Hours had passed. I’d drifted in and out of sleep. Everett had stopped by, and Beck stood by the window with his armsfolded as Everett checked my vitals and tended the cuts on my feet. He’d declared me “really lucky” not to have suffered any frostbite.
Now, a dozen episodes later, Beck traced lazy circles on my upper arm. Dusk had fallen outside. We’d spent the entire day in bed, but I couldn’t hide forever. I couldn’t avoid the question that had buzzed in my brain since we left the clearing and Dr. Henry behind.
I tilted my head up so I could look at Beck. “How do I know I really love you?”
He stilled his fingers on my arm. “What?”
“What if Dr. Henry was behind that, too? He could have programmed me to care for you.”
Beck paused the show and set the iPad on the nightstand. Then he shifted his body higher on the pillows and faced me. “Impossible. Henry could manipulate you, but he couldn’t make you feel.”
“But he sent me here to lure you.” My throat tightened. “What if my feelings are just part of his plan?”
“Do you think a vampire who wanted to harvest us would program you to love us?” Beck asked gently. “To protect us and ultimately sacrifice your career for us?”
“Maybe he needed me to gain your trust first.”
Beck shook his head. “Henry could have sprung his trap at any time. He didn’t need you to love me. He just needed you to find me and lead me back to him. Then he planned to use you as leverage to guarantee my cooperation.”
Tears burned my throat. Dr. Henry had toyed with my head for nine years, manipulating me into doing whatever he wanted. “I’m not sure how much of my life is really mine,” I said. “I don’t know what’s real.”
Beck cupped my cheek. “Thisis real. You love me because you chose to, Charlotte. Every day you’ve been in Bear Cove,you’ve chosen to stay here. You chose to trust me. You chose to protect the clan. Those were allyourchoices, not Henry’s.”
“You think so?” I whispered, hope rising even as doubts continued to hover.
“I know so.” Beck nudged my glasses higher on my nose with a gentle finger. “Think about all the times you acted against Henry’s interests. You fell in love with me. You corrupted your data and compromised your career to protect the clan. You destroyed Henry’s equipment and killed his prey.” Beck touched my cheek, his eyes tender. “If you were really under his control, would you have done any of that?”
My breath hitched. “I…no. He would have stopped me.”
“Exactly. That was all you, baby. Your defiance. Your strength. Your love.”
Tears spilled over my eyes. “My choices,” I said through a tight throat.
“That’s right.” Beck pulled me against him, and he stroked my hair as I breathed in his scent. My heart swelled, aching in a good way because it was so full. I’d come to Alaska trying to solve a mystery. And I had. Just not the one I was looking for.
No, this was better.
Desire flared. Suddenly, I needed a lot more from Beck than strong arms and reassuring words. I pushed at his shoulder until he eased away.
“Lie back,” I ordered.
Brows lifted, he slowly complied, settling against the pillows. I straddled his hips, and he sucked in a breath as he grasped my waist.
I hid my smile. “I want to make something very clear, Alpha.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said. “I’m listening.”
My smile broke through my defenses. “I choose you. Not because of genetics or some cosmic force that decided we’re mates. I choose you because you’re kind, patient, and protectivewithout being controlling. You gave me the space I needed to choose. And I choose you. Totally, completely, willingly.”
He tightened his grip on my waist, spanning it easily with his big palms. “I choose you too, sweetheart. Every day, for the rest of our lives.”
I pulled my shirt over my head, then reached back to unhook my bra. Beck’s eyes darkened as I tossed it aside. When I moved to push down my pajama pants, he lifted me so I could wriggle out of them.
When I straddled him in just my glasses and a pair of white silk panties, I bit my lip. “Should I keep the glasses on?”
His growl vibrated my thighs. The sound went straight between my legs, making my pussy clench.
I laughed. “I don’t speak bear, but I think that’s a yes.”
