“Yes.” A single tear slid down Sofia’s face. Not because she feared for her life, but because the man she had once been very fond of was not who she’d thought he was.
Sophia had always lived a life of peace and wanted that same peace for all shifters and humans, but Sam made her realize that as long as he lived and breathed, she would never truly be free from him. He would keep finding ways to come after her.
Slowly Sam pulled the small silver chains off her ankles. “Jesus, I didn’t think it would do this to your skin. Will this heal, or will it leave scars?”
Funny—for a minute there, he almost sounded like he actually cared. “I should make a full recovery, but it won’t be instant. It’ll take time.”
She didn’t want him to know that her energy would begin to replenish as soon as the silver stopped touching her body. If he knew that, he would never have agreed to remove it in the first place. She had counted on the fact that he wasn’t always the brightest crayon in the box.
A few shouts and screams later, her body was finally freed from the silver that poisoned her. Her breathing became more regulated and her heart rate slowed to a more normal pace. She no longer felt too weak to hold up her own head. Slowly but surely, the effects of the silver drained from her system, leaving her stronger and more alert.
Sam sat by her on the bed. “I’m sorry I had to do this, but I had to talk to you. I tried coming to your house, but you refused to see me. Then there was some shifter there who threatened to kill me. How else could I get you alone?”
Sofia didn’t know what the hell to say. One minute, Sam acted as sweet as pie, and the very next he acted like a complete lunatic who wanted her dead.
Her wolf picked up on a faint howl in the distance. “Lars!” Knowing that he was coming for her gave her the strength she needed to do what had to be done. If Lars charged through the door, Sam would grab the gun and shoot him. Sofia couldn’t allow that to happen.
“Sofia! Answer me!”
“Shit. The angry Sam is back.” She watched as he glanced to his gun and then back to her.
“I just don’t know how any of this can ever work out between us.”
He reached for the gun, but Sofia didn’t give him a chance to claim it. She willed her body to make a partial shift to wolf form. Her face started to elongate and her hands turned into paws. That was all she needed to slice Sam’s side open, leaving a gaping hole.
He screamed in agony as the blood gushed down his body. Falling off of the bed, he scrambled across the floor to the door.
She worked to get control of her wolf. The animal inside of her wanted nothing more than to finish the job she had started. It was the only way she could be certain that Sam would never hurt another living being.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Two months later…
“Good Gods, woman. We aren’t leaving the house if that’s what you plan on wearing.”
Her mate’s voice was husky and filled with lust. She loved that she had that effect on him. If anyone else had ever said that to her, she would have probably been pissed, or at the very least hurt, but the way her mate said it, how could she be?
“And why is that?” Sofia teased Lars, running her hands up and down the sides of the little black dress that clung to her body and showed off an indecent amount of her golden brown skin.
“Because I’m ready to rip that dress from those beautiful curves and have my fucking way with you, that’s why.” Lars stood and licked his lips. He stalked closer to her, slowly removing his tie and tossing it on the couch.
Sofia nibbled on her bottom lip. “Is that a threat or a promise?” She knew she was playing with fire, but she couldn’t help it. She wanted to get burned.
“Both.”
Lars sprung on her an instant later, pulling her into his arms.
“Do not rip this dress from me, you beast.” She tried to use her best stern voice, but damn, it was hard when her legs quivered and her core flooded with heat.
“Why would you take my fun away?” Lars pouted.
“Because I just bought it, and I’d like to wear it to our engagement party.” Sofia rose up on her tippy toes and sucked his bottom lip into her mouth.
“Fine, but I’m shredding the next one.” Lars stepped out of his shoes and unzipped his pants, letting them fall to the floor.
“Deal.”
His lips crashed down on her as his hands worked their way to her back and slowly pulled the zipper of her dress down.
“Mmm. You actually listened.”
“Don’t get too used to it.” Lars bent Sofia over the ottoman.
She moaned as the head of his cock pressed into her entrance.
“Gods, you are so fucking wet. I can’t wait to make you come on my cock.”
“Yes, please.”
“Do you want me to fuck you? Is that what my mate needs?” Lars nibbled on her shoulder and pressed his canines into her mating mark.
Fuck! He could make her orgasm just like that.
“Yes! Fuck me, Lars!” Sofia shouted, in desperate need of her mate. Thankfully, he didn’t hesitate, sliding home in one swift thrust.
Sofia’s body shook beneath Lars. She loved how her pussy stretched to accommodate his size.
“I love watching you take all of my cock. It’s so fucking hot.” Lars pumped faster for a minute, then slowed, giving her long full strokes that she begged for.
She’d come to the conclusion that she had absolutely no problem telling her mate exactly how she wanted to be fucked. Even if she couldn’t find the courage to speak the words out loud, she made her demands through their mating connection.
The one thing she had feared the most about being claimed proved invaluable when it came to reclaiming her self-confidence. At first, she had doubted how Lars felt, but in time, she saw that her mate had eyes for only her. When he thought about sex, it was always with her. She had finally found someone who made her their priority in life. It was more than she had ever expected, and exactly what she had always needed.
Epilogue
After their semi-quickie Lars and Sofia finally headed out to their official engagement party. Sofia couldn’t wait to see all her friends. She had missed them more than she’d thought possible. She would have to bake Tanner a cake or something for providing his teleportation services.
When the dust settled from the fire and the kidnapping, Sofia found herself constantly looking over her shoulder, even though she knew that Sam was dead. He had escaped from her grasp when he fled, but not Aric Wolfe’s. Despite the outcome of the situation with Sam her hometown no longer felt safe. She’d had many great years there, but the wounds from what Sam had done were still fresh in her mind.
Sofia had decided to give Black Paw a chance while she dealt with the emotions from all that had happened. Lars had been ecstatic about her decision and even offered to build her a new house at Black Paw if that was what she wanted.
But there was no need. His house was perfect to start their new life together.
She’d never had much involvement with the pack back home, but something in her was changing. She didn’t see shifters the way she used to, as violent, impulsive creatures to be feared. It helped that the wolves at Black Paw welcomed her with open arms, never once questioning her loyalty or faithfulness to her mate. They were a close knit pack, and for the first time, she truly felt like she was home.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Melanie James is the author of more than two dozen books. She grew up in western Pennsylvania before heading off to Chicago, seeking new adventures. She found life in a big city fun for a while and even met the love of her life there. Melanie quickly tired of the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle and settled down with her one true love in northeast Wisconsin.
Melanie has two kids, three step-kids, a beautiful daughter in-law, and the cutest grandbaby. She also has two dogs and two cats that often make appearances in her books.
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Want to know more about the Black Paw Wolves? Check out Fur Ever Yours and Fur Ever Witched.
Sassy Ever After: You Bet Your Sass Page 7
