Chapter 9
Dare had experienced his share of quiet mornings since they’d come to King Lake, but none quite like the quietness of waking up with Audrey in his arms, knowing she wore his marks and was well and truly his.
It was a heady sort of quiet, the kind he was content to stay in while she slept on his chest, and her sweet scent was in his nose.
Things could have gone sideways last night.
She could have declared him too much trouble or listened to the lies from that she-wolf’s mouth. Instead, she showed herself to be a true alpha female, and now they were fully mated.
He wasn’t going to dwell on any of that anymore, though.
After they’d mated and he’d marked her, they’d talked in the dark about the future. And for the first time since he and his brothers had crossed the bridge over Pine Run River and taken residence in the houses behind the tavern, he felt at peace.
Audrey stirred against him while he was thinking about the day ahead.
She tipped her face to smile sleepily at him. “Morning.”
“Morning, sweetheart.”
He kissed her and she hummed contentedly. “Did you sleep well?” he asked.
“Like a dream. You?”
“Same.” A wonderful dream. The kind he wasn’t sure he’d get. He snuggled her close and kissed her again, then whispered, “I love you.”
“I love you too. But why are you whispering?”
“It’s early.”
“How early?”
“Seven.”
“Geez that’s late. I’m usually walking into the school by seven.”
“It’s early for a night owl.”
She sat up and leaned over him. “A night wolf?”
“If there is such a thing, yes.”
She grinned. “What made you wake up?”
“I’m not sure. I just woke up thinking how happy I was, how crazy I am about you.”
“I’m crazy about you too. And also coffee.”
She turned and slid from the bed, and he watched her put on his shirt and nothing else and pad out of the room toward the kitchen.
When she came back into the room a little bit later with mugs in her hands, she knee-walked across the bed and handed a mug to him. She crossed her legs and settled on the bed, taking a sip. “There’s only one more week of school, then I’m free for the summer.”
“Are you excited?” He took a drink and smiled at how she knew exactly how to fix his coffee. He loved that she paid attention to the little things.
“Yep. The last day of school is a half day on Friday. The first night the deck is open is a perfect way to celebrate the freedom that comes from working at a school.”
He agreed.
“Is there a school in King Lake?” she asked.
“No. There aren’t any kids yet. Maggie, the female bear in the den, is pregnant, so eventually that’ll come up.”
“Maybe they’ll home school. Do shifters do that?”
“It depends on the group. We had a pack school. Maggie’s the only female in the den and she’s mated. Until the bears and dragons find their mates, and our pack starts having kids, there won’t be any reason to have a school.”
“I guess we’ll figure things out as we go,” she said. She smiled at him over the mug.
“What’s got you so smiley this morning?” he asked.
“I’m just thinking about tonight and getting to see you in your shift. Plus, you asked me to move in. I’m really excited about that, too.”
“I can’t wait.”
“I might be a bit of a clutter bug when it comes to my makeup and skincare stuff.”
“I just need a place for my toothbrush and razor. The rest is yours.”
“Aw. But we can still share the shower, right?” She wiggled her brows at him.
“Hell yes.”
He tossed back the covers and put his mug down. She let out an adorable wait for me and followed him into the bathroom, where he proved there was plenty of space on the counter – and in the shower – for the both of them.
That afternoon, he took her to her place and helped her pack what they could fit into his car, and then they spent the time until the tavern opened hanging out and putting her things away.
Soon enough, he was back behind the bar for the night, and she was helping run drinks and food to the customers since they were short their regular server. He’d told her she didn’t need to help, but she’d been happy to stay busy, and he liked seeing her be part of the tavern.
When they’d closed for the night, he put his arm around her and walked out the back door with the pack behind them. “Did you have fun?”
“I did,” she said. “The time goes fast. And I made some tips! How cool was that?”
“You’re a natural with the customers,” Trick said.
“I agree,” Dare said. “If you want to work at the tavern this summer, I’d love to have you there. But you’re welcome to hang out anyway, working or not.” He kissed her temple. “I like being able to see you whenever I want.”
“I like that too.”
They all stopped behind his house – that was now his and Audrey’s.
“Our pack’s complete,” Dare said. “I’m so happy for all of us.”
“Welcome to the pack, Audrey,” Trick said.
“We’re glad you’re here,” Sigh said.
Juliette and Cassidy hugged Audrey and then the couples walked away so the guys could shift in private.
He stared down at her, his heart filling with love. “Remember I’m still me when I’m my wolf, just furry.”
She grinned. “I remember. I’m not scared, I’m excited to see you shift. I’ve never seen someone turn into an animal before.” She went onto her toes and kissed him.
He wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her close. “I love you, sweetheart. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“Me too.”
He kissed her once more, then reluctantly let go and stepped a few feet away. As he started to strip, a shadow passed over the moonlit yard.
Audrey looked up.
Dare didn’t need to look up to know it was one of the dragons moving across the sky, but he looked up and saw the male flapping his enormous wings and gliding toward the ridge.
“That was–” Audrey said.
“A dragon. Probably Caz. He does most of the patrols.”
“The dragons on the ridge? They patrol over the town?”
“Yep. Not constantly, just once a night usually. There are five of them on the ridge – Caz, Z, Rafe, and a mated couple – Erik and Alana. They sometimes come to eat at the tavern, so I’ll introduce you next time.”
“Dragons and bears and wolves,” she said, lowering her head. “King Lake is pretty special.”
It was his turn to smile. “It is now.”
“You’re such a charmer, Dare. Now get to stripping, I want to see your wolf.”
“Yes ma’am.”
He stripped, keeping his gaze locked to hers, and then he let himself go into his wolf. He was mostly black furred, and he knew his eyes would be amber. He sat on his haunches and inhaled, picking up Audrey’s sweet scent.
She stood still for a long moment, eyes wide and mouth open slightly.
And then she moved to him and kneeled, sliding her hands into his fur and hugging him.
“Oh, you’re so beautiful! Holy crap that was incredible.
” She leaned back and pressed her head against his.
“Thank you for sharing this with me. I love you so much.” He murmured a few grumbles and she laughed. “I know you love me too.”
He was so damn happy. His mate loved him, wolf and human.
They headed off into the woods to walk around while he was in his shift.
They walked along the riverbank, through the woods, and around the tavern, then finally back to the house.
Audrey talked about her life, sharing things with him about her childhood and family.
When he was finally able to shift back, he returned to human and dressed and then laughed when she jumped into his arms.
“I’m a wolf’s mate!”
“Yeah, you are,” he said, kissing her.
“Thank you for showing me,” she said.
“I’ll show you anytime,” he promised.
The other couples returned shortly and they all said goodnight. Dare opened the back door for her and said, “Welcome home, sweetheart.”
“I’m glad to finally be home. With you and the pack.”
He closed the door and took her hand, drawing her close.
So much had happened in a short time.
He’d taken a chance on one last date and fate had brought him his truemate. They’d hit a rough spot, but they’d come through stronger, with the past behind them and forever on the horizon.
He’d been looking for a date.
Instead, he’d found forever.
Not quite ready to leave King Lake? Good! Because The Amber Howl still has burgers to name and Audrey needs her very own burger of the week. Come hang out with the wolves a little bit longer in Mini Bonus Chapter One: We’re Gonna Have a Gouda Time.