Addie frowned at him. “What are you talking about?”

Kendrick’s grin warmed his eyes. “Something the sword was trying to tell me. We did it together, you and me. It’s why you could touch the sword and Lachlan couldn’t. It means I can’t prevail alone. I need you.”

Addie still wasn’t sure what he meant, but they’d have time to discuss it when they were snuggled up together in bed. Well, maybe they’d have time to talk in bed. “If you mean we kicked ass, yeah, we did.” She felt a moment of triumph, then she shivered. “I was really, really scared.”

Kendrick touched his forehead to hers. “So was I. You have much courage, Addison. My mate.”

Heat flared in his eyes when he said mate. Addie was coming to know that the declaration, in all its intensity, meant the same as I love you.

“My mate,” she said softly in response.

Kendrick’s heat flared. He leaned into her, his body the length of hers, hands hard on her back.

Addie struck his chest gently with her fist. “What were you thinking running straight into Lachlan’s trap? He could have killed you! I might have lost you . . .”

Her bravado drained in an instant, and Addie was crying, leaning on Kendrick’s chest. Kendrick gathered her to him, tumbling her hair, kissing away her tears.

“Addison,” he whispered, breath warm in her ear. “My love. I know.”

This was what he did, she understood. Rushed headlong into danger so others didn’t have to. He’d gone after Lachlan to protect his cubs, his friends, her. Kendrick would do so again and again. It was who he was.

Addie lifted her head. His eyes held anguish, and she touched his cheek. “I’ll be okay.” She scrubbed her hand across her face. “Just every now and again, I’m going to go to pieces worrying about you. I think that’s my privilege, as leader’s mate. But don’t worry. I’m made of pretty strong stuff. You have your butt grabbed all day by repellant guys who stiff you on the tip and see how tough it makes you. Facing down homicidal maniac Shifters is nothing.” She waved it away.

Kendrick only watched her, his eyes filling with rage. “Give me their names,” he said. “I’ll go have a chat with these repellant men.”

Addie enjoyed picturing it, the more repulsive clientele of the diner facing Kendrick, his eyes hot with anger, pinning them with his terrifying stare. He wouldn’t even have to turn into a tiger to scare them shitless.

“No,” she said. “Let them live. If I hadn’t put up with them, working at the diner, I wouldn’t have met you.”

Kendrick pulled her to him again, warm arms around her. “I’d have met you,” he said. “I’m certain of it. I was meant to.”

“It was fated?” Addie asked, feeling herself smile. “Not sure I believe in that, but what the hell? We met—that’s all that matters.”

Kendrick’s heart beat strongly beneath hers. He started to speak, then his words left him, and he tugged her into him for another long kiss.

No more talking. This bliss was so much better. Fear and worry dissolved as Addie melted into Kendrick, and his mouth warmed her with every beat of her heart.

The gruff voice of Tiger, who’d been helping the injured Shifters near them, suddenly cut into their joy.

“Time to go,” he said.

Kendrick reluctantly broke the kiss to look at him. Tiger stood next near them, gazing at both Addie and Kendrick with unblinking golden eyes. Addie sensed his agitation, however, a new fear that boiled off him in waves.

“Tiger, what’s wrong?” Addie asked, her own worry returning. “Has something happened at the ranch?”