Page 13 of Ignited By My Mate

I shift back immediately and dart to her side. My bear is panicked, whimpering and pacing in my head as I scoop her into my arms and carry her over to the couch.

She’s breathing. Thank fucking hell, she’s breathing.

“Too much,” I murmur to my bear. “You scared her.”

You scared her, my bear growls back, guilt and frustration rolling through us both.She’s ours. We frightened our mate.

“I know,” I grit out. “I’ll fix it.”

She stirs but doesn’t wake as I set her gently onto the cushions, her lashes fluttering like she’s caught in a dream—or a nightmare. I brush a strand of hair off her face, my hand lingering longer than it should.

She’s so soft. Soperfect. Even unconscious, she smells like home.

I need to get dressed. If she wakes up to me naked, standing over her, I’ll freak her out even more.

I dive for my clothes and tug them on in a hurry. It isn’t until I’m back at her side that I realize my shirt is on inside out.

Oh, well.

I grab a blanket from the basket by the fireplace and tuck it around her before I sit on the edge of the coffee table and justwatchher, worry twisting my insides.

“You’re okay,” I whisper, more for my benefit than hers. “You’re going to be okay.”

Two minutes pass. Then five.

She groans softly, her brow furrowing before her eyes slowly open.

“Lark,” I say, leaning forward. “I’m here.”

She blinks at me, then looks around the room, dazed. “What… happened?”

“You fainted,” I say gently. “After I… shifted.”

Her eyes widen. “That wasn’t a dream?”

I shake my head. “No, not a dream.”

She sits up slowly, pulling the blanket tighter around her like armor. “So, it’s all true. You’re… you’re a bear. You shift. There’s apack?”

“Yes,” I say quietly. “And I know it’s a lot. I should’ve eased you into it.”

“No kidding,” she mutters.

I swallow hard. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I just—I wanted you toknow. To see it for yourself. I’ve been searching for you for so long.”

She stares at the floor for a long time, her fingers twisting the edge of the blanket. “So… everything you said. About fated mates. Aboutmebeing yours…”

“All true,” I say. “The moment I caught your scent, I knew. My bear knew. You’re it for us.”

Her eyes flick to mine, uncertain and overwhelmed. “But I’m human.”

“I know.” I run a hand through my hair. “It doesn’t matter. It never has. Some mates are human. Some aren’t. The bond is what ties us together. And I’m not asking you to feel it yet. I know the connection takes time for humans.”

Lark is quiet again.

I force myself to stay still, even though every instinct in me wants to crawl closer, totouchher, to reassure both of us that she’s safe and mine and everything will be okay.

“What are you asking for, then?” she whispers.

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