Holding his face in my hands, I pulled him closer. “The vision doesn’t mean anything. Just because it’s happening now doesn’t mean we don’t have a future. Besides, we’re already changing it right now.” Sighing, he lowered his gaze to my lips. “Tell me about our times at the lake. I want to hear you say it. What happened after I laughed at you?”

“I broke the ice one day, hoping you’d fall through. When it went as planned and you didn’t resurface, I got really scared. Screaming your name over and over, I freaked out and jumped in after you. I panicked when I couldn’t find you and ended up needing the help myself. You were playing a joke on me the entire time.” A sad smile splayed across his lips.

“And I felt like shit when I saw you struggling. From that day on, I made a promise to myself to protect you.” I thought about my words. “Do you think that’s what happens when wolves realize who their mates are?”

“I don’t know, it could be. From what I hear, most mates don’t find each other until they’re older. Our signs started pretty young. All I knew was, you were special—mine to protect.”

My heart thumped hard in my chest. I knew what was about to come. “And what do you know now?” I asked, whispering the words.

Cupping my cheek, he leaned down and kissed me, long and deep. I fisted my hands in his hair and tasted him, putting it all into memory. Whatever happened, I wasn’t going to lose any more of my life’s memories. He pulled back, ending the kiss too quickly. “I know that I’d give anything to get your memories back. I just want you to remember me.”

“I do too. Even if I don’t, it’s not going to change anything. I know how I feel now.”

He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, his finger grazing my neck. “And I know how I feel. I’ll protect you no matter the price, mated or not, even if it costs me my life.” His serious green gaze locked into mine. “I love you, angel.”

A tear escaped the corner of my eye. I knew he was going to say it, but it was different seeing it in a vision compared to actually experiencing it. “I love you too.”

Grinning wide, he wiped away my tear. “Did you see me say that in your vision?”

I nodded. “It was a lot better hearing you say it for real.”

Even though he was smiling, I could feel the turmoil inside him. My vision had already come to pass, meaning our future was uncertain. The only thing left to do was take each other’s blood and see what was to come.

“You need to stop stressing about the future,” I whispered the words across his lips. “At the next full moon, we’ll complete the bond and I’ll be yours for the rest of our lives. Nothing is going to change that. You can’t let some vision be the judge of everything.”

He nodded, even though his expression was grim. “I know. I just can’t shake the feeling that something’s about to get fucked all to hell.”

Biting my lip, I took his hand and placed it between my legs. “You got that right. And I think now’s the perfect time.”

A deep rumble vibrated in his chest. He slipped his fingers inside my underwear and I spread my legs. I gasped when he pushed one inside me and then another.

“I just want you to focus on what’s right in front of you. We make our own choices.”

He slid my pants down and freed his cock. Sitting up, he pulled me on to his lap. “That we do. Now show me what you want.”

Taking him inside me, I moaned as my body stretched around him. “Gladly.”

Bailey

“And why are we going to the bar again?” I asked.

Tyla checked her makeup in the rearview mirror. “For drinks, why else?” She winked over at me. “Don’t worry, I’ve been sworn to keep all men away from you.”

“By Ryker or Sebastian?”

“Both.” She giggled.

Groaning, I sat back in the seat. “I swear, they’re both going to drive me insane. Although, I never thought I’d see them actually getting along.” For the past week, Sebastian stayed close, while Ryker continued with his ranger duties; it was all Ryker’s doing. They still gave each other a hard time and were quick to inform me that wasn’t going to change.

“That’s a good thing though. Having two sexy wolves guarding you is a dream come true. If they weren’t both alphas, with one being your mate, you could probably have yourself one hell of a ménage a trois.”

I burst out laughing. “Not going to happen with those two. Besides, even if Ryker and I weren’t mates, I don’t see Sebastian in that way.” I shivered and pretended to gag.

She snorted. “You’re the only female in the pack who doesn’t drool over him. Even I’d love to have a bit of royalty in me for the night.” She drove around downtown Jackson Hole until we got to the bar. There were cars everywhere, even more than a usual Friday night.

“What’s going on down here? It’s never this crowded,” I stated.

Luckily, she found a parking space right in front of the bar. It was the only one open in a three block radius. “What do you know . . . a spot right out front. Someone must love us.”

We got out of the car and I put on the fitted denim jacket I bought to go over my dress. The night was breezy and cool, exactly how I loved it. Turning my attention to inside the bar, I could tell it was packed, and not with your normal human patrons; there were wolves. A lot of them. I narrowed my gaze and looked at her.

Smiling wide, she took my hand and walked me to the door. When she opened it wide, my mouth hit the floor. Everyone inside stopped what they were doing and regarded me with their attention. Some even cheered and hollered out my name. I didn’t know what to do other than give a stupid little wave.

I recognized some, but there were a lot I didn’t know. Right in the middle of them all was Ryker, dressed in a plaid button down shirt and jeans, smiling devilishly at me. “What’s going on?” I whispered to Tyla.

She waved at someone from across the room and Kami bounced over, dressed in a cute pink dress and cowgirl boots. Hugging me, she said, “You made it just in time!”

“Just in time for what?”

Ryker walked through the crowd toward me and grabbed my hands. “To show everyone you’re mine.”

Kami snickered and put her arm around Tyla. “We wanted to tell you sooner, but we thought it’d be better as a surprise.”

“Surprise?” I looked up into Ryker’s mischievous green gaze and searched his mind. Wolves never had weddings like humans, where you exchanged rings. We could never wear them or any kind of jewelry when shifting. The magic of the moon was stronger than any verbal vow or wedding ring.

Smiling, he pulled me close. “We can always have a wedding if you want, but we thought having somewhat of a reception would be similar. Everyone came from all over to meet you.”

It was amazing seeing everyone together, laughing and talking without animosity. “I don’t need a wedding, Ryker. This is perfect.” Squeezing his hand, I nodded toward the crowd. “Let’s mingle.” There were a ton of faces I didn’t recognize but Ryker introduced me to every single one. “I can’t believe you know every person here,” I whispered in awe.

He chuckled. “I have a good memory.”

“All right it’s time for me to steal him away,” Cedric announced, slapping a hand on Ryker’s shoulder.

I put my hands on my hips. “Oh yeah, why is that?”

“Stripper time, why else?” When he saw the expression on my face, he balked and held up his hands. “Holy fuck, Xena Warrior Princess, I was kidding. I’m not stupid enough to have done that; I’d like to keep my balls.”

Ryker burst out laughing. “You sure as hell weren’t going to have any if you were serious.”

“No shit. Good thing I am only taking you to the bar.” Cedric looked back at me, “You don’t want to see Whitemore dance without a little bit of liquor in his system.”