Hellen nodded, and her tears started again. Then she was rushing toward him, her arms open wide.
He opened his arms and caught her, holding her tight, kissing her face as she clung to him.
“I’m sorry.”
“Me, too. Just no more secrets. No more manipulation. No more half-truths.”
“I promise.”
“I love you, Hell.”
“I love you, too, Lucien.”
“Never thought I’d be mated to a she-Wolf, strong as I am.”
Hellen pulled her head back enough to look into his eyes. “I’m not sorry, though. I don’t think anybody else could handle me.”
“Same, cher. Nobody else could handle me. We’re stuck with each other, I think.”
“I do need to know one thing, though.”
“What’s that?”
“Why’d you leave your clothes in the water?”
“When I came back up on shore they weren’t there. I was anxious to get back here and make things right so I just remained in my Gator form and hiked over here.”
“Who’s going to clean all this mud up?” Hellen asked.
“You are,” Lucien said.
“I don’t think so,” Hellen said.
“Oh, come on. You can do it. I’m tired. I was out all night,” Lucien said.
“So was I. Didn’t get home until dawn then sat on the sofa staring into the yard until Emmalyn called.”
“Why were you staring into the yard?”
“Wondering how I’d find the strength to function without you. I need you, Lucien.”
He grinned, his beauty reminding her once again how lucky she was to be his mate. “I need you too, my Hell.”
“Want to go take a shower?” she asked.
“More than anything,” he said, setting her on her feet.
“Hey, you didn’t wince when you caught me. You’re feeling better,” she said, taking his hand and leading him to their bathroom.
“Yeah. I shifted last night to get in the water and it wasn’t as bad as it has been, then right outside the door there, there was hardly any pain at all.”
“I’m glad. I’ve been worried about you.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. I’m a big strong Gator,” he teased, leaning toward her to nip her shoulder.
Hellen squealed and bolted ahead of him.
“Oh, now I love a chase. You better mean it when you run from me,” he said, his voice deep and low.
