Page 65 of Primal

I’d be his mate if he still wanted me. That I’d even give up all my hopes and dreams for a family if he didn’t want more kids.

God, please just let him breathe.

The sheriff beckoned me closer. “Come sit near his head, so he can breathe the scent of his mate. Know what he has to live for.”

His mate.The sheriff knew I was Cody’s mate. Obviously, since he ordered Cody to shift, he was oneof them. The way he spoke of me was with reverence. Like I was everything to Cody.What he has to live for.

“Can I… can I touch him?” I reached out a tentative hand.

“Yeah. But let him focus on healing.”

I curled up beside the giant wolf, lightly stroking his muzzle and ear. Cody’s eyes were closed. “You heal,” I murmured, trusting what the sheriff had said. “Heal up because I love you.”

The sheriff took a few steps back and gestured for my dad to follow. Since there was nothing they could do for Cody, there was a dead guy to deal with.

“I’m your mate.” A tear rolled across my nose as I leaned in close and murmured in his ear. “I’m in.” My voice was watery. “Okay? Oh look–” I gazed at his chest, shocked to see that his wound had stopped bleeding. “You’re already healing.” I laughed through my tears, lifting my gaze to the sheriff who was kneeling beside the dead guy, a wallet in his hand.

He nodded. “That’s good.”

“Just focus on healing now,” I murmured to Cody, feeling more confident. More like I could be strong and do the comforting instead of falling apart at the thought of living without him.

Cody was going to live.

We were going to have a life together.

We probably had a lot to figure out, but he was worth it. I didn’t want to give up a love so palpable I could feel it pulse between our two bodies.

“I don’t care if you did seduce me in a week,” I told him. “It’s a little humiliating knowing everyone knew about your bargain, but I’ll get over it.”

Cody’s eyes opened, like he was listening to me, and I remembered that the sheriff had told me to let him focus.

“We can talk later,” I told him. “When you can breathe again.”

His eyes fell closed.

I continued stroking his soft fur. “I love you,” I murmured again. “You’re the perfect man for me. Everything I didn’t even know I wanted.”

Cody’s panting breath started to sound less labored. Less like he was on death’s doorstep.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to have more kids,” I whispered. “I will throw myself into my teaching.”

Cody’s eyes opened again. He let out a whine.

The sheriff came over to examine the wound. “Looks like his healing abilities were unaffected. His body is already starting to repair itself.”

I looked up at my dad, who was in just his undershirt and uniform pants. His eyes were serious but haunted. “Did you know?”

“That your boyfriend is a wolf?” Dad shook his head. “No. Not until tonight. Didn’t know I was working for one, either, did I, Levi?” He lifted his brows at the sheriff.

“Seemed like you knew we existed, though,” Levi said.

Dad nodded. “There are old wives’ tales in Cooper Valley. My Gram used to tell us to stay in on full moons, or I might see my best friend turn into a wolf.” My dad gave a half-smile. “I always thought it was nonsense.”

“You’re going to be part of our pack now.” Levi dipped his chin toward me. “Riley is Cody’s fated mate. I know you assumed he was just screwing around where he shouldn’t be, but I can assure you, there’s nothing more serious than a fate-match.” He gestured toward Cody’s wound. “He would take a thousand bullets for her. He will never leave her. He will dedicate the rest of his life to her happiness.”

I wasn’t sure how Dad was processing that news, but it brought a flood of fresh tears to my eyes. I fought back a sob.

How had I doubted Cody so easily?