Page 58

ZOEY

Six Months Later

I trot down the steps of my front porch, heading toward Warner. He’s got on his Dark Moon Riders vest and the helmet with a snarling wolf I painted for him all those months ago.

My man wears it with pride. In fact, a handful of other Dark Moon Riders have asked me to paint theirs.

My secret plot to keep all their heads safe is working.

“Hop on. It’s time for us to ride off into the sunset. Leave all our worldly possessions behind and live life as true road warriors!” Warner holds my helmet out to me as he gifts me with a teasing grin.

“If you start calling me your old lady, I’m going to stab you in the leg,” I inform him as I settle on the back of his bike. “With a crochet hook. Those things are blunt, which means it’ll hurt more.”

“I love it when you get violent,” he growls through a grin and pulls me in for a hard kiss.

But we have somewhere to be, so once I’m panting, he lets me go with a wicked grin. Soon, we’re out on the highway, roaring down the deserted stretch between Grandma Minnie’s cabin and the bar.

Not Grandma Minnie’s anymore. Mine.

Ours.

Warner moved in with me after a month. He had been spending the night every night at my place anyway, and living over his mother’s shop was depressing him.

I’ve met some stubborn people in my life, but Rebecca Jameson puts every one of them to shame. Six months with no word from her.

Well, no word to the pack. Or to her older two children. Tanya lets us know that she’s alive and checking in.

Thoughts of Rebecca leave my insides feeling twisted and confused. Part of me is grateful to her for raising such a wonderful man. Part of me is pissed at her for hurting him now with her silence. Part of me feels sorry for her for losing her pack. Part of me feels guilty about being the catalyst for her lashing out.

Maybe I should be furious with her for the danger she put me in. But I think I understand her fear of me. I did almost leave Warner and for no other reason than I was confused over what I wanted in life.

But my mind is clear now.

And I’m still here.

The bar comes into view up ahead, and my pulse quickens in anticipation.

Tonight, I will finally, officially mate my werewolf.

Ninety-nine percent of me is choosing to take this step because I love Warner and want to spend forever with him.

But there’s that teeny-tiny one percent that is hoping word somehow reaches Rebecca.

I wait until the motor cuts off and the kickstand is down before dismounting.

“Do you have everything?” Warner asks as I rummage in his saddlebags.

“I think so. Not like I’d know if I’m missing something.”

Roderick decreed that the mating ceremony ritual needed to be kept under wraps because we decided to wait a bit before going through with it. So, I’m in the dark.

“Did you bring the food?” Warner asks.

My hands pause. “You mean the snacks?”

“Not exactly. I mean the ceremonial food.”

“What?” I clutch at the ziplock bag I packed. “I thought you meant something to eat afterward. While we’re drinking . I did not bring ceremonial food!”

Dating a werewolf, I’ve gotten in the habit of carrying snacks because Warner is always hungry, and he gets over-the-top happy when I give him food. Or gift it to him, as he says.

When he asked me to bring food, I thought he just meant more of my usual.

Warner smiles as he asks, “What did you bring?”

“Nothing. I brought absolutely nothing, and we have to go back to the cabin so I can make something special. Something ceremony-worthy.” I’m already re-strapping the helmet on my head.

But Warner steps in close, grabbing my hands. There’s a mischievous tilt to his too-tempting lips.

“Nope. Then, we’ll be late. Besides, I want to know what snack you brought for us to share.”

I glare up at him when, really, I want to scowl at myself.

How could I be so oblivious? This is a mating ceremony. Of course it requires special things, like delicious dishes. This isn’t a night out with the Sip ’N’ Stitch gang or playing pool with the pack.

This is a werewolf wedding, and I brought …

“No. I refuse. Mating you deserves a five-tiered cake.”

Warner leans in, rubbing his nose over mine. “Tell me.”

“I can’t. You’re a soufflé. Or a caramel apple pie.”

“Those do sound good, but I want to know what you brought.”

Feeling like the guilty party on a witness stand, I do my best to mutter my answer so low that even his wolf ears can’t pick up on the word.

“Hmm, nope. Didn’t catch that.” His arms twine around my waist, and he leans down to nip at my neck. “Tell me. Tell your mate what you brought.”

I groan, my forehead dropping to his shoulder. “Goldfish crackers.”

Warner’s body goes rigid for a moment, and I’m sure I’ve found a way to offend the most unoffendable man on earth.

Then, all the tension spills out of him with roaring laughter. He tilts his head back, letting the joyous sound fill the night air, and I’m caught between a scowl and a smile. Next thing I know, I’m in his arms, lifted high, and whirled about.

“Goldfish crackers. You are the perfect woman, Zoey Gunner.” Warner shouts this out, and I’m betting everyone in the bar can hear him.

