Page 31 of Dawn Unearthed

Her eyes widened, and her hand reached out as if to touch. My bear preened, wanting her fingers, wanting her caress, but she froze as if finally aware of what she was doing.

“Oh, I didn’t mean...”

“You can touch me anytime you want, Sage,” I said and could have rightly kicked myself. “I mean. Well…” I was standing so close to her then, I could inhale that sweet rose scent of hers.

“Why do I feel like I know you?” she asked, her voice breathy.

I looked down at her, my bear pushing at me, but I knew I needed to pull back. “There are some things you don’t know, Sage.”

She let out a slight growl, and my bear perked up, my cock hardening at the sound. “I hate that. Everyone keeps telling me I don’t know things. And it’s true, but how am I supposed to learn them if you all won’t tell me? I believe in magic now. It’s only been a few days, but I’m going strong into opening this bakery and fighting revenants and working with magic and pretending that I know what I’m doing. Nobody is telling me everything, and I feel like I’m always a hundred steps behind. Just tell me, Rome. What are you hiding?”

I looked into her eyes and held back a curse. “We’re mates,” I blurted, knowing I would probably regret this. My bear pushed at me, even as it winced a bit at my brevity.

She blinked at me then. “What?”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Shit. I’m usually better at this.”

“Better at what? How many women have you told that you’re mated? What does that even mean?”

I ran my hand through my hair and then over my beard. “Many of thoseother—bear shifters, other shifters, even witches—have someone they’re fated to be with. Through a series of choices, you can create a bond with your mate, and they will be forever yours—throughout eternity. The mating bond is different for each person or triad, and it changes over time to be what the people need it to be. It’s personal, and it’s everything. It’s the future. It’s a glimpse into who you could be. It’s a connection of souls.”

She looked at me then and shook her head. “No, you don’t even know me.”

I let out a breath. “My bear does. And the man wants to know you.”

“This is all too much. I don’t understand.”

This was what I was afraid of—at least one of the many things these days. “I know. And most people find their mates either within their den, or it’s someone who already knows all the histories that go into the concept of mating bonds. I didn’t want to tell you. At least, not yet.”

Sage narrowed her eyes. “I asked you to tell me all of your secrets, and now you’re telling me I’m your mate? That we’re fated?”

“We can say no. We can walk away.” It was a complete lie. I reached out, unable to stop myself, and pushed a stray lock of her hair behind an ear. Her eyes widened, her pupils dilating as her mouth parted. “I don’t want to walk away. At least, not until I know you.”

“And if you find out who I am, will you walk away?” she asked, confusion etched on her face.

Never.“I don’t know. But I’d like to find out. I want to see who you are. I want my bear to know you. The man wants it, as well.”

“I don’t understand what this means,” she whispered.

“I know. I know you don’t understand a lot of what’s going on, and that you’re trying to keep up. I didn’t want to throw this at you on top of everything else, but you can feel it, can’t you? The connection?”

She licked her lips, and I saw sadness there for a brief instant. I wanted to kick myself.

“It doesn’t change how you loved him,” I whispered, and she pulled away, her expression turning stony.

“Nothing can change that.”

My heart ignored the punch. This wasn’t about me. I’d never be a replacement. That wasn’t what fate dealt. None of this was easy, and all I could do was lumber over and get in her space. “I know our hearts can do many things and not forget. So, I’m going to go now because I know you have a lot to think about. I feel the connection, and I know you do, too. Or at least I hope you do.”

She looked at me, her eyes wide, a pleading look in her gaze. “I don’t know what to think right now, Rome.”

“I know. So, I’m going to go. I’ll be back. Even if it’s so you can push me away. I’m also here as the alpha of the bears to protect our town. So, I’ll be back.”

I wanted to reach out, to touch her, but I didn’t. I turned on my heel and left, leaving her confused and in pain. I could feel it.

And I hated myself for it.

I closed the door behind me and frowned, sniffing the air. Had someone been here? Listening? I didn’t know, but I pulled out my phone and called Jaxton to ask that his wing keep an eye on her.

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