Chapter 19
A week later.
She and Maya had spent a lot of time together, getting to know one another, and Samantha was already in love with the child. She was bright and funny. A fabulous little girl with great taste in books and movies.
Della and her kids were healing from the abuse they’d suffered at the hands of her Murder, which was apparently what they called a group of Crow Shifters. The Macconwood Pack Alpha himself had visited. An enormous Wolf named Rafe Maccon with his petite wife and their four children.
The kids all played with Sean and Janie, and Samantha was shocked to learn the Alpha’s mate was a human, too. They offered Della the protection of the Pack and welcomed Sam with open arms.
Really, it felt like Samantha was living in some sort of fantasy world. And she thought that was what Hollywood was like.
It was crazy how humans represented Werewolves in pictures. Like mindless monsters and not the loving, loyal family they were.
Of course, the reality was much better. But she understood why they needed to keep their secret, and vowed to keep it too, as long as she lived.
Every day, she fell for Michael more and more. Not just him, but her sort of stepdaughter, too. They weren’t married, but mated meant more, and she loved the child as if she’d birthed her.
How could she not?
Maya was witty and spunky and yeah, she looked just like her father. Samantha could not even try to deny it. She adored her.
Nights were getting harder. Maya and Michael returned to their condo in the city, and she stayed in that big house alone. The floors were finished, and the walls were all done.
Little by little, the furniture she’d ordered had arrived. All tasteful, sturdy pieces made from real wood and natural fibers. She just loved them .
Eileen had knitted her a fabulous throw blanket, and she was working on covers for some of the pillows, too. All in all, Michael had managed to help her create her dream house in a very short amount of time, all things considered.
“Hi! I hope you don’t mind, but Eileen insisted we come over to bake cookies,” Della, her new neighbor said, looking nervous.
“Of course, I told you, you are always welcome. Hi Sean. Hey Janie,” she cooed.
“Sam! What do you think about this costume for the Halloween dance?” Maya asked, showing her a costume she must have found online.
“Wow, Maya, that is gorgeous,” she said, noting the exorbitant price and wondered if she should have talked her down.
“Yes! Daddy, can I order this?”
“Sure, Sweetheart. Put it on this,” he said, handing his daughter a black credit card.
“Wait, that’s a—um, I thought you were a handyman,” she started.
“Well, not really, I mean, I own the company, you see,” Michael said, but he was rubbing his head like he did when he got nervous.
Wait, did he say owned the company?
Samantha’s eyes went wide. Eileen just started whistling, and Della turned around, leaving her to question him alone.
Cowards!
“Yeah, um, we’re more a construction and development firm. But my aunt asked me to come here myself, so I did,” he said.
“You’re rich?” she blurted. “Oh my God, I didn’t mean it to sound that way! I mean, I don’t care if you have money because I want you, not your wallet. I mean, that is your money. Yours and Maya’s not mine. And um, I got a job, I tried to tell you before. A magazine wants my articles. And I sound crazy now,” she was rambling now, but she couldn’t stop.
Michael barked a laugh and placed his hands on her hips.
“Hold on there, Sunshine. We are mated now and everything I have is yours, too, including Maya. But yes, to answer that question, I am quite wealthy. So, no, you won’t ever need to worry about money. And before you argue, it’s like I told you, you’re mine now, Samantha. You accepted my claim. You are my fated mate. I will never have another,” he whispered, kissing her lips.
“This is just so new. I am so scared to believe it. It’s like any minute now, I might wake up and find this is all a dream,” she said, dropping her forehead to his chest and allowing him to wrap his arms around her.
“It is very real. I promise you,” he said, rubbing her back and kissing her head.
Swoon. He is making me swoon.
She just felt so safe with Michael. Michael leaned back and looked into Samantha’s eyes. Liquid gold, molten with desire, they stared at her.
“I know it is a lot to take in, but I am hoping you will trust me. And if you have questions, just ask, okay? I am here for you. I mean, with you being so handy with a rifle and all, how could I help myself,” he teased.
“Oh my god,” she said, and rolled her eyes.
“Seriously, Sunshine, if you need anything? Wanna ask me anything? Just do it and I will always tell you the truth,” he vowed, and she felt it in her bones.
He was being honest. He would always be honest with her.
Truth. Truth. TRUTH.
“Okay. Um, question number one, are you staying here with me? Like, mating is like marriage, right? So, are we living together? Like you, me, Maya,” she squeaked.
Samantha thought she would die of embarrassment when Michael froze after the question. But when she looked up, the heat in his gaze and the smile that stretched across his face were so worth it.
“Yeah, Sunshine. I’m staying. If you’ll have us.”
“Good. Yeah, I, um, think Maya and I should go shopping tomorrow. You know, to pick out some furniture for her room,” she told him, throwing caution to the wind and diving in headfirst.