Page 26 of The Wolf’s Bullied Mate (Moondust Hollow Wolves #2)

I had never thought that I would see the love of my life again after causing her so much pain that she seemed unlikely to ever want anything to do with me ever again.

I remembered the first time I’d met Pauline, how quickly I had become enamored with her, how I had believed the freckles on her nose were stars, and how much I had enjoyed talking about fantasy books with her.

I remembered how much I had wanted to show her the world and introduce her to my friends, helping ease her out of her comfort zone to socialize.

Even though, in hindsight, I should have known that she had never wanted to leave her comfort zone in the first place and had only been humoring me.

She had never wanted to become more outgoing—she had just wanted us to hang out together; two people with clueless crushes on one another.

I had been the popular guy in school though, which meant many people followed my lead. When I had teased her once too severely, word of what I’d said had gotten around school, beginning years of bullying for Pauline. It was all my fault even though, at the same time it wasn’t.

The past didn’t matter now, though. Pauline had forgiven me.

All I had to do now was to prove to her each and every day how much I loved her. She was my fated mate, and we were finally bonded. We would be together forever. I had plenty of time to make up for the hurt I had caused her.

So, with each and every passing day, I tried my hardest to be the best husband and mate she could possibly imagine.

Pauline sat on the porch of our home today, crocheting a new sweater for Ray.

Our son ran around the lawn, fighting imagined monsters with a water gun.

He was six now and had bloomed into a much happier child, living amongst the other kids from our pack.

He had started elementary school and excelled at all subjects, but he was especially skilled in art.

I had talked to Ryder and Aria, and they had agreed to give Ray private lessons.

He was already learning various art techniques from them.

I was sure that one day, he would be a great artist. If he chose to pursue art professionally, I would support him.

If art just ended up being his hobby, that outcome would be fine as well.

Pauline shifted in her seat, bemoaning her aching back. I gave her one more cushion. At six months pregnant, she had a large stomach. Soon, Ray would have a sister, someone we were all very excited about welcoming into our family.

“Dad! The monsters are after me!” Ray called out to me.

“If you want to be a hero like me, you must learn to face them on your own,” I chuckled.

Ray screamed as he ran from the imaginary enemies.

I remembered the day we’d had one of the most important talks of my life. I had taken Pauline and Ray to the amusement park again. While we took a break, eating ice cream, Ray watched the other children walking hand-in-hand with their parents.

“Oliver,” he’d suddenly said in a serious tone that immediately got my full attention. “Can I call you dad?”

Tears welled up in my eyes. I knelt in front of him and met his gaze. “Are you sure you want to be my son?”

“I am very sure. You’re awesome, Oliver,” Ray had smiled.

I nodded. “Then, from now on, we are father and son, Ray Norton,” I grabbed his small hand and shook him firmly.

Pauline cried, and we both hugged her to help calm her down.

A year had passed since that day, and we were a happy family now, soon to be even more complete.

“I’m never getting pregnant again,” Pauline sighed.

“Oh, but you are,” I joked. “I want four more children.”

She gave me a look. “You’re insane.”

I only laughed at that remark. “At least one more should be okay, right?”

“No, no more,” she moaned. “You should try being the pregnant one sometime—then you wouldn’t want to have more children so readily, trust me.”

“I’m already pregnant—together with you,” I laughed. I picked up another cushion and helped her lean against it. “See? I’m helping plenty with your pregnancy. We’re in this together.”

“And that’s a good thing. I wouldn’t be able to suffer through it otherwise. But I’m happy to keep at it because I love you,” she smiled.

I leaned down and kissed her gently. “And I love you too.”

We were mates, we completed each other. Even though our history was rocky, we had found peace and harmony together.

Gradually, I would make it up to Pauline for the pain I had caused her.

Even after I healed all her wounds, though, I would still remain at her side, protecting her, caring for her, loving her—forever.

*****

THE END