Page 32 of Rock Pucking Bottom

That felt so good to hear her call me that. I trailed a finger down her cheek. "How do you feel?"

"Satiated."

I chuckled. Three orgasms would do that to a girl, but that wasn't what I was asking.

"Not exactly what I was asking. I was more worried about the mating bond."

Her hand brushed back some of my hair and tucked behind my ear as she tilted her head. It was clear she was still trying to figure out what to say.

Shit, it didn't work. What did we do wrong? I wanted to seal our bond; it was great sex. What was missing?

She finally opened her mouth. "I don't feel anything different."

I played with her hair and tried to smile, but I was disappointed. But then I remembered the rumor that Kirby, the pack's second in command, got blood sickness when he first mated with his bride since they didn't realize they mated.

I hoped against hope that maybe we just didn't realize the connection got made.

Then I had an idea. We could find out if we sealed the bond if we tried to talk when I was a werewolf.

"There's one way we can test it. I can shift in front of you and try to talk to you."

Emmy completely tensed up and froze, which made my stomach drop. Was she afraid of me?

Normally, I tried to ignore people's heartbeats and only pay attention to the sounds that I needed to hear. But I honed in on Emmy's heart, and it was racing. Now I was sure she was afraid of my other form.

"Why not?"

I didn't realize how deep her fear was when it came to wolves. I thought we made real progress that night since she eventually started to pet me. Now I was torn, since she was afraid of my other half.

She shook her head. "No wolves."

I frowned but nodded. I wasn’t going to push her. If she didn’t want to see my wolf, I would keep him hidden away.

I was still in love with her and convinced that she was my mate. There was no reason to shift in front of her. I wouldn't mention my wolf until she was ready.

I pulled her close and laid my head on hers. I held her until her heart rate slowed down. In the most comforting voice that I could, I said, "You're okay. My wolf won't come out and play unless it's the full moon. I'm in total control of what he does. Always. You never have to worry about him. Okay?"

But a piece of me died at that moment since she was afraid of a major part of me.

What if that was why we couldn't seal the mating? She was afraid of a major part of me.

Fuck.

Could I be with someone who was afraid of my other half?

Chapter 27

Emmy

AsEoghanheldmeclose, I calmed down. He was always so good to me. But I broke his heart a little bit when I said I was afraid of his wolf.

Deep down, I trusted him in his wolf form. It was hard to override years of being afraid of wolves and even werewolves.

But I knew how afraid he was of going back to his pack unless we were mated, and by all appearances, we weren't there yet. I had to tell him my side. "Babe, I'm sorry. I really wished it worked."

He fingered my cheek. His voice was soft and unsure. "For all we know, it still did. I just don't know a better way to test out the theory. But if you're scared of my wolf, we'll keep him away. We'll find out soon enough."

I leaned my cheek into his hand. I wish there was a better way for me to comfort him, especially when he was placating me.

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