Page 37 of Coveted By The Bear

“Hope?”

I turned towards the familiar voice and saw Betty standing in the doorway, looking uncertain.

“Betty,” I said, glad to see a familiar face.

Her wobbly smile told me all I needed to know, and I stood up and ran to my friend. We hugged, and she sobbed her apologies.

“I am so sorry I had to keep secrets from you,” she said, and I nodded.

“It’s okay. I understand,” I began when she tipped her head and sniffed me.

“Oh my Gods! You’re mated!”

“I am,” I replied with a wide grin.

“Wow! Congratulations, but I guess you feel kind of scared about all this now. Are you scared of me?” she murmured.

“Oddly enough, I’m not. I mean, I haven’t really met Miles’ Bear yet, but he told me he would show him to me after all this, you know, when we know what we’re doing,” I replied.

“And are you really sure about him,” she asked.

I felt the stares of everyone in the room. All of them were focused on me. I straightened my spine and told the absolute truth.

“I am more certain of Miles Orson than I’ve ever been of anyone in my entire life.”

Chapter Seventeen-Miles

“That’s quite a mate you have,” Alpha Devlin said and patted me on the back.

After pleading my case and listening to the Alpha’s ruling on my status, I thought the day couldn’t get any better. The Barvale Clan was offering me probationary membership to the Clan provided I proved productive and nonproblematic.

They were not kicking me out. In fact, they were offering me not only a place for my Bear to feel grounded, but a place to belong. A home where I could be with my mate and live my life as I chose.

But even the joy that came from all that was nothing compared to hearing Hope’s words as I exited the private office.

“I am more certain of Miles Orson than I’ve ever been of anyone in my entire life.”

I did not hesitate. Not for a second. I crossed the room and took my mate’s hand, pulling her out of the chair and into my arms.

“Come here,” I growled.

I pressed my face against the soft skin of her neck just to breathe her in.

This was real.

She was real.

And my feelings for her were almost overwhelming.

“I love you, Hope. I love you so much,” I told her, almost losing it right there and then.

“Miles! I love you too. What happened? Are you okay?” she asked, holding on to me just as tightly as I was holding on to her.

“Yeah, Pretty Girl. We’re both okay,” I promised.

It took another minute, but once my Bear settled down, I eased my grip and loosened my hold. Hope’s smile was blinding as I stepped back, and I noted with pleasure the fact she kept hold of my hand.

“Betty, this is Miles. My mate,” Hope said and beamed at me.

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