For the past few days, she’s been mine. Just mine. No one else’s eyes on her, no one else’s voice in her ear, no one else taking up space in her attention. The thought of other people looking at her, talking to her, pulling her away from me even for a moment makes my bear pace restlessly.
But she wants this. She wants the clan, the community,the family. And I’d give her the damn moon if she asked for it.
So here I am, driving down the mountain toward the life I walked away from five years ago.
“Tell me about your mother,” Imani says as we drive deeper into the valley.
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything. What’s she like? What should I expect? Will she like me?”
“She’ll love you.” I don’t even have to think about it. “She’s been waiting years for me to find my mate. She’d probably already planned our mating ceremony before I even told her about you.”
Imani laughs, the sound filling the truck cab. “That’s terrifying and sweet at the same time.”
“That’s my mother.”
We crest a ridge and the valley opens up below us. I slow the truck so she can take it in.
Her gasp is worth every moment of anxiety.
“Tolin.” Her voice is hushed. “It’s beautiful.”
I watch her face instead of the view. Watch her eyes go wide as she takes in the cabins nestled among the trees, the smoke rising from chimneys, the mountains surrounding everything like a protective embrace. Snow blankets the rooftops, icicles hanging from the eaves. In the distance, I can see the central gathering area where the clan holds celebrations, the large fire pit already being prepared for something.
“How many families live here?” she asks.
“About fifty bears, give or take. Some live alone, some in family groups.”
“Oh... yes.” Realization crosses her face. “You told me that.” Then she points ahead. “And that big building?”
“The meeting hall. It’s where the clan gathers for important events. Celebrations. Ceremonies.” I pause. “Mating announcements.”
She turns to look at me, her eyes soft. “Is that where you’ll announce me?”
“If you want.”
“I want.” She reaches over and takes my hand again. “I want all of it, Tolin. Everything you have to give.”
My bear settles slightly at her words. She wants this. She wants us. All of us.
I bring her hand to my lips and press a kiss to her knuckles. “Then you’ll have it.”
We drive through the main area of the territory, and I can feel eyes on us. People stopping what they’re doing to watch the truck pass. Word will spread fast. Tolin Ironwood is back, and he’s not alone.
Let them look. Let them see.
She’s mine.
I park outside the mechanic shop and Imani looks at me with confusion.
“There’s something I want to show you first,” I say.
I open her door and help her down. She’s stopped protesting. Just smiles when I do it. My bear preens.
I lead her inside the garage.
She stops dead when she sees her car.
