Page 17 of Her Embarrassed Bear Mate (Crescent Lake Bears #5)

SEVENTEEN

Veronica

Crescent Lake glinted mysteriously in the silver light of the crescent moon but Veronica wasn't in the right headspace to enjoy its beauty. She didn't understand why her dad and Dianne even cared about being fated mates. Or rather, why they hadn't come to the lake before they got engaged and started merging the family.

Maybe it was a generational thing. Or her father was just very rash and hadn't been able to wait for the Moon Goddess' blessing.

Veronica touched her bear mark through her clothes. She'd been so preoccupied with her dad's engagement, it was only dawning on her now that she had a new romance of her own she should be focusing on. Under regular circumstances, she wouldn't be coming to the lake of fate so soon after she started dating someone. While she longed for a fated mate, just like any shifter, she wanted someone to love her freely and not because some otherworldly power destined them together.

She glanced to the left where Alix was chatting with the only friend who had come along since the other two were already mated. Were they planning to go into the lake?

Veronica's heartbeat quickened. What if Alix was her fated mate? Then they would be forced to tell their parents about their new relationship. Or worse... what if they weren't fated? Veronica wasn't so foolish to believe their relationship would continue after that but they would still have to see each other at family events.

She squeezed her eyes shut. This was all a big mess and somehow, she'd made things even worse in the process. Maybe the most sensible thing would be not to go into the lake. That way, she could avoid making a detrimental discovery and it wasn't like anyone would notice. Despite insisting on her presence, her dad had barely spoken to her or her brothers.

Nobody would notice if she didn't go into the lake... except Alix.

Frustratingly, Veronica saw no other solution than having a conversation about it. Communication wasn't her strong suit but it was the only way to avoid misunderstandings and make things even more awkward next time they saw each other.

While everybody streamed down to the lake and the nearby hotel to get changed for a winter dip, Veronica texted Alix that she needed to speak to her. Up ahead, the light of Alix's phone illuminated her face as she read the message and nodded.

She waited for Alix near a large tree, away from all the people and the commotion they were causing. In the cold winter months, there were always less people looking for love but there were always some and those seemed excited by the sudden influx of candidates. The more people there were in the water during the ritual, the higher the chance was to find a fated mate.

Alix arrived, looking slightly skittish. "Hey. You wanted to talk?"

"Yeah, about the lake... Are you thinking of going in?" Veronica asked, deciding there was no point beating around the bush.

"My mum is insisting that I go in," Alix said with a resigned sigh. "She thinks it would be super cute if I found my fated mate on the night of her engagement party."

"And what do you want?" Veronica asked as she took Alix's hands in hers. They were trembling slightly so she pressed a quick kiss on them, grateful for the shrouding darkness. She could only imagine what people would say if they saw the two of them so intimately together.

Alix looked a little more reassured. "I don't know. I mean... If you also go into the water, we'll know by the morning if we're fated mates or not. If we are, what does that mean for us?"

Veronica chuckled, hoping to defuse the tension. "That you might have a proposal by the end of the month after all?" It was meant as a joke but both knew it wasn't really. If they were fated mates, Veronica had no intention of letting go of their connection, as new as it was.

A gong sounded from the beach attached to the lake, signalling that the ritual was about to begin.

"Let's not make any promises before we know the outcome of tonight," Alix said .

Veronica nodded in agreement. "You're right, there's no point speculating. But just so you know, I'll be looking for you in the water."

Surprise sparkled in Alix's eyes. "You want us to be fated?"

"I would prefer that over us having to go back to being strangers," Veronica said truthfully. She was aware it wasn't some grand romantic declaration but how could she? They'd only just started dating, there was no point pretending they were madly in love. While a fated mate bond could tie them together instantly, love was something that had to grow between them.

Alix chuckled softly. "Looks like you don't take after your dad when it comes to rushing into things. Luckily."

"Is my insistence on taking it slow making your heart beat faster?" Veronica teased.

"Maybe."

"Oh, I see." The first real smile this entire evening appeared on Veronica's lips as she pulled Alix closer. "Let's take our time. I want to get to know you thoroughly before we make any commitments. Let's wait until we're old and senile before we get married."

Alix's delightful laughter filled the space between them. "Now you're just being ridiculous. And you're making plans for us to grow old together? That doesn't sound like you're taking it slow."

"That's true, good point." Veronica made sure nobody was watching them before she pressed a quick kiss on Alix's lips. "Let's just go through this ceremony and we'll find out in the morning what fate has in store for us."

They broke apart and made their way separately down to the beach where two groups had formed, as was tradition. Veronica joined all the shifters on the right, some of which had already taken their clothes off. Even though their shifter blood made them run hot, lots of them were shivering.

Another good reason not to look for love in winter times.

Veronica stripped until she was just in her underwear. The cold breeze made her shiver as she waited for the ceremony to start.

After waiting forever, an Elder appeared on the raised platform. Unlike everyone else, he was wearing a very thick jumper and mittens appropriate for the freezing weather.

"Welcome to the night of the crescent moon where all your dreams or nightmares can come true. The water will reveal the truth you seek, but only to those who are brave enough to risk it all.” The Elder's voice carried into the still night. "The mark will reveal the Moon Goddess’ will and with it, your own."

Veronica couldn't help but search for Alix in the other group where the humans and kin were waiting. The crescent moon would reveal her own will as well but what did she want? Did she truly want them to be fated mates so it wouldn't be awkward around the dinner table or... did a deeper part of her yearn for something true and everlasting that would be hers and hers only? Someone who would be with her forever, who would be on her side, who would consider her above all others.

Perhaps it was foolish on her part, but at that moment, Veronica wanted Alix to be that person. Maybe they didn't love each other yet but there was understanding, compassion, and attraction. Everything else could grow if they nurtured it. If Alix woke up with her mating mark in the morning, Veronica would do everything in her power to make it happen.

It was with those thoughts in mind that she charged to the lake and plunged herself in ice cold water, completely at the mercy of fate and its whims.