Winter Wolf(73)

“We’re mated, Kat. It was going to happen eventually and it’s not like I can just nip to the shop in-between a war.”

Katalina laughed quietly. “Okay. Kiss me.”

“As you wish, my Winter Wolf,” he said with a mischievous smile.

That night with the winds howling, promising a storm, Katalina lay down staring into the dark eyes of her Shadow Wolf. His hands explored her slowly, with a gentleness he possessed only for her. His kisses urgent, wanting, but each one voiced a silent proclamation of his love. And with each kiss, each lingering touch, he mapped out the story of their hearts.

*****

Katalina opened her eyes to dim light filtering through the window. She had a clear view outside as they'd fallen to asleep with the curtains open.

She turned slightly, moving her body just a fraction so not to wake Bass. His limbs tangled around hers; his arms a protective cage. The warmth from his bare skin seeped into her, like the most intimate blanket.

She sighed, closing her eyes briefly as the memories of the night before drifted through her mind like the sweetest of dreams. She felt different this morning, like last night had been the final step in forever sealing Bass to her soul.

She smiled, clinging to the happiness and love swirling through her blood. She never wanted this feeling to end. She wanted to lie with Bass forever, safe in his arms. Watching him sleep, relaxed and peaceful, he wore no mask. No shifter politics clouded his eyes. At that moment, he was just Bass, her Shadow Wolf. It was just the two of them: the Shadow Wolf and the Winter Wolf.

His eyes opened slowly, his long lashes casting shadows as they lifted. Dark pools stared at her, drank her in.

“Hey,” his voice, the softest caress.

“Hi.” She couldn't keep the silly smile from her face.

“You look happy.”

“I am. The happiest.”

“You are so beautiful,” he whispered, kissing her shoulder.

She felt heat flood her cheeks.

“And very cute when you blush,” he continued.

“Stop it,” she laughed.

They paused at the sound of the door opening and closing downstairs. Muffled voices whispered toward them.

“What time is it?” Bass asked her.

“Sixish. Seems earlier because of the snow, I think.”

Bass glanced toward the window. “Brilliant,” he muttered. The snow fell fast and unrelenting, blocking the sky in a blanket of ever moving white. “I suppose we should get up,” he said.

“No, not yet, please. Let me bask in this moment a little longer.”

He smiled wickedly, rolling on top of her. “A little longer,” he murmured. He kissed and nipped down her neck, and for a little while longer, Katalina didn’t think of what lay ahead. All thoughts left her, until the feel and touch of Bass consumed her.





Chapter 29




Katalina stood on the porch with Bass and Jackson. The three of them looked at the snow soundlessly falling. Like a million frozen feathers floating to the earth, the snow built layer by layer, and with each layer, came more dread.

“Are you sure we can’t just go tomorrow?” Katalina asked.

“No, Kat, my father will know about me ordering his men away. The longer he waits for me, the greater his anger will become.”

“Don’t worry, Kat. I’ll protect you.” Jackson said to her, he patted her on the shoulder, but Katalina pulled away.

“It’s not me I’m worried about.” She barely contained the anger sitting on within her chest, making her wolf restless.

Bass stood in front of her, momentarily blocking her from the weather. “I promise you, we’ll get through this.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Bass. The best outcome for today is killing your father, and that isn’t an outcome I’m very happy about,” she answered glumly, wishing there was some way this could end differently.

“He may listen.”

“Yes and you sound so convinced of that,” she muttered.

“Maybe she should stay here,” Jackson suggested.

“Maybe you should stay here,” she spat, glaring at him over Bass’s shoulder. “Surely, you’ll just be considered a threat?”

“Do not forget, daughter of mine, you are River Run, too.”

Bass took hold of her hands. She pulled her eyes away from Jackson and tried to rein in her temper. “He needs to come to confirm he is willing to allow peace, and I need to know someone else is there watching your back. We are going to be surrounded by Dark Shadow. If something happens to me, I need to know you will be safe.”

“You just promised me everything was going to be all right,” she pointed out.

“It is,” he confirmed. She opened her lips to argue but he closed his mouth over hers, her muffled words getting lost in their mingled breaths.