Page 34 of Wooded Bliss

I throw my head back, his name coming out as a loud groan to echo in the practically empty office. Thatcher grips my hips, his fingers flexing as he starts to pound into me. Every punch of his hips is a claiming, one I accept readily.

This man, this bear shifter, is all mine and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

While I had a crush on Thatcher, I never really knew the boy I liked from afar. Knowing him now, loving him with everything I am, being trusted with his truth and his secrets, is even better than the fantasies I used to have. I wouldn’t trade this feeling for anything.

And I’m sure we’ll have the future we both desire which will include cubs and wooded bliss. I can’t wait to experience it all with him, and his bear, at my side.

EPILOGUE

SEVEN-ISH MONTHS LATER

THATCHER

“Go find mate,”my bear urges me the moment I step through the tree line next to our home. There’s a whine in his growl only our mate can cause,“Want to see mate.”

I understand why my bear wants me to go and find Birdie. Right now, she’s too uncomfortable to join us on our runs and there’s no way we would put her on our back and let her ride us like we used to. He misses having those moments with her. It’s not like she’s neglecting him; she often comes out and walks next to us and explores the forest, but there are times when she’s not feeling up to it and he needs to get out in his bear form.

“Don’t worry, you’ll have her on your back again soon. It’ll be worth it,”I remind him.

He chuffs, the sound filled with understanding and sorrow equally. I feel for him, he misses his mate, but I can also feel how proud he is. Soon we’ll be welcoming our first cub. It feels like a turning point, like we’re truly healing from the past.

His rumble of approval makes me smile and we effortlessly shift into our human form before we reach the back porch of our cabin. Just as I go to step up, the door opens, and my breath gets caught in my lungs. There she is. Our mate.

I recognized how stunning Birdie was the day she arrived out here with a flower delivery, but right now she’s glowing. Then there’s her very round pregnant belly. There isn’t a sexier sight in this world than my mate pregnant with our cub.

“Mate,” I growl, my bear joining me.

Birdie grins at me as her hand cradles her belly. Experiencing her bringing life into this world has been amazing. And surreal. And terrifying.

I hope to be a good father, and I know my brothers will have my back and be amazing uncles. I’m looking forward to our little one arriving, but the thought of having a tiny, helpless baby relying on me makes me want to go take another lap around the property.

The need to protect my cub and my mate is almost overwhelming. But I also realize now that there are some things in this life that I won’t ever be able to stop or protect them from.

It’s inevitable that our cub will fall, they’ll get scrapes and bruises, they’ll mess up and make mistakes. They’ll grow and learn, they’ll fail and succeed. The weight of how everything is going to change, very soon, is heavy, but there’s also a feeling of comfort in it.

The future stretches before us and it is full of possibilities, but it has to start somewhere.

Ripp is working hard to get the word out that the Bosch pack is open to those who need a home. We’re hoping shifters, bears as well as others, find their way here to make the forest surrounding Whispering Pines their home.

He held onto bitterness after everyone walked away from the pack that they were supposed to be loyal to, but he’s learning it’s time to forgive and try to regain the legacy our parents left behind and entrusted to us. Maybe going back to just us was part of the Moon Goddess’ plan. We’re coming to terms with the fact that it’s not for us to question.

When I’m close enough, I hook my arm around Birdie’s waist and pull her closer to me. Our bodies can’t press together the way they used to, but I’m okay with it since it means her bump is between us. The feeling of our cub kicking against my torso has me grinning down at the woman who holds my entire heart in her hands.

“You’re gorgeous,” I murmur softly and watch as my mate, my wife, light up.

Yes, my wife. The first thing I did after my shop opened was ask my mate to marry me which she did only a month later. It wasn’t a big affair, but it was perfect for us with the forest surrounding us and our family there to witness it.

I love seeing my rings on her finger. Knowing she is mine entirely hasn’t changed how possessive I am. I think, actually, it’s gotten worse, but that might be because of the pregnancy.

“I’m huge,” Birdie pouts.

I shake my head and smirk down at my woman before scooping her up and carrying her back inside. She lets out a yelp as she loops her arm around my neck and holds on tight.

“You’re not huge,” I growl, “you’re perfect.”

“Thatcher,” she admonishes, “what are you doing?”

With a grin, I shoulder my way into our bedroom and then kick the door closed behind me. “I’m going to show my mate, my wife, the love of my life, just how beautiful she is.” I gently put her down, holding her hips until I know she’s steady on her feet. “I’m going to worship you.”

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