“And you’re too forgiving,” I scold him. “Please let me go make you something better.”

My desperate fingers tangle in his silky hair, but he just lets out a happy growl as I tug at the roots.

“No. Our ceremony will have Goldfish crackers. It’s settled. Besides”—he gently sets me down on my feet—“I can’t wait another minute to be officially mated to you. I’ll eat dirt if it means I can finally call you mine.”

“Goldfish aren’t dirt,” I mutter.

Warner grins before pressing a kiss to my forehead and pulling me toward The Rabbit Hole.

Unlike the first time I stepped through the entrance of the werewolf bar, this night, lively voices fill every inch of the place.

“They’re here!” Courtney pushes through the crowd, wearing a glittery yellow top that sparkles like gold in the dim lighting.

All heads turn our way, and celebratory greetings get shouted as Warner waves a hello.

“To the woods!” Courtney shouts, marching toward a back door.

Roderick meets our stares across the room, and I pick up a grimace on his face in response to my friend’s high-handed ways.

But Warner and I grin at each other and follow after her, melting into the group of wolves exiting the bar.

Even though winter has loosened its grip, the nights still get cold. Warner loops his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to his warm body.

Perfect.

Soon, we’re in a small clearing, the space lit by an almost-full moon. Two nights from now, the pack will go on a long ride and then a long run. I always miss Warner when he’s away. I wonder how it will feel once this bond is solidified between us.

Will I ache less? Or more?

Doesn’t matter. I still want to claim every inch of him.

A crowd forms a circle around us. The whole pack has gathered. There has to be close to a hundred, and knowing that they’re all here to watch this mysterious mating ceremony between Warner and me has me wanting to hide behind my wolf. But that’s the problem with circles. There’s no behind when you’re in the middle.

“Zoey”—Warner’s soothing tone brings my attention to him—“we don’t have to do this tonight. Not if you aren’t ready.”

He’s misinterpreted my nerves.

“I want this. I just didn’t realize we’d be stared at,” I murmur even though the other wolves can probably still hear me fine.

He grimaces. “Sorry, but that’s the deal. You’re joining the pack, so the pack wants to see you. Just remember”—his warm hands cup my face, tilting me up so I can only see him—“they’re all happy for us. For this. A pack gaining a new member is always celebrated.”

“But I’m a human.”

“You’re mine,” he growls. “And soon, you’ll be theirs too.” He nods his head toward the gathered wolves. “All of them will respect you. Protect you. Some will probably love you. I can’t blame them.”

I thought moving to Pine Falls meant leaving a big family behind. Apparently, I’m being adopted.

And this time, when I trace my eyes over the crowd, I notice the smiles and the encouraging nods. I see laughing conversations between different members and realize that I’m the only tense one in this group. Everyone else is here for a celebration.

After a long exhale, I give Warner a confident smile.

“All right. Let’s make this official.”

Roderick wades through the trees and wolves, joining us in the clearing. He raises his hand, and the murmuring crowd falls silent.

“Our brother wolf has brought a woman to us and wishes to mate.” Roderick’s voice sounds especially deep, as if he’s calling to something. He stalks around the circle, and with each step, an electric sensation builds in the air.

Is this magic?

He halts beside us. “What do you offer?”

Shit, was I supposed to bring an offering too? I’m going to kick Warner’s ass when this is done for not giving me a better outline.

As if hearing my thoughts, my wolf grins down at me. “He means the food. Courtney, did you bring it?”

“Of course I did.” The raven-haired woman steps forward, pulling her purse off her shoulder. Only when she unzips it do I realize it’s not a purse at all, but a small, fashionable lunch box. “This is a good batch.”

Warner reaches out to accept a paper-wrapped item. When he peels the layers back, I see a soft white substance.

“Is that …”

Warner nods, wearing a self-satisfied smile. “Goat cheese.”

“My preferred cheese! You figured it out.”

He steals a quick kiss. “We’ve lived together for months. Give me some credit.”

“You get all the credit.”

Warner straightens and takes on a tone as deep as his brother’s. “I will nourish my mate. As she takes from me, I give to her willingly.” He holds out his fingers, offering the soft cheese and nodding in encouragement until I understand I’m meant to eat it from his hand.

The tartness is delicious, especially as I lick it off his thumb. Black seeps into Warner’s eyes as they lock on my mouth.

“What do you offer?” Roderick’s heavy gaze redirects toward me.

I follow Warner’s lead.

“I will nourish my mate. As he takes from me, I give to him willingly.” A ridiculously hot blush covers every inch of me when I pull a ziplock bag from my jacket pocket and offer Warner a Goldfish.

