“What can I do? Do I need to leave so that you can work?”

  “No,” Costin said quickly. “I need you with me. I need to be able to see you, touch you, smell you.”

  “Okay,” Sally said as she reached up and ran her fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes and a rumble emitted from his chest. She watched as the muscles in his face relaxed and he let out a slow, deep breath.

  “You know no one will take me away from you, so why do you freak out?” she asked him calmly, not wanting to provoke his wolf.

  Costin’s eyes opened slowly and met her brown ones.

  “I wish I could explain it. I wish that when I did explain it, it would make sense. But you are human. You do not have the animal inside you, driving you with its instincts. The wolf in me cries out for its mate and longs to make sure that everyone in the world knows that you belong to us. He doesn’t understand that you won’t choose anyone else. He is all instinct, and it’s very hard to separate my emotions from that. Does that help at all?” Costin raised his eyebrows at her, searching for understanding in her face.

  She nodded once. She started to say something, but stopped when a person behind him at the bar called out for Costin’s attention. Costin stiffened at the man’s words. Sally didn’t know what the guy had said because he wasn’t speaking English.

  “What did he say?” she whispered to him.

  Costin shook his head and didn’t answer. He took a slow breath before he turned around. When Costin spoke he sounded cordial, but the way the man’s face paled told Sally that his words did not match his tone of voice. Sally watched the other man shove his bar stool back as he stood. He continued to talk to Costin and Costin continued to grow more and more still with every word the man spoke. Sally reached out and placed a hand on his back.

  “Costin,” she whispered. “Come on, why don’t we call it a night?” She was hoping to stop things before they came to blows.

  Drake started to walk across the room, moving toward them. Drake made a motion for Sally to step back, which she did. Finally, Costin started speaking in English, which she figured was for her benefit.

  “She is mine. You belong to no pack, you mongrel. It would be wise of you to remove yourself from this place.”

  “This is a sanctuary,” the other man said. “I can be here regardless of whether I am pack or not.”

  “That may be, but it is not wise for one who does not have a pack to be insulting another’s mate. Who will fight with you? Who will save you when I rip you limb from limb?” Costin snarled.

  Okay, Sally thought. Enough is enough.

  “Okay, gentlemen,” she said as she stepped around Costin and held up her hands between the two wolves, regardless of the fact that there was a bar in between them. “There’s no need to start tearing limbs apart. Let’s just call it a night and go our separate ways.”

  “She is not your mate,” the other man spoke coolly, not even acknowledging Sally.

  Costin lunged forward, at the same time pushing Sally gently out of the way.

  “SHE IS MINE.” Costin’s eyes glowed and Sally saw that his hands now had claws extending from them.

  She looked at Drake and mouthed, “Do something.”

  Drake moved quietly behind the man whose attention was locked on Costin. Drake wrapped an arm around the man’s neck, putting him in a chokehold. Costin started to jump over the bar but stopped when Sally placed a hand on his arm.

  “Please don’t,” she told him gently.

  “He challenged me, Sally,” Costin snarled.

  Sally’s spine stiffened. “I don’t give a damn. I need you with me, not beating the crap out of some idiot. Please let Drake deal with it and take me back to our room. I’m done. I’ve had all I can handle tonight. I need you.”

  Costin’s glowing eyes started to fade and he began to regain control. He nodded and pulled her close to him.

  “Get him out of here, Drake,” Costin ordered.

  “I’m sorry, Sally. I’m sorry,” he told her as he ran his hand down her hair.

  “It’s fine, Costin. But I’m ready to go. I want to know if Decebel has found out anything about Jacque and the others.”

  Costin found the owner, Andon, and told him that they were leaving.

  Costin pulled Sally down the hall until they stood before the door of the room they were sharing. He lifted his nose in the air and took a deep breath. A mischievous grin spread across his face.

  “What are you smiling about?” Sally asked him. Costin shook his head, but continued to grin.

  “Maybe we should go talk to Decebel before we go into our room,” he suggested. Sally just shrugged and followed him to Decebel and Jen’s room. He knocked on the door and the door swung open before the second knock.

  “What are you two doing here?” Jen asked accusingly.

  Sally frowned. “Well, it’s nice to see you too.”

  Jen smoothed her facial expression and smiled. “Sorry, didn’t mean to snap at you. Is there something you need?”

  “What is wrong with you, Jen?” Sally asked through clenched teeth. “We’re coming to find out if everything is okay with Jacque and the others. Haven’t you guys been trying to get in touch with them?”

  Decebel stepped around the door and his face looked grave. Jen elbowed him in the gut and suddenly a smiled formed on his lips. Although the smile looked painful, it was there nonetheless.

  “I am waiting to hear back from them. We will let you know as soon as we hear something,” Decebel told them. Sally thought it sounded rehearsed.

  Jen gave Costin a pointed look. “Okay, well, I bet you guys are tired so you might want to call it a night.”

  Costin chuckled under his breath.

  “What is going on?” he heard Sally say in his mind as she continued to glare Jen down.

