Page 14 of Goldie & the Bear

My family has been watching me go through it ever since I returned from Tahoe. After I told them how I felt about Marie,there was no doubt about my intentions towards her.

And now here we are. Ready to get fucking married!

I’ve been eating her up from the moment she appeared at the top of the stairs, looking like a fucking vision floating onan ivory cloud. Imagining what it will feel like to drag my lips along her bare shoulders and elegant neckline. Kiss and lick my mark on her rich brown skin. I wanted to rush to the second floor and plaster her luscious body to mine. Inhale her amazing scent. Lean in and kiss her delicious lips. Over and over. Get drunk on the taste of her. But all that can wait. Because more than anything, I want to show my girl that she’s it for me. That we’re the real deal. I’m not fucking going anywhere. From here on out, it’s me, her, our cub, and the rest of the family we’ll build together. Forever. Because the way Marie looked at me yesterday, the pain and uncertainty I read in her deep brown gaze… I never want to see that again. And it’s my job to make sure my mate knows her place in my life. In my heart and soul.

* * *

I take Marie’s delicate hand in mine and bring it to my lips, pressing a kiss on her knuckles.

“Hi, baby.”

Her smile is uncertain, but it’s there. Good.

“Hi, Maverick.”

The officiant clears his throat and we both turn to him. I exchange a quick look with my dad, and he winks at me in support. Edna is standing by Marie’s side, wiping the corners of her eyes. Her worried gaze has been replaced with one of hope and emotion.

“We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Maverick Jonathan Ursinus and Marie Helen Flores.”

I steal a glance at Marie, and my heart feels like it’s about to explode with love. My bear is so fucking happy. So relieved to be reunited with our mate. I can feel an electric hum in the surrounding air. Like things are falling into place. Everything finally aligning as it should be.

“Do you, Marie, take Maverick as your life-mate, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish until death do you part?”

I can hear my heartbeat pound in my ears while Mr. Williamson, one of my father’s old army buddies, recites the solemn words. Marie’s lovely face is turned to him. Her eyes, intense. Her expression grave. She looks like she’s listening with her entire soul. And when she finally speaks, the giant boulder resting on my chest crumbles to dust. The two simple words that escape her lips are a balm to my heart.

“I do.”

* * *

MARIE

I turn my gaze to Maverick and breathe out my words of consent. My vow to honor our bond, cherish my mate, and be devoted to the lifetime we’ll spend together. And the smile with which he greeted me, his expression when our eyes first met today… The way he looked right now when Mr. Williamson recited my vows… My fears and doubts titter on their foundation. They melt under the heated indigo of my alpha’s eyes.

Mr. Williamson repeats the same words for Maverick to make his vows. But my mate doesn’t simply voice his assent. He fucking rocks my world… His hypnotic gaze never leaving mine, Mav takes a step to close the distance between us. He leans over and rests his forehead on mine, laying a hand on my rounded belly.

“Hey.” His voice is a low, soft rumble that course through my veins and spreads warmth in my heart.

“Hey,” I respond in an unsteady voice.

“I’m sorry I was such a dick yesterday.”

I let out a small, breathy laugh, feeling my eyes prickle with the sting of tears.

Everything is quiet around us. Like the others are holding their breath, and giving us this moment.

“I’m sorry I was a dick for all the time we worked together.”

“Mav, you were not-”

He interrupts me. “I was. A stupid, grumpy-ass dick, up his own ass, who couldn’t open his eyes to see his omega wanted him too.”

I let out a watery giggle and watch Mav’s beautiful mouth hook up on side. Is this really fucking happening?!

I take in a deep inhale and my lungs fill with Mav’s wild scent. It’s home. It’s exciting. It’s comfort and adventure, all wrapped up in one.

“I apologize for making you doubt for a single second that you’re not the most important thing in my life.”

I freeze in place, feeling my eyes widen. The most important thing in his life? What the fuck?!

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