It was like he was telling my story from when I was younger. We were so similar. Fate knew what she was doing.
“And you love being a park ranger?”
His brown eyes sparkled. Without saying a word, it was clear that he did. “I do. There are some downsides, but the good parts far outweigh them. If I am affected by the cutbacks, I’ll find something else that gives me some adventure. Outdoors. An omega needs his sunshine and fresh air, you know?”
I chuckled. “Alphas need it too. I love being around plants and flowing with the seasons. I can smell now when they are about to change. Even stepping into a warm greenhouse in the summer gives me joy, and let’s not start about the smell of tomato plants.”
“You know, one time I saw a tomato-leaf-scented candle.”
“There’s nothing like it,” I answered. “What else do you like to do when you’re not outdoors?”
“I used to go to dance clubs in the city, but, over time, I found myself staying in my cabin for the weekend. The quiet is soothing.” When he said city and clubs, my heart sank, but he lit up talking about staying home. Nothing but sincerity in his voice.
“I have a cabin. I bought a piece of land big enough to have a cabin and a nursery on. My sister lives in a cabin on the edge of my land. Do you have sisters and brothers?”
“I don’t. I was an only child. It was nice though. My parents encouraged me to be independent and rely on myself. It must’ve been fun to have a brother and a sister.”
“It was. Noel is more of a fly in my ear now. Mostly buzzing about me finding my mate. She’s mated to a bear shifter. He’s a good guy. My brother Seth lives and works in the city, but there is space for him to build a cabin on the land if he ever wants.”
Bowen reached for my hand and scooted his chair closer. One simple act, but it started a fire within me. No way I could let this weekend go by without tasting him—feeling him skin to skin next to me. “You’re very generous. Most people would keep the land to themselves.”
I shrugged. “There’s no point in having things if you can’t share. Noel works at the nursery too and Seth is helping her watch it for the weekend while I’m here. We help each other. That’s the way it should be.”
“That’s a great way to live.” We finished off our food and passed on dessert. My panther scratched inside me.
I had to be bold again.
“Are you ready to get back to the inn?” I said.
“I am. It’s been a long day.”
“Franklin was right,” I blurted before my courage fled. “You’re my omega. All of this…I don’t understand it but I really don’t care to. You’re mine and tonight I want you in my bed. I want to make you mine. If you’re not sure yet or if you need time…”
He squeezed my hand and leaned in. His lips grazed my earlobe, sending goose bumps along my skin. “Alpha, I’ve been waiting since last night for you to make me yours. I don’t need any more time. I knew you were mine since the first second I laid eyes on you. My wolf howled. Take me back to the inn…as fast as you can, Remi.”
Chapter Fourteen
Bowen
I waited in his room while Remi was in the en suite preparing for bed. Sitting on the edge of the mattress, I smoothed my palms over the quilt he’d bought me, the fabric cool and smooth, the stitching complex and precise. It was so beautiful, and the nicest gift I’d ever received.
In a moment or two, he’d emerge and we’d…we’d…
As shifter connections went, twenty-four hours was a relatively long time before mating and marking. My family and friends all had stories of meeting and instantly picking up life together. No questions asked until after the fact. Fated mates were a gift that required nothing but acceptance. There would be a lifetime to get to know one another.
And after a day with Remi, that lifetime glowed in front of us. If we could figure out a way to make it work, that was, because our work and lives were so far apart. Ranger jobs were very difficult to come by, and even though funding and favoritism were threatening my current position, if I did not lose it, I was unlikely to find another easily.
National park funding would not just affect our lands. If we, who actually generated income, were facing layoffs, others would be in worse shape. But, as I had earlier, I pushed the thoughts down. The only time we were guaranteed was that moment, this weekend when we were enjoying one another’s company and having a good time together. I had to trust that the rest would resolve itself in time.
I’d never been good at trusting things I could not control. And this situation, job-wise at least, definitely felt that way. When I got the text, every inch of me tensed, fight or flightkicking in, and both of those options required a return to the park.
Yet…I didn’t.
The job I’d spent years acquiring and then gave my whole soul to took second place. Options were yet to present themselves, but I had to believe we would figure it out. Because once we did this thing, being apart was going to be painful. I expected a feeling of panic to reemerge, but it didn’t.
But I was still a little tense, and when Remi emerged from the bathroom, he took one look at me and shook his head. “Omega, my panther wants to meet your wolf. Don’t you think that would be polite, to introduce them before we mate?”
My wolf’s excitement nearly had him breaking through to take his fur right there and then. I controlled him with difficulty while the tension I felt eased at the thought. My wolf’s sense of people and what was good held no peer. For example, he thought taking a big bite out of a certain coworker was a great idea. Okay, his awareness of what would have us put in jail might not be good, but he recognized those who belonged in our life, and he so far was fully on board with Remi as our mate. “My wolf agrees. But we’d better get outside ASAP, or they’ll be meeting right here.”
