Page 12 of Bear Love’s Hidden Destiny (Esoterra Shifters World #3)
Chapter Twelve
Benedict
I woke in a haze, pain pulsing through my shoulder like a steady drumbeat, sharp and unyielding.
My vision blurred, but light filtered through the high canopy of the archive’s exit, casting dappled patterns across the stone floor.
Isabella knelt beside me, her eyes red, her hands bloodstained but steady, the crystal pendant glowing faintly at her neck.
Her face was a mix of relief and worry, her breath catching as she saw my eyes open.
I tried to sit up, my body protesting, the gash on my shoulder burning with every movement.
She moved quickly, her hands gentle but firm, helping me upright.
Before I could speak, she buried herself in my arms, her body trembling against mine.
“I thought I lost you,” she said, her voice shaking, muffled against my chest.
I didn’t say anything, just held her tighter, my hand resting on the back of her head, her hair soft under my fingers.
The pain in my shoulder faded to a dull ache, nothing compared to the warmth of her against me.
She’d saved me, chosen me, stood against Marek with that pendant and the forest’s power.
The bond between us hummed, stronger than ever, a steady pulse that anchored me.
I pressed my lips to her forehead, breathing her in, cedar smoke and sunlight, and for a moment, the world was just us.
“We need to get out of here,” I said, my voice rough from the fight. “The chamber’s not stable.”
She nodded, pulling back to look at me, her eyes still wet but determined. “Can you walk?”
“Yeah,” I said, gritting my teeth as I stood, her arm around my waist to steady me.
The chamber was a wreck, cracked stones scattered across the floor, roots still twisted where they’d dragged Marek away.
The air felt lighter, though, the runes on the walls glowing softly, no longer flickering with distress.
We moved toward the stairs, my steps slow but sure, Isabella’s hand never leaving mine.
The tunnel was cool, the runes guiding our way, and when we emerged into the forest, the air was different, alive, aware.
The Veil was stabilizing, its hum steady again, the roots no longer groaning with unrest. Isabella’s bloodline had awakened something ancient, anchored it, and Marek’s power was broken, his threat gone, at least for now.
We walked until we found a quiet stream, its water glinting under a sky full of stars.
The forest was calm, the trees standing tall, their branches swaying gently in the night breeze.
We set up camp, building a small fire from dry wood, its warmth cutting through the chill.
I sat on the grass, my back against a log, my body still aching but healing fast, the shifter blood knitting my wounds together.
Isabella sat in front of me, watching the flames, her knees pulled up, the pendant resting against her chest, its faint glow catching the firelight.
I slid behind her, my arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her back against me.
She leaned into me, her head resting on my shoulder, her warmth grounding me in a way nothing else could.
“You scared me back there,” she said, her voice low, her fingers tracing my arm where the gash was already fading. “Don’t do that again.”
I chuckled, my lips brushing her temple. “No promises. Trouble follows you, remember?”
She turned in my arms, her eyes catching the firelight, a small smile playing on her lips. “Me? You’re the one turning into a bear and fighting creepy snake guys.”
“Had to,” I said, my hand sliding to her hip, my fingers brushing the edge of her shirt. “Couldn’t let him get to you.”
Her smile softened, and she leaned in, kissing me gently, her lips warm and soft against mine. “You’re too brave for your own good,” she said, pulling back just enough to look at me, her hands resting on my chest.
“Brave?” I said, raising an eyebrow. “Or just crazy about you?”
She laughed, the sound light and warm, and kissed me again, this time with a rising need, her hands sliding to my shoulders, fingers digging in.
I pulled her closer, my lips moving against hers, the bond flaring hot between us.
Her hands tugged at my shirt, pulling it up, and I helped her, tossing it aside, the cool night air hitting my skin.
She ran her hands down my chest, her touch light but deliberate, tracing the lines of my scars, the shifter rune, lingering on the fading wounds.
I kissed her neck, slow and deliberate, my lips lingering on her pulse, and she shivered, her breath hitching as she pressed herself closer.
“Benedict,” she whispered, her voice soft but urgent, her hands sliding to my waist, tugging at my belt.
I lifted her shirt, pulling it over her head, my hands roaming her back, feeling the warmth of her skin, the curve of her spine.
She arched into me, her lips finding mine again, kissing me deeply as her fingers worked my belt loose.
I slid her pants down, my hands brushing the soft skin of her thighs, and she gasped, her hands gripping my shoulders.
We moved together, sinking to the grass beside the fire, the warmth of the flames mixing with the heat of our bodies.
I kissed her slowly, my lips tracing her jaw, her collarbone, lingering on the curve of her shoulder, tasting the faint salt of her skin.
Her hands roamed my chest, my back, memorizing every inch, her nails grazing my skin as she pulled me closer.
“I love you,” she murmured against my lips, her voice barely audible, but it hit me like a shockwave, the bond flaring brighter. I pulled back just enough to look at her, her eyes dark and certain in the firelight.
“I love you too,” I said, my voice rough, my hand cupping her face.
I kissed her again, deeper, slower, pouring everything into it.
She moaned softly, her legs wrapping around my waist as I moved over her, my hands sliding down her sides, tracing the curve of her hips.
I undid her bra, letting it fall away, my lips moving to her throat, kissing the pulse there, then lower, teasing the soft curve of her breast. She arched into me, her breath coming in soft gasps, her fingers tangling in my hair as I kissed lower, my tongue brushing her skin, drawing a shiver from her.
I slid my jeans off, the grass cool against my skin, and pulled her against me, her body fitting perfectly against mine.
Her hands roamed my shoulders, my chest, her touch igniting every nerve.
I kissed her again, slow and deep, my hands framing her face as I entered her, deliberate and steady, each movement drawing us closer.
She whispered my name, her voice soft, certain, and I moved with her, our bodies finding a rhythm that felt like it had always been there.
The bond deepened, a pulse that bound us, body and soul.
I kissed her throat, her shoulder, my lips lingering as we rocked together, the fire’s warmth mixing with the heat of our connection.
Her hands gripped my back, her nails digging in as our movements grew stronger, more purposeful, but never rushed.
Every touch, every breath was a vow, a promise that this was real, final, complete.
When we collapsed together, breathless and warm, I pulled her into my arms, her body fitting against mine like it was made to.
She rested her head on my chest, her breath steady, her fingers tracing lazy circles on my skin.
The fire crackled, its light dancing across her face, and I felt the bond, stronger than ever, a tie that went beyond the forest, beyond the Veil.
“We’re in this together,” she said, her voice quiet but firm.
“The Council, whatever they want, they don’t get to decide my fate. We face them together.”
I nodded, my hand brushing through her hair. “Together,” I said, my voice steady. “No matter what.”
She lifted her head, her eyes meeting mine. “You mean that?”
“Always,” I said, kissing her softly. “You’re stuck with me now.”
She smiled, nestling back against me. “Good. I like my bear man.”
I chuckled, holding her close, the stream’s soft murmur blending with the fire’s crackle.
The forest felt calm, its energy settled, but I knew the Council wouldn’t stay quiet.
Isabella’s bloodline, the pendant, the Veil’s awakening, it was too much for them to ignore.
But for now, we had this moment, this quiet under the stars.
In the flames, I saw a symbol rise from the wood, the claw-and-flame rune of the Council’s summons.