or scared of it, or talk myself out of it because of our age difference. This isn't fooling around for me. It isn't casual or temporary. When you come to check on me, or stop to talk to me, or throw me in bed and have your way with me, I love it all. So, now you know, because I'm not going to let fear hold me back anymore."
"You're... You actually love me?" he asked, but his lips were curling higher. "Because I've been trying to figure out how to tell you that and I was sure you'd laugh at me."
"No, never."
His breath rushed out in relief. "Ok. Well, I do, Elena. I have never been in love before in my life, but they keep saying I'll know when it happens. If that's the case, I've been in love with you for weeks, but I figured I was just the extra, fun part of what you had with Ian and Lane." And he cupped the side of my face. "But I want to be more. I want to be everything you need. I mean, them too, and I'm ok with that, but I just want to be as good for you as you are for me."
He knew he was rambling, and it was adorable on him, so he leaned in and kissed me. Seth was careful, aware that I was too weak to do much, so his lips caressed mine gently. I felt the tip of his tongue flick across my lips before his mouth brushed mine again. Then he simply tilted his head to press his brow to mine.
"I love you, Elena," he breathed. "I swear that I will be the man you need, and right now, that means putting you back in this bed so you can recover from that run."
"Seth..."
"Nope," he said, knowing I was about to protest. "Lie down, and I'll even cuddle up with you. And then tomorrow, you can have more of those pills and a hot bath."
"When are we going to talk about foxes?" I asked as I lay my head back on the pillow.
He snuggled up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "So you can hear better now, hm?"
"If I think about it, I can hear the water in the shower upstairs."
"Smells will be more intense as well, but the sound is the most shocking part. Sight is pretty much the same in this form, but our wolf bodies have a slightly different perception of color. Thankfully, it's not the same as canines."
"Foxes?" I asked again. "Tigers?"
"Later," he promised. "Next week, maybe. This is your time, Elena. You just became a wolf." He moved his lips beside my ear. "My wolf, and I expect you to pamper yourself for at least a few days. And once you aren't shocked with the strange sounds and smells, I will teach you how to shift when you want, and the way you want."
I grabbed his hand. "I don't want to be like David."
"You won't be," he promised. "You'll be like Gabby."
"But can we teach him too?" I glanced back. "If I am having wolf lessons, maybe we can help him learn to shift and walk and run? I'm sure there are others in the pack who aren't much better."
"If that's what you want," he promised.
"Yeah," I decided. "I know what it's like to wish someone would help, so that's the kind of Alpha Female I want to be: the kind that does help."
He chuckled. "So I should tell Ian we're going to have foxes, huh?"
"And tigers," I agreed around a yawn.
"Good," he whispered. "Now close your eyes. Not even a woman as amazing as you can do everything in one day. Sleep, beautiful. The pack will be fine. Your mates will handle everything. For once, take a little time for yourself, ok?"
"Mm." But I clutched his arm a little tighter. "Stay until I'm asleep."
"Elena, I swear I'm not going anywhere," he swore. "Not ever."
Dear Reader,
Yeah, so, I know it's going to take you a bit to sleep, relax, or stop thinking about this book right now. That ending, am I right? But hold on, because the final book, Wolf's Pack, just keeps right on going, and it only gets more exciting from here. Continue reading for the first two chapters of Wolf's Pack, the last book in the Wolves Next Door Trilogy, click HERE to preorder, it's going to be a fun one.
In case you haven't figured it out yet, this is the