Aimee turned to see Fang in the doorway.
There was an instant tension between the two of them. Like two enemies measuring each other up as if waiting for a chance to strike. She hated for the two men who meant the most to her to be this uncomfortable together.
She looked back at Dev to see his gaze drop down to her hand, which was still unmarked.
He cleared his throat. "I better get going."
"Dev, wait." She went to place a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you."
"No problem." He left so fast, she was surprised there wasn't a vapor trail.
Fang came forward, his expression apologetic. "I'm so sorry, Aimee."
She placed her hand over his lips. "Don't ever apologize for loving me, Fang. That's the one thing in my life I would have no other way."
He pulled her against him. "Yeah, but I hate what it's costing you."
So did she, but she would never let him know that. Aimee laid her head against his shoulder. It always felt so good to be next to him. Even at night when he slept as a wolf. He always lay right next to her and half the time she used him as a pillow. He never complained.
Fang closed his eyes as he held her. He didn't understand it, but being with her was like coming home. He'd heard that expression his whole life but he'd never really understood it until now.
And as he held her, his hand began to burn like it was on fire. Cursing, he stepped back.
"Ow!" Aimee snapped, shaking her own hand before she blew cool air across her palm.
The two of them froze in place as reality hit them hard. They knew instantly what it was.
They were mates.
Aimee moved to put her arm under his and hold her hand beside his hand so that they could watch the marks appear together. The highly stylized symbol was similar to Vane's and Fury's, but different enough to mark it as their own.
After all this time . . .
They finally knew in reality what they'd known all along in their hearts.
Aimee placed her marked palm over his and tightened her grip on his hand. "They look like wolf heads."
Fang frowned. "No, they don't."
She turned her hand over again. "Yes, they do. It has ears and everything."
Fang cocked his head as he realized she was right. It did look like a wolf outline. "Are you all right about this?"
"Should I not be?"
Honestly, he half-expected her to wig out at any second. Not that he would blame her after everything she'd been through. "I don't know . . . I mean, it's cost you everything."
Aimee swallowed. It was true in a way, but in another . . . "It didn't cost me you. I always knew I wouldn't have a choice over who the Fates chose for me and truthfully, I'd have it no other way. I never once dreamed that I'd feel toward my mate the way I feel toward you, Fang. Do you think I'd go stalking through two hell realms for anyone else?"
He laughed. "I hope not."
Aimee held his hand in hers as she walked into his arms until her breasts were pressed against his chest. "How do you feel about it?"
Fang swallowed as he felt his body harden. Damn, she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. And like her, he'd never once dreamed he'd feel this way toward another person, never mind his mate. "Relieved that I'm not a complete freak."
"Fang!" she said in a chiding tone.
He gave an innocent blink. "What?"