Page 16 of Beast Bear

Mason smiled, offering them a quick bow of his head before disappearing into the hum of the dining room. Theo took a slow bite. The tart’s crisp pastry yielded to a creamy layer beneath the glossy berries.

“Oh, that’s heavenly,” Serena said.

“It is. It’s almost as nice as seeing you smile.”

“You’re corny,” she said, taking another bite of tart.

“It’s true. Every day I know you, I feel like I’m becoming a better bear. All I want is for you to feel free, to feel happy. This little getaway, it’s giving us the chance to see each other away from the stress at the academy. To connect in new ways. To relax. This is everything for me, right now.”

“I know what you mean,” she said, taking her final bite of tart. “It’s been hard to manage the bond in the middle of the chaos. That’s part of why I agreed to come here tonight. We deserve the chance to see where things go. To write our own story.”

After the waiter returned to settle the bill, Theo checked his watch. “Since our massage reservation isn’t for fifteen minutes, I was thinking… I’d love to show you something special here at Fate Mountain Lodge.”

Chapter

Sixteen

A soft humidity greeted them,wrapping Serena in a gentle warmth that made the air feel almost velvety against her skin. Overhead, glass panels revealed slivers of the night sky. The gentle trickle of a miniature waterfall provided a soothing soundtrack, its cascading water splashing into a pool ringed with smooth stones.

Towering ferns and tropical palms stretched upward, their leaves rustling softly whenever a stray breeze found its way inside. Vibrant orchids clung to patches of mossy bark, their vivid petals catching Serena’s eye at every turn.

The pathway meandered through the lush interior. Each turn revealed more exotic botanicals and impossibly colored flowers in full bloom. A waterfall resonated like rain in the distance. It felt like paradise.

“Oh, wow,” Serena breathed. Warm, fragrant air enveloped them. “I had no idea something like this was hiding inside a mountain lodge.”

Theo grinned. “It’s one of my favorite spots. Peaceful, don’t you think?”

A sudden flurry of squawks made Serena jump. High in the branches of a potted tree perched several parrots, their brightly colored feathers standing out against the deep greens. The nearest one bobbed its head and spoke in a clear voice. “Looking lovely! Looking lovely!”

Another piped up, flapping its wings. “Such a pretty pair!”

Serena’s cheeks flushed, and she laughed. “They’re quite talkative.”

Theo chuckled, tilting his head to address the birds. “They’re famously flirty, too. Don’t be surprised if they start giving us love advice.”

On cue, one parrot gave a playful whistle. “Sweet hearts! Sweet hearts!” it squawked, as if blessing them as a couple.

“It’s adorable,” Serena said, taking a few steps closer so she could see the parrots hopping from branch to branch.

“They are the descendants of a pair that belonged to Juliette and Levi Blackthorn when they first got together.”

Serena smiled, feeling her heart flutter. The sweet perfume of orchids drifted around them, and something about the moment—maybe the wine, maybe the gentle hush of the waterfall—nudged her to be bold. She turned to him, and before she knew it, her hands were sliding up the lapels of his jacket.

A spark of realization flashed across Theo’s face, and he bent his head, capturing her mouth in a sudden, heated kiss. For a moment, all she could sense was the warmth of his lips, the rush of his breath. The pounding of her own heartbeat drowned outthe parrots’ chatter, and the greenhouse air turned even headier. She tasted the faint hint of wine on his tongue, felt his hand press gently at the small of her back, urging her closer.

When they finally broke apart, Serena’s pulse thundered in her ears. She looked up into his eyes, breathless and a little lightheaded. “I… I guess we should get to our appointment,” she managed, though her voice held more than a note of reluctance.

He let out a soft laugh, resting his forehead against hers. “Yeah. But that was worth a little delay.”

She threaded her fingers through his, and they walked together toward the exit. Even as they left the moment behind, Serena couldn’t shake the lingering sweetness of that kiss—or the promise that it hinted at. They walked out of the atrium hand in hand toward an elevator tucked discreetly beside the lodge’s main staircase.

They stepped inside after the elevator doors slid open. Theo pressed a button, giving her a reassuring wink. When they reached the basement, they stepped into a softly lit corridor. Warm sconces lined the walls, and plush carpet muted their footsteps. They were met by two spa attendants, dressed in earth-toned uniforms.

“Good evening,” said one the woman. “Welcome to our Candlelight Massage service. We’ve been expecting you.”

She beckoned them to follow. “I’ll show you to your changing rooms,” she said, leading them around a corner to a softly lit alcove.

They stopped at a pair of doors marked with discreet signs. “Ladies,” the attendant said with a gentle nod to Serena, “and Gentlemen,” she added for Theo. “Inside, you’ll find robes andslippers waiting on the bench. Feel free to leave your belongings in the lockers provided.”

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