Havoc's Mate (Badlands Territory #2) - Lila Rose Page 0,24

blanket getting wrapped around my waist.

I pulled back, met her gaze, and raised a brow.

She shrugged, her hands gently rubbing up and down my sides. “Can’t have Mom looking at any more of you.”

I snorted.

Evelyn groaned. “I wasn’t looking. Shut up, Mike.”

I tucked a few strands of hair behind Cora’s ear, searching her eyes for anything I needed to worry about. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” She nodded.

“I killed him.”

“I know,” she said.

My brows dipped. “Can you handle that information?”

“Let’s give them a moment,” Alton said, and while they shuffled out of the house, Cora just smiled up at me.

“Cora—”

She shook her head. Her hands came up to cup my cheeks. “You saved me. That man… Sean was a bad person, Jackson. He stalked me, found me each time I moved, and wouldn’t leave me alone. I’m glad he’s gone. It means I won’t have to look over my shoulder any longer. It means I can get on with my life without worrying about him. It means…” Heat rose to her cheeks, and this time satisfaction flooded through me. “It means I can enjoy my life with you.”

I tightened my hold around her waist and used my other hand to thread my fingers through her hair, where I gripped. “You like the thought of being my mate?”

“Yes,” she whispered, her pupils dilating.

A growl rumbled free. “Mine,” I told her.

“I know. That also means you and your wolf are mine.”

The wolf pushed forward in my gaze. “Yes, mate. All yours.” I blinked back to my human eyes. Satisfaction spread through me for our mate’s acceptance and how she wanted both of us.

Chapter Nine

Cora

Jackson had showered quickly at the house and dressed in spare clothes he’d kept in his car. It was on the drive back to his place, since our front door couldn’t be replaced until tomorrow, that he explained his thoughts on why Sean had fixated on me. No matter what it was, after everything, I was more than happy to be somewhere where every time I stepped into the living room, I wouldn’t be hit with the memory of Sean sitting there, like I had when I’d arrived home after Mom’s call.

“How did you know we needed help?” I asked, turning to him as he drove. Mom was in the other car with Kathy, Alton, and King.

“Kathy. And the fact I felt something was wrong. I had to check, make sure you were safe.”

“Thank you,” I said, feeling all squishy inside from the emotions.

He reached across and took my hand in his. “Anything for you.” He smiled, but it faded when he asked, “How long has that fucker been after you?”

“A while. We moved a couple of places because of him, but he always seemed to find us.”

“Shifters are good with scents.”

Of course. “I didn’t know he was a shifter.”

He grunted with a nod, his jaw clenching tightly.

“Hey,” I said softly. When he glanced my way, I smiled and squeezed his hand. “I’m safe. Mom’s safe. Everything worked out.”

“He could have taken you from me.”

My heart stuttered and my body warmed at his words. “No one will,” I told him, absolutely serious. I was ready to be by Jackson’s side forever. Knowing I was his mate, that I was made for him, and he was mine, settled all my worries.

As I gazed at him, my chest filled with pride. Jackson Havoc was my mate. I wasn’t sure what the future meant with me being human, but we had time to figure it out, and I wasn’t worried, since I already knew there were other humans as mates.

Jackson stopped the car out front of his cabin, and Alton’s car pulled up beside us. I climbed out, smiling. Even after what had happened and being scared senseless, I smiled, my happiness impossible to contain. It may be terrible that Jackson had ended Sean’s life, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. Sean was no longer alive to harm any other woman, thinking she was a replica of his mate.

After saying goodbye to Alton and King, who were going to check the perimeter, which Jackson told me was a normal job for them, we made our way inside and into the kitchen. DeeDee was there, already making coffee, as if she knew we’d be arriving. When I caught Kathy and DeeDee sharing a look, it was obvious they’d talked.

“Girl, get your butt over here and give me some loving,” she demanded, her arms wide for me. I walked right up to her and hugged