Page 58 of Jace's Mate

You can do it, he encouraged.Just a bit longer.

I’m so tired, she groaned.

He nipped her again and trotted slightly ahead, just enough to challenge her but not so far that she felt alone.

And then—the trees parted.The clearing appeared ahead, tall grasses swaying in the moonlight.

They slowed.

The wind eased.Her legs still ached, but she reveled in the stretch of them.The tall grass brushed her belly and soothed her overworked muscles.

A few minutes later, Jace led her back to the circle where they’d started.The vans were still there, dark against the tree line.

Anikka’s body felt boneless.

Muscles trembling, she dropped into a slow trot, still refusing to fall behind.She wouldn’t look weak—not in front of him.

He wasn’t even winded.

Her pride flared, but she swallowed it.At least she’d finished.

Finally, Jace halted.

Anikka collapsed into a sit.The dirt felt cool beneath her fur.She wiggled slightly, adjusting her tail—her tail!She looked over her shoulder and gave it a little twitch.

A flicker of amusement passed through her.Should she try to catch it?

Nope.Not now.

She was too tired to move.

Jace lifted his head and let out a final howl—lower than before, more measured.The kind of sound a king gives to his court.The pack’s leader declared the run complete.

Anikka couldn’t even try to translate it.Her brain was soup.

She nearly tipped sideways—but before she could embarrass herself, Jace’s large body sank down beside her.

Warm.

Solid.

Perfect.

She leaned into him automatically, sighing as his fur pressed against hers.He nudged her neck again, inhaling slowly, and then let his snout linger along her jaw.It wasn’t rushed.It wasn’t just a scent check.

It wasaffection.

She returned the gesture shyly, sliding her snout against his neck.He smelled like earth and smoke and something warm and dangerous.She wanted to bury herself in him.To lick every inch.To stay like this forever.

But all she could do was sigh and press closer.

She was just too blissfully, utterly, soul-deep exhausted.

And for the first time in her life, that exhaustion felt like peace.

Chapter 18

Jacefelttheshiftin Anikka’s weight before he heard her soft exhale.One moment she was tense and still riding the high of her first run, her breath fast and wild from the exhilaration.The next, she leaned fully into him, her slender wolf form relaxing against his flank until she went completely limp.