“You know that I was a virgin until last night?” She nods in understanding. “Well...that’s because bear shifters can only be with their mate. When I was younger, I tried. My parents had always told us we could only be with our mate or we’d get sick. Love sickness is what my grandma called it. But I tried kissing and going further with this girl from town. It was horrible, terrible stomach pain, felt like I was being ripped apart from the inside. But more than that, it felt wrong. I knew I had to wait for my mate.”
“Mate?” Her eyes are wide, confusion clear on her face.
“My soul mate. Bear shifters have a soul mate. We believe the person is incomplete until they find their mate. And some never do. But I found mine, I found you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, Chloe, you’re my mate. You’re the other half of my soul. I’m incomplete without you.”
She looks at him, wide-eyed. It’s crazy, people can’t have soulmates. That’s a thing of movies, fiction. Not something that’s real. But he looks earnest, like he wants her to believe him. And he’s never lied to her, never been distrustful, always honest. And he’s not really human, is he? So maybe bear shifters do have mates? Maybe humans do too? Because all her life she searched for something to make her feel complete. A career, a life she built for herself. But maybe it was a person all along? Maybe he is her soulmate, too?
She surges forward. There are too many words swimming around her head, and she just wants to kiss him. Wants his tongue in her mouth. Wants to be underneath his large frame. He answers her kiss with a growl that reverberates in his chest. Lying her down on the couch and bracketing her in with his arms. She feels safe, loved.
“Does this mean you’re ok with it? With being my mate? Because I can’t change it. You’re it for me.”
“You're my mate too, Axel. I was always looking for something. My heart always felt kind of empty, like something was missing. It was you all along, it was you.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Axel
After that, things are easier with them. He has to work still, but Chloe is right there with him. In his office, looking over the books, manning the front desk, and showing visitors around. She fits in seamlessly. Her flight is still booked for the next day, and he’s not sure if she’s going back to New York right now. He doesn’t want her to. Wants to keep her with him always so he can love, appreciate, and adore her. He wasn’t lying when he said he wanted to spend the rest of his life loving her. It’s true. He can’t imagine a better life than being with his mate.
Even if the lodge fails, if he has to sell everything he owns and be a ranch hand somewhere, he won’t care because Chloe will be by his side. She’s said she thinks she can help him with finances. He knows she doesn’t have much money saved, and it’s hers, she earned it. Truthfully, they need a big boost from somewhere to save them, basically, the millionsthey lost. But according to the detective, it’s nearly impossible to get that back now with Maury gone.
Maury, a man he thought he could trust. Who he opened his home to, who he and his brothers helped. A man who betrayed them. It sucks. To have been so vulnerable after his father’s death that he didn’t notice what Maury was doing. He could have stopped him, caught on years ago, and prevented the huge loss. But now he has to own what happened.
The family of four checks out. They talk about how they enjoyed their stay and want to come back next fall. He doesn't have the heart to tell them they probably won’t be open next fall. So instead, he smiles, nods, and thanks them for their visit. It’s good to have families come visit. Makes the lodge feel more like a home, like back when his parents still ran things.
The family hops in their SUV as Axel and Gunner wave them goodbye. When the brothers come back inside, Gunner crosses his arms across his expansive chest and huffs.
“What’s up? What’s that look for?”
“Chloe,” Gunner grumbles out.
“Yeah, what about her?” Axel stops organizing the desk to look at his brother.
“She leaves tomorrow, are you ok with that?”
“Actually, we talked. Admitted our feelings for each other, and she’s going to move here.”
“Seriously?” Gunner’s face splits into a big grin before he hauls Axel forward into a big hug, slapping him on the back. “That’s great, man.”
Gunner grips him by the shoulders and holds him back to look at him. It makes Axel feel like the little brother instead of the head of the family, but hedoesn’t mind. It’s good to be cared for by his family, he’s man enough to admit he likes the affection.
“I’m not sure if she’s going back to New York tomorrow or if she’s rescheduling her flight, but yeah. She’s moving here.”
“Your cabin?”
“Yup. We’re going to live together.”
“You son of a bitch,” Gunner says with fondness, “you really did it. You know what this means, don’t you?”
“A celebration?”
“Definitely a celebration. But also, if you found your mate, the rest of us can too.”
Jack comes around the corner then and sees them both with big smiles on their faces.
