Page 42 of Deception

Genuine concern poured from his voice, and something in Drew clicked. Thomas cared for Summer? A wave of jealousy flooded over him, and he puffed out his fur, keeping Summer concealed as best he could. Yes, it was childish. Yes, he ought to trust that fate wanted him and Summer together and not Summer and some other jerk. But damn it, he wasn’t risking anything.

Drew,she murmured, sticking her wolf muzzle clear of his fur. Her body pressed against his, reassuring him.I’m okay. Everything is okay.

He was still panting a mile a minute, and his sides heaved, but he couldn’t settle down. Everything was not okay. A pack of rogues had just attacked his mate, and she’d had to dodge a silver bullet. On top of that, the newly minted pack alpha seemed to be after his woman. So, no. Nothing about this was okay, except the fact that he and Summer were still on their feet. And crap, he might not be there for long, because wounds he hadn’t felt until now were suddenly announcing themselves in a dozen places that burned and ached.

Thomas held out his hands and spoke quietly. “I don’t want to fight you.” His eyes slid to Summer, saying,I want to love her.

Drew growled until Thomas took a long breath and stepped back. “Just checking she’s okay,” he murmured, looking sadder than a man on the cusp of a pivotal victory ought to be. “Just checking.”

Checking or plotting? Drew watched Thomas until he saw the man’s shoulders slump slightly.

She’s yours,Thomas admitted, shooting the thought into Drew’s mind.I see that. I respect that.He shot Summer a wry smile, then looked at Drew again.Lucky bastard. Make sure you appreciate what you have.

Oh, he’d appreciate it, all right. He’d cherish his mate every day for the rest of his life.

With a sigh, Thomas turned away, convincing Drew he meant it. Maybe Thomas was a man of honor, after all. Drew chuffed, and the wolf looked back.

Good luck,Drew called, feeling doubly lucky. He was the one who got the girl. All Thomas got was a mess of a pack.

Thomas nodded, standing tall to address the Twin Moon wolves. “Thanks for coming. You got my message?”

Drew gaped. It was Thomas who’d sent the anonymous message? Thomas was one of the good guys all along?

Ty Hawthorne, still in wolf form, nodded in a way that made Drew suspect there’d been further exchanges since he’d left Arizona. The dark-haired Arizona alpha paused to sniff and nuzzle his mate, then turned and walked beside Thomas, heading back to the settlement, obviously ready to discuss business.

Well, Drew wanted no part of that. All he wanted was Summer. And maybe a bed because, hell, everything hurt.

He settled for dropping to the ground. His mate was all right. Thank God for that.

Of course she is,his bear mumbled, fading slowly away.Did you see her move?

A smile spread over his face. Yeah, he’d seen her move, all right. All lithe and agile and graceful despite the carnage of it all.

Drew,she whispered, licking his nose with her long, wolf tongue.

She whimpered and nuzzled him and fussed over his wounds, somehow managing to make him float away on cloud nine instead of obsessing about the throbbing pain.

He broke into what had to be a goofy grin, and she did, too.Love you, my bear.

He sighed.Love you, my wolf.

It’s over. It’s finally over,Summer said.

He looked deep into her eyes and saw the future again.No. It’s only just the start. Our start.

Epilogue

The bell over the door to the Quarter Moon Café chimed merrily, and three big men filed in. Summer looked up with a smile. She’d started work early, as always, forcing herself away from her slumbering mate to help Jessica bake. Leaving Drew was the hardest part of her day, which said a lot about how wonderful her life had become. She had the best job, the best home, the best mate in the world.

Her heart skipped in anticipation, hoping Drew would be among them. She’d probably never get over the excitement of seeing her mate, even if they’d only been apart for an hour or two.

“Morning, Summer.” Luke tipped his hat. “Merry almost-Christmas.”

The holiday was only a few days away, and she couldn’t wait.

“Heya, Summer. Looks like you brought the weather with you again.” Mack waved to the clear Arizona sky filling up the upper portion of the windows with a rich, vibrant blue.

“Hi, sweetheart. Gonna need some coffee to jump start my day,” Sam said.

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