into the woods, and Larry drove behind them. The ride was silent, but Eric had reached over and pulled her next to him as his free hand lay on her leg.

By the time they arrived back at the sanctuary, her face throbbed. She knew she probably looked horrible, but she was so exhausted she didn’t really care. Okay, that was a lie. She did care, but what could she do?

Still, neither she nor Eric said a word as they reached her small home.

“I’m going to grab a quick shower if that’s okay,” Eric said, his eyes searching her face as his frown grew.

“Of course. You don’t have to ask me if you can take a shower, Eric,” she replied, then watched as he nodded before disappearing toward the bathroom.

The sight of him going down to kneel kept playing around in her mind. She knew the shifter way, and an alpha never gave up their status without good reason. At that moment, she knew he loved her, and she was being a fool. Turning, she glanced toward the bathroom, then squared her shoulders and headed that way. She was done being a fool. Gemma knew she was ready to start her life, a new life with the man she loved.

Passing her bed, she noticed papers next to Eric’s keys. Without thought, she picked them up and gasped. She knew the property next to hers had been up for sale; she dreamed of owning it so she could expand. And there she was, staring at the deed to that property with her name on it. She didn’t know how he’d done it, and she didn’t care. What she did care about was that he did it for her.

Putting the papers down, she made her way to the closed bathroom door, took her clothes off, then opened it and stepped inside. Without hesitation, she pulled the shower curtain back to see Eric with both hands on the wall, his head bowed as hot water poured over him. His head turned slightly to look over his arm at her, his eyes red.

“I love you.” Her voice was strong and sure.

In one fluid motion, he pushed off the wall, grabbed her to him, and held her tightly as the water washed over him. “I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost you tonight.”

“You didn’t, Eric.” She reached up and cupped his cheek. “I’m right here because of you.”

“Being a mate to an alpha can sometimes be dangerous.” Eric tilted her chin up so they saw each other clearly. “I guess I should have warned you of that sooner.”

“I don’t care,” Gemma answered truthfully. “I know you’ll always have my back as I will always have yours.”

“I would understand if—” Eric started to say, but she stopped him.

“Shut up,” she whispered as she clasped his face with her hands. “And truly make me your mate.”

“You’re already my mate, never doubt that.” With a growl, Eric picked her up in his arms and headed to the bed to do just that.

Gemma pouted. “You mean there isn’t something special you have to do with your hands, or mouth, or… you know, to make it legit.”

Eric’s head fell back as he laughed loudly before he looked down at her. “For you, Gemma, I will perform our own little ceremony to truly make you my mate.”

“I like the sound of that.” She grinned up at him, then licked her lips slowly. “Maybe I have a little ceremony of my own to perform.”

“Jesus.” Eric moaned before kicking the door shut, blocking out the world. He gently laid her on the bed, staring down at her. “I love you, Gemma.”

Gemma smiled. “The wolf-man and the wolf-woman. We sure do make a pair.”

“Maybe we can make little wolf people,” he teased, but she could see a seriousness in his eyes.

“Kids?” she asked as a small smile played across her lips. “I never thought….” Gemma couldn’t finish as her secret dreams came to light. She had always wanted kids, but pretty much had her mind set that it would never happen.

“I would be honored to give you children.” Eric leaned down as he whispered, “I will give you anything you want, Gemma.”

“Two boys and two girls?” She sighed as a tear slipped down her cheek.

He nodded as he cleared his throat. “I would give you a whole pack if you asked.”

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she brought him close and held him tightly with her eyes squeezed shut. She prayed she wasn’t dreaming only to wake up disappointed. “Is this real?” she voiced.

Eric was silent for a minute before he raised his head to stare down at her. “Yes, Gemma. This is real.” His kiss was both hard with purpose and soft with promise. “I’m about to show you how real this really is.”

Gemma’s laugh soon turned into sighs as her wolf-man did exactly that.

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