Page 20 of Bigfoot's Bride

"Yeah, yeah," I grin. "But remember, the mating bond isn't truly solidified until..." I waggle my eyebrows suggestively.

They both nod knowingly. It's common knowledge among our kind that the final step in bonding with our fated mate involves the transfer of genetic material from our soulstone during intercourse. It's a beautiful, sacred process that...oh, who am I kidding? It's also incredibly nerve-wracking when you've never actually fucked a female before.

Suddenly, a hush falls over the crowd. I turn to see what's caught everyone's attention, and my breath catches in my throat. There she is. Surrounded by the other human women and looking absolutely radiant.

"Uh oh," Taredd chuckles. "We've lost him again.

But I barely hear him. My feet are already moving of their own accord, carrying me toward my mate like she's got her own gravitational pull.

As I approach, I glower at the few other males eyeing her appreciatively. A threatening growl rumbles in my chest before I can stop it.

They get the message and back away from her immediately.

"Hey there, handsome," Kiki greets me with a dazzling smile that melts my heart into goo. "Fancy meeting you here."

I grin back, probably looking like a lovesick puppy. "You look absolutely gorgeous."

She glances down at her outfit and chuckles. "What, this old thing? Just a little something I threw on."

"It’s not the clothing," I tell her earnestly.

A slight blush colors her cheeks, and I feel a surge of pride at being able to elicit that reaction.

"So," she says, looking around at the festivities. "This is a hoedown, huh? I have to say, it's not quite what I was expecting."

I follow her gaze, taking in the dancing, the long banquet tables overflowing with food, and the lively band. "Oh? And what were you expecting?"

She shrugs, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I don't know. None of us had any idea what a hoedown was."

I can't help but laugh until I notice a few more males glancing our way. Without thinking, I step closer to Kiki, placing a protective hand on her lower back.Mine, the primal part of my brain insists again.

Kiki raises an eyebrow at me. "Everything okay there, big guy? You look like you're about to challenge someone to a duel."

I force myself to relax, feeling slightly embarrassed by my primitive behavior. But it can’t be helped. I am a male with his mate who has yet to claim her. "I just...There are a lot of unmated males here."

She looks torn between amusement and exasperation. "Gruffydd, I appreciate the sentiment, but I can handle myself." She adds a wink.

I nod, conceding. "It's just...this is all new to me. I'm not used to feeling so..."

"Possessive?" she supplies helpfully.

I wince. "Protective."

Chapter 13

Kiki

I've seen some wild parties in my day, but this? This takes the cake. And probably eats it too, judging by the mountain of desserts on one of the many overflowing buffet tables.

Gruffydd's massive paw engulfs my hand as he leads me toward the dance floor. "Ready to learn how to square dance?" His fanged grin is infectious.

"As ready as I'll ever be to potentially embarrass myself in front of an entire underground civilization," I quip.

He chuckles, a deep rumble that vibrates through me. "You'll do great. Just follow my lead."

Gruffydd ushers me to the side of the dance floor and as the dance progresses, a booming voice hollers out calls while Gruffydd teaches me the steps. I learn how to allemande left, do-si-do, and promende all while enormous furry bodies twirl around us sporting grins as wide as the Mississippi. It's chaos and I do my best to keep up.

These Sasquatches really know how to party.

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