The wolves accepted her as if she'd run with them many times before. Joslyn was the only exception, greeting her best friend with a playful tackle before the two rushed around the group so quickly everyone's heads spun.
Of course, Emily's movements were clunky, and she sometimes stumbled. But Caleb provided help whenever it was needed, and when it came to hunting, he took his lessons seriously, swiftly realizing his mate was a determined student.
She simply couldn't catch anything.
Instead, Emily's idea of hunting involved sneaking up on a rabbit too loudly to remain inconspicuous, followed by chasing it until the animal ducked into a burrow for safety. Once it was out of reach, she'd proceed to bark at its home incessantly, alerting game and pack members alike of their whereabouts.
And Caleb couldn't love her more.
After several hours of such activities, the couple found a bed of soft grass near a small creek, and curled up together to sleep. Their run had certainly been exhausting, and Caleb found himself drifting off in record time while considering their night.
His brothers claimed having a mate during the pack hunt was more fulfilling than words could say, and he knew it was true. But Caleb hadn't been prepared for the level of contentment it offered, finding himself stuck in a haze of disbelief.
After all they'd gone through, somehow, he had Emily by his side. The thought made him eager for morning to come, not only so he could relate all they'd done that night, but also to tell her of his urge to mark her, and then love her for the rest of his life.
• • •
Emily thought she'd be tired in the morning—spending the entire night running around as a wolf had to be draining.
Yet she quickly discovered the reverse was true after sitting up with a surprising amount of energy the moment her eyes opened. Not only did she feel enlivened, but the sounds of the forest were bombarding her like never before.
Unidentifiable birds chirped overhead with the soothing trickle of a creek nearby, and she gazed around at it all in perfect clarity—even without her glasses.
Emily's jaw dropped the moment she realized she wasn't wearing them. For the first time since she was a teenager, squinting wasn't necessary to see, and the discovery had tears welling in her eyes that she quickly wiped away.
The thoughts were so overwhelming she almost didn't notice the numerous scents wafting through the air. Yet, inhaling a breath through her nose delivered so many fragrances she couldn't ignore them. Some were familiar, others a mystery, and she wanted to learn them all—except the one she already knew.
Caleb's.
“Oh!” she gasped, quickly turning to find him still sleeping behind her. He looked so peaceful that she didn't wake him, opting to silently lean in and inhale his scent more deeply.
He'd once described her fragrance as being like the earth after a rain, and she now learned that his was smoothly musky, and … intoxicating.
Emily cuddled next to him, breathing it deep, and with her next inhalation came the understanding she'd sought all along. His scent was comforting, a clear sign that he was nearby, and the more she took it in, the closer she needed to be.
It also told her something extremely specific about who he was, and she laughed as soon as the thought struck.
The sound stirred him with a sleepy smile lifting the corners of his mouth.
“What's got you laughing?”
Realizing he was awake, she quickly tilted her head up and kissed him, then announced, “You're my mate!”
Her exclamation had him grinning from ear to ear. “Caught that on my scent, huh?”
Emily was too busy nuzzling his neck to answer, sighing when he drew his big hands over her back. Nicole said she'd crave her mate's company, but what she hadn't mentioned was just how sensitive Emily would be to Caleb's touch—and damn, it was maddening.
Everything about him was. She couldn't get close enough, running her hands all over his body and kissing him wherever she could reach. Her attention must've been driving him crazy as well because she soon found herself on her back beneath him, locked in a kiss that was nothing short of carnal.
But most notably, her sense of connection to him was ten times stronger than before—and somehow, it wasn't enough. Something in Emily was instinctively aching for more, a longing urge in the pit of her stomach that had nothing to do with sex. So what is it?
Whatever the answer, when Caleb turned his head to kiss her neck, she noticed that his canines were sharp—and so were hers.
“God, I wanna mark you, baby.”
That's it! That was the longing urge she could sense, and Emily's gaze locked on his when he lifted his head, his eyes glowing and voice hoarse in pointing out, “Looks like you want it, too.”
“Yes,” she rasped, nodding vigorously. “Why do you ask? Oh! Are my eyes glowing?”
“Yeah,” he groaned, “and they're fucking gorgeous.”
She wished she could see it for herself, but there would be plenty of time later. For now, she impulsively focused on the left side of his neck, asking, “Can we?”
With a sexy smile, Caleb craned his head to the side. “Hell yeah, we can.”
Emily blinked. Me? She'd always imagined Caleb would be the one to mark her, but she definitely wasn't complaining. In fact, she could barely lean up fast enough, brushing her lips over his neck while breathing in his scent.
But she paused when a specific thought struck, asking softly, “We'll never separate after this, will we?”
“No, the marking's permanent,” he answered, adding sincerely, “but I wouldn't separate from you anyway.”
She shuddered at the determined sound of his voice, finding a staggering amount of contentment in his declaration. The thought brought to mind her prior concerns that they hadn't known each other well enough to be this close. Maybe it was the instinct she'd gained with her turning, but she now knew why she'd had no reason to worry—Caleb was hers, their lives already tethered, and she loved him more than anything.
So human or lupine, all that mattered was the conviction she could see in his eyes proving he'd always be there for her, and would never let her down if he could help it.
“I love you,” she rasped, kissing his neck again.
He growled as if he'd never tire of hearing that, and urged her on—but coaxing wasn't necessary. She'd already parted her teeth against his flesh, and impulsively bit down.
“Fuck yes!” he growled, crushing her body to his, and Emily clung to him in return. With her fangs still in his neck, she found herself overwhelmed by the sense of their strengthening bond, knowing all the while that he could feel it, too.
Connection? I don't think the word's strong enough.
Emily couldn't move, didn't want to move. All she wanted was to stay there with Caleb for the rest of their lives, particularly when she drew another breath. With it came an alteration in her mate's scent, spelling out even more clearly that he was hers alone, their mate's bond now unbreakable.
Her heart filled to nearly bursting, knowing the ties they'd just forged would last the rest of their lives with a confidence that shocked her—and brought her desires to life.
Instinctively, she shifted her hips against his, moaning at the way his erection felt between her legs. Caleb rocked against her in turn, proving his own need for his mate without words.
Though, in lifting her head back, she noticed his eyes were glistening with unshed tears.
“Caleb? Are you okay?”
He scoffed. “I'm better than okay, Emi. Just trying to figure out a way to show you how much I love you.”
With that lingering sense of euphoria and heavy desire still thick between them, she smiled, leaning up until their lips brushed in replying, “We'll find a way together, right?”
And there was no shortage of affection in Caleb's answer.
“Always, Emi. Always … .”
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Thank you so much for reading Hunter's Moon! Emily's and Caleb's st
ory was a lot of fun to write, and I really hope you've enjoyed it! If so, and you have a moment to spare, please let others know in a review!
For any questions or comments, or to learn more about The Crucible Series and books available, please visit my website at www.angelacolsin.com, or follow me at:
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