We walked out of grandma’s room and I pulled Luke outside. I pulled him to the side of the house and pushed him up against the house. I jumped and wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. He smiled at me with his eyes turning black, indicating his bear is taking control, “Well, little mate, what did I do to deserve this beautiful torture?” I kissed him gently, “You treated my grandma with such love and care. Thank you.” He smiled, his eyes going back to normal, “She’s a beautiful woman with a beautiful personality. I could listen to her stories of while she was growing up all day.” I smiled, “She has seen a lot in her life. Some good, some bad, but everything contained a lesson for her to learn. She learned each lesson well and never repeated the mistakes again.”
We heard mom and dad come out and Luke groaned, “Ugh! I was enjoying this a lot.” I laughed, “I’m sure you were. We can continue this when we get to our home.” Luke smiled as he eased me back to the ground, “Well then, let’s go. We may have to stay tonight with your parents if it’s too late when you are all packed.” I smiled, “Okay. I really don’t think it will take too long to pack up all my stuff, so we should be able to get on the road this evening.” He pulled me close, “Good. I can’t wait to show you our new home.” I smiled, “As long as I’m with you, that’s all I care about. I don’t require a fancy house. As long as we have a big kitchen, that’s all that matters to me.” He smiled, “We definitely have that.”
When we got to my parents’ house, I immediately went in and was attacked by my younger siblings. Luna and Nikina hugged me and asked if I found my mate. I smiled, “I did find him. He’s a werebear/warlock hybrid.” Nikina asked, “So he has magic like you?” Luna suggested, “I bet he’s super strong!” I laughed, “He is. But he’s gentle with me.” Both of the girls swooned, “Aww.” I smiled as the triplets ran up to me to hug me.
Luke laughed at all the love I was receiving, “Looks like you have a close family.” I giggled, “The closest. Right guys?” All of my siblings yelled, “Yeah!” I’m laughing as I tell my siblings, "Guys, this is my mate, Luke. He’s a werebear/warlock hybrid.” Then I introduced him to all of my younger siblings. He asked, “So you are the oldest?” I nodded, “Yep. Mom got pregnant with Kurt and Caleb right after she and dad adopted me. That opened the floodgates.” Luke laughed, “Sure looks like it.” We both laughed as we walked to my room.
When we walked into my room, I pulled out my duffle bag and two suitcases. I started taking clothes out of my dresser and putting them in the duffle bag. My dad asked to talk to Luke while mom came in my room and started helping me pack. I hear mom sniffle and realize she’s crying. I put the clothes I was holding into my duffle bag and wrap my arms around my mom, “You’re not losing me. You’re adding another son!” Mom laughs, “So the girls are even more outnumbered.” I laugh, “I guess, but you are getting two more daughters too.” Mom laughed, “Perfect!”
My mom started packing up my clothes from the closet into a suitcase. I smiled, “His home is in Colorado. In the mountains. I can’t wait to see it.” Mom sighed, “We will have to find time to come up and see you.” I smiled, “I would love that. I don’t have a lot that I’m taking with me. I do want to take all of my crafting stuff, my jewelry and all of my pictures. I really don’t think there is anything else I want to take. If I think of anything else, we can always get it next time we come down to visit. