Page 63 of Unbearable Attraction
"Actually, it's leading up to something else." Luka reached into his pocket, pulling out the small wooden box he'd been carrying for the past two days.
Leenah's eyes widened as she recognized what he was holding. "Luka..."
"I know this isn't exactly romantic," he said, gesturing to the dirt under his fingernails and the sweat staining his flannel shirt. "And I know we're already bonded in ways that go deeper than human traditions. But I want everyone to know that I choose you. Every day, for the rest of my life."
He opened the box to reveal a ring unlike any jewelry store creation. The band was carved from the same blessed oak he'd used for her protective charms, inlaid with silver that held traces of the magic they'd woven together. Instead of a traditional stone, the setting held a small piece of moonstone that seemed to glow with inner light.
"It's beautiful," she whispered, reaching out to touch the ring with one finger.
"The moonstone came from a cave near where I grew up," he explained. "My grandfather told me it would know when I found my mate. I thought he was just being a sentimental old bear, but..."
"But it's been glowing since our bonding ritual," she finished, wonder coloring her voice.
"Yeah. Figured that was a pretty clear sign." He took a deep breath, his bear steady and certain beneath his skin. "Leenah Carrow, will you marry me? Will you build a life with me that canhandle whatever crazy supernatural politics or family drama or ancient curses get thrown our way?"
"Yes," she said without hesitation, holding out her hand so he could slide the ring onto her finger. "Yes to all of it. The marriage, the crazy supernatural politics, the family drama. All of it."
The ring fit perfectly, its glow brightening as it settled against her skin. Luka felt her joy mixing with his own, creating a feedback loop of happiness that made the grove around them seem to shimmer with approval.
"We're really doing this," she said, admiring the way the moonstone caught the morning light filtering through the oak leaves.
"We're really doing this," he confirmed, pulling her into his arms despite their dirt-covered state. "Think the town will approve?"
"Are you kidding? Twyla's been planning our wedding since the day we first shared coffee at her café. She's probably already picked out the flowers and booked the venue."
Just then, voices echoed through the woods as their friends approached the grove. Maeve appeared between the trees, followed by Twyla, Edgar, and several other residents who'd been helping with the cleanup efforts.
"Please tell me I'm seeing what I think I'm seeing," Twyla called out, her fae-enhanced senses probably detecting the change in their magical signatures from fifty yards away.
"Depends what you think you're seeing," Leenah replied, but she was grinning as she held up her left hand.
"Finally!" Twyla shrieked, abandoning all pretense of dignified fae composure as she rushed forward to examine the ring. "Oh, this is perfect. The moonstone, the oak, the way it harmonizes with your bond. Luka, you did good."
"I may have had some advice," he admitted, shooting a grateful look at Edgar, who'd helped him select the moonstone from his family's collection of magical minerals.
"When's the wedding?" Maeve asked, her practical nature already focused on logistics. "Because if you're planning a big celebration, we'll need to coordinate security. Never know when some other supernatural asshole might decide to crash the party. Or any of your family members."
"We haven't gotten that far yet," Leenah said, though her expression suggested she was already thinking about possibilities. "But knowing this town, it'll probably turn into a community-wide celebration whether we plan it that way or not."
"Damn right it will," Twyla declared. "This is the best thing to happen to Hollow Oak since we got rid of that cursed relic last year. We're throwing you a wedding that'll make the supernatural newspapers."
"No newspapers," Luka said quickly. "We've had enough outside attention lately."
"Fine, no newspapers. But I'm thinking of a ceremony in this very grove, reception at the inn, and enough magical fireworks to make the mountains glow." Twyla's eyes held the particular gleam that appeared when she was planning something elaborate. "Oh, and I call credit for the match. I knew you two were perfect for each other from the moment Luka started bringing you breakfast pastries."
"You can have all the credit you want," Leenah said warmly. "Just promise me the ceremony will be more about community and less about showing off for other supernatural families."
"Honey, everything we do here is about community. That's what makes us special."
As their friends began planning an impromptu engagement celebration, Luka felt the deep satisfaction that came from knowing he'd found his place in the world.
Not just as Leenah's mate, though that was precious beyond measure. But as part of a community that would fight for each other, support each other, and celebrate each other's happiness with genuine joy.
The sacred grove hummed with contentment around them, ancient magic recognizing the rightness of what was beginning here. Whatever challenges lay ahead, they'd face them as they'd faced everything else since finding each other.
With love, with trust, and with the unshakeable knowledge that some bonds were strong enough to weather any storm.
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