Page 30 of Marked By The Grouchy Grizzly

Just thinking about my mate’s name feels like my insides are ballooning with happiness. “Lainey. She’s perfect.”

The cold look the Kodiak shifter is giving me thaws and he warms up. “I’m happy for you, man.”

“Thanks,” I say, shaking his hand. “So, we’re cool?”

“Water under the bridge.”

“That’s a relief,” I say, showing them to my station. “I’ve been feeling bad about it. Let’s get that tattoo finished.”

Curt tries flirting with Victoria, again, and gets shut down, again. It’s a pretty normal day in the shop.

Until Lainey explodes into the place with a smile so radiant it makes my heart ache.

“I got the job!” she squeals, bursting with excitement.

I leap off my stool, scoop her up in my arms, and spin her around, hugging her like I’m never going to let go.

“So, that means you’re staying?” I ask as I lower her to her feet.

She cups my cheeks and looks me in the eyes. “Are you kidding? I was never going to leave. I’m with you for life, baby.”

I kiss those soft juicy lips, pouring every ounce of love,possession, and raw need into it. She’s mine—always has been, always will be.

When I finally pull back, she’s breathless with those beautiful brown eyes shining up at me.

"For life," I echo, brushing my thumb over her flushed cheek. “Forever.”

EPILOGUE

Julian

Two years later…

Everyone’s over at our place for a summer BBQ—Magnus, Victoria, and our parents who are visiting from Switzerland to see their grandcub for the second time. They came to visit when Lainey first gave birth and they instantly fell in love with my mate.

“Why didn’t you go find her years ago?” my dad joked when he saw us together for the first time. “I didn’t know my son could be so happy.”

“Believe me,” I said, “if I’d known where to look, I would have.”

“Could have saved us a lot of trouble,” Magnus added. “Remember how intense and brooding Julian was? Always growling at everyone? It was exhausting.”

Lainey laughed, nudging me with her hip. “I kind of liked brooding Julian.”

I narrowed my eyes playfully and whispered to her. “One brooding grizzly bear shifter coming up tonight, just for you.”

She gave me a salacious smile. “I can’t wait.”

I’m so happy we’re all together again. Our little one, Angelica, is growing up so fast.

She’s resting on Lainey’s jutting hip, playing with her mom’s blonde hair and laughing her adorable little head off as I cook the burgers on the grill.

“This is so wonderful,” Mom says as she looks around at all of the smiling faces. “Love, laughter, and a full house. I’m so proud of you, son.”

“Thanks, Mom,” I say, blushing.

“And I’m proud of this little one,” Mom says, reaching for Angelica. Angelica smiles wide when she sees her grandmother’s outstretched arms and reaches for her back.

They both giggle as Lainey hands her over. The instant my mom has our little grizzly cub, Lainey sidles up beside me and slides her hand up my back.

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