His grin is delighted as he leans forward to snap the cheesy cracker from my hand, munching away happily.

“How will you live?” Another question from Roderick, who has turned back to his brother.

I listen for the words I’ll need to repeat back, but instead of responding right away, Warner hooks his thumbs in his shirt and pulls the thing off, leaving him bare-chested.

“We’re getting naked?” I mutter, clutching at the edge of my denim coat, wavering between feeling affronted or following suit.

Warner’s smile is apologetic. “Just a little. Like, we’re-going-to-the-beach-but-are-still-keeping-our-pants-on naked.”

“You’re lucky I love you,” I mutter, letting my jacket slide off my shoulders and tossing it to the side. “Shirt and bra?”

He steps close, hands on my waist and pressing a fortifying kiss to my forehead.

“You only need to unbutton until I can see your skin here.” His knuckle brushes the spot just over my heart, causing me to shiver.

I follow his direction, undoing buttons halfway down my front until my soft flannel falls open.

“We will live as one. Connected always. Her life, my life. Her blood, my blood,” Warner announces, and then he leans down, pausing to whisper against my ear. “A small cut. Is that okay?”

He meets my eyes, and I nod.

I’m down for all of this. If mating Warner means fucking him in front of all these people, I wouldn’t be happy about it. But I’d do it.

A cut is nothing.

His lips brush my exposed skin, just where the curve of my breast begins. A gasp escapes at the sting.

He bit me. As Warner straightens, I notice a small red drop on the bottom of his lip.

“I have to bite you?” I ask in shock, realizing it’s my turn.

“Or scratch me. Whatever way you think you can draw blood. But it needs to be by your hand. Your own will.”

“No wonder you didn’t give me a rundown beforehand,” I grumble.

Warner smiles, but I spy a flicker of worry in his golden eyes. His fingers circle my wrist, tugging me close and lifting my hand until it lays flat on his bare chest. Right over his heart.

“Imagine my love for you exists here. Right underneath my skin. You just need to get to it, and then it’s yours. Forever.” Warner is using his tempting tone, as if he needs to convince me to do this.

Because he’s not sure I will.

The doubt spurs me on. I’ll show him. I’ll do whatever I need to do to convince Warner I want him forever.

“Which is better?”

“Sorry?”

“Nails or teeth?” I stare into his eyes, determined, undaunted. “Which is better?”

His expression goes slack with vulnerability, and then a fiery need scorches through his suddenly black gaze. He leans down, lips against my ear, breath hot as he whispers to me, “I want your mouth. Use your teeth.”

I nod, wrapping my arms around his waist, pulling us flush, and pressing my mouth to the taut skin over his heart, kissing him just as he kissed me.

Then, with my puny human teeth, I bite him. The second I feel the skin give, I release my violent hold and swipe my hand over my mouth.

“That’s not sanitary,” I announce, holding on to my prim tone as Warner beams down at me.

He has my teeth marks in his skin, and he’s clearly overjoyed by the fact.

Warner’s hands cup my cheeks, thumbs tracing over the curves of my face. “Will you say the words?”

“Oh yeah. Sorry.” I clear my throat and recall the few short sentences. “We will live as one. Connected always. His life, my life. His blood, my blood.”

“It is so.” With Roderick’s words, a crack splits the air, and I gasp at the sensation of a hook catching under my rib cage.

The crowd cheers, and I swear I can feel their individual jubilation inside me. As if I am connected to them all.

Warner gathers me in his arms, holding me close. “You are pack. You belong to us now.”

Family. Can’t seem to escape it.

Not that I want to.

“I guess you were wrong.”

Warner pulls back enough to stare down at me with his amber eyes. “About what?”

My fingers snake into his hair, letting the curls wrap around my fingers. “You said you didn’t think I’d be up for the initiation process.”

For a second, he looks baffled, and then his expression transforms into delighted humor, as he’s no doubt remembering the first words he ever spoke to me all those months ago.

“And what do you think? Is this club better than Sip ’N’ Sew?”

“Sip ’N’ Stitch,” I correct automatically. “And it has its perks.”

Warner grins as his one hand reaches down to cup my ass. “And those perks are?”

Forgetting about the celebrating pack with their eyes on us, I hitch my legs around Warner’s waist and pull his mouth to mine. Just before our lips touch, I speak a single word, filling it with all the love in my little human heart.

“You.”

The End

* * *

Thank you so much for reading CLAWS & CROCHET. I hope you enjoyed Zoey & Warner’s love story! You will soon be able to return to Pine Falls for more werewolf romance, and in the meantime you can spend time in the mythic-filled small town of Folk Haven! Check out the following books for more magical, small town, sexy romances.