Page 24 of Wedding for My Werewolf

“All right. Just—stay close to me and remember—you don’t owe them any explanations.”

Her eyes widened, but she nodded.

“I-I’ll go and get dressed.”

She returned a short time later, her cheeks flushed and looking far too tempting for his peace of mind. He managed to restrain the urge to touch her, other than putting a hand on her back to help her into his truck, but even that brief contact made his skintingle. She buckled her seatbelt with shaky hands, and the smell of her anxiety made his stomach clench.

“Relax. You’re not alone,” he said, keeping his voice calm.

She didn’t answer, but the tension in her shoulders eased slightly. They rode in silence deeper into the forest, into pack territory.

“What will we be doing?” she asked quietly.

“Just mingling. It’s only a social function.” Except every Pack function involved jockeying for position, not to mention endless gossip.

The road widened, small houses appearing on either side, and he brought the truck to a halt in the big clearing at the end of the road. The Pack hall loomed ahead, a sturdy log structure that had housed Pack meetings for generations. The alpha usually lived there, although his mother had made his father move out. The scents of the Pack swirled around him, the familiar mix of fur and skin and pack mates.

“That’s the Pack hall. Most of the Pack members live out here, but we have a few stragglers scattered in town.”

“Like you?”

“Like me.” He hesitated, then reached over and covered her hands, twisting nervously in her lap. “I should scent mark you again. Strengthen my scent.”

Her breath caught, and when she looked up at him her pupils had dilated—but she didn’t smell afraid. Not entirely.

“Okay,” she whispered.

He lifted her hand, inhaling the fresh scent of soap. She shivered when he pressed a soft kiss against the inside of her wrist. His wolf stirred, eager to take more, but he fought back the impulse. This wasn’t about him or his wants. This was about her safety.

He pressed his face against her neck and breathed in her sweet, tempting scent, but it was mixed with fear and uncertainty. A low growl rumbled through his chest, and her hand clenched his shirt.

“They won’t hurt you,” he promised.

Her ragged breathing made his wolf growl again. He pulled back, searching her face, but she looked away.

“I’m fine.”

“We need them to believe you trust me.” He flicked his eyes to the right. “We’re being watched. I should kiss you.”

Her eyes flew to his as she wet her lips nervously.

“I… All right.”

His wolf growled its approval but he forced it back, very slowly lowering his head. His lips brushed hers, feather-soft, and her eyes fluttered closed.

“Robin,” he whispered, and her eyes opened. He waited for her permission before kissing her again, just as gentle.

She leaned closer, her lips parting. His tongue touched hers, tasting her, and a rush of desire made him deepen the kiss. She tasted of coffee and sweetness, and his hands tightened around her. He wanted more, but before he could lose control, she pulled back.

“They’ll believe us,” she whispered, her cheeks flushed.

He knew she was right—her fear had diminished to a reasonable level and it was now mingled with arousal. It took all of his considerable self-control not to turn around and take her back to his cabin to explore that tantalizing promise.

“Yes.” He could hear the strain in his voice, his wolf raging beneath his skin. “Stay close.”

He forced himself to release her and climbed out of the truck. By the time he’d reached her door, she’d already opened it and jumped down. He offered her his hand, and the moment their palms touched, he could tell the difference. Her hand no longer trembled, her grip was firm, her scent steadier.

“Remember,” he said quietly. “You don’t need to prove anything to them.”

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