Thank you, love.
He winked and disappeared around the corner. Heart aching with love, she went to Nick. Touched his arm. There were only two things she needed to say, and her father needed to hear them.
“I forgive you, Daddy,” she said quietly. “And I love you.”
For a few seconds, he hung his head. And then he pulled her into his arms with a choked sob and held on as though he’d never let go. She relished being in her dad’s strong embrace, let his love surround and fill her. Until this moment, there had been a piece of her soul missing.
Now it had been returned.
“I love you too, baby girl. So damned much.” They clung together for a few more moments, until he kissed her on top of the head and set her back from him, giving her a watery smile.
“Are you going to be all right? Really?”
“I will.” He touched her hair. “I’ve got you and the Pack in the meantime to get me through. I’ll be okay.”
“And Damien, too. You’ve got him.”
“We’ll see.”
It was as much as he’d admit for the time being, and that was fine with her. He’d opened the door and that would have to be enough.
“Come on.” She took his arm. “Let’s go find the party.”
“Sounds good.”
Zan led Damien and the glowering Tag to the area where the burgers and hot dogs were being served and introduced them around. The intros were met with open curiosity, but he was glad the Pack and their mates were welcoming. He got a plate for himself and assembled a towering burger, trying not to smirk as Tag spoke.
“Selene has been my friend since we were pups. If you hurt her, I’ll become your worst nightmare.”
Unconcerned, Zan took a huge bite of his burger, chewed and swallowed. Then he said, “I think you wanted to be more than friends. Am I right?”
“That doesn’t matter now.”
“You’re right. It doesn’t.” He let some steel creep into his tone. “I’ll take good care of my mate—don’t you worry. You want to remain friends with Selene, and that’s fine. But if you cross the line, I’ll teach you what the word ‘nightmare’ really means.”
“Fair enough.” The big man smiled, and Zan had the feeling he’d somehow won the guy over.
Born shifters were weird.
It was a relief to see his mate rounding the corner with Nick. The pair was arm in arm, and the stress around Nick’s mouth seemed less. He looked more at peace than he had in days.
Nick kissed his daughter, then made for the burger station. Spotting Zan, she made a beeline for him, lips curved in a soft smile.
“How’s Nick?” he asked when she walked up.
“Better, I hope. I’m so worried about him, though.”
“I know you are, baby. Why don’t you get some food and let’s go back to our blanket.”
He waited as she made a plate for herself, and then they walked together back to their spot. He held her plate as she sat, then placed them on the blanket before taking a seat beside her. He tucked her into his side. That felt good. He and his wolf approved.
For a time they simply enjoyed each other’s company and finished their food, watching the party in progress. Across the way, Damien approached Nick and made an attempt at conversation, though Zan could tell from here it was tense at best.
“They’ll make it,” he said to his mate. “Wait and see.”
“I hope so. I love them both.” She turned to him, vivid blue eyes sparkling. “Almost as much as I love you.”
“Oh, my mate wants something,” he teased. “What could it be?”
“Hmm, I don’t know.” She pretended to think. “You, sprawled out naked on our bed?”
His cock stirred to life, suddenly taking an interest in the conversation. “That, my beautiful mate, can be arranged.”
“Now?”
“Oh, yes. Right now.”
Wasting no time, Zan pulled her to her feet and led her back inside to their quarters. Then he undressed her slowly, kissing and licking, savoring every gorgeous inch of her creamy skin as each part was exposed. Shoulders, breasts, tummy. And lower.
When he had her panting for more, he shed his clothes and made her scenario a reality, spreading himself on the bed, cock resting hard against his thigh. Crawling over his body, she returned the favor, nibbling, laving, and stroking his cock and balls until he thought he’d explode.
Then she straddled his lap and took him inside her slick heat, and he did just that. As she moved on top of him, he couldn’t stop the orgasm from erupting, and he emptied his seed deep inside his mate with a cry of completion that rocked his soul.
“I love you,” he said as they floated down together.
“And I love you too. So much.”
Rolling them, he tucked her back into his front, spoons in a drawer. Just breathed her sweet scent and counted himself a very, very lucky wolf.
He was immortal and mated to the woman of his dreams. Yes, there were challenging times ahead for him, for his mate, and for their Pack. For her father and Damien.
But they would make it, he was certain. They had love.
And he was living proof that sometimes love truly could conquer all.
I forgive you, Daddy. And I love you.
The words Nick had been desperate to hear for so long. Selene was the light of his life, his only source of happiness. She wanted them to be a family—all of them, including Damien. At one time, he would have sold his soul to make that happen. And now?
Would it be enough to save him?
Rounding the corner of the building, he rejoined the party, but kept to the fringes. His men and their mates gave him space, sensing he wanted to be left alone. Under a tree, he leaned one shoulder against the rough bark.
And that’s when he saw Calla.
She’d arrived late, apparently, and was greeted by Tarron. Brother and sister were all smiles as he hugged her warmly and began introducing her to Nick’s friends and colleagues. Watching her as he’d done that day in the forest, but with much less privacy, his heart began to pound. His palms began to sweat.
Calla was beauty personified, wrapped in an ethereal package of sexy vampire.
Vampire. His heart pounded harder, for a different reason now, and his skin grew cold. Carter Darrow had been a vampire, too. His nightmare, his secret shame.
You’re mine now, Darrow had murmured against his skin. Say it.
I’m yours.
What do you want, wolf?
Drink from me. Take it all.
Patience. I’ll do as you wish. After we’ve enjoyed this fully.
He had enjoyed it. He’d begged Darrow to do it and had craved more.
God help him, he craved more even now.
Suddenly, Nick realized that Tarron and Calla were headed his way. As they approached, the pair gave him a friendly smile, and it was obvious that introductions were about to take place. Nick pasted on a smile and steeled himself, ready to brave out a few moments for the sake of politeness.
“Nick, I don’t believe you two have had the opportunity to meet,” Tarron said, gesturing to the vision at his side. “This is my sister, Princess Calla Shaw. Calla, Nick Westfall, commander of the Alpha Pack.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Princess,” he said.
She smiled, showing the tips of her fangs. “Just Calla, please.”
Nick took her hand—and a shock traveled up his arm, taking his breath. Her wonderful, tantalizing scent reached him first. Then the vision hit him so suddenly, there was no time to prepare.
Calla, wearing white. Sobbing on her wedding altar.