Page 34 of Her Former Bear Mate

The idea tugged on something inside Aditi and she felt actually tempted to do so.It had been a while and she always felt a bit twitchy when she didn't shift.There were just not that many opportunities to do so when she'd been so busy with work.

"Maybe I will," Aditi said with a little noncommittal shrug.

"Oh yeah?"Lena's eyes shimmered."Are you going to strip here?"

"So what if I were?"

"Hey, you wouldn't hear any complaints from me.I'm all for it."

Aditi snorted.Maybe if she were a little younger and more carefree, she would've shifted into her bear form.Instead, she gave Lena a gentle nudge."Don't be silly."

"Oh well, guess I'll just look at your naked body later," Lena teased, speaking a wish out into the world.

Later.

Aditi hoped there would be a lot of laters in their life.

They made their way further towards the lake where everyone was gathering for the ceremony.The two groups were already forming, shifters on one side, and humans and kin on the other.

The idea of splitting up didn't seem all that appealing to her and she hesitated.Did she really want to go through with this?It was like opening a box that she wasn't sure she wanted to open.

Lena paused too."Everything okay?Did you change your mind?"

"No.Just...It's a bit intimidating."

"You stitch up dying people and this is intimidating?"

"I don't stitch up dying people.Sometimes, they're not anywhere near death."Aditi's gaze went back out to the crescent-shaped lake.The moon was reflected in the calm surface of the water and everything looked so peaceful, it was strange to think thatthiswas what caused her so much turmoil in recent days.

"You know," Lena started in a conspiring voice."We don't have to do it the traditional way.We just have to go into the water together, all that up there on the beach is kind of bullshit for bullshit sake."

Aditi chuckled."What are you proposing, Lena Brown?"

"I say we just run in.Splash around a bit.Call it done."

A laugh bubbled up from deep within Aditi and brought some bubbles of relief with it."You don't think the Moon Goddess would mind?"

"Nah.There's loads of stories about people getting mating marks after falling into the lake by accident.I don't think the Moon Goddess cares one single bit about all this."Lena gestured out to the people on the beach and the Elders who were gathering to start the ceremony.

There was something very appealing about not doing this therightway buttheirway.So what if it wasn't traditional?She never cared much for that.

Maybe this was a good way to honour their old selves.After all, they were the ones who got them here.

Amusement rose up within Aditi and she tugged on Lena's hand, urging her towards the water.Surprise made Lena's face look even more beautiful.

"Wait, are we really doing this?"

Aditi chuckled."Come on, then!Hurry or we won't be in time to crash the ceremony!"

It only took Lena a second to chase after her as they ran towards the water.The idea of jumping into the lake to get fated was very daunting but it was a little less so this way.With Lena's hand tightly in hers, her laughter in her ears, and the disapproving glares of the village Elders in their back, this was as much them as it could be.

The cold water lapped at her feet and she cried out.Lena was laughing now too, the most beautiful sound in the world, and she jumped in the shallow bit like they were little kids.Aditi shrieked when water sprayed up at her and she jumped until she was breathless.Then she pulled Lena towards her and firmly laced her arms over her shoulders.There was magic in the way Lena put her hands on her waist and embraced her, so intensely and fully, it was taking the last of the air in her lungs but filling it with something else, something she needed more than air.

People came running in around them but she didn't notice any of it.There was just Lena, the feel of her soft lips, and the warmth in her heart.

TWENTY-ONE

Lena

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