Carly shook her head effusively. “No if it weren’t for Deanna we would have been.” Carly placed a hand on Deanna’s arm. “Thank you.”
Deanna gave them a weak smile. “Just doing my job.”
The little bobcat was still shaken with having taken a life. She knew she had to do it but it was still jarring and difficult to come to terms with. Carly’s soothing presence was certainly helping though.
“What did Carly do?” Asked Gabe curiously. He liked Carly but she could hardly be considered intimidating. She would be the last person Gabe would want in his corner during a fight.
Carly blushed. “It was nothing…”
Kira interrupted her. “Carly manipulated Joseph and the Alpha into attacking each other. They were so focused on hating each other that they ignored us. Carly you’re a freaking rock star!”
Alec cocked his head on one side and gave Carly a steady gaze. “I’m impressed you were able to manipulate an Alpha.”
Carly shrugged but anyone could see she was a little pleased by the compliment. “He wasn’t that much of an Alpha. I could never do that to you Adam or even you Alec, not that I would ever try! But they were a little more susceptible.”
Adam gave Carly’s shoulder a squeeze. “Well done… but just don’t try anything like this again.”
Carly grimaced. “No worries there, this was just a little too exciting for me.”
After a lengthy hug from Kira and Carly Deanna was driven home by Alec. Carly, although she tried to hide it, was pretty upset by the evening’s events too, and Adam insisted she spend the night at his house so Rosalee could fuss over her.
Kira called Lilah again who insisted she was fine. Felicity had called her mate Esther over to spend the night, just in case any of the Charming pack got it into their heads to try anything else. Three she-wolves and a she-bear should act as a deterrent. Jolene’s little house was pretty much full, so that just left the question of where Kira should sleep…
When they were finally alone in Gabe’s car Kira kissed her mate deeply and shocked him with her proclamation. “I want to bond.”
Gabe blinked at her. “We will I…”
Kira placed her fingers on his lips. “No I want to bond now.”
Gabe looked at her uncertainly. “Are you sure…”
“Yes! I’ve been thinking of it all day but after what happened… I could have been hurt. I could have been killed.” Tears started welling up in her eyes. “I mean I’m trying to put on a brave face but all I can think about is that I could have died without ever seeing you again, without ever bonding with you. And it scares the hell out of me. I love you.”
“I love you too, and I want to bond with you more than anything.”
She narrowed her eyes. “But…”
His wolf howled in delight. “No buts. No excuses. No more hesitating. I want you woman. Now!”
Kira barked out a laugh. “Woman? I don’t know, you actually seem kind of bossy… maybe I’ve changed my mind.”
Gabe’s eyes flashed to amber and he beamed a gorgeous smile at her. “The hell you have!”
He pulled her in for a thorough kiss before driving home as quickly as the falling snow would allow. Kira stared out the window in giddy excitement as her wolf yipped happily.
*
When they arrived at Gabe’s house they quickly shucked out of their warm coats, boots and socks. Kira half expected him to throw her over his shoulder and carry her to the bed before ripping her clothes off. But he didn’t.
Gabe wrapped her in his arms and crushed his mouth to hers. He nibbled on her bottom lip until she opened for him, dipping his tongue in her mouth gently tasting and teasing her. She melted against him and smoothed her hands down the taut muscles of his back.
Gabe planted feathery kisses over her cheeks before moving down to her neck. He ran his hands down her soft curves and rested on her rounded ass. He nipped her neck with blunt teeth and she shivered in his arms. Kira mewled as he drew away from her body.
He smirked. “Come on, it’s getting cold. I’ll light a fire.”
Knowing the cold weather was imminent Gabe had prepared and stocked up on food, drink and firewood. It occurred to him that they could stay locked in his house for days. That thought was very appealing…
Kira leaned against the door jamb and enjoyed watching his tight backside as he leaned over to pick up firewood. Damn he was fine. She blinked as she realized he was looking at her smugly.
“Huh?”
He snickered. “If you’ve finished enjoying the sights why don’t you open up a bottle of wine?”
Kira stuck out her tongue and ambled back to the kitchen ignoring his peals of laughter. She returned with a bottle and glasses to find him knelt stoking the fire. He had spread a blanket on the floor; she sat down next to him and poured them each a glass.