Page 61 of Bite for Sore Eyes

And what a beautiful life it was. Her father had settled into castle life with surprising ease, spending his mornings in the vast library and his afternoons helping Sera with the gardens. Watching him find contentment here, seeing him bond with Rath and Torren as if they were the sons he'd never had, filled Lana with a joy so complete it sometimes brought tears to her eyes.

And the balance they'd found as a triad amazed her daily. Not just the intimate moments—though those continued to leave her breathless and craving more—but the way they'd learned to weave their lives together. Alpha duties balanced with adventure. Responsibility tempered with spontaneous joy. Three distinct personalities that somehow created perfect harmony.

But Lana wasn't naive enough to believe challenges wouldn't arise. Life was unpredictable whether you had a terminal illness or not. She'd learned something precious these past months. Confidence, happiness, and joy were far more powerful weapons against uncertainty than fear had ever been. And every day was a gift that she intended to unwrap completely.

"Ready for another grand adventure?" Torren asked, emerging from the back seat with that easy smile that never failed to make her pulse quicken.

Before she could answer, he was already moving to help her, those protective instincts that had once felt overwhelming now simply feeling like love in action. Rath climbed out of the driver's seat and headed to the rear of the jeep, his movements efficient and purposeful as he retrieved his backpack from the cargo area.

Through their completed bond, Lana felt both men's anticipation humming beneath the surface—Rath's careful planning mixed with barely contained excitement and Torren's more relaxed eagerness to explore and play. They'd spent weeks organizing this particular hiking expedition, researching the best trails through the blue mountains that rose like ancient sentinels around Varkesh Hollow.

"I've been looking forward to this all week," Lana said, her voice bright with excitement.

The mountain air was crisp and clean, carrying scents of pine and wildflowers that reminded her of childhood hikes with her father in Maryland's forests. Rath approached her, his green eyes bright with an enthusiasm he rarely showed outside their private moments.

"The trail to the outlook should take about three hours. The view is supposed to be spectacular."

"About three hours?" Lana teased, adjusting her hiking boots. "Don't tell me the methodical Alpha Rath didn't personally scout this route beforehand."

His lips curved in that devastating smile. "I may have done a preliminary reconnaissance mission last week."

"Of course you did," Torren chuckled, shouldering his pack with ease. "I'm surprised you didn't mark waypoints and create a detailed topographical map."

"Actually—"

"Please tell me you didn't," Lana interrupted, though she was grinning because Rath's tendency to overplan everything had become endearingly predictable.

The sound of an approaching engine interrupted their banter and a sleek sports car—completely inappropriate for mountain terrain—pulled into the parking area behind their jeep. When the driver's door finally opened, a familiar figure emerged in a cloud of expensive perfume and impossible confidence.

"Oh good, I caught you before you got too far up the mountain," Gerri Wilder announced, stepping delicately across the gravel in designer heels that had no business being within fifty miles of a hiking trail. "I don't think I could've managed the terrain in these shoes."

Lana's heart leaped with genuine joy. Without hesitation, she rushed toward the matchmaker who had literally changed her life, leaving Rath and Torren standing by their vehicle.

"Gerri!" Lana exclaimed, throwing her arms around the petite woman in an impulsive hug. "What are you doing here?"

Gerri's eyes sparkled with that familiar mischief as she returned the embrace. "Oh, I was just in the neighborhood meeting with another client. Thought I'd stop by to officially congratulate you on your completed triad bond and see how my favorite success story is doing."

The words hit Lana unexpectedly hard. Success story. Three months ago, she'd contacted the Paranormal Dating Agency believing she was arranging one final adventure before her body gave out completely. Now she stood here, healthy and whole and surrounded by love she'd never dared imagine possible.

"Well, instead of one final grand adventure," Lana said, her voice thick with emotion, "I found a place that gives me an adventure every day with two incredible bears."

"That's wonderful to hear, dear," Gerri replied warmly, though she was already checking her delicate gold watch. "I had a great feeling about this match from the moment I heard your story."

Rath and Torren approached, their Alpha presence commanding even in casual hiking gear, and both men extended their hands to Gerri with a respectful deference.

"Thank you," Rath said simply, his voice carrying depths of meaning. "For everything."

Torren nodded his agreement. "We'll never be able to repay what you've given us."

Gerri waved away their gratitude with characteristic sass. "Just take good care of this one," she said, gesturing toward Lana. "She's a keeper."

"We already know that," Torren replied, his blue eyes warm with absolute certainty.

"Of course you do," Gerri replied, then glanced at her watch again. "Oh, I really must be on my way back to Earth. Another match to make. You know how it is."

She was already heading back toward her ridiculously impractical sports car, her heels clicking against the gravel with determined precision.

"Keep in touch!" she called over her shoulder, then disappeared into the driver's seat. Moments later, the car was speeding away down the mountain road, leaving only the faint scent of vanilla and ozone in its wake.