Page 41 of Jace’s Mate (East Coast Territory #1)

I t was the sharp swat to her bare bottom that yanked Anikka out of her dreams the next morning.

With a sleepy start, she blinked up in confusion, the sting lingering as her groggy mind tried to process why someone— someone —had just spanked her.

There was no one in the room but Jace.

Wait—how had she even gotten into bed?

Still foggy from last night’s adrenaline and absurdly proud of herself for taking down that evil she-wolf, Anikka yawned and rubbed her eyes. The memory of the battle came back in flashes—her victory, her teeth at Janice’s scruff, the utter satisfaction of humiliating that conniving woman.

Smack!

Another spank. Her eyes flew open.

She rolled onto her side and found Jace towering over her, arms folded and fury simmering in his eyes.

“What the hell?” she snapped, irritation overriding sleepiness. “Why did you hit me?”

She’d woken up ready to make love to the man, not to spar. But if he wanted a fight, well—she could absolutely handle him.

“You disobeyed me, Anikka,” he growled. His voice was low, gravelly—worse than his usual morning tone.

But it wasn’t just exhaustion from the four-hundred-mile overnight run. No, this was something else. Frustration. Worry. Fury. A thread of fear.

“How?” she shot back, slipping out of bed and glancing around for clothes—except… there were none. Not hers. Not his. Just bedsheets. Great.

Snatching one up, she yanked the corner free from where it was tucked beneath the mattress, wrapping it around herself with exasperated flair. “What did I do, Jace?”

“You followed me to the Gufta pack’s headquarters.”

She didn’t flinch. Didn’t look away.

“I did,” she said plainly. “And I’d do it again.”

Before he could respond, she marched into the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting the hot water steam up the glass while she adjusted the sheet like armor. She wanted a moment of peace, a moment to clean up before their inevitable argument hit round two.

But peace wasn’t in Jace’s vocabulary this morning.

He followed her straight into the shower, twisted the knob to his preferred temperature, and pulled her—sheet and all—under the spray.

She gasped, sputtered, and wiped the water out of her eyes. “Excuse me?”

“You followed me,” he growled again, steam rising around them. “After I gave you specific orders to stay here.”

“Actually…” she flicked water at his chest, “you told me to be naked when you returned. Technically, I was obeying.” She leaned around him and smacked his butt, only to wince when her hand bounced off his rock-solid backside. “Ow. Damn your glutes.”

“Don’t be obtuse , Anikka,” he said, stepping closer. “I shouldn’t have to spell out every possible command. I won’t tolerate malicious compliance.”

She planted her palms on his wet chest and glared up at him. “Let’s get something straight, Alpha.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, but she pressed on.

“I love you. I didn’t plan to. I didn’t even like you at first—you’re arrogant, bossy, and you act like you know what’s best for everyone.

” She took a breath. “But you’re also kind.

Generous. Smart. A fantastic leader. You listen when it counts.

And somewhere in all that infuriating dominance, you’ve wormed your way into my heart. ”

She stood on tiptoe and kissed the center of his chest, feeling the way it stilled beneath her lips.

“I love you,” she repeated. “And I will never , ever , obey you if it means staying behind while you walk into danger. That’s not who I am. That’s not how this works.”

For a moment, silence.

Just the steady hiss of water and the heartbeat pulsing beneath her hand.

Then he spoke.

“You love me?”

She nodded.

“Yes, Jace. I love you.”

He exhaled hard, then gently pushed her back until her spine touched the cold marble wall. She shivered, not from fear—but from the intensity in his eyes.

“You love me,” he repeated, a slow grin stretching across his mouth. It transformed his face from anger to something radiant. “You love me.”

“Seriously?” she asked, laughter in her voice. “That’s the part you’re choosing to focus on? Not the defiance? Not the boundary-pushing?”

“What other part?” he asked innocently, already lowering his head to nibble along her neck. “I heard you say you’re sorry, that you’ll never disobey me again, and that you love me.”

She squealed when he found a sensitive spot. “Jace!” she scolded through laughter, pushing against his chest.

He didn’t budge.

“I’m not going to stay behind,” she said again. “So you might as well accept it.”

“I can handle myself in a fight,” he said gruffly. “What I can’t handle is something happening to you.”

“Nothing’s going to happen to me.” She wriggled until she could meet his eyes again. “Because we’re mates. We’re a team. And I finally get what that means. You’re stuck with me. Forever. And I’m going to protect you just as fiercely as you protect me.”

He sighed. Long. Deep.

“You’re going to stay safe, Anikka,” he said firmly.

“Of course I am,” she replied, pressing a kiss to his jaw. “Because you’ll be there, protecting me.”

“Damn straight,” he muttered, and pulled her close enough that the water couldn’t touch either of them. He kissed the top of her head and held her for a long, quiet moment. “I love you too.”

“Thank you,” she whispered. “But I’m still going to protect you.”

This time, he didn’t smack her ass again.

Not yet , anyway.

They finished their shower, their argument momentarily set aside. Then Jace carried her back into the bedroom and made love to her—slowly, sweetly, as if trying to memorize every inch of her skin and every sound of her sighs.

Afterwards, he pulled her into his arms, her body pressed against his, and ran his hand down her spine in a gentle, rhythmic stroke.

And as she drifted back to sleep, safe and warm in his arms, he whispered words he’d never imagined himself saying.

“I love you, Anikka. More than I ever thought possible.”