Wolf in his Heart (Salvation Pack) (26 page)

He didn’t know how such a thing was possible.

Pride filled him as he lapped at the mating mark. It was already healed, but the scar would remain. Everyone would know she was mated and that she was his.

He wanted to beat his chest and howl. He wanted to run to each house and tell everyone what he’d done. Yeah, probably better not to do that. Everyone would know soon enough.

“What are you thinking?” she asked. “I thought you’d be exhausted, but you’re practically vibrating with energy.”

“The mark is there,” he told her.

She laughed. “Proud of yourself, are you?”

He withdrew and turned her so she was facing him. “No, I’m proud that you picked me. That you allowed me to claim you.”

“Oh, Sage.” She kissed his chin and his jaw before finally getting to his lips. This kiss was no less passionate but lacked the frantic need of their earlier ones.

“How do you feel?” He brushed his fingers over the mark on her neck.

“Better than I thought I would.” Rina touched the mating mark and their fingers touched. “I feel whole.”

That was the best way of explaining how he felt. “Me too.”

“What happened? I thought I felt fangs.”

Sage shrugged. “I’m not really sure.” She looked relaxed and sated, her green eyes practically glowing with pleasure. “They grew, but only for a few seconds. Just long enough for me to claim you.”

“Whatever the reason, I’m glad.” She studied him and then frowned. “Not that it would have mattered if it hadn’t happened,” she assured him.

“I know, but it’s better that it did.” He kissed her forehead. “Now everyone knows we belong together.”

“I’m scared.” Her soft admission made him ache for her.

“I know, but we can get through anything together.” He turned onto his back and pulled her on top of him so she was sprawled across him with her head on his shoulder. “You don’t need to worry about anything. You need to relax and take the time to figure out what you might like to do. There’s no rush and no pressure. I can support us.”

“I want to do my part.”

“You will and you are. You’ve given me a reason to look forward to the future.” He threaded his fingers through her soft, silky hair. “You need to decide what kind of house you want.”

“House?” She raised her head and stared down at him. The change in position pressed his erection firmly against her stomach.

He tried to ignore his arousal and answer her question. “I have land, and now I have a reason to build a home. With everyone helping, we can have one up within two or three months once you decide.”

“I never thought I’d have my own home. I don’t care what it’s like as long as we’re together.”

The last lingering shred of doubt slipped away. Rina was as fully committed to their relationship as he was. “I have some plans. It’s a simple two bedroom with an open kitchen and dining area. Much like Anny and Armand’s place. You just need to tweak the finishes if you like the layout.” He ran his thumb over her cheek. “I figure the second bedroom can be an office or workspace or whatever.”

“And if we have kids?”

His cock jerked at the mere thought. “If we’re ever that blessed, we can add on. And if it doesn’t happen, I’m still the luckiest man in the world.” Children weren’t a given considering he was a half-breed, but he had a feeling that wouldn’t matter between him and Rina.

“I love you.” She reached down and guided his cock into her body.

He gripped her hips and held her still. “I love you too.” Then he proceeded to rock them both over the edge and into oblivion once again.

* * * * *

Reece lay naked on top of his bed with his hands stacked behind his head. His cock was painfully full and throbbing. Being so connected to his twin wasn’t always a good thing.

He was happy for Sage and Rina. They both deserved happiness.

If he was lucky, his brother would never know what he’d done. It had taken so much effort he’d feared he might pass out. His wolf had fought him all the way too, but he’d managed to connect with Sage at the critical moment of claiming long enough to allow the fangs from Reece’s wolf to manifest in his brother.

Yeah, not doing that again.

It had felt as though his very soul was being ripped from his body. Even a few seconds had been the most painful experience he’d ever had.

His wolf whimpered inside him and he sent waves of reassurance. He loved his wolf and couldn’t imagine how Sage felt not having one. That was why he’d risked everything for his brother.

He didn’t want to go back to Chicago. He hated living in the city—all the noise and people and pollution. His werewolf senses were always overloaded, and not in a good way. The lights were too bright, the sounds too loud, and the smells overwhelming.

As much as he wanted to stay in Salvation, some instinct was driving him back. And he always listened to his instincts.

Reece rolled off the bed and walked to the patio door. The night was quiet, but he knew at least one of the men were out patrolling.

He stepped onto the deck and embraced the change. His wolf wiggled with happiness and quietly padded down the steps and headed toward the woods. Once he went back to the city, he wouldn’t be able to shift for a while. Better to take advantage of the freedom while he still had it.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Sage was asleep. Rina was snuggled up on top of him, and every time she tried to move away from him, he wrapped his arms more firmly around her.

She knew it would be a while before he accepted they were mated and she wasn’t going anywhere. Home. She’d finally found a home.

Sage was all the wolf she’d ever need. He was a wolf in his heart, and he’d found his way into hers. They were so lucky to have found one another.

She sniffed the air and knew that Reece had just passed by. She wondered what he was doing out so late. Maybe he was patrolling. Maybe he was restless.

