Page 140 of Dream Weaver

My vision went blank, and sound and light blurred. I heard rustling trees and a rushing river. I smelled an alpine meadowflooded with flowers. I felt my thick pelt rub against something soft and sleek. Something that moved, rumbled, and hummed in delight — another bear, slight and trim, with a reddish tint to its brown fur.

My mate,the she-bear sighed as she wound her neck around mine, marking me with her scent.

All that played out in my mind as we flew through our high. My teeth remained deep, my body wrapped around Abby’s. Then, as the high gave way to waves of softer pleasure, my teeth retracted, and I pressed my tongue against her skin. Then I slowly let go, kissing the tiny wounds to make them heal instantly.

Abby gradually relaxed her grip on the sheets, letting me wind my fingers through hers. I lay over her, limp, panting, and thrilled.

After months of pining for this moment, we were here.

“Holy shit, was that good,” Abby murmured in her usual poetic style.

I chuckled into her shoulder blades. Yes. Yes, it was.

“Are we… Did you…” she mumbled.

I nuzzled her shoulder. “I did. We did.” We were mated now. Forever. “No second thoughts, I hope?”

She snorted and wiggled her rear. “The only thought I have is for seconds. Can we do that again?”

I laughed. “Anytime we want.”

Dangerous words, knowing Abby was the impatient type. Happily, she relaxed into my arms and let me hold her for a while.

“So, I get to be a bear now, huh?” she murmured once we’d eventually cleaned up and rearranged ourselves, spooning together in her — er, our — bed.

I stroked the patterns on her arms. “Yes. Well, pretty soon.”

“How soon?” she demanded.

I laughed. Abby had always assured me she loved the idea of being able to shift, but it was good to know she hadn’t changed her mind.

“It’s different for everyone,” I said. “But knowing you—” I felt around her ears, then snuck a hand along her hip “—that could be any time now. No sign of fur yet, though.”

Her laugh rippled through her body, and I tugged her closer, trapping her in my arms.

“Soon,” I murmured, tucking my chin over her shoulder and closing my eyes. “Very soon. I’m sure of it.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

ABBY

Four weeks later…

“Go home, Roscoe.” I shooed the dog gently away. “Go home.”

He whined and paced in place.

“I’ll be back soon. Go home.” I pointed sternly.

He returned to the porch, watching me go with a weak wag of his tail.

I walked a few steps, glancing at the striking sunset colors, then back at the house, where colored lights flashed, framing the windows and door. Christmas wasn’t far off, and we’d gone all out.

Correction —Cooperhad gone all out. He blamed it on Ingo and Nash, who’d set a standard by decorating their homes. I blamed it on Pippa, who’d kicked off the whole arms race in the first place. The ranch looked like a strip mall with all those blinking lights.

I grinned. It was pretty nice, actually.Reallynice. My Christmas cheer had never extended to decorating anything but the actual tree. But this year…

Well, there was a lot to be cheerful about.

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