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  He nodded to me, his mouth moving as he spoke to whoever was on the other end of the line. I nodded back and followed Gram into the holding room.

  As soon as I saw the bars, memories flashed in my mind. The ropes and Brayden’s bite on my shoulder.

  Unconsciously, I lifted my hand to my neck. The sensation of smooth skin beneath my fingers broke me from the overwhelming thoughts. Brayden was dead and I no longer carried his mark.

  But in destroying his wound, I’d also removed all traces of Lachlan from my flesh as well.

  That I regretted.

  A movement in the cell caught my attention and I stepped forward. Darrell sat on the cot in the corner, his eyes burning with rage and hatred.

  “So you survived after all?” he spat. “How lovely.”

  I grabbed a metal chair from against the wall and sat facing him, just out of his reach should he be stupid enough to try and stick an arm through the bars to get to me.

  “I did,” I replied, crossing my legs and resting my hands on my knees.

  We stared at each other until Darrell finally looked away.

  “Why are you here?” he asked.

  “You know why.”

  He briefly glanced at me out of the corner of his eye before resuming his study of the floor. “Your parents, you mean,” he mumbled.

  “Yes.”

  “And if I don’t tell you?”

  For the first time since we entered the room, my grandmother spoke. “You will. Eventually.”

  Her final word hung in the air, the threat it held clear. My grandmother disliked the use of torture, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t capable. She was well versed on a wolf’s body and the ability a shifter had to withstand pain. I didn’t want to know how she’d come by that knowledge, but I sensed it wasn’t from anything she’d read in a book. Information like that was cultivated through practice.

  Darrell shuddered then sighed. “The Kirkpatricks approached me and I agreed,” he answered.

  “I doubt it’s that simple,” I snapped back. “Start from the beginning.”

  Darrell’s eyes met mine for a moment. “Brayden Kirkpatrick came up here to propose a mating between the two of you. Specifically for political purposes. He wanted your parents’ approval and backing.” Darrell scoffed. “Why he thought your parents could bring you to heel, I’ll never know, but he was convinced that you would agree if they were on his side.”

  “And what did my parents say?” I asked, already knowing what the answer would have been.

  “No.” Darrell laughed harshly. “Not only did your dad say no, he smacked that pup a good one for even thinking about forcing you into a mating you didn’t want. He said forced matings were outlawed centuries ago and threatened to go to the Tribunal if the Kirkpatricks didn’t let the matter drop.”

  “And why did they come to you?” I asked.

  Darrell’s eyes lifted to mine, the malevolence in them making my flesh prickle. “They knew I wanted the pack,” he replied with a shrug. “It was a mutually beneficial arrangement. When your parents were out of the way, Brayden could make you his mate without worrying about retribution and I would have the pack.”

  Gram stepped forward, drawing even with the chair at my side. “Did they just assume I wouldn’t notice there was an problem?”

  Darrell laughed again, the sound rough and devoid of amusement. “Brayden was convinced that he could force Chloe to play along. Otherwise, he intended to do to you what we did to your son and his mate.”

  My grandmother’s growl rolled through the room, deep and intimidating. Even I slouched a little in my seat beneath the dominance she projected toward Darrell.

  “You’re a disgusting excuse for a wolf, Darrell Whelby,” she said, her voice deeper than usual. I knew she was holding on to her control by a thread.

  His expression said he knew it, but it also showed that he didn’t give a damn.

  “How did you find us?” I asked Darrell suddenly.

  Confused by my change of subject, he blinked as he turned toward me. “What?”

  “How did you find Lachlan and me after we left your cabin?”

  He smirked. “I wouldn’t have if you hadn’t gone grocery shopping in town.” He tapped his temple. “People owe me favors all over the state. They pay attention when I ask them to.”

  I glanced at my grandmother and knew she was thinking the same thing I was. We needed to find out exactly who his contacts were and take care of them.