She knew the brothers were close and only hoped that their mating didn’t come between Sage and Reece. She’d have to make certain that didn’t happen.

Thinking about brothers made her wonder where Mikhail was. He’d been quiet at supper, but that wasn’t unusual. She had no idea what he’d think of her mating. She hoped he’d be happy for her and Sage.

Like with Reece, she’d have to make Mikhail understand he was still an important part of her life.

“Why aren’t you asleep?”

All her thinking had obviously disturbed Sage. “No reason. Go back to sleep.”

He nuzzled her neck and kissed her mating mark before sitting up in bed. He glanced at the bedside clock. “It’s almost dawn. Do you want to get up?”

What she really wanted to do was run, but she wasn’t sure how Sage would feel about it.

He leaned against the headboard with the thin sheet pooled around his waist, exposing all that muscled chest and tight abs. He yawned and scratched his chest. It occurred to her that she’d be able to look at him like this for the rest of her life.

The sheet began to twitch the longer she stared at him. She glanced from his lap to his face.

He shrugged. “What do you expect when you’re staring at me like you’re starving and I’m a T-bone steak.”

She reached out and tugged on a lock of his hair. “Think you’re all that, do you?” It was fun to tease him.

He nodded. “Oh, yeah. And you only have yourself to blame.” He gently ran his fingers over her mating mark.

As much as she hated to break the mood, this was an issue they had to settle. Better sooner than later. “I want to run.” She chewed on her bottom lip, worried how he might react.

Sage dropped a quick kiss on her lips and tossed back the sheet. Rina was treated to a first-class view of his butt as he stood and grabbed his jeans from the floor. It was almost a shame he had to put them on. He sat back down on the mattress and pulled on his sneakers. The muscles in his back flexed, and she was tempted to throw her arms around him and topple him back into bed.

But she really wanted to run.

He rose from the bed and held out his hand. “Come run with me, Rina.”

She took his hand and followed him out onto the deck. The air was slightly cooler than it had been earlier, but it was still warm. It caressed her skin like a lover’s touch. The sun would be up within the hour.

“Shift for me. Show me your wolf.” Sage took a step back and watched.

Rina embraced her wolf and let the change overtake her. It was as natural to her as breathing, and it made her sad to think that Sage would never experience this sensation. But she couldn’t dwell on that. Neither of them could. All they could do was accept what was and appreciate the love they shared.

Fur pushed out from beneath her skin. Her limbs contorted and her jaw and forehead reshaped. She stood in her wolf form, tall and proud.

“You are lovely.”

Sage didn’t seem upset or sad. Instead, he seemed proud and happy. He ran his hand over her head and muzzle. “I love that your fur has the same hints of red that your hair does.” He rubbed her thick fur coat. “Beautiful.”

She gave a happy yip and trotted down the stairs. Sage followed close behind. She glanced back over her shoulder, wondering if she should lead. He smiled and gave a little nod. “Go on. I’ll be right behind you.”

Rina took him at his word. She turned and started running.

Freedom. There was such a sense of wild abandon as she raced through the woods. She ducked under fallen logs and around bushes. She weaved in and out of trees for the sheer joy of it.

And Sage was right behind her, sailing over downed logs, his long legs eating up the miles they ran. She heard water and instinctively turned toward it. She was almost to the stream when she caught the scent of another wolf. She stumbled to a stop and waited, quivering with both fear and anticipation.

Reece stepped out from behind a large oak tree. Oh, how it hurt her to look at him. This is what Sage would look like if he was able to shift. He was strong and proud, his fur several shades of brown like his hair. And his eyes. They were so familiar to her.

Reece hesitated, but Sage greeted him warmly. “Hey, bro. I didn’t know you were out running. Are you patrolling?”

He shook his head. Rina sidled closer to Sage but stopped when she realized what she was doing. It could be construed as an insult to Reece, and the last thing she wanted to do was hurt Sage’s twin.

“Want to run with us?” Sage asked.

Reece looked at her, seeking her agreement. This was another turning point in her life and would set the tone for her and Reece’s relationship for the rest of their lives. She trotted over to him and tentatively reached out until their muzzles touched. Reece remained still, sensing her hesitation.

When their noses met, he flicked out his tongue and licked her. She jumped back and inwardly laughed. Reece grinned at her, the devil.

Sage rubbed the top of her head. “I should have warned you about him.” He turned to his brother. “That’s your one and only kiss of the bride.”

Bride? She tilted her head upward and gave Sage a quizzical look. He shrugged. “I’d like us to get married, if that’s okay with you?”

His brother groaned and put a paw over his face. Sage sighed and dropped his head forward. “Yeah, I know. Not the best timing in the world.”

But it was. It was the perfect time. Sage would always be joined to his twin in a way Rina might never understand. And that was okay. She jumped up until her paws were resting on Sage’s shoulders and licked his mouth. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her.

She wanted to shift back to her human form so she could kiss him, but that wasn’t happening with his brother standing right beside them. She’d never been as blasé as some werewolves were about walking around naked. She wouldn’t mind it so much around the women, but around Sage’s brother? Yeah, not happening.

