I won’t be able to wear sweatpants around her, that’s for sure.
As soon as I entered the rustic cabin I had constructed with my own two hands, I made a beeline for the cozy bedroom where we would spend our nights. A sense of satisfaction washed over me as I carried her towards the space. The room held a grand king-sized bed I built myself. The hand-carved wooden furniture exuded a warm, earthy scent that filled the rest of the cabin. The thick, woolen rugs on the floor felt soft underfoot as I carried her towards the bed. Two softly glowing lamps illuminated the room, casting a warm, welcoming light that enveloped us as we entered. I couldn’t help but feel proud of my creations as I looked around the space, admiring the details that I had painstakingly crafted myself—for my mate.
I was an ass to my brothers for a while. I told them not to get their hopes up, that Grim getting his second chance may have been a fluke. He could have been the only one lucky enough to have a second chance. But secretly I was hopeful and held on to that sliver of a chance.
I’m glad I was wrong.
Look at me now.
I have my mate here in my arms.
I placed her on my bed, complete with thick furs of animals I had hunted, killed, and skinned myself. The thickest blankets, the warmest you could find from around the entire town, were right here in my den, and now she lay in my nest of furs.
Nadia stirred and looked up at me when I placed the last of the furs on her tiny body. “Bear—” She slapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes widening.
I grinned, crawling onto the bed with her, and pulled her hand away. “You said my name,” I whispered. “Please, let me hear it again.”
She shook her head and scooted away.
I frowned, pulling her closer. “Do not run from me, Nadia. My animal does not like it when you run.”
She froze, her heart racing in her chest.
“He is very possessive of you. He wants to keep you safe, as do I. When you run, it upsets both of us. We would never hurt you, but when you run, we will find you and bring you back here where it is safe, in our den, the cabin. Do you understand?”
Nadia nodded and glanced around the room.
“We just arrived, and you were sleeping, so I brought you to bed. You are more than welcome to explore if you wish?” I held out my hand for her to take, and she looked at it tentatively.
Nadia would come out of her shell far quicker here than she would at the club. I was hoping the bond would tie her quickly to me. It was selfish of me, but I knew I had to have her to myself for the safety of the club and for my sanity.
Grizzlies did not tolerate sharing. Nadia was mine, and these moments were precious to us right now as the bond strengthened between us. I would not mess this up like my last mate. Nadia would be mine.
Nadia’s small hand clasped mine as we slowly crawled out of the cozy bed. The wooden floorboards creaked under the weight of her tiny feet as I led her through the dimly lit cabin. The main living space would soon be illuminated by the flickering flames of the large fireplace that would cast a warm glow over the room. The previously burnt-out embers could still be smelt in the fireplace. Mostly the cabin smelt of pine from the nearby forest. The bathroom’s large tub and shower were visible through the open door as I pointed to the areas of the rugs’ placement throughout the cabin to be careful of so she wouldn’t trip over them while we headed to the kitchen. The cabin was simple, but it was enough to house my mate and me.
As for cubs—if she wanted any, I would be more than happy to give her—I could expand the cabin easily.
“Any questions?” I asked.
Nadia strolled leisurely around the spacious room, her footsteps echoing softly against the wooden floorboards. She made her way towards the vast windows of the living room, taking in the breathtaking view of the lush green forest outside. The natural sunlight streamed in through the windows casting a warm glow on the room, illuminating every corner.
Nadia’s once dull and lifeless hair, when I found her in that prison, now shined. It held large curls that framed her tiny face. Her cheeks glowed with color; she was another woman, more lively, and with each passing moment she was coming further out of her shell.
The glasses that hid her enormous, innocent eyes gave her an extremely young look, along with her short stature. Her allure alone made me itch to always touch her, get to know her intimately.
Fuck, please don’t be younger than twenty—
Nadia gazed out over the mountain. The cliff where my cabin sat had a perfect view of a cleared area below where several cabins and homes were being built. One was large, in the shape of a packhouse for unmated wolves—a place where Locke would stay once he had his mate and would control a band of rogues more efficiently.
Nadia tilted her head, pointed at the area below, and looked up at me questioningly.
I stood beside her, with my hand resting on the small of her back.
“That, down there”—I nodded—“is where the Iron Fang’s new homes are being built. There is a lot more to the Iron Fang than just shifters, Nadia. A lot more.” I sat in the leather chair next to her and motioned with my arm for her to come sit.
She stood there, looking at my lap. I waited to see if she would come on her own and, to my surprise, she came and sat with me. My grizzly purred instantly, and her lips curled into a smile, and leaned her head on my chest as she adjusted her glasses.
“A lot of the Iron Fang are single, as humans say. We shifters sayunmated.Meaning they have no one to care for, be with, or to love. It is different with shifters because we do not have meaningless relationships. Shifters have been blessed with a soulmate. A piece of us is gifted to another soul. Supposedly a perfect match.”
