Authors: Olivia Hutchinson
Once Bitten (24 page)
“I…”
she started, only to be at a loss for words.
“When
you jumped in to help me that night at the dumpsters, I was thankful. Thankful
that you jumped in to save me when you could’ve just as easily walked away, but
I was more thankful that you had seen me for what I was. I had a reason to be
around you that even I couldn’t deny. And then last night, I was going to tell
you all this, but then… then…”
She
wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed the scar on his chest.
“I’m
your mate, Gabriel, and you’re mine. I won’t let you go. I love you.”
“We
could’ve lost each other,” he said against her hair.
“Yes.
And we may almost lose each other again before this is over, but it’s worth
every day that we get to be together. I never want to be far from you.”
“That’s
the mating talking,” he said and she could feel him smile.
She
shook her head and pulled back enough so she could see his face. His brown
eyes, so soft and warm, pulled her in. “It’s not the mating. It’s because I
love you. I’m willing to go through anything, fight anyone, if it means being
with you.”
He
leaned down and kissed her lightly on the mouth, his lips soft and comforting. “I
love you,” he said, holding her tight against him. She breathed him in and
never in her life had she been as happy as she was when she was in her werewolf’s
embrace.
* * * *
Two
hours later, they were curled up in their bed, both naked and sweaty. They had
tried to lay down to get some more sleep, but sleep had been the furthest thing
from Gabriel’s mind. It didn’t bother her in the least. She was curled against
his side, reveling in the joy of being close to him. He had bit her again,
re-claimed her and she was still floating from the after-effects of the mating
bite.
The
high-pitched ringing of the phone startled her and made both her and Gabriel
jump. She gave him a quick kiss before picking up her cellphone from the
nightstand and bringing it to her ear.
“Hello?”
“Lila! Thank
God you’re home!”
“Maggie?”
Maggie’s panicked tone had Lila sitting upright in bed. Gabriel sat up next to
her, hearing everything that was said over the line.
“There’s
so much I have to tell you but it can wait—”
She cut
her off. “What is it?”
“Damn it,
you’re not going to believe me…”
“Try
me.”
“I’m
still in New Freedom. Lila, we’re under attack.”
*To Be Continued*
About the Author
Olivia Hutchinson is a full time mother, employee, student,
and author. She loves fancy iced lattes, autumn colors, and large breed dogs.
While Olivia currently resides in North Carolina, she hails from Pennsylvania.
She loves to hear from readers, so be sure to find her on Facebook and Twitter,
as well as:
www.oliviahutchinson.net
Stay tuned for the second novel in
The Netherworld Series coming 2015.
