by Tasha Black
She would have called such sentiments melodramatic, if they weren’t so true.
The worst part was, she didn’t even know why he had left.
She presumed it was likely because she had brutally attacked another member of his pack, but she wasn’t sure what else she should have done.
Maybe if she had more experience being a wolf, then she would have found another way out. But she didn’t.
And he hadn’t even given her the chance to explain. He’d just left.
It certainly didn’t leave her in the mood for a movie night.
The doorbell rang before she had time to think of an excuse.
The girls all looked at each other in confusion. Bianca had been staying with them during her recovery. She’d only spent one night in this apartment since they’d arrived, so she hardly expected guests.
Her heart leapt in her chest, hoping it would be Ian.
“I’ll get it,” Addison said, dashing off before either of the others could get up.
Bianca was disappointed before she even returned. She knew another shifter had joined them. But it wasn’t her mate.
Addison came in leading a slight blonde woman with bright blue eyes.
“This is Mrs. Wolfe, the pack alpha sent her to talk with you,” Addison said.
“It’s Barbara, honey. Please don’t get up,” the lady said kindly. “After what you went through we figured another man bursting down your door was the last thing you needed. I’m here to catch you up.”
“Um, thank you,” Bianca said.
“First of all, you did a number on Zachary Greenfield, you should be very proud of yourself. For a newborn shifter you knocked it out of the park, kiddo. Unfortunately, you didn’t quite take him all the way out, so he shifted, and now he’s very nearly healed. He’s before the pack council now. If he survives that, he’ll be taken into police custody. If,” Barbara emphasized, smiling at Bianca like she’d won the lottery.
A shiver went down Bianca’s spine.
“Secondly, you’re probably wondering what happened with the house you broke into. As a matter of fact, the Peterson’s owed my husband a favor, so they have decided not to press charges,” she said sternly. “But I hope you don’t make a habit of this kind of thing.”
Bianca had been so lost in her own grief she hadn’t even thought about the consequences of the break-in. But she could tell by the relief on her friends’ faces that they had not forgotten.
“We won’t,” she assured Mrs. Wolfe. “I promise.”
“Good. By the way, the journal you found not only supported your friend’s theory about President Jackson, but it also contained accounts of several other shifters of note, famous personalities who were mated into their gift, but for one reason or another didn’t want to have their status recorded in the official Historical Files. Truly the journal is a treasure trove of information. We are deeply grateful to you for finding it.
“We were also grateful to know about my nephew Angus’s ‘accident.’ It turns out Zach put a silver bracelet on him,” she said, her voice cold. “As soon as it was removed he was able to shift and heal properly. He’ll be by to thank you himself sooner or later, though he’ll likely thank you for saving the journal before he thanks you for saving his life.”
Barbara chuckled.
Bianca gave Addison a meaningful look. She knew her friend was so committed to historical documents, that she’d likely do the same in Angus’s position.
“Finally,” Barbara continued, “you’re now not only a resident of Blue Creek, but also a shifter. So it’s my honor to officially welcome you to the pack. We know you’re still recovering but I expect you’ll stop by the house to meet my family and have supper with us as soon as you’re up to it.” Barbara smiled. “My girls would like you, I think.”
“I thought you only had one daughter,” Bianca said.
“Oh, my boys have been busy, so I’ve got girls now too - daughters-in-law,” Barbara smiled, her eyes twinkling.
There was a pause, during which Bianca smiled, and Barbara patted her knee.
“Speaking of which,” Barbara continued, “there is the matter of Ian Anderson.”
She paused again, letting his name hang in the air.
Bianca fought back her tears, the lump in her throat too big to swallow.
“He’s a good man,” Barbara told Bianca sternly. “He’s loved you for a long time. Is there a reason you’ve rejected him?”
“Re-rejected him?” Bianca echoed in confusion.
“He called the school this morning,” Barbara said. “Told them to call in a long-term substitute teacher. He’s completely crushed, Bianca. I know he’s older than you, but I wish you would give him a chance.”
“He-he left me. He doesn’t want me anymore. I haven’t seen him since that night…” Bianca couldn’t continue.
“Is this true?” Barbara spun around to ask Addison and Mei, her blue eyes blazing.
“Yes, ma’am,” Mei replied.
Barbara was on her feet instantly, pacing the room.
“Young people. So adorable but so foolish. It’s another stupid misunderstanding, but this one could have had terrible consequences,” she muttered. “And you, Bianca. You were supposed to be so smart.”
“I’m sorry,” Bianca said helplessly.
She heard Addison clear her throat.
Crap.
Fuck that stupid no-apology thing.
“No, darling, you did nothing wrong. And if you kids weren’t so foolish there’d be nothing for me to do.”
Barbara stopped, perching back on the couch and meeting Bianca’s gaze.
“Do you love him?” the older woman asked.
“Yes,” Bianca nodded, hoping her seriousness came through.
“Then reach out to him,” Barbara said.
“Like, through our mate bond?” Bianca asked, wondering how that worked.
