Page 23 of The Bear's Blooming Mate

One day. One day very soon, she’ll know,his bear purred, so content it made Philip smile without meaning to.

One day soon,Philip repeated.As long as she doesn’t ditch us when she learns the truth.

Why would she, when we fit together so perfectly?his bear rumbled lazily.Like she’s always been a part of us, a part of our lives.

Philip tightened his grip on the wheel, hoping his bear was right. He didn’t want to scare her off by moving too fast.

It’ll be fine,his bear assured him.Just remember—patience. Respect.

His bear was right. It was how he’d been raised and how he’d lived his life so far, and there was no reason to change.

Even if everything had changed, now thatshewas here.

Philip couldn’t help himself as he sneaked another glance at her, just to make sure she was real. That his mate wasn’t something he’d conjured from his imagination. Because she was everything he had always imagined.

She caught him looking and lifted a brow, an amused tilt to her mouth.

“You planning to tell me where we’re going?” she asked lightly.

Philip chuckled. “Nope. It’s a surprise.”

She mock-sighed, leaning back against the seat. “I’m not sure I signed up for surprise adventures when I agreed to trust you.”

“You’ll like it,” Philip said, grinning. “I promise.”

He watched the familiar fields roll by and allowed himself to relax a little.

This—being beside his mate, sharing these simple moments—felt better than anything he could remember.

Still, a flicker of doubt crept in.

He cleared his throat, glancing sideways at her again. What if he was wrong?

He’d promised her she’d like the surprise, but she had a lot of work to do at the farm. And he’d dragged her away from it.

For a second, uncertainty gnawed at him.

Maybe she’d only agreed because she was polite. Maybe she’d rather be elbow-deep in irrigation pipe than sitting here with him.

She needs this,his bear murmured.We know all too well that work isn’t everything.

You’re right,Philip conceded.Work used to be everything to me. The vineyard, vines, grapes, seasons. That was it. But now…

He tapped the wheel lightly with one finger, feeling the truth of it settle in his bones.

But now we have our mate, and everything has changed,his bear said happily.

The road wound through the low hills, the sun high and bright overhead.

Philip’s bear settled inside him, a steady presence as always. But now he felt different. Content.

No more waiting. No more wondering if they would ever find the other half that would make them whole, because she was here beside them. At last.

Philip’s chest swelled with hope.

Big, blooming, unstoppable hope.

Hope that they had found their elusive happily ever after, just like his brother Kris had in Cassia.

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