Page 83 of Shifting Fate

I was on my feet in an instant, sprinting towards my mate. He broke out into a jog, leaving a bedraggled Gage and Tashi in his dust. He crashed into me with a soft cry, nearly knocking me over. I threw my arms around him and squeezed. He was okay. He wasokay!

“You scared me to death,” I uttered, pulling back so that I could cradle his beautiful face in my hands. His skin was scuffed and bruised, and there was a small gash beneath one eye, but he was alive. That was all that mattered. I brushed my thumbs over the crest of his cheekbones, then pressed my forehead to his. “God…”

Dallon’s lips grazed mine, sweet as sugar. He tasted like home and all of a sudden, the weight of today cracked me in half. “Dad’s dead,” I choked out, as if just realizing it myself. Tears blurred my vision. “He saved my life, Dal. He saved my life.”

With a ragged sob, I buried my face in the side of his neck and held on. He rubbed my back and spoke in soft tones, his voice soothing both me and my agitated inner-wolf.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, again and again. “I’m so sorry.”

“I love you,” I mumbled against his skin, kissing his neck, where I’d left my mark only last night. It seemed like forever-ago now. “I need you.”

“You got me, baby.” Dallon carded his fingers through my tangled hair, then kissed my ear. “C’mon. Come with me.” He gently pushed at my shoulder and for a split-second, I panicked.

Then he took me by the hand and led me past Espen and Tristram and into his home. I followed him up the stairs, to his bedroom, where he laid me down and kissed me tender, all the while promising that we’d be okay.

We’d be okay. We had to be.