Independent She-wolf novel Chapter 27

"I'm so sorry, baby," I whispered in her ear. "Tell me. What happened?"

All she did was shake her head. It took her around five minutes to calm down enough to speak to me. "They were in a car accident," she said in a hoarse voice. "They didn't survive. I should've let them know everything. They should've known what I was. I should've told them everything."

"This is not your fault, Dani. You had a right to keep that part of your life private from them. Their humans and would've been scared. You were protecting them by keeping this secret. Even though they might've showed it in a different way, I know they loved you," I said to her keeping eye-contact so she would know I was telling the truth. "Don't blame yourself. This was an accident."

Then, she wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me tightly. "I'm sorry, Jace. I shouldn't have pushed you away," she said, abruptly changing the subject. "You were right. I need you and the safety of a pack. I'm a werewolf and I'm not meant to be on my own. This isn't who I am. I love you. I'm so sorry I didn't realize this sooner. I shouldn't have been such a stubborn bitch."

Her eyes sparkled green like the forest. "Dani-" I said.

"No," she stopped me knowing I was going to tell her that she was wrong. "I was a stubborn, selfish, bitch. I know I don't deserve any of this, let alone you. I understand if you want me to leave so you can be with someone who will be able to be a better alpha female, a better mate."

"No, love," I told her. "I wouldn't want anyone else. If you want to make it up to me, never leave. Stay with me forever and don't run away. You hating me is the only thing that can break me. Do you understand?"

When she rolled her eyes at me, I knew everything would be all right. "Jeez, Jace. I'm not five! I understand and I would never dream about leaving you."

Perfect. That's the one word that came to my mind. She and everything else was perfect now. "Can I kiss you?" I asked her.

She nodded and I took her soft face in my hands. My thumbs stroked her cheeks as I looked into her pretty eyes. Then, I leaned forward and kissed her. It was everything I dreamed about when I would first kiss my mate. I know that makes me sound like a female, but it's true.

It was sweet and passionate, but still filled with sparks and fire. It gave me the sense that I was with my true mate.

The kiss lasted what seems like forever. Dani pressed herself closer to me and one of my arms snaked around her waist as the other cupped her cheek. Her arms made their way around my neck and she held onto me as if she was intending on never letting go. Which I'm pretty sure we'd both be fine with.

She looked at me and shrugged. "I guess I'll be fine," she said. "Sorry I've been in here awhile. It just feels to good to get out."

That made me smile. She was happy, but still there was something bothering her in that back of her mind. I felt it and she knew I could. "What's wrong?" I asked. "And don't try to down-play it because I'll know if you're lying or not," I added.

Her face had worry etched all over it. She met my eyes. "Jace, my parents are dead," she said. I nodded. "And I'm not eighteen yet," she included. I was confused so I nodded. She sighed again, but this time in annoyance. "I might have to leave this town."

A growl escaped my mouth. No one was going to take my mate away from me! She was not leaving. Especially not after she'd just accepted me. "I won't let you," I said in a hard voice.

"You might not have a choice," she said picking up a wet hand and placing it on my cheek. "I can't be on my own. The government won't allow it. Someone has to be my legal guardian. For me and my twin brothers. They might put me in a foster home or have a relative take me in," she said.