BONUS SCENE READ - WOLF FATED Sarah As I sit in the beautiful office Mitch created just for me, I can't help but feel a wave of contentment wash over me. The clean, modern lines of the sleek desk and bookshelves fill me with a sense of peace and order. The plush, cream-colored carpet feels luxurious beneath my bare feet, and the soft leather of my chair cradles me like a gentle embrace. Through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, I gaze out at the lush forest that surrounds our home. Vibrant emerald leaves dance in the warm breeze, and golden sunbeams filter through the branches, casting dappled shadows across the room. The earthy scent of pine and moss drifts in through the cracked window, mingling with the crisp aroma of the pages in my notebook where I jot down random ideas and add to my to-do list as I write. The very essence of nature is infused into this space, inspiring me with every breath. Mitch, my thoughtful mate, has even set up wifi so I can research and connect with my beloved readers. The same readers who have made my first book, the one I poured my heart into after I’d run from my mate in my shock, an Amazon best-seller. It's incredible to think that so many people are captivated by the magic of fated mates and wolf shifter love stories. I understand their fascination all too well. After all, I wrote the book based on my own experiences with Mitch - the earth-shattering revelation that he was both a wolf shifter and my destined soulmate. He embodies everything I ever dreamed of in a partner, and so much more. A fated mate is a bond that transcends the physical, a melding of souls where every emotion and thought is shared. It's an alignment of values and needs so perfect, it's as if the universe itself conspired to bring us together. The attraction between us is electric, a sizzling current that ignites my skin with every touch. It goes beyond the physical - our connection is so profound, so all-encompassing, that there's no beginning or end. We are two halves of a whole, forever intertwined. In this blissful moment, surrounded by the tangible reminders of Mitch's love, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. The warmth of the sun on my skin and the steady beat of my heart remind me that this is real, that I have found my forever home in his arms. With him by my side, I know that anything is possible, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us. Even though I’m lost in my thoughts, a familiar tingle of anticipation courses through my veins. Mitch is on his way home from his duties as our packlands sheriff. We shared a cozy lunch together at Sally's Diner just a few hours ago, but I can sense his eagerness to see me again. His yearning to hold me close, to breathe in my scent, envelops me like a warm blanket. I know he's already planning our evening together - cooking dinner side by side, our laughter and conversation filling the kitchen, before we retire to our bedroom where he'll worship every inch of my body with his tender touch. My own desire mirrors his, a pulsing need that grows with each passing second. I don't think I'll ever get enough of my handsome, muscular wolf shifter mate. The memory of how I initially ran from him when he revealed his true nature fills me with a pang of shame, but it's quickly overshadowed by the depth of my love for him. Mitch’s presence fills the space and I turn just as he enters the room. His tall, imposing frame fills the doorway. No matter how many times I see him, the sight of him always makes my stomach flutter with excitement. As he strides towards me, my gaze drinks in every detail - his broad shoulders stretching the fabric of his uniform, his trim waist, and his powerful thighs. A wave of arousal crashes over me, and I can feel an answering heat in his smoldering eyes. “How are you this afternoon, my mate.” In one smooth motion, he scoops me up as though I weigh nothing and settles into my desk chair with me cradled in his lap. His nose nuzzles the sensitive spot behind my ear, sending a shiver of delight through me as I giggle softly. Our bond hums with his enjoyment, and he murmurs that he feels the same irresistible pull towards me, his hands never straying far from my skin. His lips find the tender curve of my neck, trailing kisses that ignite a familiar fire within me. I melt against him, sighing in pleasure, but reluctantly push away after a moment. As much as I long to lose myself in his embrace, there's something weighing on my mind. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the question I know I must ask. "Have you spotted any more ferals recently?" His body tenses beneath me, and a wave of anguish washes over him through our bond. "One more, but he disappeared into Ironjaw packlands," he says, his voice strained. "It's getting worse, Sarah. I don't know how much longer we can go on like this." I nod, my heart aching for him and for our pack. The thought of culling more males who face the terrible fate of becoming feral because they haven't found their mate is a heavy burden on his shoulders. “This is a slow poison,” I murmur. So slow that no one noticed it until it had become a much larger problem. Mitch sighs, his arms tightening around me. "I feel the weight of it every day. The responsibility, the anxiety. I'm the first to find my fated mate in years, while others…” I know what he feels. Almost ashamed that he found his mate. That his prayers have been answered while others haven’t. Yet. Gently, I place my hand over Mitch's heart, feeling its steady rhythm beneath my palm. I look into his eyes, willing him to feel my love and support. "You're a good man. A good alpha. I know you'll find the answer." He meets my gaze, his eyes filled with a profound sadness and I press all of my love and support into our bond. I have no doubt in his ability. If anyone will find the reason why Willowbrook has been cursed, and stop it, it will be him. "Do you have any idea why the Longtooth pack was cursed?" I ask. Mitch shakes his head, the weight of the unknown pressing down on him. "No one seems to know. Elara is helping us, but even she doesn’t understand why." Hope sparks in his eyes as he pulls me closer. "I'm so grateful I found you. You signal hope for the rest of the pack. Maybe more females will find their way to Willowbrook and find their mates. I want every male to be as happy as I am now, with you by my side." Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I feel the depth of his emotions through our bond - the pain he carries, the fierce determination to find answers, and the overwhelming gratitude for our love. I lean in, capturing his lips in a gentle, reassuring kiss. As we part, I rest my forehead against his, our breaths mingling. "If anyone can unravel the mystery, it's you, Mitch," I tell him, my conviction unwavering. "And I'll be right there with you, every step of the way. We'll find the answers, together." Mitch's gaze drifts to the computer screen, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "How's the book progressing?" he asks, his voice warm with interest. I smile, leaning back against his chest. "I'm up to the part where the hero reveals himself to be a wolf shifter." His eyes flash with mischief, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "And what will your heroine do when he does?" I laugh softly, tracing my fingers along his jawline. "She's going to freak out, of course. It's only natural when a person learns about a whole new sub-species. But then they start to bond, and soon she'll want nothing more than to sink into his arms as he holds her tight." As if on cue, Mitch tightens his embrace, pulling me flush against him. "Would she feel something like this?" he murmurs, his breath hot against my ear. A shiver of desire runs down my spine, and I chuckle, my voice low and teasing. "Oh, things will get a lot more heated between my hero and heroine before I'm through with them. They'll be well and truly mated by the end of the book." "Your readers are going to love it," Mitch declares, his confidence in me unwavering. I nod, a small smile playing on my lips. "I hope so. There's always a small bit of doubt, but I also know that books are very subjective. They can't be everyone's cup of tea all the time. I just hope this one ticks my readers' boxes and whisks them away for a few hours while they fall in love with their book boyfriend, the way I've fallen in love with my real-life man." Mitch's eyes soften, and he presses a tender kiss to my temple. I take a deep breath, gathering my courage. "I've been mulling an idea through my head," I confess. "What's that?" he asks, his interest piqued. "I think Willowbrook needs a bookstore," I say, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I know they have a library, but they also need books from indie writers who might not register with the library network. I meet a lot of authors online, and they'd be interested in putting their stock on my shelves. I would have a small cafe where people can read sections of books they like or rest in an environment filled with books. I'd have book clubs in the evening, and I'd set up a space to write while I employ some of the teens that would like work experience." I pause, biting my lip. "I'm toying with the idea of naming it Wolf's Haven Books, to match the other business names." Mitch's joy resounds through me, his enthusiasm infectious. I can't help the wide smile that spreads across my face. "I love the idea," he exclaims, his eyes bright with excitement. "The perfect place for it would be next to the Sheriff's office. You could work, and I could come over and see you whenever I wanted to." He leans back, his gaze distant as he envisions the future. "It would be the perfect environment for you and would also be good for Willowbrook. I can see it in my head now, and you'll be a great success." A wicked glint enters his eye, and he leans in close, his voice a husky whisper. "We can meet in the storeroom, and I can ravage you senseless." I tap his steel-like bicep, pretending to be shocked. "Everyone will know what we'll be doing in there. A wolf shifter's sense of smell is very acute." I pause, a sly smile curving my lips. "But I also love the idea." The truth is, I can't keep my hands off him. So I don't try. I lean in, capturing his lips in a searing kiss, pouring all the love I feel for him into our bond. He returns it, the intensity of our combined love filling my chest with a radiant light. In this moment, I know with absolute certainty that I'm exactly where I'm meant to be. I'm happy here, in Willowbrook, with my mate by my side. Mitch's hands roam over my body, igniting a trail of fire wherever they touch. His kisses grow more urgent, more demanding, as he slowly peels away my clothing, his lips worshiping every inch of newly exposed skin. I'm lost in a haze of sensation, my world narrowing down to the feel of his mouth on my heated flesh, the whisper of his breath against my ear. He settles me on the edge of my desk, stepping between my parted thighs. I can feel the hard length of him pressing against me, and I ache with need. With a single, powerful thrust, he enters me, stretching me deliciously around his impressive girth. We move together, our bodies perfectly in sync, as if we were made for each other. Each stroke sends waves of pleasure crashing over me, building and building until I'm teetering on the edge of oblivion. Mitch's eyes lock with mine, the depth of his love and devotion shining through, and it's enough to send me tumbling over the precipice. I shatter in his arms, my release triggering his own, and we cling to each other as we ride out the aftershocks. As we catch our breath, Mitch presses a tender kiss to my forehead, a contented sigh escaping his lips. "Dinner might be a little late tonight," he murmurs, a hint of amusement in his voice. I laugh softly, nuzzling into the crook of his neck. "I think we can live with that, just this once."