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Back Claws and Crochet Save as PDF
Chapters (69)
  1. Cover
  2. Untitled
  3. CLAWS & CROCHET
  4. NEWSLETTER SIGN UP
  5. CONTENT WARNING
  6. 1
  7. 2
  8. 3
  9. 4
  10. 5
  11. 6
  12. 7
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  62. 57
  63. 58. Epilogue
  64. EPILOGUE
  65. VISIT FOLK HAVEN
  66. SEDUCED BY A SELKIE
  67. NEWSLETTER SIGN UP
  68. ALSO BY LAUREN CONNOLLY
  69. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

“I didn’t come here to add more love to my plate.” Sucking in a deep breath, I pull back to meet Warner’s eyes, making sure he’s listening. “But you didn’t care about my plans, did you? You infuriating werewolf.” I’m growling through my smile. “You made me fall for you. Damn it, Warner. I love you.”

Hope sparks in his gaze, but he holds still. He needs more, and I plan on giving it to him.

“Your love doesn’t smother me because you listen to me. You’re this wildly powerful supernatural creature, but I’ve never felt crushed by you.” My thumb traces his bottom lip. “But when you said mate, I panicked. I’m scared. Scared that I’ll make plans for the future and they’ll come crashing down if I get sick again.”

Pain creases the corners of Warner’s eyes as he cups my face.

I stare up at him with determination. With love. “But I realized something.” I wrap my fingers around his wrists, holding him to me. “I’m stronger now. And smarter. What happened in college was bad because I hadn’t expected it. Couldn’t plan for it. But now, I know how to take care of myself.” My ankle smarts as I rise up on my tiptoes to brush a soft kiss against his lips. “And I know if I start drowning again, you’ll be the one to see it. And I trust you to help me keep my head above water.”

“Always, Zoey. Always.” He growls the words, eyes fierce.

The sight warms every bit of me, even as it renews my guilt for how I treated him.

“I’m so sorry for doubting you. For rejecting your affection. For saying that I’d leave you⁠—”

“You should’ve left. You’ll do it anyway, so why not go now?”

The harsh comment makes me flinch, and I realize that Warner and I aren’t alone.

We have an audience of wolves.

52

WARNER

Of course my family followed me.

Zoey is in my arms, saying all the things I’ve been dying to hear, but my mother’s biting words demand my attention. I glare over my shoulder.

Rebecca Jameson stands at the mouth of the alley, my uncle laying a staying hand on her shoulder. With a jerk, she shrugs him off.

Roderick approaches with unhurried steps, his face not giving away any emotion. However, from the way his eyes flick between our mother and me, I’m betting he’s considering whether the pack leader needs to intercede in this conflict.

Tanya and Isaac linger at a distance, hesitating to come closer. My sister bites her thumbnail in the way she always does when her anxiety rises, and my younger brother crosses his arms and wears a blank face. Isaac tends to be more like Roderick than me, facing conflict with a stony defense.