Page 78 of Blade

There was some word for it I’d forgotten, but they were basically undeveloped corridors where it looked like animals would be able to travel safely. “At first I only found deer and some odd tracks I think might’ve been different shifters that aren’t native to North America. Then I found a couple of yours and that helped me narrow it down too.”

I was actually a pretty good tracker and it’d come in handy this time.

“What do you remember from when you found me?” He was being stubborn, so once I was ready, I picked up his shoes and handed them over. “I wasn’t sure what you were thinking at first.”

“Very little.” He sighed, but gave in and started putting his shoes on. “I’m only getting flashes of what I was doing before I met you, but I remember following a scent that turned out to be you and then feeling very possessive. Confused but possessive.”

Yeah, I bet.

“You did amazing at realizing I wasn’t lunch.” I kissed his cheek as he glared at the tennis shoes that were a bit too flashy for my preppy mate. “If walking around the state park sounds stressful we can always drive out toward Lumberton and see if we can find a shoe store.”

We’d reached the point where we officially needed to do more shopping for everything from clothes for him to food for usboth. With me feeling less insane, it was time to start tackling a few things on the to-do list.

Like creating a to-do list, but one thing at a time.

“You smelled so good, I’m pretty sure lunch was the last thing on my mind.” He laughed as I groaned. “You still smell good, but you also smell relaxed and happy.”

“So?” I knew I’d won, but I was waiting for him to say it.

“Sowe’ll go on a walk first and then we’ll see how we’re feeling after that.” He was the definition of stubborn, but the more dramatic I got, the more relaxed he seemed to feel about our outing. “I might even be talked into a date if you’re feeling up to it. I was promised a restaurant and I’ve yet to actually get a meal at one.”

I was pretty sure that was a bribe for me, not a tease on how to please him, because I’d been the one frustrated about our lack of lunch options. “You’re right. I don’t know what I’ve been thinking.”

He smiled, looking like he was more comfortable with the plan, but I wasn’t satisfied until he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against him in a tight hug. “I’m going to be paying close attention to your emotions.”

I wasn’t sure how to take that, so I gave him a quick peck and tried to look innocent. “Thank you for taking such good care of me.”

Hmm.

The eye roll said I should’ve tried another tactic.

“How frustrated will I be if you get upset and try to downplay it?” The way he was holding me reminded me of how patient he could be, so I didn’t drag my feet.

“Very and I don’t like upsetting you.” I also didn’t like feeling terrible. “I promise I’m feeling better, and if that starts to change, I will let you know.”

It was going to be a while before he got over how crazy I’d felt.

“The only things I can think of is that being in an open space might make me uncomfortable or that being around too many people might set off my anxiety again, but I really don’t think either of those are likely to happen.” Who knew what else could surprise me, though.

“Just talking it out helped and…well…something about us getting physically closer has made me feel a lot steadier too.” Being mates was weird. “I don’t have any stress over the idea of leaving the trailer and I even took a long shower over in the bathrooms after lunch.”

Because someone had gotten me sticky again.

Oh, that grin.

“I’m enjoying getting you dirty and I plan on doing it again later.” He was very proud of how dirty he could get me too. “But if you needlessly upset my mate, it will be nothing but a polite hand job and gentle kiss at bedtime.”

Ugh.

“There’s no need to threaten that kind of punishment.” I was going to behave. “But now I expect a reward for being good today.”

Fingers crossed everything went well so I could prove I’d been right.

“We’ll see what happens.” Blaine wasn’t even bothering trying to hide how skeptical he looked. “But no matter what, I’m going to enjoy spending time with you.”

Even if I had a mental breakdown while we were out.

“We’re going to have fun.” And I made a good start proving that as we drove over to the state park again, not even worrying about the ranger as we pulled down the long road leading to the trails. “See? Fine so far.”