Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 69734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“Lotta,” I choke.
She meets my gaze, and I see a storm of concern and regret in those beautiful blue eyes.
“And I asked for that information to be kept secret because I wanted him to have a chance to become something different, without that hanging over his head.”
I flinch.
Fuck. She was protecting me. My strong, beautiful, brave, brave mate. I hate myself for hating her.
I want to punch my own face in.
“But did anyone here step in to give him direction or help?” She scans the room with accusation.
I’m floored. Are they actually taking in her words?
“No. No, you just slapped a troublemaker label on him and assumed he’d grow up to be like his dad.”
A beat of silence punctuates the scolding, then Lotta waves a hand at the folder again. “You ignored the fact that his instincts come from kindness and compassion. A sense of protecting the weaker members of his pack–the people he cares about.”
I sink into my chair, not sure my legs will hold.
Lotta–my sweet mate–is defending me like no one in my life ever has.
She’s reframing my reality, same as Coach did, and damn, if I don’t want to live up to the potential they both see in me.
She nods. “Asher Martin is protective of me. I’m part of his pack. He defended me a few weeks ago when I was disrespected by a student, and he defended me this afternoon when I was being assaulted. He didn’t know until today what his dad tried to do to me, but I know he would’ve tried to protect me then, too.”
My nose and eyes burn, and I blink hard, looking at the floor.
“Asher is not a problem, he’s a hero. And if this council would actually recognize and bring out the potential of its young pack members, instead of shaming, pigeonholing, and threatening to throw them out, then more of us young people might be willing to stick around.” She sets her jaw and meets her mother’s gaze, and I want to clap my hands and cheer.
There is no slow-clap though. Alpha Green takes back his council meeting. “Thank you. We’ve heard enough,” he says to Lotta. “Wait outside.” He looks at me.
“Yes, Alpha.” I stand.
“I know you’ll do the right thing,” Lotta says loudly as she walks out ahead of me.
The moment I close the door behind us, I pull Lotta into my arms in a silent embrace. My nose burns, and my throat constricts. “Lotta,” I whisper-choke against her hair.
“I love you, Asher,” she whispers back.
I release her enough to cradle her face, tracing the curve of her cheeks with my thumbs. “I love you so much. I always have.”
Her eyes swim. “You know what?” Tears choke her voice. “Fuck it. Let me make this absolutely clear.”
She shoves the door to the council back open and grabs my hand, tugging me back in with her.
“I said wait outside,” the alpha booms.
Lotta is undaunted. “Just one more thing–Asher is my mate.” She holds up our joined hands. “So if he goes, I go. Just wanted to make that clear.”
Lotta
I fall back against the door laughing. Asher tugs me into his arms, kissing all over my face. He palms my ass, lifting me so my legs wrap around his waist as he deepens the kiss. We’re making out against the door to the council meeting that will determine our fate.
Both of our fates.
Because they are now forever intertwined.
“I want you to mark me,” I pant, rocking against the bulge in his jeans.
“Oh, I’m going to, sweetheart.” His tongue plunges into my mouth. He drags his open mouth across my jaw. “I’m going to mark the ever-living-fuck out of you.”
I laugh.
“I’m going to mark you with my teeth”–he bites my neck–“and my scent”–he slides one hand under my shirt to cup my breast–“and my cum.” His straining cock presses in the notch between my legs. “I’m going to mark you with my fingers.” Said fingers slide over my panties over the crack of my ass.
“Lotta.” He slows his movements and holds my gaze. “Baby, I’m so sorry about this morning. I’m really ashamed that I wolfed out and ran.”
I hold his face between my two hands. “No. Of course you did. You were shocked and upset.”
“Baby, no.” He leans his forehead against mine. We’re connected in so many places–hips, heads, hands, but most importantly–hearts. “You’re the one who has a reason and a right to be upset. I should’ve been there for you. I should’ve…held you.” He swallows. I sense the tension in his body. “I should’ve apologized.”
I get the feeling apologies don’t come easy for Asher.
“I already know you’re sorry,” I tell him. “I feel your suffering. I feel it like my own.” I slide my fingers through his golden waves. It feels so incredible to be aligned with Asher after all our messy prior attempts. We needed this crisis to bring us together. Make us realize what’s important and what isn’t.