Page 91 of Love Bites Hard

When we had a brief break from the crowds, we ate s’mores with little kids who didn’t know him, chatting with some that were excited to meet him, and giving space to the ones who wanted space.

I loved watching him with the kids.

I hadn’t interacted with them much, but I had always liked little kids. Part of me had dreamed about having a big family some day, if I ever ended up safe and mated. I’d never told my sisters that, because I didn’t want to see the pity in their eyes.

But now that it was a possibility, it was something to think about.

Porter was pulled into a conversation with some of his closest wolves, and I noticed Evan among them, talking vibrantly.

My gaze caught on Kim, on the other side of the fire. I noticed her watching Evan and Porter, her jaw set tightly.

For hers and Evan’s sake, I hoped they could work it out and find a way to be happy together.

My thoughts were interrupted by another pack member who wanted to talk, and I greeted her with a smile.

It was Nora, my favorite (and only) chocolate supplier. She was practically beaming through the whole conversation as she told me about a new hobby she’d taken up now that Curtis was gone. Crocheting.

She promised to bring me a hat and scarf she was making soon. The woman was an absolute sweetheart, and I decided I should figure out a way to hang out with her or something. We needed to be friends.

Before she walked away, she winked and let me know that she had already put in another order for more siren chocolate.

The pack’s excitement built up throughout the bonfire until Porter and I stood near the edge of the forest after darkness had set in. He announced in a loud voice that the Mistwood Pack and its new alphas were finally going to run as one—and everyone howled so loudly in response that I couldn’t help but grin.

I wasn’t a wolf, but I could feel the pack’s excitement through the bond anyway.

Porter stepped into the trees and shifted forms. When he emerged a moment later, I slipped onto his back, and he took off into the forest.

He’d carried me in his wolf form so many times before, but never like this.

He ran hard and fast. Wind blew through my hair, whipping my braids around behind me as I held on tightly. I could feel the other wolves behind us—so many of them.

With them at our sides, we weren’t just a mated pair. We weren’t just Izzy and Porter. We were apack. A group. A family.

My eyes stung as the realization set in.

I was a part of them.

I didn’t have fur, but that didn’t matter. I belonged there. And I always would.

The group split up as everyone headed off to do their own thing soon enough, but I could feel Porter’s joy as he carried me through the trees.

He had no desire to stop.

And I wouldn’t ask him to.

He belonged in the forest, just as much as I belonged in the water. Maybe even more.

So I held on as he ran until he’d had his fill of the forest. And when we got back to our room, Iheld onas he bent me over our bed and fucked me hard.

Maybe I did know how I felt about being mated.

Maybe mating with a wolf was the best decision I’d ever made.

The next day,Porter took me hiking in our human forms. I’d never gone before, but discovered pretty quickly that I enjoyed it.

Especially because I was faster than him in that form.

Though he always dragged me back into his arms when he caught me, we had fun together. A lot of fun.

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