Samantha stopped crying as his words sank past her grief, and she stared at him in wide-eyed amazement. Tear tracks ran down her face, and every now and then a small sob would escape.
“The woman I saw you with downstairs?”
“That was Julie, my baby sister.”
“I’m not stupid, Jason. That woman down there is human, not wolf.”
“My father is human. Most of us are wolves like my mother, but my sister didn’t get the shifter gene. She is full human, but she’s still my sister.”
Jason tenderly cupped Samantha’s cheek with one hand and wiped at the tears with his thumb. “I love you, little heart. You are the one I want to wake up to every morning until my dying day. I can’t even begin to imagine my life without you. Samantha, I wanted to set a romantic scene tonight, but I don’t want to wait another minute before asking you to join your life to mine. To be mate to my wolf and wife to my man. You would make me the happiest man on the planet if you say yes.”
Samantha opened her mouth but no sound came out. She took a moment, swallowed and tried again. “You…you love me?” She looked like she couldn’t quite believe she’d heard him correctly.
“More than anything.” Jason expected at least a smile and was shocked when instead Samantha burst into renewed tears. “Oh no, please don’t cry, Samantha. If this is too much, I’ll wait. Whatever you want, just please, stop crying.”
Samantha laughed through her tears and launched herself off the bed at Jason, causing him to topple over with her on top. She straddled him and ran kisses all over his face and neck. Her lips were wet with her tears, which continued to run down her cheeks. Jason closed his eyes, savoring the feel of Samantha. His love swelled in his chest making his heart beat faster.
“I love you so much. I thought–” Samantha’s breath hitched as she rubbed her face against his neck. “I thought we were just fooling around. I didn’t think you’d want me forever.”
Jason stroked her from thighs to waist.
“You are perfect for me. Why would I not want you forever?”
Samantha rose and looked him in the eye. The naked vulnerability on her face called on every protective instinct inside him. “No one ever has. I couldn’t understand why you would be different.”
“Oh, little heart.” Jason’s soul cried for the woman who’d had no one but herself for so long. He rolled them, together, his body covering hers, and gently swept her white blond tresses off of her face. “You will never be alone again. I’m going to spend the rest of our lives making sure you get the love you deserve. That is if you say yes. You still haven’t answered my proposal.”
“Yes! Yes, yes and yes!” Samantha laughed right before rearing up and clasping her lips to his in a passionate kiss.
Samantha had wanted to claim him as her mate right there, but Jason wouldn’t let her. He sent her down to work and gathered her things from the apartment. She might not know it yet but she was moving into his house immediately. He had a lot of work to get done before tonight, and although his proposal could no longer be included in the romantic evening he had planned, he still had seduction in mind.
Samantha rang the doorbell to Jason’s house nervously. She didn’t want to walk in like she owned the place, but she felt strange ringing the doorbell. Jason opened the door and looked at her with a frown.
“Why are you ringing the doorbell? This is your house now, too.”
“I didn’t want to assume and just walk in,” Samantha explained as he held the door open wide for her to enter. Candles cast the room in a hazy glow and white roses decorated the coffee table where a romantic dinner sat. Jason closed the door and stepped behind her. His breath fell on her neck as he steered her inside.
They barely got the door closed when Jason tore Samantha’s clothes from her body. Samantha turned around and participated, tearing at Jason’s clothes in turn until they were both naked and panting for breath. Jason pulled her to the floor, turned her around, and thrust into her from behind. The feel of his naked cock inside made her even hotter as she pushed her backside against him in time with his thrusts.
Jason swept her hair to one side, exposing her neck. Samantha knew what was coming and shivered in anticipation. After this moment, she would be linked with him forever. After this moment, she would never have to worry about being alone again. Jason would be hers and no one could tear him away.
As his body covered hers, she arched into his heat. His breath caressed the sensitive part of her shoulder where it sloped into her neck. As his teeth sank into her, breaking the skin and releasing the mating activator, he continued to thrust into her from behind. Samantha jerked, feeling him possessing her completely, and then she exploded in a multitude of colors. She’d never felt anything like it as her world frayed around the edges. Jason howled as he came inside her, the power of her release causing his.
They collapsed on the floor, panting and sweaty, as Jason leisurely stroked her side. Samantha struggled to get her wits back, but Jason seemed in no hurry to get up as he kissed her sensitive shoulder and rubbed his lips against the bite mark. It continued to bleed for a moment before closing up. Two small scars were the only sign it had been there at all.
“I love you, my mate,” Jason whispered against her ear.
Samantha smiled, turning in his embrace. “I love you, too,” she whispered against his mouth before crushing her lips against his. She kissed him with every ounce of emotion she felt, and when she finally pulled away, they were both breathless with desire.
Sweeping Samantha into his arms, Jason carried her to the bathroom. Samantha rested her head against his shoulder and marveled at her change of fortune. Whatever winds sent her to this town had given her life new meaning.
Jason tenderly sat Samantha on the counter so he could clean her off, nibbling kisses on her skin along the way. It wasn’t until he placed a quick kiss against her stomach that she realized she could already be pregnant with Jason’s child. The thought brought a grin to her face as she pictured her future with him.
“What’s that smile?” Jason teased, kissing her lightly on the lips.
“I was imagining being pregnant with your baby,” Samantha admitted with a blush. A fierce look entered his eyes, and he gazed down at her hungrily. His hand traveled down to cup her stomach tenderly, completely at odds with the feral look on his face.
“I did say I’d give you anything you desired. I think we should get started on this dream of yours right away.”
Samantha wrapped her legs around his waist as he pulled her from the counter and out the door. Samantha couldn’t imagine a better life for herself than one spent wrapped in Jason’s arms. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed in contentment. Jason’s love for her flowed through her veins, enveloping her in a warm glow. Samantha had finally found home, right here in the arms of her wolf.
Epilogue
Samantha stared around the room, amazed at the pack’s response to her mating with Jason. She had expected some resentment, especially from the females, and cautious acceptance from everyone else. She’d been nervous about her reception to the pack since Jason first told her about the function his parents were throwing for them. Yet she was pleasantly surprised to discover everyone accepted her with open arms. Even the females, who had given her a hard time when she first arrived in town, treated her with a newfound respect.
It certainly hadn’t hurt that Jason stood beside her ready to glare down anyone who disrespected her. His parents and siblings had strongly supported her as well. Jason’s parents welcomed her into their family wholeheartedly, thrilled that Jason had found his one true mate.