Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
He slowly nodded. “What kinds of sounds?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Rustling. Small animals probably. Tree limbs when something steps on them. Birds. Breathing.”
His eyes went wide. “Breathing?”
She shrugged. “I guess you’re the one breathing.” Why was he looking at her so strangely?
He searched her face as if he was looking for something.
Feeling self-conscious, her cheeks heated. She wanted to change the subject. “Where does everyone else live? How far apart are your homes?”
“They’re scattered around the mountain. It’s about a half mile to my brother’s house.”
“You have a brother.”
“Yes. Felix. He’s twelve years older than me, and he claimed his mate three months ago.”
“Oh. Do I know her?”
“I don’t think so. She was from another part of the valley. Her name is Khloe.”
Molly shakes her head. “I guess not.”
“You’ll meet her soon, though, Little one. You’ll meet several Alpha mates when you’re ready. There have been a number of matings in the last few years.”
“Do all of them…”
“Have nurseries?” he supplied.
She bit her lip and nodded.
“Yes, Little one. All of them are coddled just like you will be.”
“And they don’t think it’s weird?”
“I’m sure all of them did at first. It’s jarring and unexpected. But I can assure you they’re all happy.”
Molly had a million questions, but she couldn’t find the words. She was on information overload. This day had gone nothing like she’d expected. First and foremost, she had assumed the two of them would have consummated their bond by now. Her mother had made it sound like that would have been the first thing they did as soon as they’d reached the house. Instead Gavin wasn’t pressuring her to do so at all.
Part of her was relieved. The thought of taking his manhood into her body had worried her for months. It would hurt. At least the first time. Her mother had confirmed so.
Another part of her was oddly concerned with the fact that Gavin seemed in no hurry to take her to his bed. Was he not attracted to her?
The blood drained from her face. That would be awful. She thought he was the handsomest man she’d ever seen in her life. If he didn’t feel the same…
“Molly… What’s on your mind? Tell me.”
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
He slid his hand to the back of her neck. “I know you’ll have a billion questions in the coming days, and I want you to ask them. All of them. I won’t have secrets from you, Little one. Any concern you have, bring it to me.”
“Okay.”
He lifted a brow. “Start with whatever thought made your face turn white just now.”
She licked her lips. She was never going to be able to hide anything from him. That was obvious. “Do you, uh…” She took a deep breath. “Do you feel the same things I feel?”
His brow furrowed. “You mean the bond, Little one?”
“Yes.”
“I suspect what I feel is even more intense than what you’re experiencing because I was at least aware it would happen. I’m less in shock than you.” He cupped her face and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Molly…” His voice was reverent, endearing. “You are my world. From the moment I stepped into that ceremonial room, nothing else will ever matter to me as much as you do.”
Her breath hitched.
He smiled. “Baby girl, I mean that. You’re the prettiest Little I’ve ever set eyes on. Your dark silky hair is mesmerizing. Your eyes are so blue I’m lost in them. Your skin is soft and creamy. I want to bury my nose in your neck and inhale your scent forever.”
He had said all of that while they’d still been in the ceremonial room, but it was reaffirming to hear it again. It calmed her nerves.
“Ask me your next question, Baby girl,” he encouraged.
“My mother said…”
He rubbed her back. “I bet your mother gave you a lot of advice. I’m glad she didn’t send you off to your mate with no information. I’m sure she told you everything she knew about matings among shifters in the valley. The problem is she couldn’t share what she didn’t know. I don’t want you to think she withheld information. It sounds like she did a good job of preparing you, but there was only so much she could say.”
Molly nodded.
“Go on, Little one. Talk to me.”
“She said I would be expected to, uh, consummate our relationship as soon as possible.” She pursed her lips.
“Ah. Well, here’s the thing. When shifters in the valley mate, they already know each other. They choose their mates. They spend time courting. Hopefully they’re very much in love and eager to consummate as soon as their ceremony is over. But our mating is different. We’ve never met each other. It wouldn’t be fair for me to strip you out of your clothes and pressure you to accept me into your body so quickly.”