Page 81 of My Unbearable Mate

Thirty-Five

Back to Where It All Began

Bellamy

“Kinda funny that we’re headed back to where it all began.” Beau grinned before he took a swig of his beer. “Never thought you’d be getting mated at a sex club.”

I could do him one better. I never thought I’d have a mating ceremony. “The Stepchild is the only place in Granger Falls that can handle a bunch of rowdy bears and wolves.”

The consolidation of the clans had just begun—our first order of business was bringing the Lynwood clan completely into this realm. They’d been stuck for decades.

“Go big or go home, Bell.” Brad clapped his hand on my shoulder. “Even though you were only the boss for a couple of weeks, I’ve gotta say, you were the best boss I’ve ever had. If you tell Barrett I said that, I’ll totally deny it.”

“Sounds like you’re writing a eulogy.” Barrett grinned as his employees’ mouths dropped. “This guy isn’t going anywhere. His role might be changing a little, but he’s the best in the business, and I’m not ready to let him go.”

“You’ll have your plate full as alpha of the new clan and working with us.” Beau whistled low. “Barrett might need a new second-in-command.”

“Good thing he’s got the perfect guy who can step in.” Clover startled all of us as she wrapped her arms around my waist and kissed me.

“Whoa. Isn’t it supposed to be bad luck for me to see you before the ceremony? Aren’t you supposed to be with your glam squad getting ready?”

She put her hand on her hip. “Are you saying I don’t look gorgeous every day?”

Her hair had been loosely twisted away from her face, and there were little crystals dotting the design. Makeup accentuated her features. But she was still wearing a tank top and leggings.

“You get more beautiful every day. That’s the last thing I’m saying.” I leaned in to kiss her and she drew away. “Don’t tell me you have bad news.”

“Hell no. But if you mess up my makeup, everyone will know I snuck off to see you. And as you just said, that’s totally against the rules.”

I tipped my head toward Brad and Beau. “And you think these guys can keep a secret?”

“Not a chance.” She laughed. “But everyone expects them to spread wild rumors. Can you sneak away for a minute?”

“They can’t start the ceremony without us.” I chuckled. “But don’t want anyone to think we bailed on them.”

She shook her head. “I have a surprise for you.”

Before I had a chance to answer, she pulled me by the hand away from the crowd of bears and wolves and out into the yard. I thought she’d stop there, and I was about to protest that I had a gift for her too, but I’d planned to give it to her tonight, after the ceremony, but she kept going and didn’t stop until we were surrounded by trees and birdsong.

She looked up at me and batted her long eyelashes. “Happy mating day.”

“Can I kiss you now?”

“Almost.” She ran her teeth over her bottom, glossed lip. “It will make more sense when we’re done. The ceremony later is for show. For everyone else. But I wanted something for just us. You deserve to have a special day. You’re the bravest bear I’ve ever met, Bellamy Laredo, and I’m proud to be your mate. So every time you come through this forest, whether you’re in your human or bear form, I want you to remember this is the place we started our life together.”

I didn’t notice the bag slung over her shoulder until she pulled it forward and unzipped it. A long ribbon emerged.

“Are you familiar with handfasting?” she asked.

“Is that a Lynnfield tradition?”

She shook her head. “I wanted to find something just the two of us could do in private, and this seemed perfect. Hold my hand, and we’ll take turns wrapping it, and when we’re done, then you can kiss me.”

“Deal.”

With the ribbon tied around her ring finger, she held out her hand to me. I was surprised to find mine was shaking. She wrapped the ribbon around our wrists.

She gazed up at me. I was more than happy to oblige her with this ceremony. But there was something about feeling her hand in mine, the ribbon holding us together, that hit me. I didn’t know it was possible to fall deeper in love with Clover Crowley, but I had a feeling this woman would surprise me every single day.

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