  I rose to my feet, done with this conversation and with Darrell. “Enjoy Hell, Darrell. Be sure to give Brayden my regards.”

  I left the room, feeling his eyes on me the entire time. Gram followed me, her expression forbidding and cold.

  “We will mete out his punishment as soon as you’re well,” she promised.

  I shook my head. “Do it tonight. Or even now. He doesn’t deserve to breathe another minute for what he did.”

  “But you’re still weak,” she argued.

  I shook my head. “I killed the man responsible for the murder of Mom and Dad, Gram. Even if he didn’t do it himself, he set the plan in motion. I’ll leave Darrell to you and Brian Kirkpatrick to the Tribunal.” I cleared my throat. “But I do have one request.”

  She looked at me, waiting.

  “Allow the she-wolves he abused a chance to get their pound of flesh,” I stated.

  A slow, frightening smile crossed her face. “Why, that sounds like a fantastic idea,” she drawled.

  I shivered, uncertain what might be in store for Darrell, but whatever it was, I hoped it was excruciating and it lasted for days or even weeks. It was no less than he deserved.

  “I’m tired and I’d like to go back to the house and take a nap. I believe my grandmother would insist on it,” I said.

  Her eyes moved over my shoulder and an unreadable expression crossed her face.

  “You’re right, I do insist. Unfortunately, I have some things to discuss with Carter. You’ll have to get a ride back with someone else.”

  “I’ll take her,” a quiet voice offered behind me.

  I twisted around, already knowing who would be standing there by his scent. I’d smelled him as soon as we exited the holding room, but he hadn’t been in sight.

  Lachlan was a few feet away, his eyes glued to me, moving from my ponytail down to the slip-on sneakers I’d shoved on my feet earlier.

  “Make sure she eats again too,” Gram directed, heading in the direction of Carter’s office.

  I tried to ignore the awkwardness between us, but it was difficult. We’d agreed to see how things went after this was over, but now that it was done, I was uncertain.

  “My truck’s out front,” he said, gesturing toward the street.

  I nodded and walked outside, surprised when he opened my door for me, helping me into the cab though I was perfectly capable of getting in under my own steam.

  I watched him with narrowed eyes as he moved around the front and slid into the driver’s seat.

  “Buckle up,” he directed.

  I did as he said without argument. I stared unseeingly out the window as he reversed out of the parking spot and headed out of town. It wasn’t until we’d been on the road for nearly ten minutes that I realized we weren’t heading in the right direction.

  “Where are we going, Lachlan?” I asked.

  His face was grim when he answered, refusing to look at me. “We need to talk.”

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Lachlan

  My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly that the leather creaked ominously and the hard plastic beneath it compressed in my grip.

  Chloe stared out the window without speaking. Her skin was still paler than normal and despite all the food her grandmother and I had been shoving at her the past few days, she’d lost weight. All her energy had been directed toward healing the wound that Brayden Kirkpatrick inflicted.

  Last night I hadn’t been able to take it any longer. She moved and whimpered in her sle
ep and I knew she was having nightmares. I’d climbed into bed with her, wrapping her in my arms.

  I’d done it for selfish reasons as well. I needed her close to remind myself that she was really here, within reach. The past three days seemed surreal.

  I had a mate. Another mate.

  Finding one’s true mate over the course of a lifetime was amazing. Surviving their death even more difficult. But to have a second mate, it was a blessing beyond comprehension. It was rare. I’d only heard of a handful of wolves that had found a second mate after losing their first.

  Now I could count myself among them.

  I pulled down the drive that led to Darrell’s cabin. At my request, Calder and Mason had come to remove all the cameras, leave our bags, and fill the fridge. I fully intended to keep Chloe here with me until she was healed and acknowledged me as her mate. I wanted time with her, just the two of us. I also had her grandmother’s blessing.

