Her dainty hand reached for her glass, her soft lips sipping down her wine before her emerald eyes turned to him. “Is that why I’m important?”
Hell. She had made the leap without any further prodding from him. He merely nodded, smiling over at her. “Yes. That’s exactly why you’re so important.”
Sadness flashed across her face, tears sprang in her eyes as she gulped great gasps of air as she whispered, “So Lennox thinks I’m his mate?”
Oh hell no! Kade’s heart almost exploded in his chest at her wrong assumption. His chair flew backward as he leaped out of it, falling to his knees next to her and grasping her hand in one of his. “No! No, not at all. Lennox is not your mate, Kirsty. Whatever gave you that idea?”
“I heard him say he knew how important I was and that he’d make sure I was guarded and safe. And earlier, in front of the Pack, his Wolf was there by my side as if he was warning everyone to stay away.” She gasped, several tears breaking free to roll down her cheek. “After what you’ve just said, I put two and two together.”
“And came up with five.” Kade reached up, his finger gently wiping away her tears. “Lennox is definitely not your mate, Kirsty, although as Pack Beta he will always protect you. With his life if need be. But, the fact is that the one that’s your mate is me.”
Her body relaxed against the chair, her shoulders dropping, her eyes clearing of tears, even as a blush spread up her neck and onto her cheeks. “Oh,” was all she managed.
“Oh, indeed,” Kade replied, leaning in for a gentle kiss, barely brushing his lips over hers before forcing himself to pull back. “I don’t want to scare you away but it’s really hard for me right now. Usually as soon as we find our mate we, well, we . . .”
He wasn’t sure how to voice it delicately but the look on Kirsty’s face told him she knew what he meant. Her eyes twinkled cheekily. “I guess you go straight to the wedding night, huh?”
“You could say that,” he said chuckling. “But I understand you don’t know our ways and you’ll need time to adjust to things, get to know me, and the Pack. I’ll try my best not to rush you into anything.”
“I’m not a prude and I’m not a young lassie, Kade, but yes, I’ll need some time to digest this.” Kirsty leaned forward, her fingers wrapping in his hair. “I’m relieved about Lennox though, he’s definitely not the one I’m attracted to.”
Then her lips landed on his in a scorching kiss that had his cock standing to attention and straining for freedom. Her tongue lashed against his as she held him firmly in place, a soft groan escaping her throat before she pulled back.
“Whew, I better stop before I get carried away. You’re a rather intoxicating man, Kade MacKenzie.”
“I don’t mind you getting carried away.” He smirked, licking his lips to savor the taste of her.
“I bet you don’t, and although I said I’m no prude, I’ve never gone to bed on the first night, ever. I don’t plan on changing that, not even for you.”
Kade withdrew, respecting her wishes as he rose. “I understand. Now, is there anything you’d like to ask me?”
Her eyes widened as she nodded vigorously. “Hell, yes, of course there is. I have a million things in my head right now but I’m not sure where to start. Maybe another glass of wine will help, and you can start by telling me a little more about you, your life, how you became Alpha and I’ll probably interrupt as you go.”
“Sure.” Kade went to retrieve another bottle of wine. “What if we go through to the sitting room and make ourselves comfortable and we can get started?”
“Sounds like a plan.” Kirsty followed him, settling in the corner of one of his favorite sofas, pulling her legs up and the cover from the back down to cover her.
He filled her glass then went to the door, opening it slightly before returning to sit next to her. “I think Leia will be back soon,” he said in explanation.
“Oh my gosh, I totally forgot she wasn’t here.” Kirsty’s hand flew to her mouth in shock. “That’s awful! I forgot about her completely.”
“No, you didn’t. You just had some other things on your mind, that’s all.” Kade eased her worry. “Anyway, she’s having fun. I’ve been listening out for her and she’s playing with the pups . . . sorry, bairns.”
“You call your kids pups? Shoot, I have an awful lot to learn about your people. It’s all so strange.”
“Not strange, just different to what you’re used to but that’s what I’m here for. Let’s get started.”
The next hour or so flew by, Kirsty pumping him for information on all things Wolf. Her eyes twinkling with mischief in places, concern in others. Kade did his best to allay any fears she had and hoped he’d done a good job. If he’d mucked up, he might lose her, and that was not something he could contemplate. It would be the death of him, probably literally. At the very least, it would drive him insane and then the Council would step in, and that would not end well.
It was as his mind wandered to the ramifications of losing his mate, that Kirsty moved closer, her hand shaking his shoulder. “Hey, are you all right?”
“What? Och, aye, I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not. What were you thinking about just then?”
Kade thought about evading her question, or just plain out lying, before he shook his head at himself. “Sorry, I was just about to try and not answer you. I didn’t want to alarm you with my answer but I don’t want to start off our .