Barbara threw her head back and laughed.
“I meant with a phone, but you can try the mate bond thing, go on.”
Bianca smiled sheepishly.
But she closed her eyes and called to him anyway. Couldn’t hurt to try.
Nothing happened.
She closed her eyes and tried again.
Ian, she said into the darkness.
Nothing.
But Bianca was not taking no for an answer.
She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and pictured her mate: fur of silver, eyes of gold.
Come back to me, she begged.
There was a tug on her heart, as if it were attached to a leash.
Then nothing.
She opened her eyes.
Mei and Addison were studying her aptly. Barbara was smiling.
“Is he coming, honey?” she asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe I’d better call him on the phone,” Bianca said sheepishly.
“We’ll give you some privacy to do that,” Barbara said immediately. “Come on girls, let’s go get a milkshake.”
Bianca sat in silence for a moment.
Then she slid her phone out of her pocket and stared at it, bracing herself.
Barbara had said Ian loved her. But was it true? Or had he changed his mind?
She pulled up his contact and was about to press call when the doorbell rang again.
The girls had probably forgotten something and they were just ringing the bell to let her know they were coming up, so they didn’t accidentally eavesdrop on her conversation.
But when she didn’t hear footsteps on the stairs, Bianca put her phone back in her pocket and headed down to the porch.
Chapter 22
Ian paced the covered porch of the old Victorian as the wind-whipped trees thrashed around him, colorful leaves flying through the air and sticking on the wet sidewalk.
The weather matched his feelings perfectly.
So many emotions crowded his heart as he knocked on the heavy oak door.
Bianca had called to him. That was all that mattere
d.
And she had done it through their bond.
Footsteps on the other side of the door signaled her arrival, although he didn’t need them to know she was near. Somehow, he managed to stop pacing and stand calmly.
The door burst open and then she was there, her face so pale, blonde tresses hanging limply over her shoulders.
Her green eyes were luminous. She stared up at him like a ghost.
Haunted - he had been haunted by her beauty, by her loss, and now by this look of reproach. Had he really made her so unhappy?
But he knew she would never have been in the position to have to nearly kill someone to defend herself if not for him.
“Bianca, I’m s—” he began.
“—Don’t say you’re sorry,” she cut him off. “What do you want?”
He paused. Hadn’t she been the one to call to him?
“Honestly,” she added quickly. “What do you want?”
“You,” he answered simply.
Her eyes flashed but she didn’t speak, so he continued.
“I’ve always wanted you, Bianca. I’m a selfish, greedy bastard, but all I want is you. I know you didn’t choose this life, and I’m sorry things changed so much without you having a say.”
“Why did you leave me?” she asked.
He could tell by her voice that it cost her to ask.
“You don’t want me,” he said quietly. “You don’t want this life.”
“Why would you think that?” she asked.
“You were afraid of me. You cowered,” he said. “You had to defend yourself against that… monster. You were so frightened.”
“I’m glad I shifted. He was going to force himself on me - I was proud to brutalize him. I wish I’d killed him. But then you came and you were so upset. You were disgusted by me. You were ashamed of me…”
She couldn’t finish.
“And when you woke up, I was gone,” he murmured.
She nodded tearfully.
“You’re right, I was ashamed, Bianca,” he told her gently, taking her hand and wrapping it in his own. “But I wasn’t ashamed of you. I was proud - so proud - that you defended yourself. That was your first shift and you fought, and you won.”
He paused to tuck a lock of her hair behind her ear and gather his thoughts.
She leaned into his hand, nearly derailing him. But he was determined to tell her everything.
“But I was ashamed,” he continued. “I was ashamed of myself. Ashamed that I hadn’t been there, that I let you end up in that position - having to defend yourself.”
She took his hand and flung it away from her face.
“How many times do I have to tell you I can take care of myself?” she demanded.
He stepped back, hands up reflexively.
“No more times, I promise,” he assured her.
“Liar,” she said quietly.
Then she began to laugh.
The sound of it was so lovely that his wolf began to caper in his chest.
“You’re right,” he admitted. “I know you’re smart. I know you’re tough. But I’m going to keep on trying to protect you, anyway. I’m going to make it my job to keep you out of trouble, Bianca Silver.”
“Because you’re a wolf,” she began.
“Because I love you,” he said.
“Because you love me,” she echoed with a sweet smile.
“Now it’s your turn,” he said in a stage whisper.
She grinned back at him. But she didn’t say it.
Instead she came close to him again, so close he could see himself reflected in those beautiful green eyes.
She wound her arms around his neck and went up on tiptoe to kiss him lightly on the lips.
The scent of cinnamon clung to her - she tasted like home.
She snuggled herself closer to him, crushing her breasts against his chest.
He pressed her into the wall of the house, angling his hardness against her curves, loving the soft sounds she made as she felt the evidence of his desire.
He kissed her harder, ravaging her mouth with his. He wanted to claim her right there. He didn’t care about the wood floor of the porch, didn’t care that the storm was breaking, lashing them with rain that angled in under the porch roof.
