My eyes flutter open, and I immediately think that last night was all a dream. But reality comes back to me in a rush when I feel his arms wrapped around me so tightly. I’m surprised I can still breathe. This all seems so unreal. Turning, I look at the man who worshipped my body all night like I was the most precious thing that ever existed. He acted like if he let go of me for even a moment I might disappear.

He looks so much more relaxed in sleep. Reaching up, I run my finger down the side of his hard jaw. His eyes open, looking into mine. He’s so quickly become everything to me. How can this be? How can I feel something for someone I didn’t even know existed before yesterday?

“What are you?” I whisper the question like it’s a secret we can’t say too loudly. Maybe it is.

“I’m yours.” His words come out deep and raspy.

I smile at the simplicity of it. “You make it sound so easy,” I tell him. He pulls me even closer to him, wrapping his body around mine as he presses his face into my neck.

“It wasn’t easy. I’ve been waiting for what feels like forever for you,” he murmurs against my skin, making my heart ache for him. He sounds so alone. I know the feeling.

He start placing kisses along my neck. They are playful and light, and the feeling makes me giggle.

“You’re so soft. I didn’t know something could feel this good,” he says, pulling back to look at me. His eyes flash a honey gold before returning to their usual dark brown. It should scare me, but it doesn’t. I know the beast that lurks beneath the surface is gentle and wants to be close to me, too.

My stomach rumbles, reminding me I haven’t eaten. Concern flashes across his face, and he emits a small growl. “I haven’t fed you.” He growls again, and I think he actually might be growling at himself.

He pulls me from bed and tosses me over his shoulder. I drag the sheet with me, unsure of where we are going.

“Where are you taking me?” I ask, but get distracted by his backside. He really is all muscle.

He doesn’t answer, but a moment later I’m being placed on a counter. I wrap the sheet around me and watch as he starts to pull things from the refrigerator, completely naked. I didn’t know someone so big could move so easily.

“You’re a shifter?” I ask, already knowing the answer to the question.

“I am now that you’re here. I’ve been waiting for you to save me for a long time.”

He sets down the container in his hand and comes to stand between my legs. I spread them wide to make room for him. “People in my pack call me alpha, but I was unable to lead. Until you, I had never fully transformed.”

“What am I?” I think about the mark he left on my thigh.

“You’re his mate.” At the sound of Mr. Blackden’s voice Reid spins around and snarls loudly. He widens his stance, blocking me from the other man’s line of sight.

“Calm, alpha. I’m only here to leave this.” I look around Reid to watch Mr. Blackden place a small box on the counter. Reid moves to grab it, opening the box. He looks down, and his whole body freezes.

“What is it?” I ask, trying to see why it feels like time has stopped.

“Where did you get this?” Reid asks Mr. Blackden.

“It’s hers.” Reid turns to look at me, and I see what’s in the box. My ring. “It’s how I knew she was yours.”

“My ring.” I try to jump off the counter, but Reid stops me. His free hand grasps my hip to keep me in place.

“Careful, little lamb. Don’t want you to hurt yourself.” He wraps his arm around me, pulling me from the counter and putting me on my feet.

“Leave. I need more time. I don’t think I’m stable, and I don’t like you even near her right now. My wolf wants out,” Reid says to Mr. Blackden.

“Alpha,” Mr. Blackden says before lowering his head and turning to leave.

Reid then picks me up, making me squeal out in surprise. He carries me out of the room, and before I know it, I’m back on my feet again in what looks like an office. I gasp as I look around and take it in. Hundreds of drawings of my ring litter the room. It’s as if he’s been drawing it over and over again.

“You drew these,” I whisper, looking around the room in shock.

“I can’t seem to stop drawing them. I started to dream about the ring.” He walks over to me and drops down to one knee. “I’ve been waiting my whole life to do this.” He slides the ring onto my finger.

“This is crazy,” I say in awe.

“No, this was fate. You were meant for me as I am meant for you.”

“You’re right. I feel it. I love you more than anything, I don’t care if it’s crazy fast.” My grandparents fell in love in a day, after all. He grabs my hips, pulling me into him as his mouth comes to mine in a soft possessive kiss.

“Love is simple,” he says, rubbing his nose against mine. “It’s a tale as old as time.”