Wes watched Dakota move around the room, naked, illuminated by the early morning sun streaming through the windows, and all he could think was, how did I get so lucky?

There were still things he and Dakota had to talk about and work through, but saying his piece last night had gone a long way in clearing the air and letting each other know where they stood. One thing couldn’t be argued, though – he and Dakota made a hell of a team.

And I don’t want it to end with Elias, Wes found himself thinking.

And once his mind went down that path, the gears started turning, and he got up from the bed, sighing to himself. He would much rather spend a lazy day in bed with Dakota, but that really wasn’t an option at the moment.

Not when Elias was still busy using spells he had no business using.

Wrapping herself in a robe, Dakota turned on her laptop and sat down at the table, smiling to Wes when she noticed him climbing out of bed.

“So, research time?” Wes asked.

“No time like the present,” she shrugged. “I only brought one computer, though.”

“Then I’ll help by getting you some coffee and maybe a donut or two?” Wes arched a brow at her while looking around for his jeans.

The tux Dakota had gotten him was very nice, but he couldn’t wait to get back into his regular clothes. He wouldn’t have minded if Dakota kept wearing that green dress every day, though.

“Make it three,” she grinned.

Walking over, Wes placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned down to plant a quick kiss on her cheek. She leaned into it, covering his hands with hers, and let out a soft sigh.

“I could get used to waking up with you, you know,” she smiled.

“Go right ahead,” he grinned. “I can’t promise donuts every time, though.”

“Hmm,” she murmured. “Then I might have to reconsider.”

Chuckling to himself, Wes kissed the top of her head before going over to his bag and pulling on a fresh shirt. Standing near the doorway, he looked over at Dakota before leaving, her focus already fully on the screen in front of her.

With a crease between her brows and her damp curls falling down her back, just the sight of her was so familiar to him now, it was like he had known her for years instead of days.

Nothing had really changed between them since last night, yet everything was different. She knew how he felt, and vice versa. All the rest was just details. Now that he had found his mate, Wes was going to hold on to her at all costs.

Come what may, the thought to himself as he closed the door behind him.

* * *

Down in the lobby of the hotel, Wes set two coffees and a box of donuts down on the small table in the sitting area and sank into a velvet armchair, his lips pursed. After a couple of seconds, he got out his phone, and dialed Tate’s number.

Talking to his Alpha had been long overdue, and now that he and Dakota were getting so close to Elias, Wes felt Tate deserved an explanation. It was time to put the pack’s mind fully at ease – Dakota was one of the good guys.

And then there was the other thing Wes needed to discuss with Tate…

“Wes, finally,” Tate’s voice came through the speaker after only a couple of rings. “You are really bad at checking in, you know that?”

“I know,” Wes sighed.

“Last I heard, you were attacked by a demon. You can’t leave us hanging like that,” Tate carried on, but his tone was more relieved than anything. “How are things?”

“We’re close to getting this Elias guy,” Wes replied. “Once we get a location, we’re going to put a stop to his little extracurricular activities.”

“We as in you and Dakota?”

“Who else?” Wes asked.

“I just mean, are you absolutely sure she has your back?” Tate questioned.

“I’m sure,” Wes replied, working hard to keep his irritation from coloring his tone.

It wasn’t surprising Tate would still be somewhat suspicious. He didn’t know Dakota like Wes did, after all. Still, it was hard to have someone question her motives when he knew with everything in his being he could trust her with his life.

There was a long pause before Tate said anything else.

“And once you get the books back?” he finally asked.

“We destroy them,” Wes answered, shrugging to himself.

“And Dakota doesn’t want to preserve her father’s collection?”

“She knows they are too dangerous to keep around. This whole thing has proven that,” Wes replied steadily, even as his grip around his phone tightened.

“You’re awfully sure of that,” Tate remarked.

“And I have good reason,” Wes replied, taking a breath before carrying on. “Dakota is my mate.”

That statement was followed by an even longer pause. A big part of Wes didn’t really care what anyone thought of his relationship with Dakota, but the wolf inside him still craved his Alpha’s approval. And he definitely didn’t want to leave things on a bad note with his pack. He owed them everything.

“And before you ask anything else, yes, I’m sure. As sure as you are about Tessa,” Wes said, as the silence stretched on.

“Damn,” Tate said, letting out a low whistle. “Then I guess congratulations are in order,” he added with a small laugh. “It’s a wild ride, brother.”

“Yeah, tell me about it,” Wes chuckled. “But that’s why I can tell you she is exactly who she said she was. I know it. My wolf knows it. And we make a great team, Tate.”

“Hey, the less demons there are out there, the better,” Tate replied. “You two just keep up the good work and I’ll see you when you get back to Pinedale.”

“And that’s something I also wanted to talk to you about,” Wes quickly chimed in, his insides churning with both apprehension and excitement. “I don’t think I am coming back to Pinedale.”

The words were surprisingly tough to say out loud, especially to Tate. It was Tate’s father who let Wes even stay with the pack in the first place, and Tate himself had been nothing but a friend.

“Ah,” Tate replied. “Dakota’s got you appreciating a life of adventure, huh?” he asked, his tone more cheerful than Wes would have expected.

“I feel like maybe this is what I was always meant to do,” he admitted. “I never did feel like I was… you know, at the right place.”

“Well, meeting your mate does tend to put things into different perspective,” Tate said. “Just don’t rush into anything. And know that whatever you end up doing, you’ll still have a home in Pinedale. I know your story, kid, and I get it, but you’ll always have us.”

“Thank you, brother,” Wes replied, feeling like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, the horizon opening up to him with each breath he took now. “I’ll let you know once we retrieve the books.”

“All right. Take care,” Tate said before hanging up.

Wes sat in the lobby for another minute, letting it all settle in. This was a big decision he was making, with far-reaching consequences, not to mention the danger that came along with messing with the supernatural.

But in the end, it wasn’t a tough call. All he had to do was listen to his intuition to know he was taking the right path. Gathering up the coffee and donuts, he entered the elevator and rode up to his floor. Strolling to the end of the hallway, he opened the door to find Dakota pretty much as he had left her.

She glanced up when he walked inside, her frown deeper than before and her lips in a grim line.

“You found something?” Wes immediately asked, walking over to her.

“Yes,” she replied. “More than I bargained for.”