To Tame His Mate (12 page)

A movement brought their attention to the bed in time to see Sarah’s form waver and become a beautiful caramel-colored wolf. She lifted her head and regarded Stephanie with wary eyes, before turning to Erik. He sensed her uncertainty and knew she was worried about her friend. She moved to rise and whined when the stitches in her side pulled, but when she moved to nip at the stitches, Stephanie snapped her fingers in her face.

“Don’t make me put one of those damn cones around your neck! You leave those stitches in until I say they’re ready to come out, missy.” That earned her a growl and a huff as Sarah plopped back down on the bed to rest her head on her front paws.

“It’s just her wolf’s natural reaction to a foreign body. Just like any other canine would try to chew them out, we will too.” At her incredulous look, Erik just shrugged. He knew it was kinda weird, but really, how else could he explain it?

Finally, Stephanie gave her head a little shake and turned back to Sarah. “It’s a little weird talking to a wolf, but I wanted to tell you, thank you. You tried to save me, and I’m touched, but if you ever do that again, I’ll shoot you myself.”

Sarah cocked her head and stared at Stephanie then at Erik as he explained to Stephanie, “I don’t think she remembers much about the end of the encounter.” He turned his focus back to Sarah. “Stephanie shot the wolf that had jumped onto your back. She hit him square in the chest. I actually think he was dead before he fully collapsed on top of you.”

“Sarah, I can take care of myself, for the most part, and while it’s going to take some getting use to, I think I can even handle hanging around some werewolves.” She reached out and ruffled the fur between Sarah’s ears. “It’s just a really good thing that I’d come to trust all of you before this happened.”

Between one breath and the next, Sarah was lying on the bed again. “Thank you for saving me. I knew I was in trouble, but I had no intention of allowing my past to destroy the only true family I’d ever known.”

“Then you should have let me know through our link that you were in trouble
before
those bastards hurt you,” Erik scolded. “We’re here for you, Sarah, but you have to let us help. You aren’t alone anymore.”

“And you have friends who care, as well,” Stephanie added.

“And brothers who can’t pick on you if you’re dead,” Adam yelled from the front room.

The feeling of love in the house was so strong, so warm, that Erik knew everything would be all right.

Stephanie suddenly sat up. “I should go. I don’t want to intrude on you guys any more than I already have tonight. You rest, and I’ll come back to check on you after a little while.” She bent and gave Sarah a gentle hug, careful not to press on her side. “And leave those stitches alone. Erik told me you guys heal quickly, and he can call me if he feels they need to come out before I get back. Got it?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Sarah replied.

“Good. Now, get some rest.” Stephanie turned to leave, and Erik pulled her into an ironclad embrace. “Umph.”

“Thank you for saving her. You have no idea what that means to me, knowing that you risked yourself like that.” Erik released her and smiled. “Abraham is getting a little peeved at me right now.” He leaned down and whispered softly, “Go easy on the poor bastard. I think you may be his mate. He’s had a hard past, and it’ll take him some time to get past it, but he’s already coming around.”

Erik could see she was startled and more than a little confused, but Stephanie simply nodded and moved out the bedroom door. Abraham rose when she reached the living room, but she motioned for him to stay.

“It’s been a long night, Abe, and I need to get home and rest for a while. I’ll call you later, though. You should stay and help out here.”

Abraham’s facial expression never changed, but the way his eyes dropped and he refused to look back up, told Erik that he considered this as her ending things between them.

“You could use that time to figure out what we could do on our next date, if you like. Run your ideas by me when I come back,” she added. Bless her, but Erik was tempted to hug the woman again.

Now, Abraham’s eyes met hers and Erik could see the relief there. “I can do that,” Abraham replied. “You rest up. You’ve been through a lot tonight, too.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ve been through much worse.”

Before anyone could voice the questions now visible on each man’s face, she ducked out the front door and jumped into her car.

It would seem that Stephanie had a bit of a history herself.

