“This is where I’ll build our house,” I tell her. “If you want.”
She turns slowly, looking at the land, the mountains, the distance from the main strip. She wasn’t expecting this.
“Our house,” she repeats.
“Four bedrooms. Or five. Big kitchen, since Mitch says you like to cook. Porch that wraps around so you can see the sunset.” I’m rambling now, nervous in a way I haven’t been since I asked her to stay. “Space for whatever we need.”
“Whatever we need, huh?” She gives me some side-eye, a smile tugging at her lips. I clear my throat and look out toward the treeline. My mate is well aware of how much I’d like cubs, how much I enjoy the idea of making those cubs, someday. It makes sense to build with extending our family of two in mind.
Emma’s quiet for a long moment, feeling the weight of imagining a future here. A real future, not just day-to-day living.
“You’ve thought about this,” she says finally.
“I’ve thought about nothing else.” I turn her to face me, settling my hands on her hips. “This clan, the Alpha role, it means nothing if you’re not beside me. I’ll build you whateveryou want. A castle. A cottage. Or a fortress with a moat, if that’s what makes you feel safe.”
Her lips curve. “I don’t need a moat. And I already feel safe.”The truth in her words strikes me, her certainty. This is her choice, made freely and completely.
In the distance, the last wall of my father’s house comes crashing down. Workers cheer. Someone starts playing music. I see another barbecue in our immediate future.
The old era has finally come to an end, making way for something new.
“I love you,” I tell her, because I’ll never tire of saying it.
“I love you too.” She turns in my arms to look out at the view that will be ours. “Now, tell me more about this wraparound porch.”
I smile against her hair and start describing every detail I’ve imagined. The house. The life. The future we’ll build together on the bones of everything my father tried to destroy.
She listens, asks questions, and makes suggestions. And for the first time in my life, Black River feels exactly like it always should have.
Home.
“Thank you for staying.” I haul her closer, breathing in her delicious scent that’s like a drug to me.
“Thank you.” She rises on her toes to kiss me, soft and certain, before pulling back with a frown. “But there’s one thing I need.”
Shit. I’ve missed something. “Tell me.”
Taking my hands in hers, she tugs me back with her towards the forest butting up against the rear of the site. Less trees? More trees? She can have whatever she wants.
Emma gives me a playful wink then lounges back against a thick tree and angles her head to the side, exposing her neck. She taps the marking spot I love lavishing with attention and smiles.“My mark. I can’t really call myself the alpha’s mate without one.”
39
EMMA
The amber flares bright in his eyes, his bear rushing forward so forcefully that the man nearly disappears entirely.
“Emma.” My name comes out as a growl that vibrates through my chest. “Don’t tease me.”
“It’s you who’s been teasing me,” I counter, tracing my finger along my collarbone, watching his gaze track the movement like a predator following prey. “Kissing this spot. Telling mesoon. Making me beg for it.”
Bodhi stalks forward. “You weren’t ready yet.”
“I’ve been ready since the cabin.” I lift my chin, holding his heated gaze. “You were the one who needed convincing.”
He closes the remaining distance between us in two strides, caging me against the rough bark with his arms. My breath catches, but I’m not afraid. Through the partial bond, I send him everything I’m feeling. Anticipation. Want. Trust.
“Once I do this, there’s no going back.” His voice is barely human, the words scraping out of him like they hurt. “You understand that.”
