Page 22 of Goldie's Grumpy Grizzly
“Does this sound crazy to you? I know the bond has accelerated things between us, but you will never have to question where I stand. As your mate, my place will always be with you.”
“I write romance,” I say softly, reaching up and stroking his beard. “Of course I believe in a consuming love, whether it’s fated or chosen, whether it strikes at first sight or ignites a slow burn. I believe in the power of love to heal wounds, provide belonging, instigate change and transformation. It’s magic.”
Stroking his cheek and staring into those deep brown eyes of his, it hits me all at once that that’s really what’s been happening here in Fable Forest. I’ve been healing wounds I didn’t know I bore, finding a place that feels like home, and I’ve been changing.
Because of Cole. Because of our bond. Because, holy shit, I’m falling in love with him so fast.
“Does it scare you?” I ask.
“Yes. The mating bond and love my parents shared made my father a target, and after he was gone, I watched my mother buckle and nearly break under the weight of her grief.”
“What do you mean? What happened?”
Cole pulls away, kicking at rocks and sticks as he stares out over the valley for a long moment. When he speaks next, his voice sounds tight.
“My father didn’t die of natural causes. He was killed.”
I stare at his rigid back, the defeated slump of his shoulders, and the coiled tension rippling along his forearms as he folds his arms and tries to hold back his pain and grief.
“When I was a cub, there was a small, fanatical coven of witches who believed they were here to usher in a new era where they would rule supreme. They manipulated and recruited folks to their cause, and they sometimes used their magic to do it. They were like a cult.”
I can feel the energy emanating from him. His sense of loss strikes deep, unsettling me to my core and making me breathless. Is this what it means to be mated? To share each other’s joy and pain, victories and fears?
“They took my father from me, Rae. They killed him because they needed the blood of someone who’d experienced true love, and shifters are known for having fated mates we’d protect with our lives.” Cole shuts his eyes, blocking out the pain. “I never wanted to paint myself or someone else as that kind of target. I never wanted to experience the kind of soul-crushing devastation I watched my mama go through. Or worse, make someone else feel that despair.”
“I see.” I wait a beat, listening as the stream rushes past. “I’m sorry that happened to you, Cole. I know what it’s like to grow up without parents and to think about ‘what if’ all the time. I understand now why you wouldn’t want a mate. But now that you’ve met me, is that still true?”
“No,” he says firmly. “You’ve turned it all around on me, so hard and so fast. I don’t think I could leave your side if I tried. My bear wouldn’t allow it.”
“Is that why you yelled at Connor and dragged me away from your family?”
“I lost my goddamn mind when he touched you. All I could think is that I haven’t yet claimed you as my own, and I just couldn’t think in there.” He scrubs at his face. “Plus, Connor’s a shameless flirt who will doggedly chase after any woman who will indulge him. Seeing his hands on my mate? I was tempted to break his fingers off.”
“Are you jealous?” The idea has me quirking a brow at him.
“Not in the least.”
“So, what then? You’re worried I’ll kiss your brother?”
A dark look passes over his face and his eyes narrow. “You damn well better not, Goldie. I already told you that you’re mine.”
“Well,” I say as I inch away from him and back up a step, “as I understand it, I’m not yours until I agree and bear your mark.”
Cole’s brows snap together. “Are you daring me to give you one?”
“Well, I don’t typically go around kissing hot guys because they’re in front of me and just so happen to enjoy eating my muffins.”
The words echo back in my ears. It didn’t sound as dirty in my head, but Cole’s mouth twitches, and his gaze drags over my body like a rough caress. I shiver as an ache pulses between my thighs.
In a low voice thick with promise, Cole says, “I told you to stop that.”
“Stop what?”
“Wanting me.” His eyes flash with interest as he watches my slow, steady movements to put distance between us. “I can’t think when the air is thick with your arousal.”
“I can’t help it,” I whisper, cheeks hot and heart hammering. “You make me feel reckless and daring. Yesterday, you said touching me was a mistake, but if that’s true, all I want to do is make more mistakes.”
“Is that a fact?” He smirks, taking one predatory step in my direction before catching himself.
