Free Slade's Desire (White River Wolves Series, #2) by Dawn Sullivan

past couple of days, and she knew her place was with her mate. 
    Jade breezed into the room, setting a backpack down on Gypsy’s bed.  “These should work for now, Gypsy.  It’s all I have with me.  Chase has put the compound on lockdown until that lunatic is caught.”
    “Thank you, Jade.  I appreciate it. I can’t leave the hospital in a gown that opens in the back.” 
    Jade giggled, “That would be a sight!  Slade would be so pissed if you flashed the other males in the compound, showing them your panties!”
    Gypsy pictured herself walking down the sidewalk in the small town, the back of her gown flapping open for everyone to see her bright blue underwear while Slade glowered at them all, and for the first time in months, she laughed.  Not just a small laugh for the benefit of others around her, but a carefree laugh that she felt all of the way down to her toes.  She used to laugh all of the time, before she and Sari were taken.  By nature, she was a happy, joyful person.  Not the quiet, scared one she had become.  She wanted to be that person again. 
    “You better get dressed before the enforcers show up,” Jade said, her dark green eyes alight with mirth.  “I am so proud of you, Gypsy.  Leaving the hospital is a big step, but I believe it is one you are ready to make.  I know accepting a mate into your life will be difficult.”  Placing her hand on Gypsy’s arm, Jade looked at her seriously now.  “If you need me, Gypsy, all you have to do is reach out to me.  I will always be here for you.”
    I know , Gypsy responded, letting the words drift into the other woman’s mind, instead of saying them out loud. 
    Grabbing the backpack, she went to the bathroom to change.  Opening it, she found a brush and a small makeup bag sitting on top.  She grinned when she pulled out a matching bright red bra and panty set that still had the tags on them.  They were followed by a pair of black leggings and a beautiful multi-colored shirt that was snug in the bodice, but flared out at the waist to settle at her thighs.  At the bottom of the bag was a pair of stylish black boots with a small heel.  The outfit was perfect, exactly something she would have picked for herself, and everything seemed to be in her size, except the boots.  They were half a size too big, but they would work. 
    Hearing voices in the other room, Gypsy donned the outfit and made quick use of the brush and makeup before placing it back in the bag and zipping it closed.  Her heart was fluttering, and it was hard to get her emotions under control.  This would be the first time Slade saw her in something besides that dreadful hospital gown.  What would he think?  Not only that, but what would he say when he found out she had made the decision to leave the hospital?  She hoped he would accept her in his home, but if not, she would manage.  Gypsy had also decided it was time to take back control of her life.  She wanted her mate’s support, but she would do it without it if she had to.  After one last look in the mirror, she took a deep breath, held her head high, and opened the door.
    The first thing Gypsy saw was Slade standing in front of the window.  His hands were shoved in his front pockets, his shoulders slightly slumped, as he looked out over the gardens below.  She was aware of others in the room, but her eyes never left her mate.  He was hers, as she was his.  The other half of each other’s soul.  She had known about shifters before meeting Trace in The Dungeon.  The book her mother had given her talked about them, and it discussed the mate bond vaguely, but it did not go into detail about what it entailed.  She had learned more about it from Trace when he fought daily to get back to Jade.  She had thought the idea of the mate bond was beautiful.  Having one person to love and cherish, one person who was a part of you, for the rest of your lives, was a dream for most.  Now, it was reality for her.
    As