Page 46 of Big Bad Mate

Thorne told the other wolves that he wanted to be my mate. He claimed me, even though he thinks I’m just a human.

The thought gives me a little bubble of hope.

“Coral!” Thorne yells.

I look around. “Are you sure we’re in the right place? There’s nothing…”

A breeze rushes through the trees, stealing my breath. I shut my eyes against the sudden blast.

When I open them, I blink.

I rub my eyes.

There’s a house.

“What?”

Thorne grabs my hand. “Come on. She’s ready for us.”

I follow him.

It’s the cutest little house I’ve ever seen. Truly, it looks like something out of a fairytale. Whitewashed walls, a thatched roof, and the whole thing is absolutely overgrown with plants.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen some of these. Not in Colorado, anyway.

There’s a crushed white stone path up to the cottage. I follow Thorne, the ermine trotting at my heels as I walk.

I glance at the flowers lining the path. I lean down. “Are those fairy slipper orchids?”

“Probably.”

They’re one of the rarest flowers in Colorado. A cold weather orchid. I’ve only ever seen one.

And there are hundreds.

Hundreds.

“Thorne, this is…”

“Hi!”

I look up away from the flowers.

In the cottage’s door, there’s a willowy looking woman. She’s average height, but slender. Like a stiff breeze would blow her away. Her brown hair drifts around her like a cartoon princess, and her bright blue eyes glimmer at me.

“Um. Hi?”

She sticks out her hand, palm up. The gesture looks odd, and I glance at her fingers.

Coral pulls the hand back. “Sorry. I thought that humans shook hands when they met. Is that not right?”

“Oh. It’s right. Usually, you just stick your hand out straight though,” I say, putting my fingers out.

Coral takes my hand. “Great! I’m Coral. Welcome to my home!”

“Hi. Iris. Honestly, Coral, this place. It’s… lovely.”

She blinks at me.