  When I’d mentioned the idea, she said, “Don’t make any plans for a few weeks. That she-wolf is more stubborn than anyone I’ve ever met in my life.” Then she eyed me. “You know how to make pancakes? Because that’s one way to soften her up. She loves ’em.”

  Her eyes widened when my cheeks heated and I realized I was blushing for the first time in fifty years.

  “Well, isn’t that interesting,” she commented. “Don’t worry. I won’t come rescue her if that’s what you’re wondering.” Then she stared at me, her green eyes narrowing. “However, you will treat my granddaughter like a queen or you’ll answer to me.”

  I knew enough of Sophia MacArthur’s reputation to understand that she meant what she said. And that she was a damn sight scarier than her granddaughter.

  “I love her,” I stated. “All I want is for her to be happy.”

  “Then we’ll never have to have this conversation again,” Sophia said. “Because that means you’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.”

  Then she surprised me by giving me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Welcome to the family, Ian Lachlan. I couldn’t have picked a better mate for my Chloe.”

  With her approval, I’d gone about making my plans.

  Though, now that we were here, I wasn’t sure where to start or what to say.

  “Let’s take a walk,” I invited Chloe. “Sophia mentioned you’ve been antsy today. Then maybe you’ll sleep better when you take your nap.”

  She studied me for a long moment and I wondered what she was thinking. Since she’d woken up after nearly dying, Chloe had been different. Quiet and distant, as if part of her remained on the other side of the veil. It made something in my chest twist painfully.

  “Okay,” she finally agreed.

  I jumped out of the truck and rushed around to the other side before she even unbuckled her seatbelt. The look she gave me when I opened the door and helped her down clearly said that she thought I was nuts.

  I took her hand and led her around the cabin toward the trees, walking slowly so she wouldn’t push herself too hard to keep up.

  We didn’t speak, but she did leave her hand in mine, loosely gripping my fingers. I wanted to tighten my hold, to lace our fingers together, but I sensed that she would only withdraw if I tried to hold on too tightly.

  When we reached the clearing where we’d practiced sparring and made love only a week ago, I stopped. Somehow, it seemed right.

  I turned toward her. “How are you feeling?”

  Her eyes flicked up to mine. “Better,” she answered honestly. “I’m still tired a lot and hungry all the time, but the pain is almost completely gone. Just a twinge every now and then if I move too quickly or stretch too far.”

  I squeezed her hand gently. “I’m glad.” I hesitated before I asked, “Do you remember anything from when Finn and I found you?”

  She shook her head, her eyes gaining a faraway look. “No. I don’t remember anything after I passed out.”

  I sucked in a deep breath, my heart picking up speed in my chest. It seemed so much easier to say what I felt when I thought it would be my last chance.

  Then I realized that this still might be. My mark was gone from Chloe’s neck, the scar healed. She could reject me and move on. It would be over.

  My stomach felt hollow at the thought. I couldn’t lose her.

  I cupped her cheeks in my hands and laid my lips on hers, a light, nearly reverent kiss. Loose tendrils of her hair tickled my face and neck as the breeze blew through them. I’d grown to crave the peaches and honey scent that emanated from her skin under the warmth of the sun.

  Chloe’s hands came up to my wrists, holding me but not tightly. It was almost as if she felt the same fear I did—that the harder I tried to hold on, the faster she would slip through my fingers.

  I lifted my mouth from hers and looked down at her face. Her eyes were still closed and her cheeks finally had some color in them. Slowly, her lashes lifted until our eyes met.

  When she looked at me, all my fear vanished. This was right.

  “I love you, Chloe,” I murmured, brushing my lips against hers once again.

  Her eyes were dazed when I raised my head again, but they sharpened far quicker than I liked.

  “What did you say?” she breathed, her hands gripping my wrists tighter.

  “I love you, Chloe MacArthur, and you’re my mate.”

  She swayed against me and, for just a moment, I thought it was going to be that simple.

  Unfortunately, Chloe MacArthur was as unpredictable as I thought.

