Vivian Arend - Wolf Flight

“Do I go get Missy or do you stay an asshole?”

He’s got to be kidding. Tad gestured to the bed and his shaky body. “You want me to seduce the woman when I’ve been sick in bed for three days?”

Shaun laugh was harsh and loud in the quiet room. “You were over the flu the first day. The rest of it is a side effect from your own stupidity. As soon as I bring Missy in here you’ll feel much better. Trust me.”

Did Missy really need him that much? If Tad were thinking more clearly in the first place, he wouldn’t have caused this trouble. It came down to doing the right thing.

Tad stared out the window. So much of the past couple of years for him had revolved around the pack and learning about being a wolf. He’d become so distracted by his need to become triggered, he’d left all his human goals behind. That had been a mistake.

He thought about the way Missy had grinned at him the first day they’d met so many years ago. The way her eyes lit with mischief when she’d teased him. The sound of her laughter. The touch of her hand. He caught himself smiling as he remembered how she made him feel about himself, like he was capable and trustworthy.

Holy crap, he was in love with her.

Tad took a deep breath as he realized he not only knew the right thing to do but that he wanted to do it. Longed for it. Even though Missy was getting a false-mate sign, he would make sure she never felt unloved. Really, it was no different than what his life plan had been before he’d found out he had wolf genes—meet a girl, fall in love, get married.

He turned back to face Shaun. “Where is she?”

“She’s in Shaun’s bed,” TJ said as he stuck his head into the room and anger streaked through Tad. Shaun caught a glimpse of it and shoved TJ into the wall.

“Smooth move, slick. Tad, it’s okay. I’ve been sleeping on your couch and one of the girls from the pack has been taking care of Missy. I haven’t touched her.”

TJ chuckled. “Yeah, no one touches her because it’s freaky to hear the noises she makes.”

“TJ!”

Tad made up his mind. “Shaun, I need to ask a big favour. Can I use your apartment for…well, until we don’t need it anymore? I’ll go over there. That way no one will have to touch Missy.”

Shaun let out a big breath. “Good decision, Tad. See, this is why I’m your friend. Can I help you?”

Tad reached to pull on his jeans then changed his mind. He wasn’t planning on being dressed for too long anyway. He gingerly slipped on the huge robe Robyn had given him for Christmas with Pilots Do It on the Fly embroidered on the back, and headed for the bathroom. “Give me a couple minutes to clean up. I can walk but you’re going to have to drive. If I got pulled over I wouldn’t know how to explain to the RCMP why I’m dressed like this in February.”

“Doesn’t anyone want a drink?” TJ asked as he held up the steaming pot of dark liquid.

Tad sniffed the air. “TJ, where did you get the coffee grounds?”

TJ pointed to a container on the windowsill.

Shaun coughed. “I shouldn’t drink any of it. Right, Tad?”

“Right. Unless you’re looking to develop strong foliage and bright green leaves.”

TJ sniffed the pot. “I thought it smelt exotic…”

The sound of hushed voices faded away behind the much louder sound of her heart pounding as blood rushed past her ears. Missy pulled herself upright and stared at the door of the bedroom.

Was he really here?

The door swung open and Missy bit back a small cry as Tad shuffled into the room, his skin pale, dark circles under his eyes. His scent flowed ahead of him and washed over her like a cool breeze, and for the first time since he’d left her Missy took a full breath.

“Hey.”

Her heart skipped a beat. “Hey.”

They stared at each other. Missy took in every change in his breathing, every change in his expression, as he watched her for what seemed like the longest time. Just being in the same room with him eased the pain a little, the closeness filling her with the hope she wouldn’t be deserted.

Then her breath caught in her throat and she gave a little sob. Maybe he was going to tell her he couldn’t be with her and—

Tad stepped closer. “Missy, stop. It’s going to be okay. I’m sorry. I was wrong.” He was right next to the bed now. She could reach and touch him if she tried. She dropped her gaze away and clutched her fingers together.

The bed dipped as Tad sat and Missy’s traitorous body leaned toward him in her need. Their shoulders brushed and the connection flared, the numbness erased from the edges inward as they touched for the first time in days. She couldn’t stop the rasping breath or the tears that started to fall, and then she was in his arms and it was all right.

Not all right like when the natural wolves helped save Tad from freezing. Not all right like when she managed to find her way to the one gas station on the highway operated by wolves so she could shift and ask for help before collapsing.

All right as in he was there and he was touching her, his fingers gentle as they traced the back of her neck, pulling curls free from her ponytail. His mouth touched her cheek and kissed away the tears while he murmured his apologies against her skin, soft like rose petals.

Tad pulled back and cupped her face in his hands. He kissed her, a tender brush of his lips on hers before looking deep into her eyes.

“I had no idea.”

Missy nodded. The sweet sensation of his thumb caressing her cheekbone eased her sorrow. She closed her eyes to let the comfort of being back together with her mate soothe the raw nerves, the broken pieces inside.

“Missy, I need to tell you. I mean, I want to ask you.” Tad choked on his words and she flicked up her lashes to see his tear-filled eyes. The golden flecks within were larger than before as his wolf fought to rise to the surface. She smiled encouragement at him. “I don’t want this only for tonight. Just for FirstMate. I’ll understand if you find your real mate and need to leave someday, but I’ve decided if I can’t have you, I don’t want anyone else.”

Missy scrambled to find her voice. “What are you saying, Tad?”

“I want to marry you. Not as a wolf but as a human. I know it’s quick.” He brushed his thumb over her lips. “I think I’ve been in love with you since we were teenagers. I just didn’t realize it until a couple of days ago.” He dropped his head to rest his cheek against hers.

Missy’s heart swelled as the last of her fears disappeared. She knew they were true mates. For Tad to be willing to commit without that knowledge…

She kissed him.

Kissed his forehead and brushed her fingers over the worry lines to smooth them. Kissed his eyes, the corners of his mouth and along the firm length of his jawbone all the way to his neck. She planted small butterfly kisses up to his ear to whisper her answer.

“Yes. I love you.”

He wrapped her in his arms for another moment, his torso shaking as he took an uneven breath. When he released her he was smiling.

“Good. I love you too.”

Missy licked her lips.

“Oh no. That’s what started this mess.” Tad shook his head and covered her mouth with his hand. “I’ve got strict instructions about what we need to do, well, before we do anything.”

Missy licked the center of his palm, let her eyes show how much she wanted him.

“You are making this hard, Missy.”

“That’s the idea, Tad.” Missy giggled softly, her throat still raw, her body tight. But the pain eased. He was with her. He said he loved her. Her heart melted a tiny bit more.

Tad undid his robe and let it fall to the floor. He pulled off his T-shirt in one motion, and Missy stared in admiration as he stripped off his boxers to stand naked in front of her. He was thinner than most wolves, with hard, wiry muscles. A faint trail of dark curls started at his bellybutton and descended to the juncture of his legs where his cock rose, firm and erect, already weeping with desire.