Page 126 of Garrett's Gift

I swear I hear someone sayfinallyandit’s about time.How easily those few words—said with pure heart—warm me.

“Quick, someone get the ceremonial knife from my cabin. We’re doing this, now!”

“Before she can escape you?” Damien asks.

“Yes!” Garrett says. “I’m not taking any chances.”

As if I’d ever leave him… Damn, but I love this shifter, and every one of his packmates.

Within minutes, Damien’s standing in front of us, beneath the majestic branches of the Christmas tree, ornaments sparkling in the moonlight, a ray bouncing off the ceremonial knife in his hand.

“The family blood-bonding knife,” Damien says. “Nice touch, Gare. I didn’t think you were a romantic.” He slices along Garrett’s palm, blood dripping to the earth.

Garrett beams with pride. “Nothing but the best for my Angel.”

His Angel… I look up at the top of the Christmas tree. There’s no angel up there.

Damien turns my palm over, but my eyes slide to Garrett, watching his expression as the knife slices across my flesh. I barely feel it. Probably because of the awe filling Garrett’s expression. He didn’t expect this day would happen.

Neither did I. But my wolf and I know it’s right. Perfect in fact.

Even with the pack around us watching, it’s as if Garrett and I are alone, becoming one as we clasp our hands together.

The blood from our open wounds mixes, binding us together, even before Damien finishes wrapping the ritual gold cord around our hands.

A presence I know is Garrett sweeps through me, becoming part of me in a way I never imagined. He’s really mine now. And I’m his…

“Now I know why we never had an angel for our tree,” Garrett says as he pulls me flush against his body. “We were waiting for you, Angel.”

“I’m hardly an angel.”

“You’re my angel. The only one I’ll ever need.”

My eyes never leave Garrett, my mate, myblood-bondedmate, as my heart and soul open wider than I ever thought possible. Histhoughts, hopes, and dreams move through me like a huge, calming wave. I can’t read his mind, not yet, maybe never. It’s hard to say what the blood-bond will grant us. But I know what’s in his heart, because I feel it beating in synch with mine.

I truly am home…