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“For what?”

He pulled back and held my gaze. “For waiting.”

“I’d wait forever,” I said. “Now, please, take me home.”

The days passed slowly and comfortably. All we did was rest—doctor’s orders. I didn’t have to cook since all the clan members kept coming through with meals to keep us stocked. There were no big celebrations—not yet, at least. It seemed like everyone in the clan needed to recover from what had happened with Sean. Dylan spent a lot of time on the couch with Steph, excitedly talking him through all his new video games, and I’d never seen Steph look so relaxed and happy.

Twice a day, I changed the dressing on his wound. His body was back to its fast-healing self, and it didn’t take long for the stitches to dissolve. After a week, he didn’t need more than a single bandage on the healing injury. By the second week, there was no need for a bandage at all. Next to his heart, between his pectoral muscle and his armpit, there was a jagged, circular pink scar, marking where the bullet had dug into his flesh. No matter how well he healed, that scar would always be there.

It was like something from a dream. I didn’t think I could feel this happy. This relaxed.

But parts of it were difficult, too. Like the part where I wasn’t supposed to have sex with my mate until he was fully healed.

After two weeks, he received a clean bill of health from the surgeon.

“So,” Cassidy asked from where she was lounging on the couch, “he’s all good to go?”

I nodded as heat rose to my cheeks. My gaze fell to the mating bite on Cassidy’s skin, peeking out from the neckline of her T-shirt.

She smirked, knowing exactly what I was looking at. “Honestly, Harley, I’m impressed you lasted this long.”

I returned her expression, even though I knew my cheeksandears were flushed with embarrassment. “I had to. Can you imagine if he claimed me and the stitches ripped in the middle of it? Not exactly the romantic vibe I’m going for.”

Cassidy burst out laughing. “Okay, fair point. But… Tonight? You think?”

“I don’t think,” I said. “I know.”

She whistled. “I like this version of you. This is a woman who gets what she wants.”

“I think I’ve waited long enough, don’t you?”

“I really, really do,” Cassidy said. She clambered over the back of the couch and rushed into the kitchen, then wrapped me into a hard hug. I returned it with a little squawk of surprise, which made her laugh again. “Seriously, I’m so happy for you. It’s so good. Being mated issogood.”

“I’m so ready to feel it.” I sighed. “So, so ready.”

“And you will.” Cassidy pulled away and then went to the stairs. “Dyl! Come down here.”

“Why?” Dylan shouted back from his room.

“Because I said so!”

Dylan thumped down the stairs with his gaming headphones still on. “What is it?”

“How about you come with me to Striker’s tonight? We can have a sleepover.”

His eyes went wide. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. I’ll order pizza, and we can break the seal on that new racing game you’ve been wanting.”

“Seriously? You bought it?”

“Maybe.” Cassidy pulled Dylan into a headlock. “And if you’re really good, we can forget about bedtime.”

“Nice!” Dylan shouted. “Can we go over there now? Please? Can I, Mom?”

I laughed. “Yeah, that’s fine. Go grab your things.”

“Sleepover!” Dylan untangled himself from Cassidy’s hold and raced back upstairs. Moments later, he was back with a bag swung over his shoulder, nearly bouncing up and down with excitement.