  “Nothing, beautiful. I think maybe we interrupted something.” Costin saw Sally blush from the corner of his eye. He winked at Jen and then pulled Sally along behind him.

  “Come on, Sally love, let’s let Jen and Dec get back to their evening.”

  Sally muttered for Jen and Decebel to have a good night.

  “You guys have a great night!” Jen hollered from the doorway.

  Costin walked briskly away from their Alpha and his mate.

  Chapter 17

  “How I love thee, let me count the ways…

  I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

  With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,

  Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,

  I shall but love thee better after death.” ~Costin

  Costin opened the door to their room and Sally’s breath rushed out of her as she walked inside. She turned in a circle as she looked all around at the candlelit room. Her mouth dropped open when she saw a long black gown lying on the bed. She saw a stack of towels and a large basin of water that had steam rising from it. She finally made it all the way around until she was facing Costin again. He was smiling and his eyes were glowing.

  “Did you plan this?” She asked him.

  Costin shook his head.

  “I only knew something was up when I got to our door. I could smell Jen and Cynthia and the candles. That’s why I said we should go see Jen and Decebel first.”

  Sally stood, silently watching him. She was trying to process exactly what Jen was trying to accomplish by orchestrating this. Her breath caught.

  “Am I supposed to sleep with you?” She spit out.

  Costin started laughing and when he saw that she wasn’t laughing he stopped and stepped closer to her.

  “No, Sally mine. We aren’t going to make love tonight. What we are going to do is perform the blood rites.”

  Sally’s mouth dropped open and then snapped shut. She opened it again to say something, but closed it once more.

  “Are you all right?” Costin asked.

  She nodded but still didn’t speak.

  “Sally, look at me.” Costin placed his fingers under her chin and raised her head to look up at him.

  “Do you understand why this needs to be done?”

  She nodded again.

  “If I could wait…” He started and stopped abruptly, seemingly flustered. “I know you would probably have the ceremony first and maybe even a wedding like your friends had and I’m so sorry it’s not special. I want it to be special for you because I understand that this is a big deal and—”

  “It’s not a big deal to you?” Sally interrupted, seeming to find her voice.

  Costin’s eyes widened. “Of course, it’s a big deal. It’s huge,” he told her. “Sally, I want this more than anything. I need this. I need to know that you bear my mark and my scent. I want to feel your bite. And even though your mark won’t stay on me, I want to know that you’ve claimed me.”

  When she didn’t respond he ran an exasperated hand through his hair. “I totally blew this, didn’t I?” He walked away from her and stood looking at the bed where the black gown lay.

  Sally came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her face into his back. Seeing him so vulnerable tugged at something deep inside her.

  “I’m sorry; I know this is important to you. That wasn’t fair of me. I’m just a little surprised is all. I know you need this, Costin, and I want to give it to you.”

  Costin turned in her arms and placed both hands on her face. He leaned down and gently touched her lips with his.

  “I love you,” he whispered. She smiled gently.

  “I know you do,” she whispered back. “And I love you.”

  Costin let out a deep breath.

  “Why don’t you get changed?” He motioned to the black gown.

  “Okay, um, if we aren’t going to make love, why exactly do I have to wear lingerie?”

  Costin chuckled. “Sally mine, when it is time for us to make love, it won’t matter if you have on a burlap sack. It’s all going to come off.”

  Sally blushed.

  “I think the reason that they chose the gown is easy access.”

  Sally gasped. Costin realized how that sounded and actually had the good grace to look embarrassed.

  Sally picked up the black gown and quickly headed to the bathroom.

  “I’ll, um, I’ll be out in a sec,” she muttered as she closed the door behind her.

  Costin let out a breath. “Way to make her feel comfortable,” he muttered to himself.

  He waited what seemed like forever and finally he knocked softly on the door.

  “Sally?” He waited for her to answer. When she didn’t, he spoke a little louder. “Sally, love, are you okay?” He heard a sniffle and felt his wolf stir inside him. His wolf did not like the idea of Sally upset.

  He thought he was going to have to break the door down if she wouldn’t open it, but when he tried the knob he relaxed slightly as it turned freely.

  After pushing the door open, his heart broke when he saw his mate curled up on the floor. She had put the gown on and he was male enough to notice, despite the tears streaming quietly down her face, that she looked stunning.

  He knelt down and gathered her in his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on as he lifted her and carried her into the bedroom. He took a seat on the bed and cradled her close.

  “Please tell me what I’ve done. Please tell me how to fix this,” Costin pleaded with her.

  Sally continued to cry as she clung to Costin. She knew she shouldn’t be so emotional but she was just overwhelmed. She wanted this, wanted him, but she was scared—scared that she wouldn’t be what he needed or wanted.

  “I’m not a wolf,” she said against his shirt where she hid her face.

  “Well, I’m glad you told me now before it was too late for me to back out,” Costin teased gently.

  Sally pulled back and looked up at him. Costin’s heart ached as he looked at her tearstained face.

  “I’m serious, Costin,” she told him. “You probably expected to be mated to a wolf, and instead you got this.” She motioned to herself.

  Costin let his eyes trail down her body, which was encased in the soft black material.

