Page 13 of Bear Love's Hidden Destiny
I chuckled, my lips brushing her temple. “No promises. Trouble follows you, remember?”
She turned in my arms, her eyes catching the firelight, a small smile playing on her lips. “Me? You’re the one turning into a bear and fighting creepy snake guys.”
“Had to,” I said, my hand sliding to her hip, my fingers brushing the edge of her shirt. “Couldn’t let him get to you.”
Her smile softened, and she leaned in, kissing me gently, her lips warm and soft against mine. “You’re too brave for your own good,” she said, pulling back just enough to look at me, her hands resting on my chest.
“Brave?” I said, raising an eyebrow. “Or just crazy about you?”
She laughed, the sound light and warm, and kissed me again, this time with a rising need, her hands sliding to my shoulders, fingers digging in. I pulled her closer, my lips moving against hers, the bond flaring hot between us. Her hands tugged at my shirt, pulling it up, and I helped her, tossing it aside, the cool night air hitting my skin. She ran her hands down my chest, her touch light but deliberate, tracing the lines of my scars, the shifter rune, lingering on the fading wounds. I kissed her neck, slow and deliberate, my lips lingering on her pulse, and she shivered, her breath hitching as she pressed herself closer.
“Benedict,” she whispered, her voice soft but urgent, her hands sliding to my waist, tugging at my belt. I lifted her shirt, pulling it over her head, my hands roaming her back, feeling the warmth of her skin, the curve of her spine. She arched into me, her lips finding mine again, kissing me deeply as her fingers worked my belt loose. I slid her pants down, my hands brushing the soft skin of her thighs, and she gasped, her handsgripping my shoulders. We moved together, sinking to the grass beside the fire, the warmth of the flames mixing with the heat of our bodies. I kissed her slowly, my lips tracing her jaw, her collarbone, lingering on the curve of her shoulder, tasting the faint salt of her skin. Her hands roamed my chest, my back, memorizing every inch, her nails grazing my skin as she pulled me closer.
“I love you,” she murmured against my lips, her voice barely audible, but it hit me like a shockwave, the bond flaring brighter. I pulled back just enough to look at her, her eyes dark and certain in the firelight.
“I love you too,” I said, my voice rough, my hand cupping her face. I kissed her again, deeper, slower, pouring everything into it. She moaned softly, her legs wrapping around my waist as I moved over her, my hands sliding down her sides, tracing the curve of her hips. I undid her bra, letting it fall away, my lips moving to her throat, kissing the pulse there, then lower, teasing the soft curve of her breast. She arched into me, her breath coming in soft gasps, her fingers tangling in my hair as I kissed lower, my tongue brushing her skin, drawing a shiver from her.
I slid my jeans off, the grass cool against my skin, and pulled her against me, her body fitting perfectly against mine. Her hands roamed my shoulders, my chest, her touch igniting every nerve. I kissed her again, slow and deep, my hands framing her face as I entered her, deliberate and steady, each movement drawing us closer. She whispered my name, her voice soft, certain, and I moved with her, our bodies finding a rhythm that felt like it had always been there. The bond deepened, a pulse that bound us, body and soul. I kissed her throat, her shoulder, my lips lingering as we rocked together, the fire’s warmth mixing with the heat of our connection. Her hands gripped my back, her nails digging in as our movements grew stronger, morepurposeful, but never rushed. Every touch, every breath was a vow, a promise that this was real, final, complete.
When we collapsed together, breathless and warm, I pulled her into my arms, her body fitting against mine like it was made to. She rested her head on my chest, her breath steady, her fingers tracing lazy circles on my skin. The fire crackled, its light dancing across her face, and I felt the bond, stronger than ever, a tie that went beyond the forest, beyond the Veil. “We’re in this together,” she said, her voice quiet but firm. “The Council, whatever they want, they don’t get to decide my fate. We face them together.”
I nodded, my hand brushing through her hair. “Together,” I said, my voice steady. “No matter what.”
She lifted her head, her eyes meeting mine. “You mean that?”
“Always,” I said, kissing her softly. “You’re stuck with me now.”
She smiled, nestling back against me. “Good. I like my bear man.”
I chuckled, holding her close, the stream’s soft murmur blending with the fire’s crackle. The forest felt calm, its energy settled, but I knew the Council wouldn’t stay quiet. Isabella’s bloodline, the pendant, the Veil’s awakening, it was too much for them to ignore. But for now, we had this moment, this quiet under the stars.
In the flames, I saw a symbol rise from the wood, the claw-and-flame rune of the Council’s summons.
Chapter Thirteen
Isabella
I stood before the Council, the pendant glowing faintly at my neck, its warmth a steady pulse against my skin. The chamber was carved deep into the heart of Esoterra, its walls lined with ancient roots that twisted like veins, glowing runes etched into their surfaces. The air was thick, heavy with the scent of earth and old magic. Five elders sat at a curved stone table, their faces stern, their eyes sharp with suspicion. Benedict stood beside me, his arm in a sling, his shoulder still healing from the fight with Marek. His eyes were unwavering, fixed on the elders, his body tense but solid, a quiet strength that grounded me. My heart pounded, but I kept my chin up, refusing to let them see me falter.
The lead elder, a woman with silver hair and hawk-like eyes, leaned forward, her voice cold. “Isabella Washington, you crossed the Veil without permission. You awakened the old blood, stirred the forest’s magic. Why? What right do you have to carry its power?”
I took a breath, steadying myself. “I didn’t come here to take anything,” I said, my voice clear despite the knot in my stomach. “I came for answers. My grandfather left me a journal, led me to Fir Hollow, to Esoterra. I didn’t break the Veil. It let me in. The forest chose to show me the truth. That means something, doesn’t it?”
A murmur ran through the elders, their faces unreadable. A man with a bear’s broad build, his beard streaked with gray, slammed a fist on the table. “You’re a danger,” he said, his voice booming. “Your bloodline was sealed for a reason. The Veilborn nearly destroyed us once. You could do it again.”
“I’m not here to destroy anything,” I said, stepping forward, my hands clenched. “I didn’t ask for this power, but it’s mine now. The forest woke up because of me, not to hurt you, but to protect itself. You can’t control it anymore. It speaks through me, through my blood, through the bond.”
The hawk-eyed elder’s gaze flicked to the pendant, her lips thinning. “That relic belongs to Esoterra,” she said. “Give it up. Prove you’re not a threat.”
I touched the pendant, its warmth spreading through my fingers. “No,” I said, my voice firm. “This is my birthright. My grandfather sealed it to keep it safe, not to hide it from me. I’m not giving it up.”
The elders exchanged glances, tension crackling in the air. The bearded man opened his mouth to argue, but Benedict stepped forward, his voice steady despite the pain I knew he was hiding. “She’s my mate,” he said, the words ringing clear in the chamber. “I claim her, by the old laws. Her fate’s tied to mine now. You can’t exile her or erase her. She’s part of Esoterra, same as me.”
Silence fell, heavy and absolute. The elders stared, their expressions shifting from suspicion to something else, recognition, maybe even respect. The hawk-eyed elder leanedback, her eyes narrowing. “A guardian’s mate,” she said, her voice softer now. “That changes things.”
“Does it?” I said, glancing at Benedict, my heart swelling. He met my eyes, a small nod telling me he meant every word.
The bearded elder grunted, his voice grudging. “You may remain. But if the Veil falters again, you’ll answer for it, Veilborn.”
