Phoebe’s POV
Perry’s laughter bood through the forest when he caught sight of my terrified expression. The sound was so commanding that even the wild wolves froze mid-approach, their predatory advance halting instantly.
Of course the savage beasts feared him. If they cowered before his presence, what chance did I have?
"Relax. I’m not planning to serve you as their dinner," he said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "I have other plans for our feast."
Heat flooded my cheeks at his suggestive tone. My body’s traitorous response to his every word made want to disappear into the forest floor.
When had I beco so shaless?
"They won’t harm you," he assured .
I tilted my head, silently questioning how he could possibly know that.
Even without our mindlink, he read my doubt perfectly. "You’re my mate. They can sense it."
His confidence didn’t convince . How could he be so certain when he’d never had a mate before? It wasn’t like he’d conducted experints to prove his theory.
"The wolves have never attacked Timothy or Flynn because they recognize them as mine," he explained, answering my unspoken skepticism.
His ability to read my thoughts left speechless and wondering if he really could peek inside my mind.
But my fear remained. I pressed closer to his side, watching as the wolves erged from the shadows again. They moved closer, circling us with predatory grace, and I clung to him even tighter.
Perry remained completely calm. He extended his hand, allowing one wolf to approach. When the creature licked his fingers, panic shot through —I wanted to yank his hand away before those teeth found flesh.
"Give your hand." He glanced over his shoulder at as I pressed my face against his back, eyes darting nervously at our wild audience. "Trust . Let him sll you so he’ll rember your scent. He’s the alpha."
My eyes went wide with shock. The alpha? Didn’t that make this creature even more lethal?
But sothing in his expression made want to try.
Slowly, I reached out my trembling hand. The mont the wolf’s muzzle ca close to my fingers, I jerked back.
Too terrifying!
Gently, he captured my hand, weaving our fingers together and placing mine beneath his protective grip. The wolf sniffed our joined hands.
My heart hamred against my ribs as hot breath caressed my knuckles. When the creature’s tongue swept across our intertwined fingers, I nearly jumped out of my skin.
"Easy, easy," he chuckled softly. Gradually, he released my hand. "Try petting his head as a greeting. Gentle touches only. First impressions matter."
I almost rolled my eyes at that comnt. My first impression of him was being marked the instant he laid eyes on and realized what I was to him.
Rich coming from him.
He felt my judgntal stare. "Pet the head."
Part of wanted to call it quits. Being sniffed was enough—I was ready to retreat to the palace. But curiosity won out.
Gathering my courage, I began stroking the wolf’s head with slow, gentle movents.
The fur was impossibly soft. This black wolf towered over the others in his pack. Even in the wild, the alpha claid his dominance through size and strength.
A smile crept across my lips. This wasn’t so terrible after all. As my confidence grew, so did my comfort with the magnificent creature.
Suddenly, the wolf stepped back and retreated, though his pack remained.
I looked to Perry instinctively, wondering what I’d done wrong to drive him away.
"Watch," he said, looking pleased as if I’d just passed so important test.
Confusion filled for a mont, but within seconds the wolf returned with a companion. This second wolf had a gorgeous sandy-brown coat that seed to shimr as she approached us with regal grace.
Then I spotted the smaller forms trailing behind them.
"Their pups. She gave birth two weeks ago." Perry crouched down, fishing sothing from his pocket and dangling the at to entice three tiny wolves forward. "Get down here," he told , offering a piece.
I stared at the at with horror, refusing to touch it.
Understanding dawned in his eyes. "It’s just regular at from the kitchen." He’d planned to visit the forest before leaving for Obsidian Claw pack, which explained his preparation.
Another chuckle escaped him when relief washed over my features. Sohow, he’d been laughing more in these past few hours with than I’d ever heard before.
Seeing my tears earlier felt like it had cleansed sothing in his soul too. We were trying to build a bridge across the chasm between us, wanting to believe in the mate bond that connected us, that we were truly ant for each other.
If we weren’t, why would he feel so intensely about ? I knew the feeling was mutual.
I crouched beside him, accepting the at and wiggling it to coax the three curious pups closer.
They were absolutely adorable—tiny furballs waddling toward us with innocent curiosity. I wanted to scoop them up and cuddle them, but the watchful presence of their massive parents kept cautious.
I observed how the adult wolves encouraged their babies to take the offered food.
In that mont, I imagined having a family of my own.
Children.
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