Page 30 of Fated to the Grizzly

“What else did she say?”

“That she’d also be a water sign.”

She gasps. “I’m a Pisces.”

“Figures.” I indicate the room with a grin.

“What about you?”

“Scorpio. Most compatible signs. At least my mom says so.”

“What else, what else?”

My chest warms. It’s adorable how enthusiastic she is. And I’ve been longing to tell her everything.

“She said I needed to get ready for you, and make you real comfortable. So I built this place.”

She goes still. “You built this place forme?”

“Yup. I used to live in a hut in my clan’s territory, but I knew you needed something more. A whole lot more.

She looks around in wonder. “It’s like my dream home. Everything is exactly as I’d choose it.”

I laugh. “That’s how I planned it.”

“But how did you know what I liked?”

“The fates guided me. Along with a little help from my mom.”

She gives a laugh, part disbelief, part joy.

“This is all for you, Scout.”

“But… it’s so much.”

“My mom told me you’d be someone who’d been deprived of a lot of stuff in life.”

She sighs. “Prepper life ain’t easy.”

There’s a twinge in my chest. She’s still so self-deprecating, despite everything she’s been through. “I can’t even imagine,” I say. “But I promise you, you’ll never lack anything in life again. If there’s anything you need, just let me know and I’ll make it happen.” I raise her fingers to my lips and kiss them.

“Oh, you’ve done so much for me already.”

“It’s the least I’d do for you, Scout. Don’t you understand that? You’re my mate. And I’m going to spend the rest of our lives loving and protecting you as hard as I can.”

She gives a little gasp. While her lips are parted, I dip my head and claim them again.

It’s gonna take a lot for Scout to believe that I’m for real. I understand that.

Luckily, I’ve got all the time in the world. She’s got my mark on her neck; my beast is sated, and all I need to do is prove to her how much I love her.

12

Scout

Orion takes my hand and leads me through his beautiful house.Myhouse, as he keeps telling me.

Yesterday we barely made it out of the pool or bed, breaking only to eat, but now he’s eager to show me around. It’s weird though; I feel like this house has been waiting for me all this time. Like it was all complete, and the only thing missing was me.

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