My Surprise Mate
Chapter 8

I wasn't sure how long we sat in silence with Dane holding me tight against him.I just couldn't getover how right this felt. wasn't used to someone caring for me like this, someone taking care of meand expecting nothing in return. had only ever had myself to depend on and the thought of whatthis could be scared the s**t out of me.

"I would like to give us a chance.”

I stayed cuddled up against him, not ready to lose the warmth and safety he was providing me.

His hand gently rubbed my arm, "You have no idea how happy I am to hear that.”

I started to doze off in his arms before the loud ringing of my phone interrupted our quiet time.lgroaned as I stood and retrieved it from the bedroom.

Kain Shelton.

I stood frozen in place as I watched the name flash across the screen of my phone.

Why is he still calling me? What the hell could he possibly want from me anymore? My phone lit upnotifying me I had a new voicemail.

I hadn't even realized Dane had walked up behind me until I felt his arms wrapping around me,startling me out of my thoughts.

"Who was it?" he asked deeply.

"Kain," the name slipped out before I could stop it.

* What did he want?"

The million-dollar question.

I shrugged as anxiety started to build deep in my gut.l put it on the speakerphone as I listened tothe voicemail

I had never felt so free before.l leaned my head back against Dane's chest and closed my eyes as hishand tightened around my waist.

As Dane brought the horse to a stop, I opened my eyes.

We were near the tree line I had seen in the distance next to a slid down.

I watched as the horse walked around the pond, stopping to drink from the pond.

Dane led me to a huge rock and helped me sit on it, positioning himself behind me.

"You know a little about me.Tell me something about you, Dane Black."

I broke the silence between us.

He cleared his throat, "What do you want to know first?"

I thought about his question.I had so many questions I wasn't sure which one to start with.

"What do you do for a living?"

He tried to stifle a laugh, "Well, we raise cattle and have a few crops.And of course, we have thediner."

Well, that just opened up a whole new set of questions.

"Who are we?"

Dane moved so he was sitting next to me.

"We, as in my pack.l am the Alpha of the Shadowmoon Pack.”

"What exactly does that mean? And am I in danger now, like Kain said because I know about yourkind?"

I couldn't help the fear that crept up on me.

I didn't have the most perfect life, but I wasn't trying to get killed either.

"No.No one is going to hurt you.Some humans know about us.The ones that are mated towerewolves, they know.If you are someone’s mate, you aren't in any danger.Kain is a dumbass, don'tworry about him." he growled out.

We talked all day.

Dane explained everything he could to and how the pack works.

"How do you know Kain?" I asked curiously as we rode back to the barn.

"My father, the previous Alpha, thought it was important to know about all packs and theirhierarchy, not just the ones around us.He always told me, that just because they aren't close doesn'tmean they aren't a threat or an ally.So, as part of my Alpha training, he required me to learn aboutall the packs, well the ones that had 100 or more members.That's why I know about the OakwoodPack. also attend a meeting of the Alpha's twice a year.Not many go to it, mostly the bigger packs,but that's where I officially met Kain.” I thought about what he just told me as we walked back tothe house I was staying in.

"What if Kain tries to replace me?" I asked Dane as we walked through the front door.

"Oakwood pack is smaller than us, and Kain is young.A fresh Alpha is what we call him.He has neverbeen in a war...he’s inexperienced and cocky His father was a decent Alpha, but he handed the packover to Kain two years ago.In those two years, Kain has broken most of the alliances his dad hadmade.He's very careless.It will prove to be his downfall.So, if he wants to try anything, let him.Wehave nothing to worry about.” focused on his lips; it was as if they were calling to me.

Dane leaned down, closing the distance as our lips met in a soft kiss.It felt like someone had shotelectricity through me and the heat of it was settling in my core.l trailed my hands up his chest as Ideepened the kiss.

Dane's hands moved over my ass before grabbing my thighs and lifting me up.My legs circledaround his waist instinctively.