"There's a heartbeat." His voice cracks on the words. "Faint. So faint a human couldn't hear it yet. But it's there."
The world tilts as he leans forward and rests his cheek against my stomach and inhales.
"That's not possible. It's too early. We only…"
"Shifter pregnancies are different." His hand presses more firmly against my stomach, protective and warm. "The baby will develop faster. Stronger." A smile breaks across his face, raw and wondering. "You're carrying my cub, Emma."
I stare at him, trying to process. Pregnant. I'm pregnant with a bear shifter's baby. A week ago, I was a prisoner. Now I'm mated to an Alpha and carrying his child.
Joy bubbles up through my chest, so fierce it almost hurts. A baby. A family. Something I never let myself want because it just made my loneliness all the more stark and pitiful.
But there's something else too. A small, silly thing that catches in my throat.
Bodhi's expression shifts. "What is it?"
"Nothing."
"Don't lie to me." His thumb strokes across my belly. "I can feel it. Something's bothering you."
I shake my head, laughing through the tears pricking my eyes, embarrassed by my own reaction. "It's stupid. I'm happy. I'm so happy."
"But?"
The word hangs between us. He waits, patient in that way he has, like he'd wait forever if that's what it took.
"I always thought I'd be married first, because I waited…" I finally admit, the words rushing out before I can stop them. "It's silly. I know the mark means more than a piece of paper ever could. It's just something I pictured, when I was young and stupid and believed in fairy tales and happily ever afters."
Bodhi's hand continues to stroke my stomach, in gentle, soothing circles, then he's moving, sliding off the couch and dropping to one knee on the cabin floor in front of me.
My heart stops.
"Bodhi, no, I didn’t mean… that wasn’t a hint."
"Emma Wilson." His voice is rough, his golden eyes burning into mine. "I don't have a ring. I don't have pretty words. But I have the rest of my life, and I want to spend every day of it making you happy." He takes my hand, his grip firm and sure. "So we’re getting married."
It's not a question. It's barely even a request. It's Bodhi, gruff and no-nonsense and utterly certain, offering me everything.
"Yes." The word tears out of me, feeling right for the moment even though technically, he wasn’t giving me a choice. "Yes, obviously yes."
He surges up to kiss me, one hand cupping the back of my head, the other still resting protectively against my stomach. I taste salt and realize I'm crying, tears streaming down my cheeks as I laugh against his mouth.
"Immediately," he says when he finally pulls back. "We'll do it this weekend."
"That's insane. You can't plan a wedding that fast."
His grin is fierce and possessive. "Watch me."
EPILOGUE
BODHI
Someone went overboard with the decorations.
The sun bleeds orange and pink across the sky, and I'm watching my mate walk toward me through a sea of fairy lights. Emma was right. I couldn’t plan a wedding this fast, but it turns out a clan can.
Festoon lights wind through every tree, drape across the front of the bar, loop around the marquee where tables are already loaded with food. The houses along the main road glitter like the whole compound is celebrating, and the massive fire pit at the edge of the gathering sends sparks spiraling up toward the first stars.
It’s wonderful to see everyone so happy for us, but truthfully, I don't really care about any of it. Not right now.
