At the sound of Taran’s name, the wolf averted his gaze toward the backwoods, the opposite direction from where my sister waited. “Gemini…”

Aric placed his hand on the small of my back. “Celia, let’s go inside and get cleaned up. You need to rest.”

He placed his hand on the knob and muttered, “Pace.” “Peace” in Italian was our new key that gave us access to the wards. Tahoe’s head witch, the unfairly attractive Genevieve, had also granted my sisters and their wolves the power word to allow us through the wards. Only our voices could open them. It was an expensive key, but seeing how easily Anara had acquired the last key, Aric didn’t mind shelling out the cash to keep us safe.

The wards buzzed then opened, allowing him through. He waited at the threshold and extended his hand, but I wasn’t ready to step through. “I want my sisters home.” My stare cut briefly to Gemini’s wolf.

Aric understood my request. “Gemini, tell them to head back now.”

The black wolf bowed his head, signaling that his human half had heard Aric’s order. I thought he’d leave except then Aric turned to address our snow-white wolf. “Heidi, help escort them to the house and keep them safe.”

Heidi took off like a bullet. Danny, our unique blue merle werewolf, watched her disappear.

“My apologies, Dan,” Aric said when Danny whined. “I don’t mean to separate you from your mate.”

He hadn’t given the same thought to Gemini and Taran. “Pace,” I muttered. I stepped into the house when the wards hummed and opened once more, permitting me access.

I waited until we were in our suite to speak quietly. “Why is he acting this way?”

Aric adjusted the temperature in the shower and pulled me in with him when I dropped the quilt away from my body. He knew I was referring to Gemini and took his time answering. “He’s having a rough time with what happened to Taran.” He rubbed his soapy hands over my body while I washed my hair.

Pink water swirled around the rust-colored tiles at my feet. I was bloodier than I thought. Aric leaned forward so I could scrub the muck from his thick dark hair. “Taran’s having a rough time, too. It was her limb.”

Aric squared his jaw as we rinsed off. When we stepped out of the shower he reached for a towel and dried off my body while I added leave-in conditioner to my curls and scrunched them with a smaller towel. “She’s his mate, and he was supposed to protect her,” he said quietly.

I watched him sweep the thick cotton towel along my skin as the steam from our hot shower dissipated. His touch wasn’t sexual. Not then. He meant to care for me. I knew him well enough to recognize his beast was still pacing within him, anticipating the next attack. Bathing me and showing me love through his gentle caress helped soothe his wolf. I didn’t mind. Too many circumstances had forced Aric and me apart. His affection meant he was here, and promised that he wouldn’t leave me. Not like before.

He reached for a bottle of lotion and warmed it with his hands before massaging it into my skin. I reached and did the same. My hands spread the lotion across his chest once I finished off his back. His supernatural skin didn’t need it, and was naturally soft and silky without it, but I liked feeling close to him, too.

The back door opened. Aric’s tense body relaxed when the voices of our loved ones filled the kitchen. “They’re back,” he said. “All of them. Even Taran and Gemini.”

“I know.” I heard Taran bark out a swearword before her footsteps stormed in the direction of her bedroom and the door slammed. Gemini said something about returning shortly before the front door opened and then closed almost inaudibly.

My gaze traveled up to meet Aric’s. He shook his head. The quiet that stretched between us demonstrated that he didn’t want to discuss the actions of his best friend and Beta. Problem was, Taran was my sister, and I didn’t like what was happening between them. “What happened to Taran wasn’t Gem’s fault.”

“He didn’t cause the harm. But he was at fault for allowing it to happen.” Aric knelt before me and kissed my lower belly where the scars were at their thickest. “No harm is to come to our mates.” His voice tightened. “Especially in our presence.”

I clutched his head against me. We weren’t talking about Taran and Gemini anymore. Aric’s sadness fueled mine, but I forced it back. We’d shared enough pain for the day. “We’re getting married,” I murmured.

He paused, and I sensed his mood lift slightly. He held tight to my hips as he glanced up at me, smiling. “You have any idea how happy that makes me?”

I was tired and hungry and sore. But I needed to show him how happy his proposal had made me. “Why don’t you show me?” I purred.

He rose slowly, keeping his eyes locked on mine as I led him into the bedroom and onto our bed.

Chapter 3

The scent of bacon stirred me from sleep the next day. Everyone has their alarm clock. Bacon’s mine. I smiled, picturing my inner beast bat her tail from side to side, but it was Aric’s caress that encouraged me to open my eyes.

He wrapped his arm around my waist and traced a line of kisses along the sweep of my neck while maintaining the spooning position we’d fallen asleep in. I purred softly, inciting his touch by sliding my backside against him. I startled when something very hard poked my very soft parts, laughing when he did. Yes, Aric was definitely awake and very happy to find me lying naked beside him.

His tongue teased and played, licking my skin until he reached the sweet spot behind my ear. He focused his attention there, nibbling, and knowing it drove me wild. My purrs deepened and grew more impassioned, stirring his beast and causing the scent of his arousal to gather around us.

Need claimed us both, making us eager to please. I kept our position and reached between our bodies, searching until I found what I was looking for. His breath hitched when I stroked, my grasp firm, my movements sure, exactly how Aric liked it.

I had his attention, and he most certainly had mine.

Voices wafting from the kitchen reminded me we weren’t the only ones awake. I struggled to stay quiet, but Aric reveled in the sounds of our lovemaking. He didn’t want me silent, he wanted me loud, and did his damnedest to entice me to scream.

I grunted when his hand slipped between my legs and rubbed, his fingers immediately hitting their mark. My head lolled to the side and my lids fluttered. I clenched my jaw, fighting to hush my growls, but it was useless. Aric knew where to touch me, how to touch me, always.