* * *
Island life fitLeo like a glove. After I had his belongings brought to the island, we went about legally changing all of Leo's information with his new permanent address—which was, of course, here with me. Thankfully, his profession as a photographer allowed him to work from anywhere in the world.
But as beautiful as the deluxe suite in the hotel was, it was no place for Leo to live, and certainly no place to raise a baby. So the day after Leo said he wanted to move in with me, I took him to my own personal residence.
"Wait, wait, let me close my eyes," Leo said. "I want it to be a surprise. You can lead me there."
"It's nothing so grand that it needs to be a surprise," I said, taking him by the hand anyway.
He mock gasped. "You're telling me youdon'tlive in a copy of the hotel that doubles as your home? Unacceptable."
I chuckled. "Well then, I hope you find my measly abode to your liking, Mr. Evans."
"Oh, yes, that reminds me." Leo peeked an eye open. "I'd, um... like to be called Mr. Gryphon."
As the realization of what he meant hit me, I rushed to embrace him. Leo's cheeks turned pink.
Leo sputtered, "I don't mean now at this very moment—well, unless you want to, I guess. We can do it anytime we want. Wait, marriageisa thing shifters do, right?"
"Yes, we do," I said with a smile, touching my finger to the tip of his nose. "But only with the right person."
Leo puffed out his chest proudly. "You meanonlywith your fated mate."
"Exactly," I said before kissing him.
With my heart still soaring, I led Leo to my home. It was a twenty minute walk from the outskirts of the resort. We were just about at the access point when Leo sighed.
"Are we there yet?" Leo asked.
"Not yet. I told you, you can open your eyes."
"Nope. I want to be surprised."
"If you say so, my love. Now, I'm letting go of your hand. I need you to stand on your own for a moment."
Leo raised a brow but didn't peek. "Okay..."
As he obediently let go, I shifted into my gryphon form and lowered my belly to the ground to make it easier for Leo to mount me.
"Unless you can climb onto my back with your eyes closed, you may need to open them," I teased.
To my surprise, my stubborn little omega put his hands on my sides and clambered onto my back just fine. The weight of him on my back was a pleasant pressure.
"Just like riding a horse," Leo said, sounding pleased with himself. "Except it's an eagle-lion."
"All right. Hold on..."
Leo leaned forward and wrapped his arms around my neck for support. As I spread my wings and took to the air, he let out a rush of laughter. "Crap, I opened my eyes by accident. Oh—wow, Maverick..."
On the side of a dormant volcano, secluded away from the whole world by thick brush and trees, stood a quaint villa. It was a secret, inaccessible to anyone or anything who couldn't fly.
Our home.
I touched down on the wooden landing pad. Leo dismounted and I shook out my wings before shifting to human form. Leo stared at the villa. It wasn't huge and gaudy by any means, but it was nicely designed and comfortable enough for two people.
I'd lived in it alone for years. But now that I found my fated mate, it was finally time for my house to be a home.
"Holy moly," Leo murmured. "Is this where you live, Mav?"
