Page 167 of Howlin’ For You

I think a large part of Dane was hoping Georgie would be his mate when we were kids, but that was less about her specifically and more about finding his person.

“Were you all talking just then?” Izzy asks from astride my back. “You can talk to each other in wolfy form?”

I nod, continuing to trot along the way Georgie and Dane went.

“That’s so cool,” she murmurs, the sound barely audible above the sound of the breeze rustling through the trees.

I’m glad you think so, petite copine, I reply, despite knowing she won’t understand. I’m glad you aren’t running from me. I’m happy I’ve somehow convinced you that I’m not going to let you down. That I’m a man who can give you the love you deserve. I’m glad you’ve given me the opportunity to know you. I’m glad you’re mine.

She lowers her head until she can rest fully on me, arms wrapping around as much of my wolf chest as she can. “I don’t know what you just said, but I do know that it was sweet.”

I rumble my chest so she can feel it, and her arms squeeze tighter. Have I ever felt more at peace than in this moment?

I don’t think so.

I pick up the pace just a little, tear into the mossy dirt with my claws just a little rougher since she’s got a better grip on me. The scent of the ground rises with each forward motion, mixing with her sweetness.

“Okay, this is faster!” she says, thighs clenching around me.

Those goddamn thighs. I never thought I was a man of many words, but I swear I could write poetry about those thighs.

Thick and perfect for biting.

I’m not letting her out of my house for a full day after this. The event may be in a week, but I need my mouth on those legs more than this town needs a party.

My need for her spurs me forward until the trees blur beside me. The sounds of the forest blend in time with my heartbeat as I truly run.

“Fuck, this is cool!” Izzy’s voice rings above the noise, cutting clear like a knife through butter. “We have to do this again!”

If it’s up to me, Isabella Gregory, we’ll do this every single month for the rest of my life.

We run for hours, mostly keeping away from Dane and Georgie. If he is jealous, I don’t want to rub Izzy in his face. He’ll feel better tomorrow when the wolf blood isn’t pumping so fiercely in his veins, when he can meet her as Dane the man and not in his most vulnerable state.

Eventually, Izzy falls asleep on my back, and I start the slow walk home so as not to disturb her. There’s a serenity in my head and a fullness in my chest. As the moon descends over the tops of the trees and I feel the pull of the goddess dull, I can honestly say this is the best full moon I’ve had since my family was alive.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

ISABELLA

My eyes flutter open, expecting to still be riding on a giant wolf version of my boyfriend. Instead, I’m lying in his bed with sunshine filtering through the windows.

He needs curtains. Add that to my list.

I rarely ever wake up before Nick, but today he softly snoozes beside me, and I soak up the opportunity to watch him.

Appreciate him.

He’s stretched out on his back—a perfect example of manspreading—one arm above his head and the other around me, holding me close. His large biceps are loose and relaxed, making him look a little less imposing.

His broad chest rises and falls slowly with each breath. His abs shine in the sunlight, and I can’t help but trail my fingers along the dips and valleys.

He’s devastatingly beautiful in such a rugged, rough way. A way that speaks to the amount of trauma his body goes through once a month, and the physical training that goes into handling it.

And yet, despite that, his face is so calm. Peaceful. Inviting.

I shimmy up onto my elbow so I can look down at him properly.

I think I love you.