Page 100 of Lone Wolf

“Were you spying on me through the security cameras?”

She blushed. “I didn’t do that either. I just—”

“Can read my mind?”

“I mean…” She grinned knowingly as she glanced at my chest. “I can tell when you’re wearing the medallion and when you’re feeling blue.”

My heart skipped a beat. “So, you know what I’m about to do?”

She shook her head. “No, it’s not like that. I just get impressions. Like…” Her eyes widened when I scooted the chair back and knelt on the ground. “Oh, heavens.”

The knot holding the cord together came undone easily like it wanted to be untied. A hush fell over the room as I dropped the cord and held the ring between my fingers, the scorching heat easing as I held it close to Rose. When I pulled it back, it burned again.

That alone told me what I needed to do.

“The cabin isn’t destroyed,” I pointed out. “And I hate the sound of the city. But…”

Rose croaked, “But?”

“But when I’m around you, everything is so quiet.”

“Even when it’s loud?”

I nodded. “Like a curtain falls around us and nothing else exists.”

She grinned tearfully. “Like the world becomes a stage and we’re in the audience watching.”

“Like nothing can stop us from being together.”

“Not even death.”

A few deep breaths helped me contain my emotions. While I knew it was okay to let myself go in front of Rose, I wanted to be able to speak. I had so many things to say to her, so many things I wanted us to discuss.

I shuddered as I exhaled, taking her hand in mine. “You’ve opened me up to something I never thought I would have again.”

My vision blurred slightly as I glanced around the table. All eyes were on us, not a pair of them dry. Even the little boy seemed swept away by the affectionate gesture. Turning back to Rose made me light up from the inside out, the image of her shimmering as if she were surrounded by carnival lights.

Cotton candy drifted into my spirit. The sound of giggles floated in the air, swirling into one ear and out the other. Air rushed past me like the wind created by festival rides. Everything expanded into a wonderland, infecting my soul with joy that I hadn’t felt since I was with my family.

“Not even death,” I agreed. “You make this lone wolf feel like he belongs. Will you keep doing that?” I held the ring closer. “Will you marry me?”

A collective breath was being held right now. My chest heaved erratically, lungs frantically attempting to draw breath after breath. It was like all the air got sucked out of the room and I was waiting for a door or a window to be opened.

Just when I thought she would deny me, she slid her ring finger into the band and whispered, “Yes.”

Excitement exploded all around us. Cheers crowded my ears as I scooped Rose into my arms and swung her around, knocking my chair over. A dizzying array of feelings swelled inside me that I couldn’t even begin to identify. By the time I set my mate on the ground, she was crying excessively, tears streaming readily from her eyes.

She didn’t hide her sobs or hiccups. She didn’t try to hide her face or cover her eyes. She wore her tears proudly, smiling through it all, bearing her beautiful agony to the world.

And that made me soproud.

As I held her hand, I felt the very last pieces tick into place, the ring no longer burning when I touched it. I ran my thumb over it repeatedly as I imagined what my parents would think. And Lisette. Were the three of them watching us right now?

The chatter in the room died down, revealing thepopof a cork. Christopher poured mimosas at the bar and passed out the glasses. When the boy reached for one, he held up a finger and said, “No, Henry. You get the sparkling grape juice.”

Henry rolled his eyes but accepted the bottle from Christopher. “Geeze, you’re like my dad.”

“Actually, he’s more of a daddy,” Grunt commented.

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