Page 96 of Campfires & Canines
“You’ve ruined me,” I mutter. “You are a sex god and nobody will ever compare.”
His glowing eyes flash as he growls, “If you’re my mate, no one else will touch you ever again.”
I blink at him. “Yes,” I promise. His intense broody expression softens as he calms down. I’ve noticed when his eyes glow, he is far more possessive. His wolf instincts push to the forefront.
Slate flips the shower off and wraps a towel around me before grabbing one for himself. Gently, he uses a third towel to dry my hair. He’s so tender, tears prick in my eyes. “Good?” he asks.
“Great.” I lean up and kiss him briefly.
“Let’s go,” he urges, never releasing his hold on me. But before we can take more than two steps, his phone buzzes. Grabbing it, he scrolls through a few messages. His face falls.
I tighten my grip on my towel. “What’s up?”
“Heath will be here in a few minutes. We’d better get dressed.”
“Tell him to wait,” I say, desperate to see what this man will do to me naked in a bed.
He chuckles, shaking his head. Water droplets spray me. “I don’t think that’ll work. But after we see him, I’m yours to do whatever you wish.”
Sighing, I start picking through Slate’s clothes for anything that might fit me. He pulls open a drawer, showing a selection of my clothing. “I got these from Heath while you were gone. Wanted to be ready when we got you back,” he says thoughtfully, pulling on his clothing.
Reluctantly, I pick a soft pair of joggers and a dark t-shirt, and then pop my meds. While we wait for Heath, Slate pulls out some fruit for us. I peel a banana and take a bite.
Far too soon, a knock sounds. As my uncle steps into our trailer, he somehow seems larger in the narrow space.
"Alpha," Slate greets Heath, his eyes on the ground. It's a sign of respect, I now recognize. How many little gestures did I miss before?
"Slate, Hazel," he says.
"Hi," I respond, taking my last bite and setting the peel aside.
Slate returns to my side, wrapping an arm around me. "What's the situation, sir?" he inquires, all business despite his possessive hold on my waist.
"We are safe for now. Granite Ridge will want to avoid the other packs learning what they did." He crosses his arms and leans against the door frame.
Slate frowns. "Didn't we contact them while searching for her?"
Heath nods. "Yes, but that wasn’t an accusation, nor did we have any proof of anything. Now we have Hazel’s testimony, we have insurance against Ferris. I've only notified Valley Pack of Hazel's return and what we know about who is responsible."
"They should be held accountable," I interject, surprising myself.
"Yes, and they will be." Heath steps closer and places his hand on my shoulder. "But you are more important, and I won't risk our people unnecessarily."
"Of course," I mumble, embarrassed.
"Alpha," Slate says. "We noted something unusual."
Heath freezes, looking not-quite-human.
"Hazel's eyes were gold," he says simply.
"Are you sure?" Heath asks.
"Yes.”
"I didn't feel any different," I add, worrying over Heath's grim expression. "I'm fine."
"Thank you for telling me. Please notify me of anything else you discover. I'll have some food delivered for you." Heath heads out, a preoccupied expression creasing his brow.
