Karen Whiddon: The Lost Wolf's Destiny

Again Lucas found himself choking up. To cover it, he nodded once and got the hell out of the car.

Heading up the walk, he debated whether to ring the doorbell or not. Luckily, the door swung open as he approached. A willowy redhead stood framed in the light, smiling warmly.

“You must be Lucas.”

He nodded, trying to see past her, hoping for a glimpse of Blythe. Now that he’d actually arrived, with his heart hammering and his palms sweaty, he had no idea how she would react.

His wolf, having been asleep until now, stirred. The yearning came from within, both the beast and the man, longing to be reunited with the one who was his mate.

Samantha laughed. “So it’s like that, is it? Well, come on in. Blythe is in the kitchen. She and Hailey fell asleep earlier watching TV. I just woke Blythe so she could put Hailey to bed.”

Heart in his throat, he tried to find the words to express his thanks, but the sight of Blythe in the next room crowded out any other thoughts.

Staring at him, she’d gone white, as if she’d seen a ghost.

He started forward. Behind him, Samantha closed the door.

“Lucas?” Appearing stunned, Blythe didn’t move. “What’s wrong? Has something happened to Lilly?”

“She’s fine,” he reassured her, taking both her hands in his. “I came to see you.”

From the slight frown between her brows, he could tell she still didn’t understand. Gently, he pulled her into his arms. She didn’t resist, but still she held herself aloof.

“I’ve missed you,” he said. He had to choose his words carefully, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to let them burst out of the hidden place inside his heart, and tell her everything.

Finally, she buried her face in his neck, clinging to him. “I’ve missed you, too. I’ve been trying to wrap my mind around the prospect of life without you.”

“Don’t,” he growled.

She pulled back, surprise and consternation plain on her lovely face. “Don’t what?”

“Don’t even consider living without me.” He spoke with fierce tenderness. “Because you won’t have to. I was foolish to leave you. I’ve come back to rectify my mistake.”

At her gasp, he took a deep breath, suddenly realizing that he might be assuming an awful lot. “That is, if you want me.”

“Want you?” She laughed and he realized she was crying. “I’ve wanted you for so long.”

He kissed her then, a long, drugging kiss full of savage wonder and love. “I love you, Blythe. You heal me. Complete me. Somehow, you make me forget...”

Gazing at him, her heart shining in her eyes, she looked so beautiful he couldn’t continue.

When he didn’t finish, she tilted her head, a half smile tipping one corner of her lush mouth. “Forget what? The past?”

“Everything,” he said, drowning in sensation, his emotions and desire and existence all so closely tied up in her that he could scarcely breathe.

The slow smile that blossomed on her face had his heart lurching madly. “You are everything to me,” he whispered, kissing her face, her neck and finally her mouth. “I love you.”

She gave a glad cry. “I love you, too.”

He took another deep breath, gazing deep into her eyes. “Will you and Hailey consider going back with me?”

“Back where? To the cabin in the mountains?”

“No.” Realizing he’d told her next to nothing about his life, he smiled. “To Seattle. I have a condo there, but I’m going to need to find a larger place anyway, probably at least three bedrooms. Because as soon as Lilly gets out of the hospital, she’s coming home with me, too.”

“Of course.” She kissed him then, a kiss full of promise and passion. It was a kiss strong enough to make a lonely soul whole once again.

When they finally came up for air, he rested his head against hers, forehead to forehead, noses touching. Mates. No longer apart.

“What about your family?” she asked, her clear gaze searching his face. “Are you going to contact them?”

“I thought we could do it together.” He swallowed hard, wondering if she could hear the way his heart threatened to explode from his chest. “And maybe once we’ve gotten to know them, we can invite them to our wedding.”

She gasped. “Our...?”

Taking advantage of her parted lips, he kissed her once more. Caressing her, loving her, claiming her as his.

“Wedding.” Firmly he spoke the word. “I don’t have a ring, but I’d like to ask you to marry me.” Still holding her hands, he dropped to one knee. “Blythe Daphne, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Green eyes sparkling, she dropped down to her knees with him and took both his hands. “Of course,” she said, smiling. “As long as you promise to kiss me again.”

And pulling her close, so he did.

* * * * *

Don’t miss Karen Whiddon’s next romance,

TEXAS SECRETS, LOVERS’ LIES,

available October 2013 from

Harlequin Romantic Suspense!

Keep reading for an excerpt from Releasing the Hunter by Vivi Anna.