“I’m a Dire Wolf, baby. We are way cooler than Dragons.”
“Wait, those are real?” she asked, eyes wide.
“Gwendolyn, how many times do I have to tell you the multiverse is a big place filled with wonders,” he said, feeding her a normal-sized bite.
She made a little chomping sound as she chewed, and fuck, it was cute. He grinned, watching her, falling for her more with every passing second.
“So, we’re mated now, right?”
“Yep.”
“And no weird side effects, right? Shifters aren’t like Werewolves in the movies,” she said, and Weylin’s heart started pounding.
“Um, well, far as I know. It has been a long time since a Dire Wolf mated a human,” he murmured.
“So, I might get a tail?” she asked, stunned.
“Nah. Um, I mean, I don’t think so,” he mumbled, making a mental note to talk to Derrick. “Hey, I promise, anything happens to you, and I will be right here, okay?”
“Okay, yeah,” she murmured and sat up straighter.
It was Sunday, but they were going to visit her Pop after breakfast. Weylin had a little surprise, he hoped she wouldn’t mind.
He was nervous about the awkward conversation they’d had at breakfast, but after a while, she seemed to relax. The drive went by quickly, and soon they were headed inside Hope Springs.
“Where’s Pop?” Gwendolyn gasped, walking right to the old room her grandfather had shared with another patient.
“I hope it’s alright since we’re mates now,” he told her, placing his hands on her shoulders and turning her around. “I had his package upgraded. I know you want him to have the best care, Gwen, and it is the least I can do for the man who raised my mate.”
Weylin paused, trying to gauge her reaction. She was looking over his shoulder, her big brown eyes glassy with unshed tears. His stomach turned in knots and he rubbed the back of his head.
“Gwen, fuck, I am so sorry, I should have asked—” he started, but she jumped on him, hugging him so tight he could hardly breathe.
“Thank you,” she whispered, and he felt warm tears seep into his shirt where her face was pressed against his shoulder.
“It’s alright. Shhh, hey, come on. Let’s go see him,” he said, cupping her pretty, heart-shaped face in his hands and dropping a kiss on her lips.
It was too soon, but his heart glowed with love for her. Love? No. Yes, his Wolf pushed. Stupid, red-furred monster was preening with it. Fuck. The realization dawned so suddenly, Weylin tripped on his way down the hall.
“You okay?” she asked, turning her head to check on him as they followed the directions on the map to the private suites.
“Yep. Fine,” he replied, but was he?
Mating was one thing, but falling in love was something else entirely. Some folks were built for love, he knew. Like Derrick and Lucy, even though the Alpha fem had been reluctant at first. Kind of like Sheila and Leo, who rejected the Lion before she finally accepted his claim. Their relationship sure was weird.
Brock and Ariella were a loving couple, though he’d had some psychological issues to get past before they got together. And Tracey and Phoenix, though she had some personal shit too, from what Phoenix said.
Maybe love wasn’t for people who were perfect. Maybe it was just for couples who were willing to give it their all. Folks who knew the value of their partner and wanted to honor and keep them safe and happy. That was all he wanted, and he was more than willing to work hard for it.
Watching Gwen walk down the hall in her jeggings and white crop top made Weylin realize it didn’t matter if he thought he was worthy or not. He was already in love with the woman.
She was the keeper of his heart. The other half to his soul. She had the fealty of his beast. And he would live every day just to see her smile. Oh yes, loving Gwendolyn was easy as breathing, and even more rewarding. It was necessary. Vital. And he would not have it any other way.
“You coming?” she asked, excitement in her voice as she waited outside the door to Pop’s new room.
Mine.
“Yes.”
