“Congratulations,” Trey said to Jaime and Dante. “Shaya told us that you mated.” Taryn’s face lit up. “Yes, congrats. Sorry, I totally forgot. I blame the sleep deprivation.” Dante and Jaime both gave their Alphas nods of thanks. “I need to get you to work or you’re going to be late,” he told Jaime before putting her on her feet and then rising. “See you guys later. Tao, can you take care—”

The Head Enforcer raised his hand. “Don’t worry. I’ve got everything covered.”

“It’s odd seeing you delegate,” commented Taryn. “I like it.” Dante grinned. “Me too.”

As he and Jaime were passing, Rhett tugged on his T-shirt to halt him. “And you said you’d never let a female wrap you around her little finger.” His smile was so wide it could have challenged one of Marcus’s clown smiles.

“What?”

“That’s what you said at Taryn and Trey’s mating ceremony. My, my, my, how the tables have turned.”

Dante scowled. “Shut the f**k up.” Rhett just laughed.

During the entire drive to the sanctuary, Dante kept his hand on Jaime’s thigh. Much like her scent, the contact had a way of arousing him, settling him, and stirring his wolf all at the same time. It was shocking just how different he felt now that he was mated.

Although he had always been aware that he was without the other half of his soul, he hadn’t truly understood what that meant until he mated with Jaime and felt their bond begin to form. He hadn’t known there were so many hollow spaces inside him until she came and filled them, hadn’t realized just how incomplete he was until her soul fused with his.

Even with all his ease, confidence, and faith in himself, he’d only been half a person. Now that the metaphysical bond existed between him and Jaime, he had someone who balanced him out.

Jaime’s nature complemented his in that she was strong in areas where he might be flawed, and vice versa. In sum, they made each other stronger.

Now, if he could only get his mate to acknowledge that, he might have a chance at getting her to lower those walls of hers and let him in totally, give him all of herself. How ironic was it that all his life he’d been worried his mate would demand too much from him, and it was he who was doing the demanding?

If he let the subject alone, he would end up with the exact thing he’d always wanted—a mate who wouldn’t ask to be his “everything” and would hold back rather than be totally dependent on him.

The trouble was that he found he didn’t want that at all. He wanted every single part of Jaime and was prepared to give her exactly the same in return. How could he not? She was vital to him, even though she was also a pain in his ass.

When they arrived, Jaime gave Dante a pair of coveralls that were a little too tight and didn’t hesitate in putting him to work. He had a feeling that she hoped to discourage him from following her there again, but nothing would discourage him from being sure that she was safe. Not even cleaning up shit and listening to a building of howling, barking dogs. Unfortunately, Shawn congratulated them about the mating. Dante had kind of been hoping for a fight, but whatever. The witch and the lioness were just as happy.

“I’m so pleased for you both.” Riley almost squeezed the life out of Jaime.

“Thanks,” Jaime managed to wheeze out.

Blushing, Riley merely gave Dante a congratulatory smile. Apparently, he still intimidated her.

Once Riley had released her, Ivy gave her an equally enthusiastic hug. “If anyone deserves this, honey, it’s you.” She turned to Dante, frowning. “I’ll bet you feel like an idiot for ignoring your attraction to her for so long.”

Actually, Dante did. There was really no need to rub salt in the wound. After work, he took Jaime to the Steakhouse for lunch, but rather than going home as they’d originally planned, they spent the entire day together. First they went to an ice-cream parlor that Jaime swore made the best ice cream ever—it really did—and then they went shopping to get some personalized gifts for Kye. He hadn’t realized before just how maternal Jaime was. Dante liked this side of her, and he liked knowing that she would be happy if she got pregnant.

He wasn’t exactly in a rush to have pups, but he also wasn’t a person who believed there was a best time to have kids. No matter when you had kids, it was inevitably going to be a soul-shaking experience that affected just about everything. In his case, it was going to have a serious impact on his job and the hours he worked. But he’d learned his lesson since meeting Jaime that the significant people in his life should always come first. When it finally happened for him and Jaime, when she finally became pregnant, he would be proud and smug as all hell.

By the time they were done shopping, it was six p.m. Dante let her talk him into going to the movies to see a recently released horror movie. He hadn’t been for a long time and enjoyed himself more than he’d expected, particularly the part where they made out. He resolved that they’d make time to do stuff like that again. Sure, they spent quality time together, but it was very rare that they spent an entire day alone. In the future, he would ensure that he set aside one whole day each week to spend with Jaime, just the two of them doing whatever they wanted, or doing nothing at all.

It was eight thirty when they finally returned to pack territory. As they proceeded down the tunnels en route to their room, laughing about a specific scene in the movie, Jaime suddenly became aware that the place was eerily quiet. As they entered the living area, it became apparent why. She scented her before she saw her, and immediately Jaime’s wolf was alert, growling and flexing her claws.

“Dante! Oh my God, I’m so glad you’re back!”

Dante blinked in surprise as Laurie jumped up from one of the bulky leather armchairs and was suddenly hanging from his neck. Before he even heard the chilling growl behind him, he was untangling Laurie from him and setting her back by her shoulders. His wolf growled, offended by the touch of another female. Her face molded into an expression of confusion, and then her eyes found Jaime. Presumably his mate didn’t look friendly at that moment, because Laurie blanched and swallowed hard.

“What’re you doing here, Laurie?” He distantly noted that most of the pack was in the living area, and none of them looked happy.

“I had nowhere to go.” Tears filled her eyes, but there was no telling whether they were authentic or not. She flopped back into the armchair. “It’s Blane. He…Let’s just say he’s handy with his fists. I’ve borne it for years. He’s my mate and the father of my son, I had to. But I couldn’t take it anymore, and lately he’s been turning his fists on Leif. That’s not something I’ll tolerate.”