“I thought we could toast our mating with some champagne,” Caelan said hesitantly. “But I understand if you don’t want to.”
“One drink won’t hurt,” I said. “Besides, it’s not like it will have time to hit us much anyway.”
Caelan grinned, walking over and grabbing the two champagne flutes that had been tucked safely against the rock. He popped the bottle and poured each of us a glass before handing one to me. He lifted his, staring adoringly into my eyes as he spoke.
“Shade, my love, I want you to know that you are my heart and soul. I love you more than words could ever do justice. I love you more than I ever thought I was even capable of,” he said in surprise.
I smiled, my heart swelling as he confessed his feelings for me.
“You’re everything I could’ve ever dreamed or hoped for in a mate,” he continued. “I know we’ve had to overcome some unique challenges, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I’m honored to be your mate and beyond grateful that you’re willing to be mine.”
He clinked his glass against mine, the pure sound ringing out in the night. “To you, my love.”
We each took a drink, and I stared up at him lovingly. I wanted to mirror his gesture with sweet, thoughtful words of my own, but I was at a loss for what else to say.
The old Shade would’ve grown anxious and upset that she couldn’t offer her mate a loving speech in return. She would’ve worried that he might not understand how she felt because she couldn’t put it into words like he had.
But those were the old Shade’s problems, and I wasn’t her any longer.
I was the new Shade now. The Shade who felt better about herself and had confidence in her abilities. The one who had learned to love herself and welcome the love from the people she cared about most. The one who was ready to be Caelan’s mate.
The new Shade wouldn’t overthink this moment as the old Shade would. The new Shade wouldn’t let anything ruin an experienceas special as this.
I took another long sip from my glass and looked my mate directly in the eyes, trying to convey all my love and desire for him into my gaze. “Make me yours, Caelan.”
Completing the Bond
SHADE
Caelan needed no further encouragement.
He whisked the flute out of my hand and set the pair aside, pulling me against him and wrapping his arms tightly around me. His lips met mine in a slow, tender kiss as his fingers slowly undid the laces at the back of my dress, loosening my corset.
“Part of me wants to just rip this off,” he murmured, his mouth traveling along my jaw and down my neck. “But I really love how you look in this.”
The dress slid from my form, falling gracefully to the ground as he kissed the place where his mark would lie. He sucked the skin gently, my knees buckling as my body melted into his.
“Easy, baby,” he whispered. “I haven’t even gotten started yet.”
He took a step back, and I heard his sharp intake of breath as his hungry gaze slid over every inch of me.
“I swear to the Goddess, Shade,” he said, his voice low. “Every time I see you like this, it’s somehow better than the last.”
He grabbed my waist and yanked me against him, catching me in a searing kiss. My tongue flicked along his lip, and I felt himsmile as he opened for me. We moved together in a sensual dance as we explored each other’s mouths, delighting in the taste of one another.
I reached a trembling hand up, loosening his tie before slowly starting to undo the buttons of his shirt. I fumbled the first one three times in my eagerness to get it off.
He groaned in frustration, stepping back just enough to rip it open. Buttons flew off, landing in the brook and disappearing beneath the water.
“Caelan!” I gasped. “You have nothing to wear back to the party now.”
“I wasn’t going to wear a shirt anyway, Shade,” he grunted, discarding the garment as he closed the space between us again.
“You weren’t?” He chuckled, trailing kisses along my neck. “I want everyone to be able to see your mark. To know I’m yours. Wearing a collared shirt kind of defeats that purpose.”
“Oh,” I muttered as an excited thrill raced through me.He wants to show off my mark. Goddess, why is that such a turn on?!“Don’t get shy on me now,” he growled playfully as he tilted my chin up.
I ran a hand through his hair, gripping the soft strands tightly as I pulled his lips back to mine and kissed him hungrily.
