He smiled. “That’s not selfish. After we got back from changing I lay there alone, so f**king alone, wanting you there with me, wanting to share it with you. If you’re sure it won’t tire you, I’d love to. And honey? I like your voice that way. I know you’re upset the doctor said it may never go back to the way it was before but it’s very, very sexy.”

She led him out the back doors to the trees where Maxwell said they’d be welcome to run.

“That’s so sweet.” And it was. He was such a bundle of contradictions. So tough and hard but loving and gentle too.

“Will that mark go away when you change?” His voice dipped low when he shed his clothes.

Her breath caught when she took him in, always affected by him. “Yes, most likely.”

Her fingers sought the spot, touching it, sending tingles through her body.

He undressed her, kissing her softly as he did. “Well, I’ll have to do it again then.”

“Mmm, if you say so. I’m all yours. Change first please so I can see you in color.”

She stood and watched as he fell to his knees. The air shimmered for moments and then a big black wolf stood before her, gray hair at the ears.

Running her hands through his fur, she bent to kiss the top of his head. Her wolf practically burst through her human skin, wanting to be in charge so she let go and gave her the reins.

The ran for miles and Tegan remembered the joy of what it meant to run with your mate at your side. She remembered what it was like to hear Lucas run with her. Allowed herself some celebration and a last bit of mourning too. She would love him until she died. But she had a second chance and it was all the more special because Lucas had been a part of that too.

Chapter Eighteen

Two weeks later

Ben paced through the small house they’d been given in the weeks after Tegan’s attack. Just a mile from the main house but still on the grounds of the Great Lakes compound, he’d admittedly begun to feel at home.

“How many?” he asked into the receiver as he spoke to Benoit. Bodies had been found in New Orleans. Transients, same thing as in Chicago. Partially changed. Only these had been burned.

“Six. You can’t keep putting the FBI off with Pack business as an excuse, Ben. I know you’re all dealing with some crazy shit but the Nashville office has a report of a possible serial killer of transients there and it looks like that’s werewolf shit too.”

“Okay. You’re right. I’ll talk with Lex and we’ll get back to you.”

“You goin’ back to Seattle or what, man? Your leave of absence is up in a week isn’t it?”

“I don’t know. I really don’t. My family is there. Tee’s family is there. But my life has changed drastically. Hers too. I don’t want her to feel pressured but…I don’t know.”

And he didn’t. They’d avoided the topic but it had to be dealt with soon. They’d returned to Seattle briefly to pick up some of their belongings but it had felt foreign and he definitely felt weird about how the other wolves he’d run into had reacted. For the most part, Cade had asked him to stay away from the Pack house in town and to not interact with wolves beside their immediate family.

“Okay, Ben, I feel you. It’s got to be tough. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be a werewolf.” Benoit snorted. “The talk on the street says you’re all supercharged too.

Wolves in Seattle are uneasy with you coming back.”

“So I hear. I can’t explain what it’s like other than to say it’s sort of like that moment right before you go on a raid. Right before you take that first step and your body is amped and your brain is screaming and yet all quiet and focused. So fast, you can move, even as a human, so fast and you’re strong. It’s pretty damned amazing. But you know I’d never do anything to cause trouble in Cascadia. They’re Tegan’s family, my family. I want to protect them, not hurt them. It’s why I’m still here. Cade wanted us to sit it out for a while so he could lay the groundwork for me to come back. But I’ve made some good friends here. Human cops as well as in the Pack. Tegan has too.” He sighed again.

“All right. I’ll try and hold my superiors off for a few more days. Let me know and I’ll keep you updated on Nashville and New Orleans.” Benoit hung up.

“Hey.”

Ben turned to see Tegan standing in the open French doors. The patio led to a fabulous view of the water. He heard the birds singing and the scent of the trees and the earth hung in the air. But she edged it all out until all there was, was Tegan.

The light on her hair made it appear she had a fiery halo. Her skin had returned to that pearly glow. She wore a pretty, filmy pale blue dress and her feet were bare.

“You look like a fairy. A beautiful fairy come to steal my heart.”

“You’re good. Although I’ll keep that secret or your Dom privileges might be revoked.” She walked into the room and clambered into his lap when he sat. “I heard the call with Benoit.”

“I expect that’s why you look the way you do.”

“You’re the one who’s avoided any conversation about staying or going back.” She kissed him quickly.

“I don’t want to pressure you. Your family is there. My family is there for God’s sake. I grew up there, you did too. I can’t ask you to leave that behind for me.”

She growled at him and he raised a single eyebrow.