Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
When I looked up, tears were streaming down Allegra’s beautiful face, but she was smiling from ear to ear, beaming brighter than the sun. “Yes!” she shouted before throwing her arms around me and almost knocking us backward. Then she pulled back suddenly and frowned. “I want everyone to know you’re taken too,” she grumbled as she looked pointedly at my unmarred neck. I almost laughed, but I knew the fact that I didn’t carry her mark upset her more than she let on. It wasn’t like human women could smell her scent on me the way shifters could.
I dug into my opposite pocket and produced another ring. This one was a solid, white gold band. It was a little thicker but almost an exact match to the one I would add to hers on our wedding day. “I figured you’d feel that way, and I completely agree.” Allegra practically bounced with excitement as she snatched the ring from my hand and quickly pushed it onto my finger.
Before I could steal another kiss, the sound of her father clearing his throat drew our attention. He gazed at us proudly, and I patted myself on the back for taking her father aside yesterday and asking him for his blessing. Not that his disapproval would have stopped me, but I would have waited until we were home to pop the question.
Hannah was also gazing at us happily, her hands clasped in front of her, and when Allegra glanced over at her, I felt the tension in her melt away. She jumped up and ran to her mother, giving her a fierce hug. Joe shook my hand and congratulated us before giving Allegra a big bear hug.
Hannah walked up to me, and Allegra couldn’t have smiled any wider when her mom gave me a hug. “Take care of my baby girl, Zeke. It’s hard for me to let her go, and if I find out you’re not treating her right, I’ll find you and put you down like a rabid dog. Got it?”
I almost chuckled, considering how fitting her analogy was. Instead, I nodded solemnly and assured her that I would always do whatever it took to make her daughter happy. She seemed content with my response and suggested we all have lunch. Allegra readily agreed and started for the kitchen, but I tugged her back and raised my brows in a silent question.
“This afternoon,” she conceded. “Just give me a little more time to enjoy their happiness.”
I gave her a swift kiss before pressing my forehead to hers, keeping our eyes locked. “It’s going to be fine. I promise.” She sighed and nuzzled her nose against mine before pulling away to lead me to the kitchen.
It was just after dessert that night when I finally put my foot down and stopped waiting for Allegra to make the first move. “Joe, Hannah,” I said as I stood from the table. “Allegra and I would like to discuss something with you.” I tugged my mate to her feet and gave her a reassuring smile. “Trust me,” I whispered. She nodded, looking a little less terrified.
We all sat in the living room, and I was about to start when Hannah piped up, “Did you knock up my baby girl before you married her, Zeke Blakesley?”
Allegra fell into a fit of coughing, and I patted her on the back as I considered how to answer. I didn’t want to lie, and the truth was, it was possible that Allegra was pregnant. I hadn’t used protection even once since I’d popped her cherry. “I promise, we’ll be married before we have any children.” Hannah considered my answer for a moment, then relaxed in her seat.
“There’s something about myself that I haven’t shared with you, and I’d like there to be complete honesty between us,” I started.
“Zeke’s a wolf shifter!” Allegra suddenly blurted, then she slapped her hands over her mouth and stared at me in shock.
“Well, that’s one way to do it,” I sighed.
“Oops,” she mumbled.
Allegra’s parents stared at us in stunned silence, and I took it as a good sign that they weren’t freaking out or trying to shove me out the door. Taking advantage of their speechlessness, I began to explain exactly what and who I was. Unexpectedly, they were calm as they asked questions. It was clear that they weren’t sure whether to believe me or think I was crazy. Allegra piped in every once in a while, and that seemed to boost my credibility.
The whole thing went better than I could have hoped for. Apparently, the past two days had been enough for them to not only believe me, but still trust me to care for their daughter. In the end, we all had the same goal, to make Allegra happy.
When we returned home, she told me to forget everything and dragged me into the house and up to our bedroom. An hour later, we both collapsed onto the bed in a panting, sweaty mess. “Thank you,” she whispered.