Page 28 of Darrin: The Wolves

Soon enough, he was back behind the bar for the night, and she was helping run drinks and food to the customers since they were short their regular server. He’d told her she didn’t need to help, but she’d been happy to stay busy, and he liked seeing her be part of the tavern.

When they’d closed for the night, he put his arm around her and walked out the back door with the pack behind them. “Did you have fun?”

“I did,” she said. “The time goes fast. And I made some tips! How cool was that?”

“You’re a natural with the customers,” Trick said.

“I agree,” Dare said. “If you want to work at the tavern this summer, I’d love to have you there. But you’re welcome to hang out anyway, working or not.” He kissed her temple. “I like being able to see you whenever I want.”

“I like that too.”

They all stopped behind his house – that was now his and Audrey’s.

“Our pack’s complete,” Dare said. “I’m so happy for all of us.”

“Welcome to the pack, Audrey,” Trick said.

“We’re glad you’re here,” Sigh said.

Juliette and Cassidy hugged Audrey and then the couples walked away so the guys could shift in private.

He stared down at her, his heart filling with love. “Remember I’m still me when I’m my wolf, just furry.”

She grinned. “I remember. I’m not scared, I’m excited to see you shift. I’ve never seen someone turn into an animal before.” She went onto her toes and kissed him.

He wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her close. “I love you, sweetheart. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“Me too.”

He kissed her once more, then reluctantly let go and stepped a few feet away. As he started to strip, a shadow passed over the moonlit yard.

Audrey looked up.

Dare didn’t need to look up to know it was one of the dragons moving across the sky, but he looked up and saw the male flapping his enormous wings and gliding toward the ridge.

“That was–” Audrey said.

“A dragon. Probably Caz. He does most of the patrols.”

“The dragons on the ridge? They patrol over the town?”

“Yep. Not constantly, just once a night usually. There are five of them on the ridge – Caz, Z, Rafe, and a mated couple – Erik and Alana. They sometimes come to eat at the tavern, so I’ll introduce you next time.”

“Dragons and bears and wolves,” she said, lowering her head. “King Lake is pretty special.”

It was his turn to smile. “It is now.”

“You’re such a charmer, Dare. Now get to stripping, I want to see your wolf.”

“Yes ma’am.”

He stripped, keeping his gaze locked to hers, and then he let himself go into his wolf. He was mostly black furred, and he knew his eyes would be amber. He sat on his haunches and inhaled, picking up Audrey’s sweet scent.

She stood still for a long moment, eyes wide and mouth open slightly.

And then she moved to him and kneeled, sliding her hands into his fur and hugging him. “Oh, you’re so beautiful! Holy crap that was incredible.” She leaned back and pressed her head against his. “Thank you for sharing this with me. I love you so much.” He murmured a few grumbles and she laughed. “I know you love me too.”

He was so damn happy. His mate loved him, wolf and human.