Cyndi jerked back, breathless, excited and with recognition in her eyes. Mitch paused, his eyes searching hers as she reached for his face. “I get it now . . . I understand.”
“You do?”
“Yes.” She smiled, placing her hand over her heart. “I feel it, in here.”
His huge hand covered hers, his eyes crinkling at the sides as he grinned. “At last, my beauty, at last. I’m so happy . . . no, I’m beyond happy. There’s no word to describe how I feel right now. I promise you that I’ll always be there to look after you, Cyndi. I won’t let anyone harm you, ever. I’ll protect you, provide for you, and I’ll cherish you until my dying breath . . . and beyond.”
With each word that fell from his mouth her heart beat faster, her eyes filling up with tears as her emotions ran away with her. Mitch dipped his head forward, kissing the few errant drips that broke free to run down her cheek. “Aww, sweetheart, don’t cry. This is supposed to be the happiest day of our lives. The day we find each other is the day that our hearts soar to the clouds, not one where tears are allowed to fall.”
“I’m overwhelmed . . . again.” Cyndi smiled, bumping foreheads. “This time it’s with happiness and yeah, I’m still a little scared about it all. I’m afraid my brain is running far too fast and I’m overthinking things.”
“Like what?” Mitch settled back, tucking her head against him.
“Everything.” Cyndi ran her fingers across his chest, reveling in the feel of his muscles beneath her touch. Dang, he was hard and she wondered what he looked like naked . . . whoa!
“Everything? That takes in an awful lot. World peace, famine . . .”
Cyndi swatted him, shaking her head. “Don’t get smart. I mean about us, silly. I don’t do well with change and thinking of moving is scary, and you’ve got your own Healer. She might not want to take me on as a trainee and I don’t want to do anything else. I enjoy what I do and—”
Mitch interrupted, his finger landing on her lips. “Shush, we can discuss it and decide what’s best. First thing is, and I mean this, Cyndi . . . if you really don’t want to move Packs then I’ll ask Chad if I can stay here, after I request Jonson to be released from my duties, of course. If you decide that you would like to try my Pack, then I’ll contact Jonson to talk to our Healer. If she’s not willing to take you on, then the decision to move is a moot point . . . we’ll stay here. Simple. All right? Or if those solutions don’t suit you then just tell me what does and we’ll work with that.”
Cyndi shook her head, amazed at what he’d just said. He’d met her only a few short hours ago and he was declaring he’d change his entire life . . . just for her.
“Are you for real? You’d do that for me?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Mitch tilted his head, honey eyes scrutinizing her and she noticed flecks of gold for the first time as he stared at her. “Of course I would. You’re my mate. I’d do whatever it takes to make you happy. My one and only purpose is to look after you. It’s in my DNA, Cyndi. As soon as your scent hit me I went into mating mode and from that second on you became my top priority. Your happiness, wellbeing, and protecting you is all I care about. It’s much stronger right now because I’ve only just found you, but you’ll always be my first priority, beauty. If that means I move here, then so be it.”
“But you’re Beta in your Pack. That position is taken here . . . won’t that cause you a problem?”
“I can’t say it will be easy.” Mitch smirked. “I admit, I like being Beta but if it’s required then I’ll have to . . . suck it up.”
She could see it in the way he held his body taut. He would not like giving up his position as Beta. But she also saw the truth in his words . . . he’d do it for her. That realization hit her like the proverbial ton of bricks, her breath whooshing out of her as the enormity of his feelings . . . and hers crashed into her. She could now feel the tendrils of their mating taking root, winding around inside her and she now sensed his growing love for her. It was reaching out to her, searching for her, imploring her to grasp onto him and return his heartfelt plea.
Although his features were stoic with no sign of his inner turmoil, she could feel it as surely as if he were yelling it from the rooftops. The moment seemed to freeze in time, their heart syncing to beat as one and Cyndi answered his silent call. No words passed between them, her eyes softening as she focused on showing him that she too felt the mating call . . . that she felt him reaching for her, heart, body, and soul.
