Page 9 of Bear It All (Bears in Love Duet Book 2)

Four Years Later

With little miss Elsbeth snuggled against his chest, sound asleep in the carrier strapped to his body, Remy pressed the doorbell to the pack leader’s home.

The door swung open to reveal an older woman with silver hair and a bright smile on her face. “Remy,” she greeted, shaking her head. “How many times do I have to tell you that you do not need to knock? And give me that sweet little dumpling.”

Like a pro, she slipped the infant out of the carrier and curled her arms around the little girl’s sleeping form.

“She’s just perfect,” Amelia said, tearing up.

A dark-haired toddler came charging into the room, skidding on stocking feet like he was practicing for snowboarding season.

“Uncle Remy,” the kid shouted before slamming into his knees.

“Hey, Xavier, my man.” He swept the kid up until he was perched on Remy’s shoulder, giggling and clapping his hands.

Peter Karhu strode into the room, hurrying over and lifting Xavier off Remy’s shoulder. “Every time my kid does something dangerous, I find out he learned that particular stunt from you.”

“Yeah, and now you’ve had another for me to corrupt.”

Found family. That’s what he’d gained by finding his mate. He hadn’t seen it coming. He’d been content just to have found Mallory, to be committed to spending the rest of his life with her.

But once they’d both realized they were fated mates, she’d wanted to visit Winona and Peter. And then she found out they had a kid, and she hadn’t wanted to leave for a good long while.

Turned out, Remy was pretty good at being an uncle.

Eventually, Mallory had asked him to take her to south Louisiana. She wanted to see his home. She wanted to better understand where he’d come from.

He’d shown her the grave markers he’d made for his parents and sister. Even took her to meet his old pack. The pack leader welcomed him back with a watery smile.

They stayed long enough for Remy to reconnect with his pack. To settle with the ghosts from his own past.

Until Mallory figured out she was pregnant.

It was then they made the decision. They wanted their child to grow up in a pack environment. And there was only one they would settle for.

So they moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. To Winona’s pack.

Their found family.

“Where’s Mallory?” Peter asked, releasing Xavier, who charged from the room.

“I’ll watch him,” Amelia said. “You all go ahead and visit.” She handed Remy’s daughter back to him and hurried after her grandson.

“She’s pumping. Says she wants to enjoy a glass of wine or two tonight,” Remy said.

“Come on, I’ll get you a beer. Winona’s feeding the little one. Probably planning to do the same. We’ll go chill on the back porch. They’ll know where to find us.”

And they did, a few minutes later. Winona had their newborn daughter in her arms. She’d given birth only two days ago. Remy and Mallory’s daughter was four months old.

The two new mothers and best friends were already planning the various activities they wanted to do with their daughters, who would undoubtedly become best friends too.

Mallory plucked their daughter from Remy’s arms and settled on his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her shoulder.

Peter handed her a glass of wine, and the four adults fell into an easy conversation.

Yeah, this was the life.

The one he’d been pining for, well, for his entire life.

Thank you for reading!