Hidden Destiny (Redwood Pack) by Carrie Ann Ryan

I hate that you can’t feel your wolf like you should. We will fix this.”
    “We have to,” she whispered.
    “Let me take you to my place tonight, okay?” North asked as he rubbed a hand up and down her back. “I just want to be with you.”
    She smiled against him, surprised she could even do that. “Logan already knows he’s taking care of Parker tonight. Plus…I have a surprise for you at your house. I…uh…kind of broke in earlier to leave my things.”
    North moved her so he could look her in the face then threw his head back and laughed. “You don’t have to break in, Lex. What’s mine is yours. But you leaving things at my place with that little devious look on your face? That is one awesome surprise, baby.”
    “That’s not the surprise,” she whispered.
    His eyes glowed gold. “Well then, let’s go see what you have in store for me.”
    She grinned. “I hope you’ll like it.”
    “I can scent your arousal, my Lexi. I have a feeling I’m going to fucking love your surprise.”
    “It’s your surprise, North.”
    He pulled her to her feet then out of the exam room. Before she could blink, he had her pressed against the wall, his mouth crushing hers. His hands gripped her ass, pulling her up. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and she kissed him back, his tongue tangling with hers.
    He wrenched his mouth away, leaving them both panting. “I wasn’t expecting to kiss you like this here. I was going to smooth into it and seduce you.”
    She licked her lips, and his gaze followed the movement. “Let’s get to your place, and you can seduce me.”
    She was going to lock away the fear and anger that came from what they didn’t know. Oh, it would always be there. She would worry about the fact that her body was killing itself and the war that raged around them, but not right then. Now she needed to be with the man who should be her mate and remember that there were many worthwhile things out there.
    Then, only then, would she plan her life with this man, her son, and everyone else.
    She’d fight for them and maybe even die for them.
    First, though, she would live for them.
     

 

Chapter Eight
     
     
    North stood in his living room, his hands in his pockets as he tried to remain patient. He’d already tried to be the patient one in his family, the one who stood back but was always there when they needed him. He’d tried to be the one who stood back and kept from meddling when necessary and facilitated the necessary steps that would lead his siblings to their happy endings.
    Now he was getting his own happy ending.
    At least his version of it.
    He swallowed hard and tried to think about what surprise Lexi could have for him, but his mind kept going to the paleness of her skin and the scream that had gone straight to his bones when he’d touched her.
    He’d known it would be difficult to exam her, look at her as though she was a patient and him merely her doctor, but it had been even tougher than he’d expected. Though he’d kept his face carefully blank in that exam room, with each poke, prod, and scan, he’d forced himself to keep the wolf—and the man—at bay.
    Lexi had been in pain, was in pain, yet she’d taken it in stride.
    Frankly, she’d done better than he had. He’d practically crawled out of his skin trying to calm and soothe her, though he knew she wouldn’t have wanted that.
    His mate might have melted in his arms in bed, but she was strong and steadfast when it came to anything else. He’d never really thought about who his mate would be beyond the idea of her. He’d never pictured her with blonde hair, curves that fit his hands, and a personality that not only proved she was a fierce momma wolf but was fragile beneath the tough exterior.
    No, fragile wasn’t the right word.
    She’d fight to the end and never give up.
    His wolf just wanted to care for her as if she was fragile, knowing she could take care of herself too.
    She was the perfect woman for him, and he