Page 41 of The Bear's Fated Mate
To Alex’s immense shock, Crystal paused in front of him, staring up at him with one brow raised. Assessing. Considering.
Sniffing, which made him roll his eyes.
She tossed a smirk at Lara then turned back and surprised him with a hug, squeezing tight before pounding him on the back as briskly as James or Cooper would’ve done.
“You’re okay,” Crystal declared before slipping from the room and unsteadily making her way down the hallway.
Wolves are weird, his bear stated.Except ours.
Alex snickered.Hate to tell you this, but ours is weird too. But that’s just fine.
Because that weirdness was what made her unique and powerful. Made her exactly who he wanted to be with forever.
Becoming Alpha of the Orion pack wasn’t the only change in Lara’s future, because Alex intended to do whatever it took until she acceptedhimas well. They would end up together, as mates.
Permanent and perfect.
18
It had been years since the Orion pack had changed leadership. Lara had been only eight when Crystal had taken over for the previous Alphas—their parents. She had few memories of that time, but it seemed there were enough old-timers and wolf instincts to make the transition not only seamless, but rapid.
An hour after their version ofGunfight at the O.K. Corral, Lara was staring around at her new living quarters in the pack house. It wasn’t nearly as ostentatious as Shimmering Delights, but she did have a two-bedroom apartment with a private living room. The entire suite was on the main floor for easy access to all the pack mates, but it had been built to provide glorious views in three directions.
Lara stared out at the river, power still coursing through her veins.
Hands landed softly on her shoulders, stroking down her arms as Alex leaned against her back and pressed his cheek to hers. “You’re damn near vibrating.”
“I’ve never used that much power at one time,” she confessed. “Normally I’d have been physically fighting at the same time, which would help burn off some of the adrenaline. I’m so twitchy I think caffeine would calm me down.”
She pivoted on the spot and draped her arms around his neck.
He tapped their noses together. “You wolves are weird. Admit it.”
While she agreed with him, she wasn’t about to give him any more ammunition. “You meant to say wolves are brilliant, or at least my sister is.”
“Okay, she’s smart. But she’s also lucky you were more dominant. The entire plan could’ve backfired.”
“Maybe.”
Except Alex didn’t know there were a few tidbits she and Crystal had skimmed over. Although Crystal had come perilously close to spilling the beans when she’d mentioned mates.
Of course Crystal had known of the mate bond waiting between Lara and Alex. Lara mentally kicked her own butt for not having realized her Alpha would scent it, if nothing else.
When it came to the fight, Lara hadn’t just been defending herself but righting a wrong for her pack and her mate. Or so she had believed. Crystal truly didn’t want to stay in power, plus love for her mate was drawing her away.
The mysterious shifter power knew the best woman to be in charge was Lara. And mysterious powers were not to be trifled with.
But now it meant there were situations to be dealt with, including resetting her relationship with Alex. The sooner they started over, the sooner she’d be able to make a move and invite him into her life for real.
She cupped his face with her hands and patted his cheeks gently. “First, thank you for what you did back there. For standing up with me yet letting me fight my own battle. That was…”
For some reason, her throat closed up as she fought to find the right words. It was amazing, and humbling, and made her wolf howl with longing to have him there all the time.
Lara took a deep breath and tried again. “Just, thank you.”
His lips curled into a smile. “You’re welcome, sugar.”
She let her hands fall to her sides and stepped back. It was time, and prolonging it wasn’t going to make the separation hurt any less. “The mystery is solved. Borealis Gems is safe, and you’re done with the mating fever. I guess there’s no reason for me to torment you and keep you at the pack house any longer.”
