Page 38 of The Bear's Matchmaking Mix-up Mate
Then what else was possible?
Chapter Fifteen – Finn
Finn stood before Wren, his bear rumbling with joy so intense it vibrated through every fiber of his being. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined this moment would unfold with such perfect acceptance from his mate.
There had been no fear in her eyes, only awe, and the kind of open adoration that made his wild heart beat faster.
Wren’s fingers trembled as they stroked through his thick fur, her touch reverent and unhesitating. The scent of her filled his heightened senses, imprinting itself forever in his memory. His bear wanted nothing more than to curl around her, to shelter her from the world, to show her every secret corner of his wild heart. A heart that belonged to her forever.
He lowered his massive head and nuzzled her cheek, wanting her to know how much he loved and cherished her.Tell her,his bear said.
I will,Finn promised as his bear stepped away from Wren, just enough to give himself space to shift. With his eyes locked on their mate, he let go of the world, instantly feeling a sense of loss as the air crackled and popped around him. A heartbeat later, he reappeared in his human form, fully clothed in the jeans and shirt he’d worn earlier, but feeling utterly exposed.
No more secrets. No more hiding.
Wren stood a step away, arms wrapped tightly around herself, eyes wide and shining in the moonlight. For a moment, she looked shell-shocked, and his heart lurched with sudden doubt.
Had it been too much? Had he misjudged what she could accept?
But when he took a cautious step toward her, she didn’t retreat. Their gazes locked, and Finn offered her a lopsided, almost bashful smile. The smile of a man who had just laid his soul bare and now waited, heart in hand, for judgment.
The silence between them stretched out, punctuated by the hoot of an owl and the far-off mournful howl of a wolf. Then Wren drew in a deep breath that seemed to fill her entire body. She closed the distance between them in two quick steps and wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face against his chest.
Finn’s hand found her back, holding her close against him. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling her unique scent.Relief and gratitude flooded through him with each breath.
“Thank you for not running,” he whispered, his voice thick with meaning.
She leaned back just enough to look up at him, her expression fierce and vulnerable in a way that made his chest ache. “I could never run from you.”
“I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had,” he murmured. “It must have been a shock. I wish I could have said something to prepare you…but I don’t know if you would have believed me.”
“It’s okay.” Her gaze intensified, searching his face for answers. “But tell me, is there...a connection between us? Something more than just...?” She hesitated, shook her head, and laughed softly. “Sorry, that’s foolish.”
Finn cupped her chin gently with his hand, tilting her face up to meet his eyes. His thumb traced the line of her jaw, marveling at the softness of her skin.
“No, it’s not foolish, Wren. It’s real. We’re fated mates.”
Her eyes widened. “Fated mates?”
He nodded as his emotions threatened to overwhelm him. This was it, the moment of truth. “We’re meant to be together forever. You’re the only one for me.”
Wren’s breath caught audibly, her voice trembling when she spoke. “I felt it the moment I opened the door that first day. But I was so afraid to trust what I felt.” Her bottom lip trembled slightly, vulnerability written across her features. “I came here to lick my wounds after a disastrous end to a relationship.”
Finn smoothed his thumb across her cheek, catching a tear before it could fall. His heart ached at the thought of anyone hurting her that much.
“I’m sorry you went through that,” he murmured. “But I’m not sorry you chose Bear Creek to run to.”
She gave a watery laugh that made his heart flip over in his chest. “You can thank my godmother for that.”
His bear gave a mental chuckle.Mrs. Abernathy’s never going to let us forget it.
Finn smiled, his whole body humming with the rightness of holding her.I don’t care if she reminds us every day. It just means we’ll always remember how lucky we are to have found our mate.
When Finn looked down, Wren was already gazing up at him. Her lips parted slightly, then pursed, her eyes reflecting the moonlight. His heart thudded against his ribs so loud he thought she might hear it as he tried to read her expression. Was she asking him to kiss her? The air between them felt charged, electric.
He leaned forward just a fraction, testing, waiting.
But this time, Wren did not blink; she did not step back. She did not break the spell. Instead, she cupped his face in her hands and stood on tiptoe as she pressed her lips to his. The taste ofher was sweeter than anything Finn had ever known. His bear roared in approval as Wren melted against him, her mouth soft and yielding. The kiss deepened, her body pressing against his with delicious heat. Her tongue found his, tentatively at first, then bolder as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