Suddenly his wolf pricked up his ears.
Before he could release Bianca, the giggling began.
It was her friends.
He turned.
It was her friends and the alpha’s wife.
“Hey, Barbara,” he said, wincing a little.
“Ian, glad you made it back,” she smiled a little too widely.
“We brought you a milkshake, Bianca,” Addison said, lifting up one of the two she held.
“If you can stop kissing him long enough to drink it,” Mei laughed.
“She can’t,” Ian said firmly.
Pretending they were utterly alone, he leaned in to kiss Bianca again.
She tilted her face up to him, her eyes shining, and kissed him back.
Her friends cheered, and Bianca smiled against his lips.
Ian’s heart shuddered, as if it were unable to bear the joy he felt.
“Should we go in with them?” he whispered into her hair.
She nodded.
He pulled away, but suddenly she was pulling him close again.
And then Bianca Silver looked up at him, her green eyes solemn.
“I love you, too,” she said, shattering his heart with four small words.
Chapter 23
Bianca watched the lights play on Ian’s face as he drove them home after an evening spent with friends.
Home.
She studied the face of the man she’d dreamt about since she was seventeen years old.
He looked the same as he had ten years ago, his straw colored hair a little too long, wildly handsome features, strong jaw. But now there was a slight smile playing on the edges of his lips.
He loved her. The idea was thrilling and yet still not quite real.
He noticed her studying him and slid his palm onto her thigh. His hand was so warm.
“Penny for your thoughts,” he offered.
Hm.
“What happens now?” she asked.
He turned to her and lifted an eyebrow, causing her to shiver with anticipation.
“Well, I know about that part,” she said, feeling her cheeks turn pink. “I mean after that.”
“You finish your degree in June, right?” Ian asked.
She nodded.
“So what did you plan to do next?” he asked.
“Well, I was thinking I would keep my place here and write,” Bianca said. “But Addison wants us to visit a place called Tarker’s Hollow in Pennsylvania. She said that there was something interesting happening there, an open portal.”
“I heard about that,” Ian said thoughtfully. “If it really happened, then it’s a huge threat to the shifter community - to everyone really. It would be incredibly dangerous…”
Bianca waited.
“So?” she asked.
“So, although I know you can take care of yourself… if you go, I’m coming too,” he said darkly.
Bianca laughed and hugged herself.
“Are you laughing at me?” he demanded with a smile.
“Maybe,” she shrugged.
“If I were you, I’d show my elder some respect,” he advised.
“Oh, yeah, or what?” she asked, giggling.
Suddenly the car was jostling as he pulled over to the side of the road.
Then he was holding her face in his hands, kissing her fiercely, patiently, until she was trembling and squirming in her seat.
Oh.
“Now behave, love, I have to get us home,” he said, giving her a chaste kiss on the forehead.
When they pulled up in front of the fairytale house at last, Ian hopped out of the car, opened her door for her, and then swept her up in his arms as though it were the most normal thing in the world.
> “Ian, no,” she protested. “I’m too heavy.”
“You are perfection,” he assured her, “exactly the way you are.”
She buried her face in his neck, suddenly weak with desire.
He couldn’t get them into the house fast enough, couldn’t get their clothes off too soon.
At last, she was naked in his bed, the sheets soft against her skin.
Ian stood over her, his eyes shining.
The moonlight from the window played on his body, highlighting the hard planes of his chest, the ridges of his abs.
“Mine,” he said, looking down at her tenderly.
“Yours,” she agreed. Though she might have agreed to anything just to get him inside her.
Then he was crawling on top of her, tangling his hands in her hair as he kissed her.
Bianca sighed, wishing he would hurry and slow down all at once. Wishing the moment would last forever.
“Beautiful, wild mate,” he whispered in her ear.
She shivered as he ran a hand from her ribcage down to her hip and back again slowly.
He stroked her again, this time extending his thumb to caress her nipple on the way down.
Bianca couldn’t hold back a tiny moan.
Ian’s grip on her hair tightened and he kissed her again, hungrily, and allowed his other hand to trail down to her hip then stroke her belly.
Bianca tried to wiggle his hand back to her hip. She knew he loved her, knew he found her beautiful, but her round belly still made her feel embarrassed.
He pulled out of their kiss and looked down at her, his eyes burning.
“Is there a part of you that you don’t want me to touch?” he demanded.
She felt her cheeks redden, and she looked down, feeling worse than ever. She should have just let him do what he was going to do.
“Look at me,” he said sternly.
She peered up at him.
“I love you, Bianca Silver. I love all of you. I love this,” he said, stroking her nipple again gently until she felt almost desperate for him to pinch or tug. “I love this,” he allowed his hand to follow the curve of her hip. “And I love this,” he said, stroking her belly gently. “It’s part of you. I will defend you from all comers, Bianca, even from yourself. So don’t think you can rob this part of your body of its due. I’m going to love it, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”
