If he wanted her trust, he would have to give her his.
“You know,” he said, keeping his voice light, “this is usually the part where shifters show their other sides to their mates.”
Her eyes snapped to his, suddenly alert. “Is it?”
“Mmm.” He smiled, letting a hint of challenge slip into his voice. “It’s traditional. A sign of trust.”
A slow, surprising smile spread across her face—the first real one he had seen—and it stole his breath. It softened her completely, made her look younger, less weighed down. For a heartbeat, he could almost see the woman she might have been before fear settled so deeply into her.
“Are you asking to see my dragon, Leo Thornberg?”
His bear practically roared with delight at her playfulness.She’s teasing us. This is good.
“Maybe,” he said, matching her tone. “Would you show me if I asked?”
Estelle tilted her head, studying him with new interest. The fear was still there in her eyes, but now it mingled with something else—a spark of boldness that made his heart kick.
“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours,” she murmured.
His bear nearly bowled him over with excitement.Yes. Yes. Show her. Show her now.
Leo set down his glass, suddenly finding it hard to breathe. He had not expected this. It felt like a gift. A dangerous one, perhaps, but a gift all the same.
“That seems fair,” he managed, his voice rougher than he intended.
Outside,Leo said to his bear.We should go outside.
Yes,his bear agreed immediately.Under the moon. In the open. As we should be.
“Come with me,” Leo said, standing and offering his hand.
For a moment, he thought she might refuse. Her eyes flickered to his outstretched palm, then to the stairs where Adara slept.
“She’ll be fine,” he assured her quietly. “We won’t go far.”
Estelle nodded and rose, though she did not take his hand. “Let me just check on her first.”
Leo waited by the door as she slipped upstairs, his heart pounding with anticipation. His bear was practically vibrating beneath his skin, eager to be released, to be seen by their mate.
What if she doesn’t like us?his bear worried suddenly.What if our bear scares her?
She’s a dragon shifter,Leo reminded him.I doubt she scares easily.
But still. We’re big. Intimidating to some.
But not to Estelle,Leo assured his bear.
She was his mate, a dragon shifter herself. She would understand the gift of what he was about to show her.
At least he hoped she would.
She returned moments later, her expression more resolved than fearful. “She’s sound asleep,” she said. “Let’s go.”
They stepped out onto the porch together, the night air cool and sweet with pine. The moon hung low and full above the mountains, casting everything in silver light. It was perfect—elemental and private, the kind of night that made the world feel older than human worries.
Leo led her to a small clearing just beyond the cottage, where moonlight dappled the ground. The forest stood around them like a living wall, dark and watchful. He turned to face her, suddenly feeling oddly vulnerable.
Leo took a few steps back, giving himself room. “Ready?”
