Page 48 of Their Fated Magic

It’s strange. I feel like he’s telling the truth, deep in my heart.

I study him, then ruffle his hair. To my surprise, he smiles. “I’m just trying to picture that life with you.” Then my thoughts start working. “You know Garrick is part of my future too. My husband. And one of my mates.”

Arlys sighs, but then draws his shoulders back. “In one way, the idea of being tied to the bears is horrific. But in another, it’d be nice to be responsible for bringing peace between our peoples. It wasn’t in the plan, but we can adjust our plan for you.”

I’m happy to hear that. After all their hatred for Garrick, it’d be nice to see them all getting along.

“So, my big men who love planning, what’s the new plan? You know, after we fix this curse.”

Arlys seems to think for a minute before responding. “As a unit, we’ll likely spend time in each shifter territory throughout the year, being seen by all three of our people, and getting to know the bears. To solidify our peace with them. We’ll likely travel less when babies start coming–”

“Babies?” I say.

Drogo grins wickedly. “We’re going to have so many babies.”

Rinan gives my ass a little smack. “I hope you like being pregnant, because you’re going to be all the time. Gods willing.”

Drogo’s hand finds my other asscheek, and he squeezes. “Hell, there may be a baby in there right now.”

My cheeks heat. “I think I’d love a large family.”

Rinan steals a kiss, and my breath. “You’ll have whatever you want.”

“Even if it means bonding with the bear,” Drogo says with a smile. Then he puts one arm behind his head, looking up at the clouds. “It’s strange. Not being angry. It’s not like I’m ever going to forget my brothers, but I’m also not honoring them by being a dick all the time.”

“Grief is a funny thing,” I say.

Our eyes meet. He leans up and kisses me. “I’ve got some stuff to work out, but I’m going to work on it, and I'm never going to take my grief out on you again. I promise.”

“I know,” I say, and I do.

Things are different now. Different in every way. It’s not just their attitudes. It’s like a shift inside us. Like we’re puzzle pieces that have come together. There’s a harmony between us that I could’ve never dreamed about before.

“So, round two?” Rinan asks, in a sweet, hopeful voice.

Drogo laughs. “I think our bride might enjoy the end to this mission and a warm bed.”

“I would,” I admit.

Although the idea of a round two isn’t that bad…

Rinan sighs. “So, back to the mission?”

I nod, even though I’m reluctant. “Back to the mission.”

The truth is, things won’t feel perfect until we’re with Garrick. This harmony isn’t real without him.

“Let’s head back to the cave,” Arlys declares, and then rises to his feet.

The men carefully help me climb out of the hot spring, and use the blanket to dry me off. Their touch is soft. Their care of me is so tender, it warms my heart. When I’m dry, they dress, and I wrap the blanket around myself. Then we head back to Garrick.

As we walk, the men surround me like an army squadron. There’s a man less than an arm’s length away on either side of me and behind me. And… I feel safe. Cared for. One of them.

It’s strange. There’s definitely been a shift between us that isn’t just because of the sex. If it’s the mate stuff, I don’t know, but I know it’s something.

Anxiety ties my stomach in knots as we approach the cave. We’re going to have to tell Garrick what we did, and I don’t know how he’s going to react. Yes, he agreed to sharing me with the men when we signed the alliance, but I would’ve felt better if we’d discussed our relationships before having sex with the wolves.

I stop near the cave entrance, unable to take another step forward.

---