Savage (Wolf Ranch #4) - Renee Rose Page 0,65

saw firsthand last night.”

She shook her head. “He kills rogue shifters. He does it under orders. Do you think snipers in the military are bad?”

I frowned. “They’re doing their jobs taking out bad guys.”

“Exactly.”

I blinked. “It was scary.”

She offered me a small smile. “I bet. Wolves fight. The customs are different. It’s complicated, but you’ll grow to understand.”

“He left me here alone. If he’s so protective, where is he?”

She laughed and pointed toward the front door. “Go look out the window.”

I popped up and went to the front window. There was Clint, across the street in his truck.

“He was there all night. Others took his place earlier, so he could rest, but he’ll be there all night again.”

“But…”

“You’re his mate, Becky. He’ll never leave you. Never leave you unprotected. You’re cherished and loved, watched over, even if you refuse him.”

I turned to look at her. “You’re kidding.”

She shook her head. “He’ll watch out for you and the baby no matter what. Knowing he’s an enforcer means he’s going to be even more diligent.”

“That’s crazy.”

“Remember, I said they’re dumbasses?”

I nodded, biting my lip as I stared at Clint. He was looking out the side window at the house, right at me. I had no idea if he could see me or not, but it was as if he could sense me.

“We females need to keep them in line. You’re doing a mighty fine job of it with Clint. You’ve got to make them think they’re in charge, but really, you’ve got them all figured out. You’re gonna raise that granddaughter of mine to wrap Clint around her little finger too.”

“You’re devious.”

Clint was dangerous but not to me. He’d fought that… wolf last night because I’d been in danger. He’d risked his life for us, and I had a feeling he’d do it again. He took care of his own, his pack… or me, his mate.

Oh my God. Clint did it all for me. It was a shifter way of showing me his love. A gruesome, bloody, naked way to do it, but still...

“We females have to be,” she continued. “The males, they’re also loyal and loveable and sweet and—”

I gasped, my hand flying to my belly. The baby had kicked. Or rather, it was the first time I felt my baby kick. Our baby.

“Is it the quickening?” Janet asked.

I nodded, eyes misting. Call me sappy, but it felt like a sign. I may not know a man’s my mate by his scent, but the way my body leaned toward that window, toward Clint…

The way it felt so wrong to be apart from him—that had to mean something.

I’d lumped him in with Todd for his dishonesty, but he was the opposite. He wasn’t manipulating me. He didn’t make me wrong. He hadn’t shown up here last night with demands. When I told him not to call, he’d honored my request. And yet he’d still driven into town and stayed all night long—in freezing weather—watching over me.

With a sob, I flung open the door and ran toward Clint, just like at the police station. He was there, would always be there, waiting for me. Protecting me even when he couldn’t himself.

Instantly, he climbed out and stalked toward me, opening his arms when he got close.

I leaped at him, wrapping my arms around his neck, my legs around his waist. A hand cupped my ass to hold me as the other sank into my hair.

“Sugar.”

We stood on the front lawn and kissed. And kissed. I wasn’t cold. I didn’t feel anything but every inch of Clint’s hard body and heat.

“My job here is done,” Janet said. “Get her inside, Clint. Don’t be a dumbass and claim her again in the front yard.”

25

CLINT

If my mate wasn’t in my arms, I would’ve dropped to my knees, humbled by the grace of fate to bring her willingly back to me.

“Sugar,” I croaked, barely hearing my mom. “Please forgive me.” I wasn’t a guy of many words, but I had a million to say to her right now.

Everything I would’ve said from the beginning, if I’d been able. Everything she deserved to know. She’d given me everything, and I’d had to keep secrets. No longer.

“Clint.” There were tears caught on the one word, and it fucking killed me knowing I’d put them there.

I carried her back into Audrey’s house and tossed my jacket on the couch, never putting her down. My wolf wanted me to carry her straight to the bedroom and claim her again. Satisfy her until