He nodded at Ryder and winked. “You do know that I’m a little bear?”
Ryder beamed at him. “I love my little bear.”
That made him rumble and a growl began to form deep in his chest. It made it easy to stretch, let his muscles ripple. His paws curled and he stretched out.
He landed on all fours, wiggling his butt and breathing in deep—all of the scents just beautiful and overwhelming, making his eyes cross.
The air seemed to pop and crackle around him, and he heard a low, groaning grunt. Suddenly, Ryder was there. He was a great, big, shaggy, golden-brown bear, and he was so beautiful that Nolan could hardly stand it. There was a moment of wanting to protect his territory, of wanting to drive the other bear out because that was bear instinct. They could be solitary creatures.
But then Ryder moved forward and nuzzled along the side of his snout, hot breath tickling his ear as Ryder rubbed against him, and joy filled his heart.
Mate!He pushed hard, his entire bear soul rejoicing. This was his mate. This was right and good, and no one could deny him this.My Ryder. My own mate.
I’m your own, oh little bear. My perfect little bear.
He heated, top to bottom, rejoicing as Ryder rubbed against him, spreading his scent, marking him. Nolan did his best to stand his ground, Ryder’s grizzly huge, dwarfing him.
He didn’t feel in the least bit threatened. This was his own mate, but he wanted to be able to stand his ground and be good enough.
Ryder snorted softly.You are perfect. I don’t want to knock you down, so come up on the bed and snuggle with me. I’ve waited my whole life for you.
I fought to escape so I could find you.Nolan got it now. He understood all the way.
They rolled up onto the bed together. Ryder got in first, and then Nolan crawled up into the soft touch of that amazing belly fur, nuzzling in, growling with sheer joy.
He loved how Ryder smelled, and he loved how big and protective Ryder was. He felt safe, as if nothing could hurt himhere, even though he knew that was not the truth intellectually. It made him sad that so many omegas never found this. So many of them got stuck with assholes like he’d been with.
We’re not thinking about that right now, little bear. We’re only thinking about you and me. Ryder shoved a big paw up over his body, holding him close, and Nolan grumbled but it was a happy noise, not an angry one.
The bed creaked under their weight a little bit, he had to admit, but it held up well. The platform Ryder had put it on was really sturdy, giving him hope that they could sleep this way a lot.
Any time, sweet bear, any time at all. You can also sleep down in front of the fire whenever you want. Although probably not when my brothers and yours are here.
Nolan snorted.Race loves to snuggle.
So do I, but until we’re settled in for the winter and safe, my bear stresses that someone’s out there.Ryder chuffed softly. It’s ridiculous, but we’re bears. At least we’re not wolves, right?
Nolan understood completely.Soon it’ll be winter. Time for hibernation.
I love that. Winter is one of my favorite times.Ryder was settling in, getting heavier, and it felt so good just to rest together. There was a simple peace emanating from his grizzly mate, and it pleased him to the bone that he was a part of that.
Do you three hibernate all together?
No, but we’re very close, and we do spend a couple of weeks hanging out together. Somehow we’ll end up at someone’s house—there’s lots of food, then there’s lots of sleeping. You know how that goes.
He didn’t, but he wanted to learn. It sounded amazing—family and friends sleeping, lots of food.Is it usually here where you crash?
No, actually. Usually we stay at Warrick’s. He’s the oldest, he has the biggest place, and we each have a bedroom there. Now it’ll be different. I have you.
Nolan did love the sound of that.
Well, one way or the other, I’m going to love spending the winter.He rested his head down, his body feeling heavy and happy, and settled.
Nap, little bear. Everything’s going to be all right. We’re going to figure everything out, and I’m not going to let anyone hurt you, so just rest.
I can do that.
It was actually easy with Ryder surrounding him, solid against him. He closed his eyes and relaxed, and before he could even think about how happy he was, he fell asleep.