She jumped back down and took off running. This time, Reece was on her right and Sage on her left. The three of them raced toward home to beat the coming dawn. She noted that Reece let her and Sage set the pace. She had a feeling he could run a whole lot faster.

Rina trotted into the yard and came to an abrupt halt. Jacque was waiting there along with the rest of the pack. Only the children were missing. They stood in pairs—Jacque and Gwen, Anny and Armand, Cole and Cherise, Louis and Gray, Gator and Sylvie, Corrine and Joseph, and Elias and Sue. Only Miss Elise stood by herself.

A few weeks ago, she hadn’t known any of them existed. Now they were an integral part of her life. She liked them all and was on her way to becoming good friends with most of the women.

How had they known? It wasn’t too hard to imagine that one or more of them had heard Sage claiming her last night. They hadn’t exactly been quiet and the windows were all open.

Sage stopped beside her and rested his hand on her neck. Reece stood on her other side, a silent sentinel.

“You’ve mated.” Jacque settled his gaze on Rina. She tried not to squirm beneath the alpha’s intense scrutiny.

It wasn’t a question, but Sage answered the alpha. “Yes.”

Jacque’s gaze darted to someone behind her. Rina didn’t need to turn to know it was her brother. She’d have to deal with him after they finished with Jacque. He was alpha, and by rights, they should have asked his permission before mating.

He nodded. “Good.” Then he went down on one knee.

Rina hesitated, but Sage gave her a little push and she trotted forward. She lowered her head and Jacque brushed his hand over her fur. “You’re safe here, little one,” he told her.

Tears pricked her eyes. She had everything she’d ever dreamed of and more. This was a night she’d remember forever.

“Welcome to the pack.”

Once she’d been officially welcomed by the alpha, the others swarmed forward. Rina was lost in a sea of hugs and well wishes. When Sage finally worked his way to her side, he was laughing and smiling. “Let me take Rina inside so she can get changed.”

“Breakfast at our place,” Gator announced. “What would you like?”

Sage looked at Rina and shrugged. “You can never go wrong with pancakes.”

“Pancakes it is. I’ll make a couple different kinds. Come on, woman.” He put his arm around his mate. “We’ve got cooking to do.”

Sylvie smacked him lightly on the stomach. “What is this we business? You’re the one who volunteered.”

“So I did,
mon ange
. You can sit and look pretty and watch me while I cook.”

Rina watched them go, loving the way all the couples interacted.

“Come on.” Sage urged her toward the house. “Time to get changed and have breakfast.”

She glanced back at Reece, but he’d already ducked into the house. That’s when she saw Mikhail waiting on the porch for her and Sage. She needed to get dressed and talk with her brother.

Sage opened the patio door for her. “Go on,” he told her when she hesitated. “I’ll talk with Mikhail while you’re getting changed.”

She knew she had no other choice. She left her mate and her brother alone and hurried inside.

Sage waited until Rina was in the bathroom before he closed the door and faced her brother. “I claimed your sister.”

“So you did.” Mikhail perched on the railing and studied Sage. “Obviously, she didn’t object.”

Irritation filled him. “Of course not.”

His new brother-in-law held up his hands in mock protest. “I never meant to imply anything. I’m surprised she gave in so quickly.”

“I am too, but I’m not looking a gift horse in the mouth. I’m just grateful.”

“The mating mark stuck.”

Sage knew Mikhail had seen it. The mark was there even when Rina was in her wolf form. “Yeah, it stuck.”

Mikhail sighed. “You want to call off your guard dog. I’m not as upset about this as you seem to think.”

Sage glanced over his shoulder, and sure enough, his brother was standing there, arms crossed over his chest, his expression fierce. Love welled up inside Sage. He had his brother and family, his pack, and now Rina. Life didn’t get any better than this.

“It’s okay,” he told his twin.

“You sure?” Reece asked.

They stared at one another until Reece finally nodded. “Okay. I’ll be heading out right after breakfast. If you need me for anything, I’ll come home.”

Sage knew his brother would do anything for him. “Thanks, man.” As they’d done many times before, they each wrapped a hand around the other’s neck and touched their foreheads together.

Mikhail was silent, watching the brothers part. “Rina will be safe here.”

“Happy too,” Sage assured him. “I want her to be happy.”

“That’s all I can ask for.”

“What about you?” he asked.

Mikhail shrugged. “Not sure yet. Jacque has extended an invitation for me to stay on for a while and see how things go.”

It wasn’t an official invitation into the pack, but it was a start. “Are you going to take it?” He knew it would mean a lot to Rina to have her brother here with her.

Mikhail nodded just as Rina joined them. “I think I might.”

“Might what?” she asked.

“Stay on for a bit. See how things go.”

Rina smiled and jumped into her brother’s arms. “That’s wonderful.” She turned to Sage. “Isn’t that wonderful?”

“It is.” He waited until she released her brother and then put his arm around her. “Come on. Let’s go get breakfast.”