Page 32 of Dancer's Heart

He hummed. “Wolves are all about the full moon.” He slipped an arm over her shoulders and hugged her a little closer. “We can make our own traditions. We’re already mated, but we can do something special that’s just for us when we’re married.”

“I’d like that.”

He turned off the truck and tipped her chin up. “You know I’d do anything for you. Whatever you want or need, it’s yours.”

“I feel like I’m dreaming sometimes. Like you’re too good to be true.”

“I feel that way sometimes, too. Fortunately we’re real.”

“I’m very glad about that.”

CHAPTERNINE

Adam rolled his shoulders after dropping a load of firewood for Alfonse, one of the retirees, into the firebox on Alfonse’s back porch. The older wolf grinned as he observed Adam. “Antsy, huh?”

“What?” Adam asked.

“You’re acting twitchy. I would have said it was because it’s the night of the full moon, but I have a feeling it’s because of your beautiful mate,” he said.

Adam chuckled. He’d been feeling like he could twitch out of his skin ever since he and Dani parted ways that morning. He and Jeremiah met with Dade and then began to deliver firewood, while Honey and Dani went to a craft store to buy yarn and run other errands for the retirees. He wished she was by his side, but he could admit that if he saw her right now, he’d probably throw her over his shoulder and carry her home so they could be alone.

“I’d say it’s a little of both,” he said.

“I remember what that felt like. It’s a potent combination: a full moon and a truemate.”

Adam agreed. Brushing the debris from his gloves, he said, “I’ll take a look at the filter on the furnace before I go. Did you see the cookies Dani had me bring? They’re on the counter.”

Alfonse smiled. “I already ate two. She’s a sweet kid, and you’re a lucky guy.”

“I never forget that.”

It felt like an eternity, but eventually Adam finished the wood hauling and met up with Jeremiah before heading home. Dani opened the front door. “It’s the full moon!” she said, doing a little dance and shaking her cute butt at him.

He ran up the sidewalk and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her into the house and kicking the door shut. “It sure is, sweetheart.”

“I can’t wait to be outside tonight.” She wrapped her legs around his waist and pushed at his coat until he was able to slide it off, one arm at a time, so he didn’t drop her. Her fingernails scraped lightly against the stubble on his cheeks. “I like this. Very sexy. My thighs are still tingling from when you woke me up this morning with your talented tongue.”

He grinned and nipped at her throat. “You smell so good in the morning, like melted peppermints.”

“I think you smell good, too. Especially when you’re turned on.”

He carried her into the bedroom, his thoughts on the short length of time before they had to arrive at the alphas’ for their joining ceremony. “We have to be quick.”

“Good thing I’m prepared,” she said as he laid her down on the bed and lifted her shirt, revealing that she wore nothing underneath.

Lowering his head to her bare stomach, he kissed her navel and inhaled her sweet scent. “Mine.”

* * *

Dani was excited and anxious about going to the alphas’ home. Adam could feel her nerves as she walked up the sidewalk next to him. “What’s making you so worried?” he asked in a low voice.

“I wonder what will happen when your people realize I’m a reindeer.”

“I think most everyone knows. You’ve been here for a few weeks, and you’ve met a lot of pack members. Word travels fast.”

She hummed, but said nothing.

Before he opened the front door, he pulled her close. She hugged him back immediately, sighing as they melted together in the way he loved the most. “You’re mine. The pack might not allow you to become a true member, but as my mate you fall under the alphas’ protection. Besides that, sweetheart, I’d never let anyone hurt you.”

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