“Darwin gave me a little help. He said Shale wouldn’t mind donating their resources to their best geologist.” Ashton’s voice is low in her ear, he’s come up behind her in the silent way he does and she shivers as his breath blows onto her naked neck.
“You mean their ex-best geologist.” Sofie corrects him automatically, too caught up in what she’s seeing. She’s touched beyond belief that Ashton would do this for her.
“No, I meant what I said. Darwin and I had a long talk and he made it very clear that I wasn’t to distract you from your work. I think he might have used the word ‘tomfoolery’.” Ashton looks at her, lapping up the awe in her eyes as she takes it all in.
It takes a few seconds for Sofie to process what Ash has just said. “What do you mean?”
“Well, Darwin figures that there’s still a lot to learn about the rocks in the canyon, the minerals etc. and he thinks you’re in a unique position to lead the way in the research. You said it yourself, Shale are investing more in research for the sake of science, instead of greed.” He pauses, watching her as the realization of what is happening dawns on her. “So, what do you think?”
It’s only then that Sofie realizes how nervous Ashton is and it only makes her love him more, if that were even possible. She looks at him with tears in her eyes and flings herself into his arms, holding onto him tight as she rains kisses down on his face.
“I’ll take that as meaning you like it?” Ashton looks at her ruefully once she lets him talk.
“You did all of this, for me?” Sofie looks into his blue eyes, wondering if there is ever going to be a time that she gets to the bottom of this man, when he can no longer surprise her. Just when she thinks she knows everything about him, he turns around and amazes her again.
“Well, I can’t take all the credit. Darwin had a hand in it too, or maybe I should say an iron fist! But when I told him what I had in mind he pretty much jumped at the chance.” Ashton circles Sofie in his arms, enjoying how happy she looks.
“How did you know? How did you know how important it was to me?” Sofie shakes her head like she still can’t believe what she’s seeing in front of her.
“Because I know you, Sofie Braun. I know that scientific mind of yours is a part of you just as much as your kindness, your bravery, your strength and everything else about you that I love.” Ashton cradles her face in his hands, looking at her as if she were the answer to all of his questions.
Sofie holds her breath as tears of joy prevent her from being able to breathe or even speak. This man, this incredible man, he is her lover, her mate, her other half, he is all that she could ever have dreamed of and so much more. She has been waiting for this moment, trying to find the perfect time to tell him.
“Before you say anything, there’s on more thing.” Ashton holds up his hand, stopping whatever was about to come out of her mouth. “I’ve been trying to figure out the perfect time to do this, but nothing ever seems quite right.” Ashton shakes his head as if he were annoyed at himself at his own indecisiveness. Sofie doesn’t think that she’s ever seen him this flustered; it wasn’t a word that she would ever associate with him, the Alpha male, the pack leader. But that’s definitely how he looked right now.
She reaches out her hand, stroking the soft bristles of his blonde beard. “It’s alright, whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.” She looks into his baby blues, wondering what it is that has him so tied up in circles.
“Well, I’ve already figured it out.” Ashton levels her with a meaningful look. “I think I figured it out the first time I saw you, it was like I just knew. The pack already sees you as their Pack Mother. Now it’s time to make things official.” He closes his eyes and takes a breath like he’s gearing himself up for something big and Sofie feels her heart beat faster. “A life without you doesn’t make any sense to me, you’re everything I want, everything that I need. You drive me crazy, but it’s the best kind of crazy there is!” His wry smile smoothes out, turning his face serious. “Sofie Braun, I want you to be my wife, I want you to have my children. Say you will.”
For a few seconds Sofie doesn’t say anything, she thinks she might have actually lost the ability to speak, there are too many emotions threatening to overtake her. That’s when she realizes that this is the perfect moment, the one she had been looking for. She chalks up the courage to tell Ashton the only thing she’s been able to think about since she found out.
“Ashton, half of that is already taken care of.” She takes his hand and covers her belly with it, staring up into his face, waiting for his reaction.
He looks confused but then his eyes widen with realization. “You’re pregnant?”
As Sofie nods, Ashton kisses her hard and then drops to his knees, kissing her bare stomach so tenderly it makes her cry. “I can’t wait to meet you, little one.” He whispers against Sofie’s belly, stroking her. He looks up at her and rises up to his feet, wiping her tears away. “Don’t cry, baby girl. You’ve almost made me the happiest man in the world.”
Sofie looks at him with narrowed eyes. “Almost?”
“Well, you still haven’t answered the other half of my question.” He raises his eyebrow at her.
Sofie laughs lightly. “Yes, Ashton, my wolf-man, I’ll marry you. Nothing would make me happier.” She watches as his shoulders visibly relax and he brings her face closer to his, kissing her gently, tenderly.
“Our family.” Ashton says the words with reverence as he enfolds her into his arms, keeping one hand on her belly. He kisses her gently and she feels the familiar warmth stirring inside of her. She loves this man beyond reason, beyond all rationale, but she knew now that reason and rationale were overrated. Before, reason would have told her that there was no such thing as werewolves, no such thing as love at first sight, no such thing as soul mates. Now she knew she was mistaken on all three counts, and it had never felt so good to be wrong.
THE END
Liked the Alpha Love series?
Be sure to check out Olivia Stephen’s other series:
Bleeding Angles MC
Read for FREE Today! Just tap the cover!
Torrent (Alpha Love - a Paranormal Werewolf Shifter Romance Book 4) Page 21
