Page 67 of A Wolf’s Wound

Ryder

“Is she coming?” Evan yells, and I shush him.

“Dude! You’re supposed to be stealthy!” Jackson hisses.

I roll my eyes. “Neither of you are being stealthy,” I growl, looking at the roof of the cottage where Jackson and Evan are crouched against the chimney. “Both of you, shut up until I give you the sign.”

“Okay!” Evan calls in a loud whisper.

“Good luck, man!” Jackson says, even louder. Then they settle back down again.

I glance at my watch. Hannah was supposed to meet me in the backyard of the cottage ten minutes ago. I wonder what’s keeping her. Did she get delayed at work? Did April call? Did she decide she never wants to see me again?

I know one of the first two scenarios is the most likely, but I can’t help the last one from snagging in my mind. In the three weeks since I was injured, Hannah and I have talked about everything but being mates.

Much to my surprise, it’s been easy to avoid that conversation. At first we were hardly ever alone; from the moment we woke up the morning after everything happened with Brian, at least one member of either my family or hers was at the cottage all hours of the day. And usually long into the night.

Mason and Michael bonded over enforcer stories, and my mom and Hannah’s mom took to each other like long-lost sisters.

The vibe around not just our cottage but the entire compound was that of a nonstop reunion for the week the Blackwood pack stayed with us.

It was actually a lot of fun, even if both Hannah and I found ourselves wishing for a little quiet.

Once the Blackwood pack left, Hannah went back to work full time. She’s still living in the cottage, but she’s also spent a lot of time in Stonehaven with April. Hannah wants to make sure April doesn’t feel abandoned, which I respect. I’m glad that their friendship is so strong.

Hannah hasn’t officially moved out of the apartment, but most of her belongings are in the cottage now.

It’s been nice having her around, and living together has been pretty seamless.

It probably helps that, even though her family has left, mine is over enough that the moments when Hannah and I are both truly alone and awake have been rare.

Not that their help hasn’t been appreciated. I’m recovering from my injuries, but it wasn’t until the last few days that I’ve really begun to feel like myself again. Having my brothers around to take my mind off my injuries, especially after Hannah returned to work, has been awesome.

We’ve also talked about what happened with Brian.

None of my brothers blame me, a fact that I’m still amazed by and thankful for.

Gavin, Thomas, and some other members of the pack were able to perform a pretty thorough analysis of the scent.

They’ve determined that it would be incredibly difficult for anyone else to recreate, in large part because my blood was such a crucial element in its effectiveness.

I’m glad that we know all of this, and that everything’s out in the open. I still have moments of deep guilt over what happened, but they’re becoming less frequent.

I also still have moments when I wonder if Hannah really is going to be my mate. It’s because of those moments that I’m standing here today in the backyard, pacing and checking my watch every twenty seconds.

From his perch on a tree stump, Shadow chatters at me. “Easy for you to say,” I mutter. “You’re not the idiot who’s about to go out on a giant fucking limb.”

Shadow straightens up and points toward the front yard. I hear Hannah’s car pull up, and a few seconds later her door slams. Her footsteps ring out as she runs up the front step. I know she’s found my note.

“Ryder?” Hannah asks as she enters the backyard. “What’s going on?”

I look at the chimney and nod. Jackson and Evan rush over to the edge of the roof and begin tossing rose petals in the air. They float around Hannah and me, just like I had wanted them to.

Hannah looks around, her eyes wide with delight. “This is beautiful!” she cries.

My brothers toss the last few handfuls high into the air, and I take Hannah’s hands in mine as the remaining petals flutter and dance around us.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Jackson and Evan crawling backward, away from the edge of the roof. Evan gives me a thumbs-up. I appreciate the gesture, but I really hope that they’ll actually keep moving to the other side of the roof and leave us alone like they promised.

I take a deep breath. “I have something to ask you, Hannah.”

At my words, Shadow scampers over to my phone, which is hooked up to a set of portable speakers. He presses a few buttons, and then Hannah’s favorite song begins to play through the speakers.

Hannah looks at me, a grin slowly stretching across her face. Rose petals are clinging to her hair, and she looks stunning. “Okay, Ryder. What is it?”

I clear my throat, suddenly very nervous. Behind Hannah’s back, Shadow gives me his version of a thumbs-up, even if he doesn’t have an opposable thumb. It’s corny as hell, but helps settle my nerves.

I squeeze Hannah’s hands, and she squeezes back. I close my eyes briefly and then, opening them, begin to talk.

“Hannah, ever since I met you, I’ve been blown away,” I begin, trying to remember the words I’ve written and rewritten in anticipation of this moment. “You are the most incredible, caring, intelligent, and beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

Hannah opens her mouth, but I shake my head. “Please let me say everything I have to. Then it’ll be your turn. I promise.”

Hannah nods, her eyes sparkling. “It might have taken me a while to realize just how perfect you are for me,” I continue, “but I knew right away that you are perfect. And I can’t imagine you not being in my life.

I would move mountains to make you happy.

I would search the galaxy for a way to make you smile.

And I would go to the very bottom of the ocean to prove I am worthy of your love. ”

“Wow.” Hannah sighs. “Sorry!” She immediately blushes. “It’s probably not my turn yet.”

“Not quite, but I appreciate the editorial comment,” I joke and she smiles at me.

“I know you have your fears, and I respect them. I could try to talk you out of them, but I know you’re too smart for that.

The best and most honest thing I can say about them is that I have my own fears too.

But I honestly believe the best way for us to face our fears is to do so together, never being afraid to talk to each other about the hard things.

Never lying to each other, never trying to hide the truth.

If we’re open and honest, we can face anything together. ”

I clear my throat, aware I rambled on a little bit just then. But Hannah’s nodding, her face more serious now than it was a second ago. Have I been too serious? Scared her off? The nerves are racing back, and I know I need to get to the point before I throw up or pass out.

“All of which is to say,” I fumble, “I mean, what I want to ask you is—will you be my mate?”

Hannah drops my hands, her face suddenly serious. She brings her hands to her hair and seems surprised to find the rose petals tangled into the long strands. “Ryder,” Hannah says quietly.

I wait for her to continue, my heart in my throat.