The word echoed in my mind like a bell that wouldn't stop ringing. My wolf's voice was clear and completely wrong about the timing of this revelation.
Mate. Mate. Mate.
I stood frozen in Darien's arms, his warmth seeping into me, and tried desperately to school my expression into something that didn't scream, "I JUST HEARD MY WOLF DECLARE YOU AS MY MATE AND I'M PANICKING."
"Leah?" Darien's voice was rough with concern, his arms tightening slightly around me. "Are you okay?"
The tingles from his touch were everywhere. Stronger than before, more intense, like every nerve ending in my body had suddenly woken up and decided to throw a party. I could feel the mate bond humming between us, a living thing that wanted me to lean closer, to burrow into his chest, to never let go.
I pulled back
