Page 49 of Frostbite & Mistletoe
His arms tightened around her, pulling her flush against the hard planes of his body. Heat spiraled through her, setting every nerve ending alight. The familiar, beloved scent of him filled her senses until she was drowning in it. Her wolf reveled in his closeness, in the taste of him on her tongue, in the soft rumble of pleasure that vibrated through his chest.
When they finally broke apart, Kymberlie’s pulse raced like a wild thing in her veins. She blinked, dazed, and found Gabriel watching her with such tender intensity that it made her breath catch all over again.
Then, with deliberate slowness, Gabriel released her and sank to one knee before her.
A hush fell over the crowd. Rob stopped singing, and the drums and guitars went silent. Kymberlie’s hand flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp as understanding dawned.
“Kymberlie Tringstad,” Gabriel said, his deep voice steady despite the vulnerability etched across his features.“My inner cat chose you the moment we met. It recognized what I was too stubborn to see at first—that you are everything I never knew I was searching for.”
Her heart hammered against her ribs so forcefully she was certain everyone in the room could hear it. Gabriel’s gaze never wavered from hers as he continued.
“Every day since has only proven my beast right. Your strength, your loyalty, your fierce heart—they humble me. The way you fought for this place showed me how fiercely you fight for the things important to you.” He smiled up at her, and her breath caught at the look in his eyes.“You’re extraordinary, my love. And I’d be the happiest man in the world if you’d agree to be my mate, my wife, for all the days we have.”
From his pocket, he withdrew a small velvet box and flipped it open to reveal a diamond ring that caught the light in dazzling sparks.
Kymberlie’s wolf surged up in triumph, nearly overwhelming her with the need to claim him on the spot and seal their bond.
Later, she promised it, fighting to maintain control, to find words worthy of this moment.
“Gabriel,” she managed, her voice breaking on his name.“You walked into my bar and my life and turned everything upside down. You challenged me, you saved me from myself, you saw me—reallysaw me—when I was trying so hard to pretend I was invincible.”
She bent her head. Gabriel reached up to cup her cheek with his free hand. She leaned into his warm palm.
“My wolf knew you were mine from the start,” she admitted.“It was just waiting for the rest of me to catch up.” She drew a shaky breath.“Yes. Yes, I’ll be your mate. I can’t wait to spend my life with you.”
The crowd erupted around them—cheers and whistles and applause crashing over them like a wave. Kymberlie barely registered it, her focus narrowed to the brilliant smile that transformed Gabriel’s face. His hands shook as he slid the ring onto her finger.
“Perfect fit,” he murmured, pressing his lips to her knuckles just above where the diamond now sparkled.
From the stage, Rob Jacobsen’s voice cut through the din, amplified by the microphone.“Welcome to the wolf pack, big cat!” the long-haired singer hollered.
Shouts of agreement rose above his words. The band behind Rob struck up a romantic ballad, the sweet notes floating through the air like a benediction.
Gabriel rose to his feet in a single fluid motion. His powerful arms encircled her waist, pulling her close again.“May I have this dance, my beautiful mate?” he whispered.
His breath brushed her ear, sending delicious shivers racing down her spine.
“You may have every dance from now on,” Kymberlie replied, twining her arms around his neck.
They shared another kiss, softer and shorter this time but no less meaningful.
Then Gabriel led her to the center of the dance floor. The crowd parted around them, creating a circle of space around them.
Gabriel’s hand was warm and solid against the small of her back as they swayed together. His other hand cradled hers against his chest, where she felt the steady beat of his heart.
Kymberlie let herself melt into him, into this moment that felt like the beginning of everything.
Around them, familiar faces beamed with joy. Her sister Annika wiped away tears while her tall, eagle shifter husband Roy squeezed her shoulders. A grinning Maggie and Cade raised their bottles of beer in a silent toast.
Mom and Dad looked dazed by the sudden turn of events, though Mom had the presence of mind to blow Kymberlie a kiss across the room.
“I never thought I’d find a place to belong,” Gabriel confessed in a whisper, his words for her alone.“After everything that happened in Granite Gap, I thought I was going to be alone forever.”
Kymberlie tightened her arms around him.“You’re not alone anymore,” she promised.“You have your new pride. You’ll be part of our pack once we’re mated. And you’remine.”
His eyes flashed with that distinctive sabertooth gold, his beast responding to her claim.“I am. And you’re mine.”
The possessive note in his voice sent a thrill through her.