Her fingers softly cupping his cheek as his mirrored hers, his eyes swirling with a host of emotions as they sat silently for several moments until finally he leaned forward, his forehead bumping hers. “I hear you, my mate, I hear you.”
“I hear you too, my mate,” she whispered in return, her voice thick with tears.
“I want to make this special for you, Cyndi.” Mitch exhaled through clenched teeth. “I want nothing more than to carry you upstairs and sink deep inside you, but . . . I won’t.” He leaned away, shaking his head with a cheeky smirk. “You might have had, what did you call it? A ‘quick roll with a guy’ but as far as I’m concerned that doesn’t count and to me, well, you’re as virginal as the first snow of winter, so, my beautiful mate, I’m going to make this evening like a proper date. I’ll cook for you and we’ll talk and then, if you’re comfortable, and only if you’re okay with it, we can go upstairs and seal our bond. Is that all right with you? Or if you prefer I’ll sleep down here tonight. What I mean is . . . the ball is in your court, sweetheart. I won’t press you to do anything you don’t want to do . . . ever.”
Fresh tears stung her eyes with every word that spilled from his mouth. Wolves were so quick to get into your pants, hell, that was the reason she rarely went on dates. They expected too much at the end of the night and she knew she wasn’t like the other hot-blooded She-Wolves. There was nothing wrong with them, it was normal within the Pack. She was the anomaly and she’d always felt like an outsider because of it, and yet, here was her soul-mate making her feel so special because of something that had made her feel weird for so many years.
“It really doesn’t upset you that I’m not like the other She-Wolves? You’re not just being nice?” she asked.
Mitch shook his head with a glint in his eyes. “There’s something you’ll soon learn about me . . . I don’t lie well. And I don’t say things just to make someone feel better. I’d rather stay silent than make shit like that up. Cyndi, I am being honest here, baby, I feel privileged that I’ll be the one to teach you everything in that department. I want to be the one to show you how good it can be. I want to see what turns you on the most . . . is it your nipples? When I suck them, nip them? Or when I run my tongue over your wet folds and lick your clit as my fingers are thrusting inside you? Will you come for me then, baby? Will you scream my name when I do that? Damn, I can’t wait to show you the ecstasy that we can give each other, darling.”
Cyndi’s skin suddenly felt hot, her breath catching in her throat as her core clenched with the images his words seared into her brain. “Shoot, I think I need a cold shower.”
Mitch chuckled as he moved her onto the sofa, before standing up. “Later. Let’s go see if there’s supplies outside. I left my pack out there anyway, so I guess I should go get it.”
“Can you get anything that’s there while I deal with my crazy friend who’s texted me about a million times, please?” Cyndi pulled her phone out and seeing that yes, there was indeed a whole slew of texts from Connie. The last dozen or so in capital letters asking what the hell was going on because Caitrìona had told everyone to stay away from her cabin because Cyndi was “ensconced there with her soul-mate” and then asked Connie to pack a bag for her and leave it at the door.
Cyndi couldn’t help the warm fuzzy feeling in her stomach as she quickly fired off one text . . . All true. Leave me alone. Be in touch in a few days . . . oh by the way . . . his name is Mitch and he’s a Cougar . . . don’t bother texting back . . . phone getting switched off LOL! She knew that would drive her friend insane!
Before she had a chance to turn her phone off a message appeared. Woo hoo! Go Girl! FYI I didn’t pack any of your underwear! It’s ALL mine! You can thank me later!
Cyndi’s stomach dropped, for all of a second, before it filled with thoughts of Mitch seeing her in Connie’s black lace next to nothing bits and pieces. Or maybe she’d included the purple set that she’d secretly lusted after. If she had, then she knew what she’d be wearing later . . . if she could pluck up the courage.