Page 36 of Her Former Bear Mate

"Oh, is that so?"Lena asked, chuckling despite the excitement welling up in her.Forever.What a beautiful word it was, what a beautiful promise.Except it wasn’t just a promise, not with shifters.It was more.It could be more.

And she wanted it.She wanted it more than anything, which was quite surprising but their time apart gave her new insights into what a life without Aditi would be like.

She took Aditi’s hand and guided it to her hip, to the new mark.“I accept."

“Huh?”Aditi sat up, the blankets sliding away from her body.“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying I want forever.So…”

“Are you talking about the mating bond?”

“I am.”

“Who are you and what have you done to my Lena?”

Lena chuckled.“I know, I’m surprised too.But I really, really want forever with you.I always wanted that.Unless it’s too soon.”

“No, it’s not, it’s… perfect.”Aditi threw herself onto her.

They kissed so deeply, Lena could feel it in her soul.It was making her feel so warm and full and so very light.She really never wanted this to end.

Aditi pulled back, her eyes dark and somehow bright at the same time.“Are you sure?When I bite you, that’s it.You and me, forever.”

“I’m ready,” Lena said, enjoying the way anticipation was rushing through her body.She never knew it would feel this good to have this kind of confirmation, the security, the commitment.They talked about forever many times before but there’d always be this hint of doubt in the back of her mind.

That wasn’t here anymore.This time, when Aditi said forever, Lena believed it.

She relaxed and enjoyed the trail of kisses that Aditi peppered over her body.Some of the kisses made her shiver, others tickled, and some sent an instant bolt of desire down to her core.Everything felt more intense, more charged, she never wanted it to end.

And after today, it never would.

Aditi reached the mark on her hip and pressed a soft kiss on it first.An unexpected rush of pleasure tingled up Lena’s body and she made a funny noise.

“You okay?”Aditi checked.

“Mmm,” Lena hummed, reaching down to stroke Aditi’s shoulder.“Don’t stop.”

A little grin appeared on Aditi’s lips.“Do I ever?”

The next kiss made Lena sigh and she let herself fall into the sensation.She could feel everything so very clearly.Aditi’s hand on her thigh, some of her ticklish hair draped on her belly, the press of her chest.Even the scrape of her teeth, gentle at first, but then surprisingly sharp and yet painless.It filled Lena, like an ocean trying to fit into a lake, all too much and yet exactly right.

Aditi’s voice was hoarse when she spoke again.“How did that feel?”

“Wonderful,” Lena murmured, dazed and clear-headed at the same time.She reached out, touching Aditi’s beautiful face.There were so many things she wanted to say, so many emotions contained within her, but she didn’t know how to explain them.She didn’t need to either, she knew Aditi could feel it too.“I love you.”

“I love you too.”A tear slid from Aditi's eye and she kissed the inside of Lena's hand."I'm so happy."

"Me too.We should've done this sooner," she joked."Too soon?"

"A little."Aditi rolled closer for another kiss."I love you so, so much."

"You better.I'm your fated mate."The word sounded incredibly foreign to Lena's ears but it also came with a little thrill.Fated mate.It was no longer a threat or something to fear.Instead, those two words embodied a life with Aditi.

If only she'd seen it that way sooner, she could've avoided all this heartbreak.But then again, maybe in sixty years time, they could fondly look back at it and laugh about the time they were both so stubborn and silly.

Lena wrapped her arms around Aditi, enjoying the intimacy of their new bond."What are we going to tell our friends?"

"Alix is going to scream," Aditi speculated.

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