  “Yes, yes I did,” he said, sensuality lacing his voice.

  Sally blushed and nudged him. “You know what I mean.”

  “No, really I don’t, Sally, because you are so much more than I could have ever asked for. I don’t care that you don’t turn furry. You are amazing and sweet and precious to me. You’re a healer and I have been entrusted with your care. I’m honored. But most of all I have been given you, Sally Morgan, an amazing woman who loves with her whole heart and is smart and gentle and loving. There is no one who is more perfect for me than you.”

  Sally looked into his eyes and saw the truth that lay behind them.

  “We don’t have to do this if you aren’t ready. I told you I wouldn’t push you into anything and I mean that.” He brushed leftover tears from her cheeks.

  Sally shook her head. “No. We aren’t going to wait any longer. I know you need this. You need me, and I need you too. I’m not going to say I’m not scared, but I’m not a coward and I trust you.”

  Costin stood and placed her on the bed. He stepped back and pulled his shirt over his head, discarding it on the floor. Sally’s breath caught in her throat at his chiseled chest and abdomen. In that moment she was very glad for the black gown, no matter how naked it made her feel. Costin was beautiful and she wanted to be beautiful for him.

  He pulled her up onto her feet and sat on the bed, pulling her down onto his lap. He brushed the hair back from her shoulder and neck and nuzzled her just below her ear. He took a deep breath and reveled in her scent. “Mine,” the scent told him. She was his. He felt his wolf pushing forward and knew his eyes were glowing.

  “Do you want me to go first?” He asked her, his lips so close to her neck that she shuddered as his warm breath caressed her skin. She nodded, speechless.

  “Is it going to hurt?” she whispered.

  Costin kissed her skin and his tongue darted out, tasting her. Sally let out a soft moan.

  “I will be gentle,” he told her as his hand wandered up from her hip and across her back and back down. He pulled her tighter against him and with his other hand he reached up and tilted her head to the side, exposing her neck. He trailed his nose down her jawline to her neck and shoulder, letting out a low growl.

  Sally let out a gasp as she felt Costin’s teeth sink into her flesh, but relaxed when she felt him suck. She felt the pull of her blood from her body and sank deeper into him. Sally had never really felt sexy, but in that moment, with Costin’s lips against her skin, his hand on her hip, tightening and pulling her close, hearing him moan and a low rumble emanating from his chest, in that moment she felt sexy.

  Costin fought his desire for his mate as he swallowed her blood. He was marking her and that would be enough for now. He wouldn’t lie and say that he didn’t want or need more. He needed her like he needed air and he knew that he would never get enough of her. Relishing the thought that he had the right to hold her, he heard her moan and thought how easy it would be to seduce her. He wouldn’t, but he looked forward to the day that he could.

  As he pulled back from her neck, she felt his tongue trace a path from just below her ear to just below her collarbone. She felt the rise and fall of her chest as she tried to catch her breath.

  Costin leaned over and grabbed a towel, dipping it in the warm water. He wiped it across the bite mark, and then kissed the tender spot.

  “Are you okay?” He asked her.

  Sally’s eyes fluttered open as she tried to regain some semblance of control. She let out a breath and took in another, doing it over and over until she could finally talk and sound somewhat normal, instead of like a love-struck teenager.

  “That was…” she paused, trying to find just the right word, but couldn’t so she settled for, “interesting.”

  Costin chuckled. “I was going to say incredible, but interesting works too.”

  Sally blushed. “I didn’t expect it to feel good.”

  “You liked it?”

  Sally ducked her head. “Did you?”

  Costin placed his lips next to her ear and whispered. “I loved it.” He shifted her on his lap so that she could reach his neck more easily.

  “How am I supposed to bite you, Costin? I don’t have sharp, pointy teeth like you.” Sally was nervous. She knew it was important to complete the blood rites, but also knew that her human teeth were blunt and wouldn’t break the skin as easily as his teeth had.

  Costin’s brow furrowed. “I think that the Great Luna has probably worked that out somehow. Let’s just give it a try and see what happens.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you,” she told him sincerely.

  Costin brushed her hair from her face. “I’m pretty tough, Sally mine. I think I can handle it.”

  Sally leaned forward and kissed his lips gently. Costin held still. She wasn’t one for initiating physical intimacy and he didn’t want to scare her off. Boldly, she trailed kisses from his lips across his jaw and down his neck. Costin tilted his head back, his neck available for her exploration. She licked his skin tentatively and he moaned, pulling her closer to him.

  Sally decided not to over think what she was about to do and gave herself over to the emotion behind the act. She sunk into the deep conviction that Costin was meant for her and she for him, that they were destined for one another and this was right, that this was meant to be and because of that, it would work itself out. She enjoyed the feel of his body pressed to hers, reveled in his hands roving over her.

  Finally, she opened her mouth and to her surprise, her teeth sank easily into his skin. She felt the warm liquid flood her mouth and nearly gasped. Expecting a metallic taste, she was instead rewarded with a sweet flavor that spurred her on. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, drawing another moan from her mate.