Page 49 of Shadowed Spirits

I snort. “Thanks for the permission.” I shrug because I’m not really sure what I was trying to say. Probably something along the lines ofhey, thanks for the best sex of my life. Sorry not sorry I tied you to my walking, talking, trouble-magnet self for the rest of our—probably short—lives.Instead of word vomitingany of that, I settle on asking, “So, I take it you’re not mad I formed the mate bond?”

Bishop chuckles softly. Since I’m half lying on his chest, I can feel the vibrations running through me. “Weformed it, sweetheart. It takes two, and if I didn’t want it, I would’ve stopped it. But I’ve wanted to complete the bond with you for a long fucking time. I’m over the moon that it finally happened. I’m just worried you’re going to regret it once the high wears off.”

I bite my bottom lip and stare over his shoulder as I try to figure out how to explain the confusing mess of emotions swirling through me right now. “As cheesy as it sounds, my soul and heart don’t regret it, and I don’t think my mind truly regrets it. It’s just hard to feel good about tying you to me. I get peace and a sense of wholeness I’ve never experienced before from the bond, and you get what? Annoyance? Danger? A more-trouble-than-she’s-worth mate? It just doesn’t really seem fair to you.”

I try to look away to hide the vulnerability on my face, but he gently grasps my chin and makes me look at him. “If you honestly think that’s what you bring to the table, Izzy, we’ve failed you as mates. You’re the kindest person I’ve ever met. You care so deeply about others, especially those our society cares the least about. You always ensure everyone else has everything they need and want before you even begin to think about yourself. You love fiercely. You’re funny, smart, loyal, strong, and so much more. It’s an honor to be your mate, Isabel.”

Fuck.When did Bishop get so sweet he gives me a sugar rush? Feeling awkward, I have the urge to blurt something embarrassing like,you too, champ.Instead, I dip my chin and whisper, “It’s an honor to be your mate.”

Bishop gives me a heart-stopping grin that makes my insides feel like mush. He wraps his arms around me and crushes me to his chest. “I love you, Isabel. Thank you for trusting me enoughto complete the bond with me.” At the mention of the L word, I squeak. He chuckles, the rumbling sound rolling through me, and smooths his hand up and down my bare back. “There’s no need to say it back, sweetheart.”

I worry my lip between my teeth. Blowing out a harsh breath, I decide to just woman up and say it already. I’ve known it for a while now. “I love you too, Bishop.”

While it’s hard for me to voice my emotions, I know it’s important to let the people who matter to me know how much I care. Everything in life is uncertain, and tomorrow isn’t promised. It’s easier to avoid talking about feelings, but there’s no guarantee I’ll get a chance later to tell him, or any of my other mates, how much they mean to me. Especially with Lua trying to end the world and all that jazz.

He flashes me a smug half smile and puffs up his chest. “I know.”

I snort and smack his arm lightly. “Don’t let it go to your head, St. James.”

“Too late. Hearing that you love me has absolutely gone to my head. I’ll be riding this high for the rest of my life.” He leans up to press his lips to mine. The movement causes him to flex inside of me, and I groan. He tilts his head and examines my pained expression. “Sore?”

I nod because I can already feel my inner muscles protesting. “Yeah, a little.”

“Let’s get you up and dressed, then.” Bishop kisses me once more before standing up while holding me. Since his dick is still hard in me, I gasp at the position change. His chest rumbles with masculine satisfaction, but he doesn’t say anything as he carries me over to the window where my discarded clothes are. Here’s hoping there’s no one on the other side of the glass, because that’d be awkward.

Bishop slides out of me and sets me on my feet. He kneels and picks up my dark purple sweater and pale pink bra and hands them to me. While I’m pulling them on, he picks up my undies and holds them out for me to step into. “Uh, shouldn’t I clean up a little? You kinda made a mess.” His cum is starting to drip out of me as I talk, illustrating my point.

“No cleaning up,” he growls, sounding more like a wolf boy than a mage. Taking matters into his own hands, he lifts my right foot, unbalancing me a little. I flatten my palms against the windowpane to maintain my balance as he slides my panties on before doing the same thing with my other leg. After pushing them up to my thighs, he gathers up the cum that leaked out and shoves it back into me. Bishop then pulls my undies back into place before starting on my jeans.

I roll my eyes at him, wondering what my mates’ obsession with having their cum in me is. “Whatever floats your boat, St. James. I’ll be cleaning this up and changing next time I get the chance, just so you know.”

He finishes pulling up my jeans and puts on my shoes before standing up and leveling me with a glare. “You better not. If I find out you changed, I will punish you, Isabel. And I can assure you it won’t be enjoyable for you.”

Raising my eyebrows at him, I mutter, “Guess I’ll just have to make sure you don’t find out.” We may be mated, but that doesn’t mean I’ll start rolling over and doing whatever he says. That’s just not how I’m built.

Bishop wraps his hand around my throat and gives me a warning squeeze. “Now’s not the time to rile me, sweetheart. The new mate bond is making me feel even more possessive of you than usual. I know you’re too sore for another round, but that’s exactly what’s going to happen if you keep pushing.”

I gulp at the thought of him fucking me again, needing at least a little break before any of my mates stick their way-above-average dicks in me. I haven’t seen Levi’s or Archer’s yet, but I’m going to guess they’re just as gigantic as the others. Thinking of Levi reminds me that I wanted to check on him, so I should probably stop arguing with Bishop. “Okay. I won’t change. Is it cool with you if I go find Levi? Or do you need to lay some other claim on me before I see anyone else?”

Huffing a laugh, he shakes his head. “No more claiming needed… for now. I should probably check in with Elemental, anyway. Try not to get into too much trouble while I’m gone.”

I snort. “Have you met me, St. James? I don’t have to try to get in trouble, it seems to find me regardless of what I do.” Seriously. I’ve been trying to stay out of trouble since I got my magic. Yet, I feel like I’m constantly jumping from one problem to the next.

I’m pretty sure I hear him mumble, “You’re not wrong.” But he bands his arms around me for a quick hug before I have a chance to ask about it. When he lets me go, I stretch up onto my tiptoes and attempt to give him a peck on the lips. Because he’s so much taller than me, I can only reach his throat, much to his amusement. I flick him in the pec in retaliation for finding my struggles funny before turning around and making my way out of the room.

“Love you, sweetheart,” Bishop calls to my retreating back.

My lips quirk up, secretly enjoying hearing him say that. While I may have told him I loved him earlier, it’s still weird as hell for me to say, so I settle on, “You too, St. James.”

As I venture through the Nightshade mansion, I’m glad I don’t run into anyone. I’m not really in the mood to deal with strangers right now. There’s too much on my mind, like worrying about Levi, trying to figure out how we’ll find Lua, wondering how we’ll even stop her, and so much more.

I’m surprised when I reach Luca’s door, too lost in my thoughts to pay attention to most of the walk here. I rap myknuckles on the doorframe, not knowing if he’s even here. He’s super busy with running the pack, so he could be anywhere, really.

“Come in,” his deep voice rumbles from inside.

I step through the dark-wood-trimmed doorway and find him sitting in his mahogany desk chair. Surprisingly, he hasn’t whipped off his navy shirt yet, since he seems to love hanging out in just his jeans. Not that I’m complaining. At all. Luca’s muscles are sure pretty to look at.

Sweeping my gaze around his large bed with a muted green comforter, tan sofa, dark wood floors, and nature prints on the mossy green walls, I try to get myself back on track, instead of focusing on Luca’s muscles. “Hey, wolf boy.”

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