Chapter Twelve

A week later, Sarah was as good as new. She sprinted through the woods with Erik at her side. He’d been gone most of the morning with his brothers and had come home anxious for a run. She knew that he was heading to the clearing, so she darted ahead. At the edge of the tree line, she drew up short. Thick robes hung from branches, and a blanket and basket had been spread out near the bank of the creek.

“I wanted to surprise you with a picnic. It’s a little chilly, so I left robes out here, as well.” Erik walked past her, retrieved his robe then slid it on. He held hers out for her to do the same. She shifted and gladly accepted the robe once the chilly air blew over her bare skin.

“This is so nice. I’ve never had a picnic before,” she admitted as they walked over to the blanket.

“Well, we can just start crossing things off of that list of things never done. You just let me know what you want to do, and we’ll do it.” He kissed her gently and gestured for her to sit. “This will just be the first.”

He pulled out a thermos and two mugs, sandwiches and a bowl of chocolate dipped strawberries. He’d brought some steaming tomato soup to enjoy with their meal. Next, he removed a bottle of wine and a couple of glasses. After pouring the wine, he put out some plates, and they began to eat.

It was absolutely perfect.

The sun shown brightly with little white wisps of clouds streaking the otherwise clear blue sky while a cool breeze blew through the changing trees, reminding them winter was closing in. It was her favorite time of year, watching everything change while knowing that the land only slumbered for a short time before life would return with warmth and beauty in a few short months.

Sarah was curled into Erik’s side, munching on a strawberry, when she felt him shift. He drew a deep breath, and she felt he was nervous and maybe even a little scared.

“What’s wrong?” She sat up, scanning their surroundings, but found nothing.

“I just wanted to try another first with you,” he replied. “I guess I’m just nervous about how you might react to it.”

Sarah wasn’t sure what he had in mind but was sure that she wouldn’t mind. “I trust you, Erik. I love you, and I know that you wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. You’ve proven that already.”

“Yeah, but this is different.” His hand was in the pocket of his robe, and he wouldn’t look her in the eye.

“Just spit it out already.” She was getting nervous, too. What could he possibly want that had him so scared to tell her?

His hand slowly came out of his pocket holding a small velvet box. “This is for you.”

Sarah had never owned jewelry and couldn’t imagine what he could have gotten her, but the hopeful look in his eyes melted her heart. He wanted her to like whatever it was he’d gotten her, and she was sure that she would.

Opening the box, she froze. A stunningly beautiful diamond shone back at her.

“Sarah Gray, will you please allow me to spend the rest of my life loving you? Will you become my wife? You carry my heart and soul already, and now, I’d like for you to carry my name, as well.”

Sarah was ready to burst. Tears welled in her eyes, her lip trembled, and she let out a choked sob as she nodded her head in reply. “Yes.”

She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him close. “Erik, I love you so much. Why would you think that I wouldn’t want to be with you forever?”

A sheepish look came over him. “I was afraid that the old saying ‘ball and chain’ might make you feel tied down, and I know that you need your freedom.”

“But I am free with you. I’m free to live, laugh and love. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.” She watched as he slid the ring onto her finger before lifting her hand and placing a kiss on it.

“You up for another first?”

“Sure, why not?” Sarah laughed.

“Then let’s go tell my mom.”

They both cracked up. His mother was sure to be ecstatic over the engagement and would no doubt be after them for grandbabies in no time. Not that Sarah minded. She had a family now—a man who loved her with all of his heart and would do anything for her, his parents who treated her as if she were their own, and his brothers who accepted her without question.

Sarah was home.

About the Author

I am a wife and mother first, an author second and also hold a full-time job…because of something called “bills”. BLECH!! I’m also an avid reader and enjoy a wide variety of genres from contemporary to historical and—of course—paranormal, though I tend to stick to romance.

I write for the joy of it, and love to hear from readers, so come join me on Facebook or Twitter and let’s chat!

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