Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 129756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 649(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 649(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
“The numerous texts I received from my pride mates this morning, asking how I was feeling. Many of them are also fishing for details on whether or not you stayed.”
Marveling at how it didn’t feel the slightest bit weird or awkward to be waking and spending his morning with Mila, he said, “Taryn, my Alpha female, wanted to know if you were okay and whether you’d accepted that you’re mine. The pack is going to want to meet you.” He splayed his hand on her thigh. “I want them to meet you.”
“I can’t tonight. We’re invited to my parents’ home for dinner.”
“Sounds good.”
“You say that now. But my mother’s brothers will be there.”
Dominic’s eyes widened. “More wolverines? Excellent.”
Mila shook her head in disbelief. “Yeah, you definitely have some screws loose.”
“Will they be pissed to hear that there’ll be no arranged mating?”
“Don’t know.” She gave him a patronizing smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you from them.”
“Good of you.” Tracing the brand on her neck, he asked, “How do you think your pride will feel about this?”
“Probably glad, since it means I won’t be moving to Russia. None of them were happy about it. My parents will no doubt be ecstatic that their little plot to get us together worked. They think you’re the shit. Honestly, I was surprised they didn’t change their minds about you after seeing that long list of names in the online article.”
He winced. “Makes me look like a player, doesn’t it?”
“You’re not a player. You didn’t play anyone. You just did your best to keep people at bay. One day, when you’re ready, you’re gonna tell me why.” It was a statement, but it held no pressure.
He squeezed her thigh. “Yeah, one day.”
“I noticed Charlene was on that list.” She sipped her coffee. “That explained a few things.”
He frowned. “What things?”
“You know, that she feels she has some sort of . . . well, I wouldn’t say claim to you, but there’s a little possessiveness there.”
Dominic shook his head, having never picked up on such a thing. “She’s mated.”
“Like you once said to me, just because someone is imprinted on another doesn’t mean they can’t still have lingering feelings for someone they were previously involved with. You were once involved with Charlene.” Mila took another drink from her cup. “She has a proprietary note to her voice when she talks about you.”
His hackles rising for a reason he couldn’t quite explain, Dominic narrowed his eyes. “And she talked to you about me?”
Mila nodded. “A few times.”
“Saying what, exactly?”
“The first night you spoke to me at the club, she later warned me in a very friendly way that I wouldn’t get a happily-ever-after from you. You know, like she was just looking out for me. The day after she caught us coming out of that little alcove where you’d kissed me, she sent me a text—I’m guessing she got my number from the employee files or something—saying that she’d heard about the jackal attack, hoped I was okay, and that she was very thankful that you had been there to intervene. She then cautioned me to remember that you were a ladies’ man, and I shouldn’t read anything into your concern for me. Said she believed the only person you’d ever commit to would be your true mate.”
Motherfucker. Confused as to why the fox would interfere like that, Dominic shook his head. “Charlene knows I’ve never been eager to find my true mate. At one time, she was very much the same, which was why I was comfortable having a brief fling with her as opposed to a one-night stand. I knew she wasn’t somebody who’d read anything into it.”
“Why did you end it?” asked Mila, putting her empty cup on the coffee table.
“I didn’t. She did.”
“Did you object?”
“No. I had no reason to. There was nothing between us.”
Mila couldn’t help but wonder if maybe Charlene had wanted him to object. Maybe the fox had hoped that by pulling away from him, she’d spur him into pushing for more. “How did you feel about her imprinting on someone else?”
“Happy for her. I thought of her as a friend, nothing more.” Setting his cup on the coaster on the coffee table, he added, “She tried discouraging me from pursuing you. When she mentioned over the phone yesterday that I hadn’t been to the club, she assumed I’d given up on you, and she seemed pleased by it. Said I was too old to be chasing skirts.”
“Maybe she’s just looking out for you in her way and wants you to find someone you can settle down with—someone not me. People often aren’t fond of pallas cats.”
“Well, I’m very fond of my cat.” Dominic lifted her and sat her on his lap to straddle him, marveling at how she seemed to fit there just right. As she went lax against him, he smoothed his hands up her back. “Very, very fond.” He kissed her, licking into her mouth. Feasting and savoring until his head spun with her taste. “I shouldn’t have pulled back from you and put distance between us.”