  She straightened her spine, backed out of my grasp, and stared up at me. Her eyes were level and nearly accusatory. “Why are you saying this?”

  “Because it’s true,” I replied.

  She shook her head. “You’re confused.”

  I took a step toward her and she retreated once more, keeping the distance between us the same. “No, I’m not, Chloe. For the first time in nearly two years, I’m seeing things clearly.” When I moved forward again, she repeated her withdrawal. “Why are you backing away from me?”

  “Because I don’t want you to touch me right now,” she shot back.

  Her words hurt at first until I looked at her hands. Chloe’s face might not give much away, but her hands were clenched in tight fists, the knuckles white, and tucked against her hips. She was distressed.

  “Why don’t you want me to touch you, Chloe?” I asked softly. “Is it because you’ll want to touch me back?” I lunged quickly, taking her hand in mine, and flattened her palm against my chest. “It’s okay. I want you to touch. I’ll always want your hands on me.”

  Her breathing grew rapid as her eyes stared at her palm against my sternum. “Don’t do this, Lachlan.”

  I could see the cracks in her composure. Something told me that I had to break through now before she had a chance to shore up her defenses.

  “When you’re touching me, you call me Ian,” I murmured.

  This brought her eyes to mine. “You hate it when people use your first name.”

  I inched closer. “I do.” Brushing the hair back from her face, I leaned closer. “Except when the person is you.”

  She stood perfectly still as I took another step forward, close enough that her hand was sandwiched between our chests, her palm still pressed to my heart.

  Chloe licked her bottom lip but didn’t take her eyes from mine. “You love me?” she asked.

  I nodded, lowering my head so my cheek brushed hers. “I do.”

  “But you didn’t want another mate—” she began.

  I sensed the tension creeping back into her body. “I changed my mind,” I interrupted. “But only if it’s you.”

  Her body shook against mine, as though she were fighting the urge to run or draw closer. I couldn’t tell which. “But Brayden’s mark—”

  Once again, I stopped her. “Is gone. Finn removed all traces. I can’t smell him on you any longer. Or me.” I ran the tip of my nose down her neck and felt her tremble again. “But I would like to change the las
t part.”

  “Lachlan,” she began.

  I kissed her then, not a gentle touch of my lips to hers, but a merging of mouths full of longing. My tongue slid into her mouth and she responded. Her fingernails dug into my chest and her other hand lifted to my shoulder, clutching hard.

  The more I kissed her, the more she gave me. Chloe’s body softened against mine, allowing me to gather her closer. I lifted her off her feet, still kissing her as her legs wound around my hips.

  Somehow I managed to carry her back to the cabin without walking into a tree or falling into a hole. I barely noticed the steps as I took them two at a time. The screen door banged against the wall as I fought to open the interior door, and then we were inside the cool, shadowed room.

  Without breaking the kiss, I moved straight to the bed and laid her down on the mattress.

  Only when my body pinned hers did I lift my mouth. The pink was back in her cheeks and her eyes sparkled in the familiar way I’d grown to love.

  “Please don’t make me live without you, Chloe MacArthur,” I pleaded. “I’m begging you.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chloe

  I looked up at Lachlan’s beloved face, so sincere, and raised my hand, tracing his cheekbone with the tips of my fingers.

  His eyes were so blue and warm. He was looking at me as if I were the only other person in the world.

  “What if you regret it?” I asked him, forcing myself to voice my deepest fears. “It’s forever, Lach. You’ll never be free of me.”

  His eyes closed at my words, as though they hurt him. When he lifted his lashes, my breath caught at the raw emotion in his gaze.

  “There is nothing to regret, Chloe. Not unless you don’t want me.”

  My throat constricted at his words. Of course I wanted him. I wanted to hold on to him and never let him go.

  “I—” I stopped and licked my lips, gathering my thoughts. “I do want you,” I whispered. “I have since…” I trailed off.