Cowboy Bikers MC Werewolves - Esther E. Schmidt Page 0,12

me bringing one–as my eternal mate–home to meet the parents.

Like I said, it’s unsettling. Both the knowledge of my eternal mate being a werewolf and the fact of finding my eternal mate. But on the other side it’s true what Figor said–while I denied it to him–my wolf does react to him. The moments I’ve felt my inner strength pull at him or look in his stunning eyes and see his wolf…all of it is overwhelming.

I’ve never been able to shift or feel so much as the urge to do so. Yet now it’s as if there’s a craving set loose inside my veins, taunting me to let go and simply give in. And it scares the shit out of me.

“You’re right,” I tell Tobias. “As if it was meant to be.”

“I like it here, Opal.” His face grows serious. “Everyone is nice and I can do the work they ask me to do. I want to live here forever.” He leans in and as if he’s sharing a big secret with me, he whispers, “They asked me to stay and showed me a room with a bed and a closet, it’s perfect, Opal.”

My heart squeezes with joy for this young man. Ever since his mother died I haven’t seen any happiness in his eyes. Now? He’s overjoyed by something as simple as belonging somewhere to do a simple job.

I reach out and squeeze his upper arm. “I’m happy for you.”

Tears overflow his eyes and he quickly wipes them away with the sleeve of his shirt.

I’m caught by surprise when he suddenly throws his arms around me and hugs me tight. “Thanks so much, Opal. I know I would never be here if it wasn’t for you.”

“You would be, Tobias,” Figor says as he pulls me from Tobias’ embrace. “We would never pass up on good help. And you, boy, you know how to handle horses. Even the skittish ones.”

“Smooth,” I mutter.

He places a kiss on the top of my head and murmurs, “I can’t see you in another man’s arms, even if I know it’s your friend, my wolf can’t deal. And it’s you who wants to hide what we have. The sooner I can claim you for all to see is the day my wolf would somewhat be settled, even more when you’re knocked up.”

I gasp and smack his chest.

“Figor,” I scold. I can’t believe he said that.

The man grins and the crinkles around his eyes tell me he’s deliberately ruffling my feathers and yet there’s an underlying truth to it. A werewolf instinct thrives on claiming his mate and won’t condone any other male sniffing around his woman.

By the way he just responded I’d say he’s sticking to his promise to me. He’s taking it slow and is handling his possessiveness quite well. But the knocking up part? I know werewolves love a large family, but the whole taking it slow is a no-brainer for not getting me pregnant anytime soon.

“Come on, let’s head inside.” Figor laces his fingers with mine. “Tobias, Ozzy was asking for you in the stables. Something about the young foal you were crazy about?”

“I’d better go check,” Tobias says and makes a run for the stables.

I narrow my eyes. “Did you just chase him away?”

I try to pull my hand from his grip but his fingers tighten.

He brings our joined hands up to his face and presses his lips against my knuckles. “I agreed to go slow, but when we’re here on the ranch there’s no need to hide what I feel for you.”

My belly flops and I know it’s unfair for me to put the brakes on this because the feelings he has are mutual. It’s for this reason I step closer and rise on my tiptoes to press my lips against his, pulling back just as fast, and I relish in the surprise on his face.

“Thank you,” I tell him in all sincerity.

I hear a rumble in his chest before his fingers sink into my hair to tilt my head as his lips slam over mine. Without thinking I surrender to the kiss as his tongue dominates my mouth. There’s liquid passion flowing from his body into mine and it’s heating me up, making my pussy tingle with anticipation.

His fingers tighten in my hair and the bite of pain mixed with pleasure is overwhelming, but he rips his mouth from mine and buries my head into the crook of his neck. His chest is rising and falling as if he