The skin-to-skin contact was like a lightning bolt. I let out an involuntary gasp, lifting my head slowly. God, that simple contact made me wobble, almost to the point of falling face-forward to the floor, but he squeezed my hand, keeping me still.
His face was so close I could see the tiny gold flecks in his irises. His breath, warm and smelling of mint, brushed my lips.
"Mate," he whispered.
That simple word caused my lips to lift in an involuntary smile, while my wolf began to purr in my head.
"He recognized us! Our mate knows we belong to him!"
I didn't even have time to respond to my wolf when the man took my hand between his two hands, enveloping it with a softness that contrasted with his rugged appearance. He stood up slowly, pulling on me to help me up, without letting go for
