FORTY
The limo was waiting outside for her.
Jo knew Nic was out there, prepared to take her on the fanciest date she’d ever been on, but her heart was racing, threatening to burst from her chest. She’d spent hours preparing for this, even longer searching for the best dress she could manage. Cricket had shown up and helped her with her hair and makeup, happy to have a girl’s pampering day. But all of that had led up to this moment.
Nic and Jo had barely had time to discuss everything after the Race Games. There’d been so much to prepare, so much to address, so they hadn’t had the chance to sit down and talk about everything. Now was their chance, and it was a long time coming.
The dress Jo had chosen was yellow in color, making it pop against her darker skin. Her hair had been fashioned by Cricket into a faux-hawk of some sort, so many bobby pins in it, she wasn’t sure if she’d ever find them all. The curls came down over her forehead, hanging over her face. She felt like a Femme Fatale, out to kill off anyone who came after her. The dress sported a deep V in the front, revealing her cleavage and the mark Luna had left behind. She’d finished it all off with a pair of strappy golden heels.
Jo knew she looked good, but damn if she wasn’t nervous.
There was a knock at the door.
Taking a deep breath, Jo moved toward the door and pulled it open, revealing Nicolas Olcan in all his glory. She sucked in air, speechless. If the wolf was attractive in plaid shirts and jeans, he was drop dead gorgeous in a suit.
Nic’s eyes widened. “Wow, you look. . .Luna, you’re gorgeous.” He offered his hand to her, and she slid her fingers into his without hesitation.
“You don’t look half bad yourself,” she replied, finally finding the words. “You clean up well, Olcan.”
“So do you, Adalwolf,” he shot back with a grin.
He led her toward the car, but before he could pull her too fast, she pulled him to a stop.
“Wait.” Jo looked up at him. “I wanted to talk before we leave.”
“You don’t wanna talk at the restaurant?”
She smiled. “What I have to say is meant for your ears only. You know how the reporters have been lately.”
Nic’s eyes crinkled in amusement. “They caught me coming out of the restroom the other day and asked how my day was going. I was a little too honest with my answer.” Jo snorted, but he took her hand. “What is it you’d like to say, she-wolf?”
“Well, for starters, we should talk about our marks, right?” Jo murmured. “We’ve not only been fated, we’ve been blessed.”
“Luna only confirmed what I already knew,” Nic replied. “You are everything to me, and if it takes the rest of my life to convince you to love me, then I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Jo smiled up at him. “There’s not much need for convincing, Nic.” She circled his shoulders with her arms. “I already do.”
He blinked at her. “What?”
“I said I already do,” she giggled. “I have for a while. Racing together just helped me realize it.” She shook her head. “Why are you so surprised? I told you during the race.”
“Yeah, but that was in the heat of the moment,” he pointed out. “I wasn’t going to push my luck.”
She laughed again and leaned up to press a gentle kiss on his lips, chaste. “I meant it when I said it, Nic.”
The corner of his lips quirked up. “You love me?”
Jo nodded. “I do.”
Nic threw back his head suddenly and howled, long and loud. In the distance, wild wolves answered, congratulating him for his successful hunt. “I love you, too,” he gushed, as if she didn’t already know. “Clearly. You knew that. But dammit, I wanna tell the world.” He paused. “Does this mean you’ll mate me properly?”
Jo grinned. “I thought you’d never ask.”
The limo door stood open and waiting, but Nic murmured something to the driver and picked up Jo in his arms.
“What about the date?” Jo laughed, stroking her hand down his jaw.
“The driver is calling the restaurant to tell them we’ll be late. We have more important things to do first.”
“Such as?”
Nic met her eyes, held her gaze, and everything he felt was shining clearly in his eyes. “Such as claiming my mate properly.”
With laughter tumbling from her lips as Nic rushed them back inside, Jo knew this was it. This was happiness. The world could throw whatever they wanted at them. The Gods could rain down on their heads, but none of that mattered.
She was loved. Her mate was hers, and she was his.
And the wolves?
Well, they were always meant to run wild.