Page 47 of His True Mate

I wanted to grumble and tell her that was bullshit. I didn’t want just a month with her, but I kept my mouth shut for fear I’d run her off for good this time.

Trying to look on the positive side, I contemplated all the things I could do in one month to prove to her that this was where she needed to be, that she belonged with me.

“One month. Okay,” I conceded.

She beamed with excitement, and I knew it was the right thing to say, what she needed to hear.

“I’m assuming Thomas already approved her to be in the territory?” Dalton asked.

“For as long as she wants,” I confirmed.

“Good. Good. You’ll start tomorrow morning. Be here at seven sharp.”

“Yes, sir.”

As Dalton said goodbye and headed back into the stables to finish his chores, I took Winnie’s hand and practically dragged her away from the wild horse.

I hated thinking of her working with that wild beast, but I’d seen the fire in her eyes. I wished she’d gotten even half as excited about my girls. I’d have loved working side-by-side with her, but I instinctively knew that would have been a losing battle. Her passion towards the bronco was almost palpable.

She’d appeased me on the clothes, but I suspected this was a battle I wouldn’t win.

I didn’t like it, but I was going to have to learn to live with it.

She yawned and even though she’d slept most of the drive home, I knew she had to be exhausted. I sure as hell knew I was.

“How about we pick up a pizza and head home?”

“Home? That’s going to take some getting used to.”

I wondered if I was forcing the issue too much. Maybe she wanted space away from me to think things through.

My wolf roared in protest at the thought so much that a bit of a growl escaped.

Winnie jumped. “What is it?”

I sighed. “Nothing.”

“Clay? What’s wrong?”

“I was just thinking. Maybe you’d rather stay somewhere else. I’m really not trying to make all the decisions for you. If you’re more comfortable elsewhere, that can be arranged. Kate would take you in. Lily too, though I’m not sure you’d be comfortable there.”

“You noticed that did you? It wasn’t Lily exactly.”

“I know. I get it. Hanging out with the Alpha takes some getting used to. I think it’s easier for me because we were friends long before he was the Alpha. But if you’d rather stay with one of the ladies…”

“I wouldn’t, so unless you’re kicking me out, I’m staying.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “I would never kick you out. I don’t even like the idea of you working at the stables when I’m at the barn even though it’s only a short walk away. But I’ll deal with it. You seem pretty excited about the opportunity.”

She pursed her lips and then nodded. “I was always getting fussed at for taming the broncos. I can’t help it. I just love them and there’s something so gratifying about conquering them.”

I nodded. “You’ll be careful?”

“I’m always careful,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“Somehow I don’t believe that.”

She nudged me playfully as we drove home.