Page 69 of The Right to Bear Claws
"Thank you," he said simply. "For this, for accepting her, for making her feel like she belongs."
"Son, she belongs because you chose her and she chose you. The rest of us are just grateful to have another daughter to spoil." Magnus clapped him on the shoulder. "But I will say this—I've never seen you happier. Whatever took you so long to find each other, it was worth the wait."
Elias looked across the room where Kaia was laughing at something Finn had whispered in her ear, the Vane family pendant catching the morning light around her throat. Through their bond, he could feel her contentment, her joy, her absolute certainty that this was where she belonged.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "It really was."
As they drove back toward town, Kaia's hand in his and their bond humming with shared happiness, Elias couldn't imagine his life being more complete. His mate, his family, his community—everything he'd ever wanted without knowing he was searching for it.
The claiming had made it official, but this morning had made it real. Kaia Vane, officially and completely, was home.
35
KAIA
Kaia stood at the window of their small apartment above the Hollow Mercantile, watching Elias work on the inn's front steps three blocks away. Even from this distance, she could feel his contentment through their connection, the satisfaction of wood fitting perfectly into place, the warm autumn sun on his shoulders, the way his bear hummed with happiness knowing exactly where she was.
Sometimes the intensity of it made her dizzy.
"Still getting used to the constant connection?" Twyla asked from behind her, the fae woman's musical voice carrying knowing amusement as she set down a tea tray. "Edgar told me you'd asked to use his workshop today. Figured you might need some caffeine before your first official counseling session."
"Is it that obvious I'm struggling with it?" Kaia turned from the window, accepting the steaming cup gratefully. The tea smelled like chamomile and something else—clarity, maybe, or just Twyla's particular brand of magical comfort.
"Honey, you've been staring out that window for twenty minutes with a look like someone trying to solve advancedcalculus." Twyla settled into the opposite chair with her own cup. "What's got you so twisted up?"
"It's just... a lot." Kaia took a careful sip, letting the warmth ground her. "Don't get me wrong, I love being connected to Elias. But sometimes I can't tell where his emotions end and mine begin. This morning I got inexplicably irritated at Finn, and it took me fifteen minutes to realize it was because Elias was annoyed that his brother had used the last of the good coffee."
"Ah, the classic newlywed adjustment period. How long has it been since the claiming?"
"Four days."
"Give it time, sugar. Most mated pairs take a few weeks to learn how to maintain their individual identities while sharing a soul connection." Twyla's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Though I have to say, watching Elias try to concentrate on construction work while feeling your emotions has been highly entertaining. Yesterday he nearly nailed his own thumb because you were reading a particularly steamy romance novel."
Heat flooded Kaia's cheeks. "He felt that?"
"Loud and clear, according to Thorin. Poor man had to take a cold shower during his lunch break."
"Oh god, I'm never reading anything romantic ever again."
"Don't you dare. The sexual tension between you two has been keeping half the town entertained for weeks. Now that it's resolved, we need some way to live vicariously." Twyla winked. "Besides, learning to navigate shared desire is part of the bonding process. You'll figure it out."
A knock at the workshop door interrupted them, and Kaia felt her stomach tighten with nervous anticipation. Her first official client as Hollow Oak's dream counselor—Mrs. Morgestan, whose nightmares had been getting worse since her husband's death six months ago.
"You ready for this?" Twyla asked gently.
"I think so." Kaia stood, smoothing down her skirts. "My abilities feel different now. Stronger, but also more controlled. Like the bond with Elias gave me an anchor that helps me stay grounded when I'm walking through other people's dreams."
"That makes sense. Having a mate provides spiritual stability, especially for someone with gifts as powerful as yours."
The knock came again, more hesitant this time. Kaia opened the door to find Mrs. Morgestan standing in the afternoon light, clutching a handkerchief and looking thoroughly uncertain.
"I'm sorry to bother you, dear," the older woman said. "But Miriam said you might be able to help with... with the dreams that won't leave me alone."
"Of course. Please, come in." Kaia stepped aside, gesturing toward the comfortable seating area Edgar had helped her arrange in one corner of the workshop. "Can I get you some tea?"
"That would be lovely."
As Twyla discreetly disappeared into the back room, Kaia settled across from Mrs. Morgestan and poured fresh cups from the pot. The woman looked exhausted, the kind of bone-deep weariness that came from months of poor sleep.
