“Jensen, he fucking got in here – right under my nose. What have we learned about him?” My wolf was pacing, he was just as restless as me.
“Nothing – It’s like he’s a ghost. I’m not even sure his name is Dan.” Jensen shook his head.
Carly and Dylan emerged from the office, I immediately grabbed her – pulling her into my arms. She was my mate and I had failed to protect her.
“I’m sorry baby… I should have been out here with you.”
“Stop,” Carly pushed my chest, “don’t you dare blame yourself. This was not your fault. Paul, you can’t be with me every second.”
“Wanna bet? Carly – he’s crazy, and he’s after the only thing important in my life… You.”
She kissed me, erasing all my worry. “Let’s just figure out why he wants me or who he is. I will ask the registrar about him tomorrow at school – maybe they can tell me something.”
“Are you seriously thinking about going to school? Carly, you can’t it’s not safe.”
“Paul – he is not going to scare me away from school. I won’t let him. Besides, you can take me. I only have two classes, so you can just chill at the coffee shop if you’re ok with that.”
Dylan spoke up, “I think that’s a great idea. I also think you need to consider marking her Paul. You know once you claim her, she will be connected to us.”
“Look – I want to claim her, but not like this. I won’t let some jackoff push me into rushing things.”
“Fine… I get it – you don’t want to make this permanent in case you change your mind.”
“Wait,” I reached out and grabbed her arm as she tried to walk away, “you seriously think I don’t want this – forever? Damn it, Carly… that’s not it at all.”
“Well, what else could it be Paul. I asked you to mark me and you said no. It’s fine. Really.”
I didn’t want to do this here, but she needed to know that I wanted to forever. I dropped to my knee, “Carly, please stop.”
Spinning on her heel, “No Paul…” she saw me on the floor, “oh my god, what are you doing?”
“Carly – I wanted to wait. Give you time to see how much I wanted you. But I can’t live, thinking you doubt my love. Will you marry me?”
She gasped, Jensen clapped his hands behind her, Dylan smiled, “Carly, are you going to answer the man?”
“Paul – I… oh my god.”
I shifted nervously, “Look, I know its only been a few days. But I’ve known since the moment I met you, that you were my destined mate. I fought it – sparing you from the life of a shifter, but I know now that was wrong. We can have it all, together. Answer me… say you’ll be mine for eternity.”
I waited with baited breath, watching her shift on her feet. She glanced at Dylan who was nodding, “Carly?”
She looked at me, eyes filled with tears, “Yes Paul… Yes, I’ll marry you.”
I jumped up, lifting her off the ground as our lips slammed into each other. She was mine – and I would do whatever it took to protect her.
“Bout damn time!” Jensen whooped behind us, “Now, lets close shop and get home. We need to talk to the pack and make a plan. This dude needs to be brought down.”
We locked up shop and headed out. Jensen and Dylan got on his motorcycle, pulling out ahead of us. I handed Carly her helmet, “Here, strap this on babe.”
As she wrapped her body against mine, I cranked the bike. Pulling out of the parking lot I sensed another wolfen. My wolf howled, begging to be released to hunt. I gave a quick glance, not noticing anyone, I continued home.
As we pulled into the driveway, Carter, Chris, Jensen, Kai, and Dylan were already there waiting.
“Hey – everyone’s here. Roxy is inside as well. She wanted to help in any way she could,” Jensen walked towards the main house.
“Come on Carly,” I tugged her off the bike, “Let’s go make a plan.”
Carly sat in my lap, as we talked about Dan. Everyone was in agreement that I should go to school with her tomorrow – to protect her. We weren’t sure what he had planned, but we didn’t want to take any chances.
“So, I hear he popped the question.” Roxy reached for her hand, “What no ring?”
“It was kind of a spur of the moment thing. I didn’t have one with me.”
“Wait – you have a ring?” Carly pinned me with her eyes.
“Yes – I do. I bought it last year.”
“Wait… let me get this straight, you’ve had a ring for a year?” Kai spoke this time, “And you never made a move on her until now?”
“Yeah – that’s right. I needed to be sure she had a chance to live her life. But I realized we could have a life together.”
“Well – dude, why haven’t you given it to her yet?” Carter asked me.
I slipped her off my lap, placing her in the chair, “I’ll be right back.”
I left her sitting at the table, watching me as I walked through the door leading to my room in the basement. It didn’t take me long, I had it stashed in my top drawer. Grabbing the blue satin box, I rubbed the plush velvet between my fingers. I pushed the drawer closed, running up the stairs to my future.
“That was quick,” Carter chuckled.
I kneeled in front of Carly at the table, “I asked you once, and I was serious. Carly – will you be mine?”
“Yes. Paul – forever.”
The kitchen erupted into cheers, I took the ring out of the box and slipped it onto her finger. She slipped from the chair, kneeling on the floor with me. Wrapping her arms around my neck she leaned in and whispered into my ear, “Take me to bed.”
It was the only encouragement I needed. Standing abruptly, I almost knocked over the glasses on the table.
“We’re going to turn in now.”
“I bet,” Dylan chuckled.
“Carter, wanna go grab a beer?” Chris asked him as he stood.
“Nah, I need to talk with Kai,” he turned to her, “mind coming downstairs? I need to talk to you.”
“Umm – sure. See you guys tomorrow.” They walked down the basement stairs, pulling the door shut behind them.
W I exchanged a glance with Jensen, “You think he’s manning up and finally telling her?”
“God, I hope so. Those two are driving me almost as nuts as you two did. How about you Chris? You and Steph decide to take it to the next level?”
“We're just friends.”
“Friends with benefits,” Jensen laughed as he moved to walk out the front door, “Come on honey, let's go home and explore our benefits.”
“Fuck you, Jensen.” Chris laughed as he walked out behind us, “I’ll see you tomorrow – I’m going to grab a drink. Maybe ask around about this newcomer. Someone is bound to have seen him”
“Alright be careful.”
I shut the front door, turning to face my girl. “Let’s take this upstairs.” I didn’t need to ask twice, Carly laced her fingers with mine, dragging me up the stairs behind her.
“Make love to me as your fiancé, Paul.”
I pushed the bedroom door closed, locking it behind me.
“Oh, I plan too baby. You ready?”
“I was made ready for you.”