Chapter Eight

 

It wasn't even light out when Colt came to. He sat up and scrubbed a hand down his face. The scent of coffee filled his nose and he grinned. His mate was an early riser, just like him.

Not bothering with pants, he skidded down the ladder, landing behind her. She whirled with a squeak, eyes wide, spatula raised.

“Gonna fend me off with a kitchen utensil, gorgeous?” he asked, stepped forward until they were toe to toe.

He took a deep breath. Her scent melded with that of the coffee and bacon. His stomach growled and his wolf let out a long howl. She was his; he'd bitten her and now his scent mixed with hers.

“It's going to take more than a spatula to keep me away, mate,” he said the last word softly and suggestively.

Despite the early hour, she laughed and swatted him playfully. He closed his hands around her cheeks and kissed her.

“Why am I not tired?” he mused. They'd stayed up half the night talking about everything under the sun and stars. Their game of twenty questions had quickly multiplied and now he knew everything important there was to know about Robin MacDonald

Even a few things that humbled and even scared him. It hurt him that she'd been willing to forgo a mating bond. That she’d been willing to die rather than take a mate her Clan chose.

Luckily, that was moot. He’d claimed her, they were mated, they’d deal with any fall out together, as a team.

“Because you're superman?” she quipped.

“You make me feel super. Holy shit, that was corny.”

She rose up on her tip toes and pulled his head down for a kiss. “I liked it.”

“Then I'll be corny more often.”

“I like you,” she said, emphasizing the last word.

His hands roamed down to her ass, cupping, squeezing until she giggled against his chest.

“I like you too. All of you.”

“I'm so glad.”

“How about we eat breakfast, take a leisurely shower together—” At least as leisurely as his tiny shower could afford. “And then I'll introduce you to the pack.”

“Sounds per—”

She froze and got that far off look he was starting to rely on. “They're coming,” she whispered.

He didn't miss the tremor that coursed through her.

“Can you tell who it is?”

She shook her head quickly.

“How many?”

“Five—no, six.”

“Get dressed,” he said, even though he hated to lose the view of her legs that his T-shirt (and nothing else) afforded.

She dropped the spatula and raced up the ladder. He turned off the stove and downed a cup of coffee while he got in touch with Matthias.

They were already heading off the trespassers. Colt was torn as he'd never had to worry about a mate before. He'd always stood shoulder to shoulder with his men, given no thought to feminine delicateness.

But knowing that she was his mate changed everything. He wasn't sure if he should rush down the mountain and head off the intruders or hang back, protecting her from here. One thing was for sure, he wasn't letting her out of his sight.

He stared up after her, watched the shadows on the wall as she rushed to get ready. How had things changed so quickly? He'd fully expected to like his mate, but he hadn't expected the deeper connection. That feeling of home.

She felt right in his home, in his arms, wrapped around his cock. He'd do whatever it took to keep her safe or die trying.

“I'm ready,” she said, shimmying down the ladder as if she'd done it a thousand times.

He'd expected her to cower or chew her lower lip but instead she was bright eyed, back straight and utterly calm.

“What now?” she asked, seeming almost eager. She shifted from one foot to the other.

Beats me, he thought, admiring the way her jeans clung to her legs. The corners of that kissable mouth turned up.

Outside, several howls carried on the wind.

“They're being ambushed,” she whispered, going still. She stared off into space for a handful of moments. Suddenly she gripped his arm as her eyes connected with his. “We've got to help them.”

The urgency in her voice warred with his need to keep her safe.

The front door flew open and he whirled in front of her.

“I did that,” she murmured, rubbing a hand up his spine.

His eyebrows jumped up his forehead. She'd done that? “What else can you do?” he asked, only half kidding.

“I'll show you later.”

“Promise?”

“Didn't you get enough last night?” she teased and he appreciated her levity.

They strode out the door and he let his wolf rush forward, ears searching for anything out of place. He heard the ruckus downhill, Robin's heartbeat and her soft breath. 

“I don't sense anyone close by.”

He reached for her hand and all hell broke loose.

Bodies closed in from right and left. Someone grabbed Robin before Colt could stop them. She screamed and fought like a wildcat. He put up a fight of his own and let his wolf rush forward. He'd just finished his shift when something stabbed into his neck.

He hadn't even gotten in a good bite before it was lights out.