Page 31 of Bearly Taken

They sipped silently for a few minutes. She was grateful for the reprieve and solitude while her mind countered it with dread. She inhaled the aroma steaming from her mug and sipped slowly. Warm liquid ignited her taste buds and provided a welcome against the early morning chill.

"So," she finally said, "what did Lev want?"

Noah drew a deep breath and released it with a loud puff. His lips pursed, eyebrows furled, and he directed his attention to her.

"I'm afraid we must cut our weekend short," he said, placing one hand over hers. "Dustin is back."

His words solidified the fear rising in her throat, and tears welled in her eyes. How could this be? She thought Dustin was gone … had moved his clan elsewhere like the nomads they were.

She wanted to scream, cry, and beg it to not be true, but the lump in her throat was heavy. It lodged in her esophagus and choked her words … her very breath. Tears spilled forth in a great gushing river.

Of course, she understood what Dustin's presence meant: Noah would leave her again. Perhaps … this time forever.

"Shit!" Noah said. He leaned down and slammed his mug on the deck.

Becca watched coffee sluice over the rim and run along the plank before sinking between the seams.

Noah nudged her mug from her hands, placed it on the deck next to his, and then took her into his arms.

"It's okay," Noah assured her.

"But you'll leave," Becca cried, letting her wail break the solitude of the woods surrounding them.

Noah hushed her. "I promised you I wouldn't, and I won't. I love you, Becca."

Becca sobbed gently while weighing his words. If he stayed, then what? How could they avert the danger Dustin's presence meant? What would it mean for their future?

Becca swiped her eyes and mopped up the tears with her sleeve while considering the situation.

"However," Noah interrupted. "I need to get you back to town. You'll be much safer there than you are here."

Becca sniffed and looked up at him. She wanted to believe him but also to see his eyes … to reassure herself that she had heard him correctly.

"So," she began, "you're not leaving again?"

"No," Noah responded. He thumbed a stray tear on her cheek, blotting it from its track. "I love you, Becca. I'm not going to leave you again. I promise."

Becca tried to smile. It was weak, but his words held genuine meaning, and she wanted to acknowledge them.

Noah cupped her chin and brushed his lips over hers. His breath pulsed hot against her once, twice. The kiss that followed devoured her, eradicating the desperation, fear, and anxiety she had felt only a moment ago. In one visceral moment of bliss, all concerns about Dustin were extinguished from her mind.

Gently, their lips parted again, and he leaned in, touching forehead to forehead.

"I'll never leave you again, Becca. I need you by my side."

His comforting words bore through her, and she knew this time would be different. This time, she would keep her mate. Whatever happened with Dustin, they'd deal with it … together and to whatever result it brought.

She sniffed again. Then, peering up, she savored the moment of raw emotion and the bond it forged between them.

"I love you too," she whispered. "We'll get through this … whatever it takes … we'll get through it together."

His lips curved into a smile. "Yes," he agreed. "Yes, we will."

He kissed her once more before retrieving their mugs. "We've got to get packed and get out of here."

Becca nodded, and they retreated inside to tidy up and gather their things.

"I wish we could stay here," Becca groaned. "It's quiet and beautiful."

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