Free Fighting Fate by Carrie Ann Ryan

wanted, but she wouldn’t be ungracious.
    He sat up, reaching his arm out for her. Without thinking, she leaned into him, letting his hand
    cup her face. She closed her eyes and sighed, her wolf needing the touch more than she’d thought.
    “Anything, Cailin. Anything.”
    If only.
    “I need to go get ready,” she finally said after a few moments of silence. Her heart ached, and
    she had to hold back a shiver at the thought of just why she had to get ready.
    Today they would bury her parents and say goodbye.
    There would be no waiting, not when the Pack needed to stand together now more than ever.
    They needed to see Kade and Melanie in positions of power and grace. The other wolves would feel
    more at ease, feel that connection to their new Alpha if they could see them, grieve with them.
    They also had to let go of the past. No, they wouldn’t forget, goddess no. But without
    remembering and celebrating the lives that were being lived, the Pack would dwell on the lives that
    had been lost .
    Cailin knew she had to be the strong one, just like she’d always been. The Pack would be
    looking to her, the lone daughter, the princess, and act accordingly.
    She’d be the only one standing up at the altar alone. The others would have their families, their
    mates.
    With a quick intake of breath, she shuddered. “Stand with me today,” she whispered, surprised
    she’d voiced the words.
    Logan’s eyes widened, and he nodded. “Of course, Cailin.” He sat straighter, removing his hand
    from her face. She immediately felt cold at the loss but pushed it aside. “I’ll stand up with you.” He
    frowned for a moment.
    “What is it? You can tell me.”
    “Aren’t you worried about what others will think? I’m not, and I know you aren’t usually. That’s
    one thing I like about you. I just don’t want you to have to deal with the additional burden of what
    others might infer from me being by your side.”
    She shook her head. “I don’t care. You’re right. People will talk, and frankly, if it gives them
    something to talk about other than what happened, I think that will be a good thing.”
    Logan narrowed his eyes. “So you’re doing this to take the focus off the pain and hurt?”
    She swallowed hard then shook her head again. “No, that’s not what I mean. If the fact that they
    think about something else works, then that’s a bonus. I’m selfish enough to say I need you by my side,
    even if we haven’t mated.”
    He nodded then ran a hand through his hair. Her gaze followed the movement, taking in the
    definition in his arms.
    “We’re going to talk about that last part soon, Cailin.” His gaze met hers, and she froze, prey in a
    predator’s path. “It’s beyond time we at least discuss it, but right now I know we both need to…
    breathe.”
    He stood up, his erection tenting his sweats, but he ignored it. He held out a hand, and she took
    it, standing close to him. So close she could scent the wolf, power, and sin radiating off of him.
    Logan cupped her face and stared down at her. She licked her lips, knowing this wasn’t the time
    to want him, but when was the time?
    “I’m going to kiss you, Cailin,” Logan whispered. “Think of this when you’re trying to decide if
    you want to be my mate. Think of this when you find yourself on your own and in need of comfort.”
    “Okay,” she breathed then inwardly cursed at the stupidity of that answer.
    With a quick grin that faded before she could blink, he lowered his head, the intensity in his gaze
    making her belly clench. His lips brushed hers, once, twice, before pressing harder. She closed her
    eyes, letting the sensation of his mouth against hers wash over her.
    His lips were firm, soft, with just the hint of pressure to exude his dominance. Oh, she wasn’t his
    submissive wolf. No, she’d kiss him back.
    Hard.
    She opened her mouth, sliding her tongue against the seam of his lips. Oh, he might have been the
    one to say he’d kiss her ,