“I didn’t come here to eat,” Isla interrupted softly.
Kirk turned to find her much closer than he’d expected. Her eyes met his, clear and determined despite the flush on her cheeks.
She’s choosing us,his bear whispered in awe.
Before Kirk could respond, Isla closed the distance between them. She rose slightly on her toes and pressed her lips to his. This kiss was different from last night’s, warmer, more confident. Her hands came up to rest against his chest as she deepened the kiss.
When they finally broke apart, she didn’t step away. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since last night,” she admitted, her eyes searching his. “About us.”
“Us,” Kirk repeated, and the word felt right. He reached up to touch her face, his thumb brushing across her cheekbone. “I like the sound of that.”
She smiled and leaned in to kiss him again. This time, her hands slid beneath his shirt, her cool fingers exploring the warm skin of his back. Heat moved through him at her touch, his bear rumbling in approval.
Take her to bed,his bear urged.Make her ours completely.
But Kirk knew he couldn’t. Not yet. Not until she knew everything.
With more willpower than he thought he possessed, Kirk gently caught her wrists, pulling back from the kiss. “Isla, wait.”
Her face immediately flushed deeper, embarrassment replacing desire in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she blurted, trying to step back. “I thought—I shouldn’t have assumed…”
“No,” Kirk said firmly, keeping hold of her hands. He brought them to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “You didn’t misunderstand. God, you have no idea how much I want this… want you.”
Confusion crossed her face. “Then what...?”
Kirk took a deep breath. This was the moment. After this, nothing would be quite the same.
“There’s something I have to tell you,” he said quietly. “Something I need to show you first.”
She studied his face, curiosity replacing confusion. “Okay.”
“Not here,” he said, glancing toward the door. “Outside. In the forest.”
If she thought the request strange, she didn’t show it. Instead, she nodded, and the trust in that simple gesture made his chest ache.
He led her outside, the night air cool against their skin. The moon was nearly full, bathing the forest in silvery light as they walked the familiar path into the trees. The same path where they’d foraged together, where Percy had discovered wild strawberries, where Isla had looked so at home among the green of the forest.
Now it would be the place where she learned the truth.
When they reached a small clearing flooded with moonlight, Kirk stopped. His heart hammered against his ribs, fear and hope warring within him. What if she ran? What if she took Percy and left Bear Creek, never to return?
She’s our mate,his bear reminded him.She deserves the truth.
“Kirk?” Isla’s voice was gentle, concerned. “What is it?”
He turned to face her, taking both her hands in his. “Do you believe in magic, Isla?”
She blinked, clearly surprised by the question. “I... I don’t know. I guess I’ve never thought about it much.”
“There are things in this world that can’t be explained,” he said carefully. “Things most people never see or understand.”
“You’re scaring me a little,” she admitted, though she didn’t pull away.
“Don’t be scared,” he said quickly. “Not of me. I would never hurt you—or Percy. You have to know that.”
“I do know that,” she said with surprising certainty.
Kirk nodded, drawing strength from her trust. “There are things about me you need to understand. What I’m about to show you might seem impossible, but it’s part of who I am.”
