Page 16 of Bear to be Wild (Moonlight Siren #5)

ROAN

“ M y mate.”

When I heard those two words coming from Maribelle’s lips, I thought I’d slipped into another fantasy about her. Yet there she stood, eyes locked on mine, looking so vulnerable. Something cracked inside my chest.

My bear growled inside, reminding me of the threat.

I turned my focus back on the posturing tiger shifter, but he’d sunk into himself, like he’d deflated his overly developed muscles. His bravado ghosted away and he vanished through the crowd.

Good. My bear had been on the verge of tearing into him until Maribelle calmed me with her declaration.

Mate. She called me her mate.

My chest filled with lightness, and my bear roared in triumph inside.

“Do you mean that, Maribelle?” My voice came out low and raspy.

Her blue eyes shimmered with sincerity. “Yes. I know it’s true now.” Her lower lip quivered. “I tried telling myself it was just the spell but—” Her voice wavered. “You knew. Your bear knew.” She took a shaky inhale. “And I’m finally catching up,” she added with a small smile.

“Come here.” I reached for her, and she came to me without hesitation, curling against my chest like she’d belonged there.

Her body fit perfectly against mine—warm, alive, and trembling.

I wrapped her close and buried my face in her curls, breathing in her scent.

Bergamot and vanilla. The band played “My Girl.”

Mine.

As I held her in my arms, our bodies naturally began to sway with the music. Nothing had ever felt so right as it did now.

When the song ended, she leaned back just enough to glance up at me. “That was pretty presumptuous,” she said with a teasing smile.

My brows drew closer. “What was?”

“Telling that musclehead that I was looking for you.”

“Right.” I chuckled. “Chalk it up to wishful thinking.” It had been a bold statement, but when I’d seen that slimy tiger creeping up on her, I had to step in.

“Or maybe shifter intuition.” She beamed up at me. “But you were right. I was looking for you.”

“Why?”

“To tell you I wanted to be with you. That maybe on some subconscious level I’d intentionally screwed up the spell.” She took another deep breath and revealed, “That somehow deep inside I knew you were the one, my big bear.”

Emotions surged inside me, so fierce I almost shouted out. My bear rumbled in delight, no longer restless.

We’d searched for where we belonged, and now we’d found it.

I cupped her face with one hand and brushed my thumb along her jaw. “Maribelle…” My voice sounded raw. “We haven’t known each other long, but one thing I know is… I’ve fallen in love with you.”

Her breath hitched and lips parted. For a heartbeat, fear flashed like lightning through my veins. She’d tell me it was too much, too soon, and we needed time and space.

But she smiled, breaking through tears brimming in her eyes. “I love you too, Roan.”

Her breathy words soothed every fractured, scarred part of me. Her voice echoed in my head like an enchanting melody. All the years of searching fell away. I’d found where I belonged with my mate and had fallen in love. Better still, she loved me back.

I bent low and kissed her, our touch tender at first but then turning fiercer, as if claiming each other.

The band played “Just My Imagination” while we embraced in the lounge, lost in our own world. But it wasn’t my imagination this time. It was real. Maribelle was real. And from now on we’d be bound together—by choice.

When we broke apart, she glanced up at me. “I was so afraid,” she whispered. “Afraid of making another mistake. Afraid of being hurt. But with you…” She slid her hand over my heart. “I feel brave.”

She trusted me and it meant everything. I swallowed hard and vowed, “I’d never hurt you, Maribelle.”

Her lips curved into a gentle smile. “I know.”

One week later…

Seven days of bliss and nights of fire as Maribelle and I spent time together. Seven days of getting to know each other better, building trust. But tonight…

Tonight, she said she was ready for us to seal our bond with the mating bite.

We were in her cabin, lit by the soft glow of a bedside lamp. She lay on the bed, wearing the tiniest blue silk nightie that brought out the blue of her eyes, and gazed up at me with warmth.

“Are you sure?” I asked, staring down at her.

She reached up and brushed my hair back from my forehead. “I’m sure, Roan.” Her voice sounded soft but confident.

My bear rumbled deep inside me. I kissed her with gentle reverence as I covered her body with mine.

My world narrowed to her lips, her scent, her warmth.

I took my time, worshipping every soft curve and relishing every breathy moan I coaxed out of her.

Her muscles tightened and she arched her back as she grew closer, then cried out my name as she broke with a ragged gasp.

After she came down, she reached for me. Pulling me closer to her, she whispered, “Please, Roan, I need you now.”

“Yes, my mate.” I entered her slowly, sinking into heat and heaven. She clung to me, scoring my shoulders with her nails. Moving with me, she matched my rhythm as I drove faster. Harder. My thrusts turning wild.

Her body trembled beneath me, and she shattered with a low moan. I held her tight and kissed her sweet mouth. Moving down her throat, I brushed my lips over to the soft spot that sang to me, unleashing a primal urge. My canines sharpened, itching with anticipation.

“Mine,” I growled, the word ripped from somewhere deep inside.

“Yes.” She sighed. “Always yours.”

I kissed her again, then pressed my mouth to the hollow of her neck. My teeth grazed her skin, and she tilted her head in invitation, baring herself to me.

I bit through the surface of her skin, and the moment I tasted her blood, my world trembled with a fierce blast. An enigmatic explosion rocked through my body.

Heat burst through my chest as magic rushed through me.

Through her. Her magic flared, bright and wild, dancing like a butterfly before entwining with me.

Our bond locked into place with a powerful, undeniable certainty.

Maribelle gasped, clutching me tighter. “Roan?—”

Dazed, I pulled my teeth from her flesh and sealed the wound. “Are you okay?” I murmured against her skin.

“The magic,” she said, sounding breathless. “It’s so…powerful.”

Powerful. Incredible. The bond roared inside, connecting us, and my bear beamed with absolute contentment. She was mine. I was hers. We’d chosen each other.

I clasped my fingers through hers, and our palms touched. Our bond sealed. Our connection eternal.

We were mates. Now and forever.