Dark Fates (A Paranormal Anthology)(5)

“You get me, Em?”

“I get you.”

“Good.” He cleared his throat then let her go. “You want your salmon grilled or baked?”

“I can help you,” she said, her voice soft. “I’m not an invalid.”

“Never said you were. And since you’ve got enough salmon for two, can I join you?”

She raised a brow. “You usually eat with me most days you stop by anyway and you’ve never asked before. You just do it.”

He gave her a sheepish grin. “I’m trying not to act like a dominant ass.”

She blushed and ducked her head before taking out the portable grill for the salmon. “I didn’t mean it when I said that before. I’m just a little out of sorts and seem to be taking it out on you.”

He took out the cutting board and started slicing avocados, orange peppers, and grape tomatoes to go on the top of their salads. If he’d been thinking, he’d have boiled a couple eggs for more protein before heading over, but it was too late now.

“You’re welcome to take anything you want out on me.” Did that sound dirty? Because it sure did to him. He’d have to watch himself.

“I don’t know how to repay you, Noah. What you did on the field against Caym…” She took a deep breath, and it took all in Noah’s power not to stop what he was doing and hold her. “You saved me. You tell me that I saved the Pack, but without you holding me up, keeping me going, I wouldn’t have made it. The magic I had to use…well…it hurt.” She gave him a small smile at the lie she’d just told.

Oh yeah, he knew it was a lie. The magic she’d used to send the demon to hell had more than hurt. If they’d been mated at the time, he was pretty sure he could have helped her even more through the bond, but that was neither here nor there. Now he had a woman healing and learning to be part of a Pack again while he was learning to be a greater part of a Pack. They would be great together.

If only she could see it.

“Go out with me, Em.”

She froze, her eyes wide. The salmon popped on the grill beside her, but neither of them moved to take care of it.

“Out? Like out out?”

For someone who’d lived centuries, she sure didn’t understand everything she thought she did. No worries, though, he’d teach her. He’d show her everything.

He set down the knife, turned down the grill behind her—the action forcing her to move closer to him—then quirked his lips.

“Yes, out out. You and me. On a date.”

“But why?”

He tried not to wince at that but failed miserably. He could have said he wanted to go out with her because they were mates and fated to be together. That once they did, once they mated, they would each be destined for a future filled with bliss, babies, and lots of time panting.

Considering he wasn’t even sure she could feel her wolf wanting him that way, he had a feeling he should keep those thoughts to himself.

“Why?”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant. Oh, Noah, I’m sure a nice young wolf would go out with you. You don’t have to pity date the old woman who lives alone.”

Okay, now he was getting angry. “Don’t patronize me, Em. I asked you out. You. No one else. I want to take you out on a date. You’re not an old woman who doesn’t deserve to be cherished. You’re Emeline. An Elder and a f*cking amazing woman. So please, come out with me.”

She blinked again. “Well then. If you’re so passionate about it. You know I haven’t been on a date in…well…let’s not talk about that.”

He grinned at her and brushed her hair behind her ear. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

She might not know what she was feeling, but once she knew the world was waiting for her, she’d see. He knew it. He’d just have to hunt her heart like a mate on the prowl.





Chapter Three


“I’m a cougar. A cougar on the prowl.”

Lexi and Bay Jamenson cracked up laughing, almost falling off the bed they were sitting on surrounded by piles of discarded dresses and pants, but Emeline didn’t find it funny. Oh no. Not at all.

The two of them were her friends. An odd thing to say after so many years of staying within the elder community of eight or so wolves who had grown bored of each other ages ago. Now Bay and Lexi were there to help her dress for her date with Noah.

Her date.

With Noah.

Goddess, what had she been thinking?

“I’m a cougar, ladies. Isn’t that what it’s called? Some past-her-prime woman who chases after young men so she can have her way with them before tossing them away for a younger version? They want all that virility and energy, and want to remember what it’s like to be youthful. A cougar. I’m a cougar.”

“Oh, honey, please stop calling yourself a cougar,” Lexi said, tears streaming from her eyes.

Emeline put her fists on her hips and scowled. “That’s what I am, aren’t I?”

“No, Emeline, you’re a wolf,” Bay said, clearly trying not to smile and failing badly. “A female wolf about to go on a date with a very sexy male wolf. Stop calling yourself a cougar. Though, oh my god, that’s hilarious.”

Good for them to think she was funny. Emeline felt nothing of the sort. Well, maybe on the verge of being a joke, but she was sure she was going crazy.