Page 14 of Wooded Bliss (Mated to the Monster: Season 3)
SEVEN-ISH MONTHS LATER
THATCHER
“Go find mate,” my bear urges me the moment I step through the tree line next to our home. There’s a whine in his growl only our mate can cause, “Want to see mate.”
I understand why my bear wants me to go and find Birdie. Right now, she’s too uncomfortable to join us on our runs and there’s no way we would put her on our back and let her ride us like we used to. He misses having those moments with her. It’s not like she’s neglecting him; she often comes out and walks next to us and explores the forest, but there are times when she’s not feeling up to it and he needs to get out in his bear form.
“Don’t worry, you’ll have her on your back again soon. It’ll be worth it,” I remind him.
He chuffs, the sound filled with understanding and sorrow equally. I feel for him, he misses his mate, but I can also feel how proud he is. Soon we’ll be welcoming our first cub. It feels like a turning point, like we’re truly healing from the past.
His rumble of approval makes me smile and we effortlessly shift into our human form before we reach the back porch of our cabin. Just as I go to step up, the door opens, and my breath gets caught in my lungs. There she is. Our mate.
I recognized how stunning Birdie was the day she arrived out here with a flower delivery, but right now she’s glowing. Then there’s her very round pregnant belly. There isn’t a sexier sight in this world than my mate pregnant with our cub.
“Mate,” I growl, my bear joining me.
Birdie grins at me as her hand cradles her belly. Experiencing her bringing life into this world has been amazing. And surreal. And terrifying.
I hope to be a good father, and I know my brothers will have my back and be amazing uncles. I’m looking forward to our little one arriving, but the thought of having a tiny, helpless baby relying on me makes me want to go take another lap around the property.
The need to protect my cub and my mate is almost overwhelming. But I also realize now that there are some things in this life that I won’t ever be able to stop or protect them from.
It’s inevitable that our cub will fall, they’ll get scrapes and bruises, they’ll mess up and make mistakes. They’ll grow and learn, they’ll fail and succeed. The weight of how everything is going to change, very soon, is heavy, but there’s also a feeling of comfort in it.
The future stretches before us and it is full of possibilities, but it has to start somewhere.
Ripp is working hard to get the word out that the Bosch pack is open to those who need a home. We’re hoping shifters, bears as well as others, find their way here to make the forest surrounding Whispering Pines their home.
He held onto bitterness after everyone walked away from the pack that they were supposed to be loyal to, but he’s learning it’s time to forgive and try to regain the legacy our parents left behind and entrusted to us. Maybe going back to just us was part of the Moon Goddess’ plan. We’re coming to terms with the fact that it’s not for us to question.
When I’m close enough, I hook my arm around Birdie’s waist and pull her closer to me. Our bodies can’t press together the way they used to, but I’m okay with it since it means her bump is between us. The feeling of our cub kicking against my torso has me grinning down at the woman who holds my entire heart in her hands.
“You’re gorgeous,” I murmur softly and watch as my mate, my wife, light up.
Yes, my wife. The first thing I did after my shop opened was ask my mate to marry me which she did only a month later. It wasn’t a big affair, but it was perfect for us with the forest surrounding us and our family there to witness it.
I love seeing my rings on her finger. Knowing she is mine entirely hasn’t changed how possessive I am. I think, actually, it’s gotten worse, but that might be because of the pregnancy.
“I’m huge,” Birdie pouts.
I shake my head and smirk down at my woman before scooping her up and carrying her back inside. She lets out a yelp as she loops her arm around my neck and holds on tight.
“You’re not huge,” I growl, “you’re perfect.”
“Thatcher,” she admonishes, “what are you doing?”
With a grin, I shoulder my way into our bedroom and then kick the door closed behind me. “I’m going to show my mate, my wife, the love of my life, just how beautiful she is.” I gently put her down, holding her hips until I know she’s steady on her feet. “I’m going to worship you.”
Her big blue eyes blink up at me before a slow, sexy as fuck smile spreads across her face. She starts to strip quickly, as if she can’t wait for me to follow through with my promise.
My bear grumbles his approval, especially when her round belly comes into view. I drop down to my knees and frame her bump with my large hands. While pressing kisses against where she’s growing my cub, I gently lead her backward until she’s at the edge of the bed.
I take a deep breath, the scent of her arousal making her wildflower and sunshine scent even sweeter. The needy groan she lets out has my dick weeping. After standing up quickly, I help her lie down before getting back into position between my mate’s spread thighs.
“Thatcher,” she moans, “I need you inside of me. Don’t make me wait,” she pleads.
I growl, desperately wanting to bury my face between her thighs while also wanting to give her exactly what she wants. “Later,” I whisper to my mate’s pussy which makes her giggle.
After I stand, I help Birdie move until she’s on her hands and knees. I push a few pillows under her hips because I know it helps make her comfortable. The sight of her pretty pussy dripping for me has my cock begging to be buried deep inside of her.
While I grip the base of my shaft, I run the tip up and down the seam of her pussy to coat me with her arousal. Birdie tries to push back against me, wanting me and not willing to wait.
“I’ve got you,” I murmur as I start to push my length inside of her, moving slowly because I want to savor the feeling.
She’s still so fucking tight and the way her wet heat wraps around me is so fucking good. Knowing I’m the only one who has ever touched her like this, the only one who has ever been inside of her, has my fingers flexing on her hips and holding tight.
I slam the rest of the way inside of her and her back arches as she throws her head back and moans, “Yes, Thatcher.”
After letting go of one of her hips, I slap her ass, the sound echoing in our room as I watch her skin pink with the impact. The way she pushes back tells me she wants more.
With a snarl, I start to fuck her hard and fast. She can take it. Not only that, but she wants it.
Tingles envelop our bodies as we get lost in the pleasure building between us. The walls of her pussy start to flutter and I lean over her back, my lips nipping at the shell of her ear. I kiss down her neck until I get to her mark.
Just as she teeters on the edge, I bite down on her mark and she explodes. I pump my hips a few more times before I go as deep as I can and join her. The way she tightens around me has my eyes crossing and my body going weak.
I flop on my side, pulling my mate along with me while keeping my dick inside of her. The contented sigh she lets out as I wrap myself around her has me smiling against her hair.
While it’s true that I tried to convince myself that I didn’t want a mate, I’m grateful that she’s in my life. I’ll love her, put her first, and ensure every day of our lives is full of love.
She deserves bliss and nothing less will be acceptable.