Page 26

“Well? What do you think?” I ask, waiting for Uncle Uzzi’s reaction.

“Order up!” Carina calls from behind the counter, motioning to a customer.

Yes, I am working, but I am also aware of my mate in the periphery of my vision.

I am always aware of her.

She’s my whole life.

My Sweetheart.

My Bear chuffs inside of me. My beastly side is just as enamored. She has his fealty, and it means the world.

My woman is protected. Loved. And so damn precious to me.

We’re inside Pizza Girls , of course. It’s where Uzzi and I always have our meetings about work. His Date to Mate app is really taking off and I’m stoked to be part of it.

The pizzeria is blowing up, and I couldn’t be prouder.

Not that I’ll ever say that out loud too often—Carina already refuses to let me do anything remotely financial to help. Apparently, being mated to a grizzly-sized businessman doesn’t mean she’s suddenly cool with me throwing money at her problems.

Not that she has any problems. Because she’s a damn powerhouse.

Still, I’ve found other ways to make myself useful—sneaky, indirect ways that won’t trigger her “I can do this myself” speech.

Like referring her pizzeria to a few Shifter-run businesses I know.

Okay, maybe more than a few.

Her list of corporate accounts has quadrupled, and she has no idea why.

I mean, she suspects, but she hasn’t called me out on it yet. And I, for one, am keeping my mouth shut because, honestly?

It’s adorable watching her try to figure out how a dozen suddenly pizza-obsessed companies just happened to find her all at once.

Taking care of her isn’t even a question.

It’s instinct.

It’s need.

It’s the bare minimum for a mate as incredible as her.

And as for the business?

I’ll help where she lets me, which is mostly by eating an absurd amount of pizza and making sure she actually sleeps instead of trying to do it all herself.

Now that she’s finally agreed to move in with me, Carina’s been able to take the early shift, which means her sisters get more time to focus on school instead of burning themselves out at the shop.

It’s a win-win.

For all three sisters.

And for me.

It means I get to wake up to my mate every single morning and let me tell you—there is no better way to start the day than with my Sweetheart. My beautiful Carina.

It’s everything I ever wanted and more.

Her happiness.

The way our lives fit together so seamlessly.

The balance she brings to me and my beast.

I plan to ask her to marry me soon—and I need her to feel secure enough in the pizzeria that she feels good about leaving when I ask her to run away with me for a while.

Because when I put that ring on her finger, I want to take her on a proper honeymoon.

And by proper , I mean extended.

Like, “let’s disappear for a month and eat our way through Italy” extended.

Or “spend three weeks on a secluded beach where I can worship her in peace” extended.

Or maybe even “accidentally get lost in the Scottish Highlands so I can convince her to let me buy her a castle” extended.

I want to show my mate the world.

Because that’s what she gave me the moment she said yes.

“The updates are remarkable. Matches in real time, look at that!” Uncle Uzzi says, marveling at the app and interrupting my train of thought.

I smile because I am really pleased he likes what I’ve done.

“Speaking of updates, what do you think about endorsements for the app?” I ask.

“Endorsements?”

“Yeah. From happy clients, in fact,” I clear my throat and show him the mock-up I already made, “it would look like this.”

“Let’s see that,” Uzzi says and takes my phone. His grin widens as he reads the review I left for his app.

I never thought I would find someone who truly completed me—someone who saw me for exactly who and what I am and accepted me without hesitation. But I found her now, and I know without a doubt—she is my fated mate. The one I was always meant to find.

Uncle Uzzi’s Date to Mate isn’t just a dating app—it’s a path to destiny. It led me straight to the love of my life, the one person who was created just for me. The connection was instant, undeniable, and deeper than anything I could have imagined.

If you believe in fate—if you believe that your true mate is out there waiting—then trust the process. Give Date to Mate a try. Because when the multiverse aligns, when the Fates weave your threads together, you’ll know.

I found mine, and I am never letting go.

Maybe it’s time for you to find yours.

-One Happy Bear

“Thank you very much, Horace. I am so pleased my app helped you find your true fated mate in Carina,” the cunning old Witch says, his sapphire eyes twinkling with pure satisfaction as he grins.

I know he means it—and for once, I don’t mind giving him credit.

I nod in appreciation. “You and me both.”

And just like that—as if summoned by my very thoughts—Carina joins us, her presence like a soft, grounding force that settles every restless part of me.

“What did I miss?” she asks, her voice light, teasing, as I tug her onto my lap, making her yelp slightly before giggling as she settles against me.

“Just showing Uncle Uzzi my review of his app,” I tell her, my lips already searching for the smooth curve of her neck.

I press a lazy kiss to her warm skin, then another on her bare shoulder, inhaling the familiar, sweet basil scent that undoes me every time.

She laughs softly, but I feel the way she melts into me, her body relaxing, her fingers unconsciously curling over my forearm where I have her wrapped snugly against my chest.

I can’t stop touching her.

And I never want to.

She completes me in ways I never even knew I needed.

I’m lucky. So damn lucky.

And I will spend the rest of my life showing her just how grateful I am to have her.

To love her.

To cherish her.

To make sure she never questions just how wanted she is.

She’s kind and good—so much more than I could ever deserve.

My Sweetheart.

I close my eyes for a brief moment, just breathing her in, feeling the steady thump-thump of her heartbeat against me.

Yeah. I’m one lucky Bear.

And I know it.

“You know, I think you’re onto something here.”

Uzzi’s voice cuts through my reverie, and I blink back to the moment, reluctantly pulling my attention from the woman in my arms.

The old Witch taps his chin thoughtfully, already looking far too pleased with himself.

“Yes, let’s have a place that showcases reviews! A section dedicated to testimonials of true fated mates. Brilliant!”

Carina grins, her brown eyes dancing with amusement.

“Excellent idea,” she says, shooting me a playful wink before slipping off my lap and heading back toward the counter.

I watch her go, unable to look away.

The way she moves, the way she effortlessly commands a room, the way her laugh wraps around my heart like a vise.

I’m completely gone for this woman.

“You look lovesick, my dear boy,” Uzzi chuckles, clearly entertained.

I huff, shaking my head, but I don’t even bother denying it.

Because he’s right.

I am lovesick.

And I never want to be cured.

The end.

Thank you for taking this journey with Uncle Uzzi & me! I hope you enjoyed it. Maybe you can leave a review for others to find it, too.