Page 15

Edwin

Living together. So soon? Yes. My bear wanted nothing more but for some reason, the thought of moving in with Micah felt rushed and, honestly, I was overwhelmed.

And here I thought I was cured and healed of all my previous hangups. Far from it, it seemed.

“I need to think about it,” I replied.

Instantly my mate’s expression turned from a warm smile to one he gave people he saw in the park but didn’t know personally. “Yeah. Of course. Hey, how about we go on a run? I have the rest of the day off, and I’m eager to meet your bear.”

“I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you, Micah. I just need some time to think about it. It feels right but I’m shaky about it. It’s not you.”

Micah put his hand on my arm. “It’s okay. We will take this at your pace. If you’re not ready, you’re not ready. Even if you decide not to move in with me, you and I are still solid. We’re mates no matter what, Edwin.”

Then why did my chest ache so badly?

My bear wanted to get out and show him our other form. He also wanted to show off for his mate. Going on a run would buy me some time to think about what Micah offered. Me moving in and a chance to start my own studio.

“Let’s go for that run. Please.”

We drove out to a field on the outskirts of town where Micah said shifters roamed when they didn’t have room to in town or at their home. On the wind was the scent of hundreds of animals. Most had been here recently, but some had lingering smells from long ago.

“Go on then, alpha. Let me see my big bear.”

My beast heard the call of his mate and, as soon as the last inch of clothing was stripped from my body, my bear emerged with a loud roar. Micah stepped back. His eyes widened. He crouched low and ducked his head in submission.

We walked over to him and nudged his shoulder with our muzzle. He didn’t have to bare his neck or any other act of submitting. He was our mate. Our equal. The perfect complement.

“Hi there, big guy. Look at you.” My omega got up and stood before us. My bear saw nothing but beauty in our mate as did I. He got closer and rubbed his fur on Micah’s legs, marking him in his own way. “Edwin, your bear is so beautiful. Majestic. I’ve never seen a bear up close before.”

My bear rolled over on his belly. He didn’t want our mate to feel any hint of a threat from us. I chuffed and wiggled my body, needing his skin against me.

“You want belly rubs? I see how it is. That’s fine. I’ll rub your belly any time you want. I’ll tell you some things while you’re a bear and can’t really answer me.”

Micah sat next to me and moved his palm over my belly. “I’m in love with you, Edwin. I know things are hard right now, and you’ve got some issues to overcome but I’m here for you. I’m always here and I always will be. There is no one else for me and you’re never getting rid of me. I’m gonna shift now. My wolf is desperate to play with our mate.”

My mate shifted, and his wolf was more beautiful than all others in existence. We played and ran together all afternoon until we were both exhausted and calm. We shifted back and put our clothes back on but stayed quiet. I had done a lot of thinking while we were in our animal forms.

I was scared, sure. My trauma with Jacob had scarred me, but Micah and his love were fixing all of that. Life lay on the other side of fear. Shay had said that or maybe the therapist before. Didn’t matter. It was still true. My whole life changed the moment I met Micah, and I wasn’t willing to go back. Ever.

The only way was through.

“I changed my mind,” I said and hung my head, ashamed it had taken me so long to give him the answer.

“About what?” His voice cracked. “About me?”

“What? No. Never. As we ran, our bond got even stronger, and I realized my stupid hangups were just that—stupid. There’s no reason in the world I shouldn’t move in with you. I want to be there when you go to sleep and when you wake up. Every morning. Every night. Every moment I can be with you, I want to. Can I move in with you, omega? I don’t need time to think anymore.”

He nodded with a smile. I wrapped him up in my embrace and whirled him around in an act of pure bliss.

“Are you sure? A few hours, ago you needed to think about it.”

“I’m so sure, Micah. I’m so damned sure. And there’s something else. I want a family with you. When is up to you but I want it. I want everything with you.”

We rode home and spent the night at his place. We whispered our plans to the night like prayers. I would move in as soon as possible, and Granger would be able to rent my apartment again. Micah would help me with the business aspect of starting my studio, and he was sure the studio would be packed with kids wanting to learn, maybe even some adults.

I had hope again, and it was all due to my omega.