Page 51 of M.A.Y.A
He nearly tripped over a tree root when he realized that she was playing with him. It was delightful.
“Well, what do you expect?” he said as he gripped her hips and lifted her over a small puddle in their path. “You’ve had me chasing you for nearly two weeks.”
“We’re talking about forever, Isaiah. You can’t gaslight me into believing that I’m the one who was unreasonable.”
“No, definitely no gaslighting,” he said. Then he pulled her close to his side. “But remember, I’m not human, and you aren’t fully human either, baby. Sometimes arbitrary deadlines on love and happiness are just that. Arbitrary. They were meant to protect people out of fear. We don’t need them between us. We’re braver than that.You’rebraver.”
She hummed quietly for a moment as they continued down the path. “I guess so. Do you think Doctor Sullivan will believe the same thing when she’s forced to face off with Alex?”
Isaiah had no idea what his second in command was planning for his mate, but he hoped he wouldn’t push the woman too far. She wasn’t as strong as Maya. Her heart seemed to be gentler than the Alpha’s mate.
“The only thing I can promise is that Alex won’t hurt her, but that doesn’t mean he’s not going to be impossible to deal with until his mate is well and truly his.”
Maya sighed. “I hope that things work out between them.”
“If she learns to cope with her trauma, she’s going to be a good asset to the pack. She understands your physiology, and she can help us as an extra medical team member. We’re too far away from the closest shifter facility, so oftentimes we have to support ourselves when it comes to aches and pains.”
“I didn’t realize that,” Maya said. She squeezed his hand. “I still have so much to learn.”
Isaiah hoisted her over the fallen log that was the final hurdle before they reached the pond. “There is plenty of time for that. Right now, I just want you to focus on us.”
When they reached the water’s edge, Isaiah enjoyed the sound of her surprised gasp, then her gentle sigh. Thanks to his pack members, the space had been decorated just for this moment.
There were string lights hanging over the pond and from the trees. A blanket with flowers and pillows were artfully arranged on the bank. A bottle of champagne and finger foods were set on a small wooden crate covered in a white sheet.
The surface of the pond itself had floating candles and flower petals, bathing the space in a pinkish warm glow. A light was placed next to the picnic blanket and shone directly on the waterfall, creating an illusion of a curtain of diamonds.
It was like walking into a fairy-tale scene cultivated with love.
“Isaiah,” Maya said reverently. “This is…”
“Nowhere near as beautiful as you,” he replied. Anticipation thrummed in his blood, in his pounding heart, as he looked into the face of the woman who would be by his side for the rest of his lifetime, and hopefully for the lifetimes that followed.
Then he pulled her to the water’s edge and slipped out of his pants before he unhooked her dress strap from her shoulders. The fabric slithered to the forest floor, revealing her nakedness. There were gleaming metal veins and her chest port. Her scars traced the parts of her body where she’d been cut and experimented on, incision marks between her breasts, across her abdomen, and down her sides. However, those silvery scars were just signs of her resilience. She survived so they could have a chance at a happily ever after.
Not only was their mating a universal magic, but she was also universal magic.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said hoarsely.
“You’re perfect,” she replied, her fingers dancing over his pecs and across his abdomen.
Taking her hand in his again, he led her into the water until they were both submerged up to their waist.
“I’m not sure what to do,” she whispered. Her eyes focused on him, bright and trusting.
“Just follow my lead.” Isaiah turned to face her, and held his hands up so they could press their palms together.
They took a deep breath together, their chests rising and falling in sync. A calmness washed over him as she looked his mate in her eyes.
“I, Alpha Isaiah Star, claim you as my mate,” he started. “My heart will always belong to you, my world has become yours, and my soul is entwined with yours for eternity.”
Maya watched him intently, then her eyes widened when their palms began to glow. He kissed the bridge of her nose. “Repeat the words, baby.”
“I-I, Maya, claim you as my mate.” Her voice broke. “My heart will always belong to you, my world has become yours, and my soul is entwined with yours for eternity.”
Their hands grew warm, and the mating bond pulsed. A door flew open in his mind, and for one clear moment, he knew her thoughts, feelings, and memories. He was able to see it all for the blink of an eye. Maya gasped, and he knew that she was experiencing the same thing.
When the intensity between them began to ease, Isaiah pulled her close, lifted her by her hips until her legs wrapped around his waist, and pressed their bodies together. A few moments later, he slipped inside his beautiful half robot, half human woman. Her head fell back, and his palm covered the metal port that was a direct access line to her heart.
