Christmas arrived in a flurry of snow and surprises. Bringing with it many gifts, the least of which was not a special meeting of the Shifter Council of New York City, still being temporarily led by the Neta of the Island Stripe Pride, Dean Romero.
At the meeting, Shifter run Station 1135 of the Fire Department of the City of New York provided expert testimony via Firefighter Austin Baudin, which proved the fire at the warehouse where Alina had been brought after being kidnapped was caused by Evgeny Ivanovich in an act of premeditated arson. The man had apparently rigged the room to blow on the chance she refused his advances. Motherfucker thought if he couldn’t have her, no one could.
Lucky for Alina, her true mate did not feel that way. She Sighed, snuggling back against her mate’s big, warm body. Eduardo’s hands came around her instinctively, even in sleep. Last night was Christmas Eve, and he’d given her two wonderful surprises, the first was a beautiful engagement ring with a large opal surrounded by diamonds he’d said reminded him of her.
The second gift she would also wear proudly until the day she died. Her fingers touched the still sore skin of the mating bite he had given her on her right shoulder, claiming her in their traditions and sealing the matebond that had started the day she met him. Even now, it pulsed as it encircled the two of them.
“What are you thinking of, mi fiera?” Eduardo asked, nibbling behind her ear, giving her shivers.
“Mmm. About you, how happy I am now,” she said, turning to face him.
“I am sorry I made us wait. I was trying to save your virtue,” he said, brows furrowed in apology.
“Moy bogatyr, you did that and more. You saved my life, showed me love, and rescued me from a life alone. I love you, mate.”
“And I love you. Now, about the dance show tomorrow tonight,” he said, and she stilled.
Alina did not bring up the performance they had to delay after her injuries, and she was not sure how he was going to take it. Dancing was her life, after him of course, but would he mind?
“Yes? What about it?”
“I can’t wait to see it. I have a table reserved in the front just for me.”
“You do?”
“Of course, I will always be there, rooting for you, cheering you on.”
“But you won’t be angry? Jealous?”
“Mi amor, I have your claim right here. How could I be jealous?”
“I love you so much,” she said, her heart so full of happiness, tears pricked her eyes.
“I love you back,” Eduardo whispered, cupping her face, kissing her with so much love that soon kissing was not enough.
It would never be enough. She would always want him and, even better, she knew he would always want her back. He’d saved her virtue, all right, and it belonged to him now, sure as he belonged to her.
The end.
* * *
Get the other side to this story in Bruised Force by Elena Kincaid.
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