by Dannika Dark
I took a deep breath. “You’re my family. And family doesn’t keep secrets. We include each other in our lives. I know this is sudden, but I chose to be with Lakota. If you love me, you won’t try to make me regret that choice. I never will.” I looked around the table at each and every one of them. “Being mated always terrified me because of the changes and sacrifices that go with it, but I’m not afraid anymore. The only thing I’m afraid of is losing my family because of it.”
We stood there quietly, waiting for someone to say something.
Wheeler abruptly rose from his chair and sat in my empty seat, murmuring to himself, “Stay for burgers, they said. It’ll be fun, they said.”
Lakota rocked on his heels. “Today is Hope and Melody’s celebration. If anyone wants to confront us about our union, let’s do it after we celebrate the most kickass store this side of Texas. Agreed?”
Lorenzo clapped his hand on Lakota’s shoulder and smiled. “You sly dog, you.”
People chuckled, and everyone resumed eating, except my brothers, who were staring daggers at Lakota. Sensing their disapproval, he walked over and spoke quietly with them. My brothers had no say over my decisions, but they’d always been protective of me since we were kids. Clearly they felt like any man who wanted to court me should have gone to them for their approval. My mother appeared satisfied with Lakota’s speech, and she smiled at me. We would have a lot to talk about later, but part of her reluctance had to do with watching her little girl grow up, and my belonging to someone else was probably the hardest part of all. Suddenly everything felt normal again.
Lakota took my hand and gestured to the front of the store. “Come with me.”
We branched away from the group and stepped outside, the door closing behind us. My skin warmed immediately in the glow of the afternoon sunshine.
“I’ll make it right with the packs,” he said. “On my word. No matter how long it takes to win back their trust, I’ll do whatever’s necessary.”
“I know. You didn’t tell them about my agreement with Shikoba.”
Lakota shook his head. “That’s our business. Do you really think I would have gone through a mating ceremony with someone I didn’t feel anything for, just to help Shikoba save face? I’m not going to risk damaging my sister’s reputation, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let the town gossip about my mate. If you want to tell them, I’ll stand behind you. But not all secrets are lies. I’m going out tonight with your brothers to smooth things over.”
“Good idea. Otherwise they might try to kill you in your sleep. On second thought, they still might. Just don’t turn your back on them if you decide to play darts.”
He grinned handsomely. “After I set things right with them, you and I are going deep into the woods on my stepfather’s land. There’s a clearing on the edge that’s private. We’re going to sleep under the stars and make love against a tree.”
I gave a riotous laugh, but Lakota didn’t blink. When he held my hands, a warm feeling swelled in my chest, and I moved closer to him.
“Are you sure you want to do this? You don’t want to be with other women to see what it’s like?”
His eyebrows gathered in a frown. “What could they teach me that you haven’t already? Where my heart belongs? You are all there is, and you’re all I want. Eventually we’ll head up to Cognito and talk to my other parents,” he continued. “My father can scent emotions, so he’ll dispel any doubts you might have about my true feelings for you.”
I placed my hand over his heart. “Then he can do the same for you.”
“I don’t need my father to tell me that. I knew you loved me the first time you looked at my ass.”
Shaking my head, I laughed. “You just love making me laugh.”
He stroked my cheek with his hand and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Yes, wife. And now I get to hear that laugh for the rest of our lives. My love and loyalty will always be yours. You’re the bravest wolf I’ve ever met, and I want no other by my side.”
A monarch butterfly flitted by us and landed on top of his head. I didn’t say anything about it, because I didn’t need a butterfly to tell me that our lives were about to change for the better. For the first time in my life, I let go of all the fears, doubts, and worries about what would happen with my future. I knew Lakota was going to love me the way I needed to be loved, because he knew me inside and out. I would always have laughter and passion in my life. And no one would respect and adore him the way I would. We would be each other’s protectors. Whenever I became lost in the world, he would find me.
Just as he’d found my heart.
I kissed my mate passionately in front of everyone on that warm summer day, with his arms wrapped around me and our hearts beating as one.
You have just read The Vow. Want to dive deeper into Lakota and Melody’s past? Learn about the infamous snowstorm, how their families came together, and more. It all begins with Seven Years.
Many of these books have twists and secret crossovers. For the ultimate Dannika Dark experience, check out the suggested reading order.
Join the newsletter to receive updates on the next release: Click Here
Keep scrolling for the back page image.
Acknowledgments
A huge thanks to all my brilliant beta readers, my wonderful editors, and everyone who has supported my writing. No one who succeeds does it alone.
Next Book Release: Click Here
A personal note from Dannika:
If you enjoyed this book and want to see more, please take a moment to show your support by leaving a review on the product page where your purchase was made. Your reviews are important and help readers discover these books! Thanks you for your purchase - you help these stories keep going.
THE MAGERI SERIES is an exciting urban fantasy romance about a young woman's claim to immortality. Passionate, humorous, dark, and full of unpredictable twists, the Mageri series will take you on an unforgettable journey of love, friendship, and the hidden power within us all. Cliffhanger-free.
THE SEVEN SERIES is a paranormal romance that portrays Shifters living in secret in the modern world. A blend of humor, heartwarming romance, drama, and real-life issues. This series is for those who believe in family, second chances, and finding that person who completes you. Cliffhanger-free. HEA.
THE CROSSBREED SERIES is an Urban Fantasy Romance following a rogue who is half-Vampire, half-Mage. Caught between two worlds, she joins forces with a secret organization that takes down criminals. Will desire become her biggest distraction when she is paired up with a Vampire?
THE BLACK ARROWHEAD SERIES is an exciting new paranormal romance. Like the Seven series, this has a wonderful blend of romance, action, magic, humor, and heartwarming stories.
Note: While all of Dannika’s books are written in the same universe, each can be read independently from the rest. Dannika Dark owns the intellectual property rights to some of the original Breeds depicted within these books. Use of these creations is strictly prohibited.
If you would like to experience each twist and crossover as it was intended, suggesting reading order can be found HERE.
Immortals live among us.
Dannika Dark Newsletter
Books by Dannika Dark:
THE MAGERI SERIES
Sterling
Twist
Impulse
Gravity
Shine
The Gift
MAGERI WORLD
Risk
NOVELLAS
Closer
THE SEVEN SERIES
Seven Years
Six Months
Five Weeks
Four Days
Three Hours
Two Minutes
One Second
Winter Moon
SEVEN WORLD
Charming
THE CROSSBREED SERIES
Keystone
Ravenheart
Deathtrap
Gaslight
Blackout
Moonstruck
Spellbound
Heartless
THE BLACK ARROWHEAD SERIES
The Vow
Follow Dannika and meet up with other fans:
www.dannikadark.net
Author’s Note
The Native American tribes, customs, and rituals depicted within this book are fictional. Shifter tribes have developed a separate culture, and the worldbuilding is often based on their animal type and unique history within the Breed world.
-->
