Page 39 of The Wolf Guard's Mate

He grumbled. “You’re trying to get all of my secrets out today, aren’t you?”

“Yup. Iamyour mate, after all.”

Hunter pulled me closer again. “My dad poisoned us when we were teenagers, so my brothers and I all cooked for each other afterward. It was a safety thing, but it became just a normal part of life for us. I’d like you and I to cook and eat together when possible.”

“Sounds reasonable.”

He rested his chin on top of my head. “Thank you.”

“Thanks for trusting me.”

“It may not be evident, because I’m shit with relationships, but you’ve got me wrapped around your finger, Oli Pop. I’ll give you anything you want.”

“How about the story behind your scar?”

“It’s not much of a story. I fell in love with a human woman a century and a half ago. We hooked up after I ran into her walking on the edge of her pack’s land during a midnight run, and I found out afterward that she was mated to an abuser. I thought I could save her from him, and she would want me afterward.”

I grimaced. “What happened?”

“She loved him more,” he said simply. “I saw him hit her one day, and killed him. She went out of her mind with the loss, and attacked me. Tore through my eye deeply enough to scar it, but somehow, I regained my sight. I walked away, and Clay moved her to another pack. I decided then that I didn’t want a mate, and haven’t been with a woman since.”

“Until me.”

“Until you,” he agreed.

Turning in his arms, I wrapped mine around his neck and hugged him tightly. He held me close, his grip like iron. “I’m sorry, Hun. About everything. All the shit you’ve been through.”

“Most of it was a long time ago. And you still need to come up with a new nickname.”

“I’m sticking with this one.”

He sighed heavily. “It’s a good thing you’re cute.”

I smacked the back of his head, and he chuckled, pulling me closer. “Do you have any other requests?”

“Do you play video games?”

“I used to play with some of the guys who worked in my studio. Why?”

“I fucking love video games,” he admitted, and I laughed.

“I’m not against that.”

“Good.”

“My wolf’s itching to get outside. Can we run in the forest around the mansion?” I checked.

“Of course. Right now?”

“Mmhm.”

Hunter stood up, set me on my feet, and kissed me lightly before taking my hand and leading me out of the basement.

ten

OLIVE

Despite Hunter’s typical stoicism,his wolf played energetically with mine in the forest for hours.

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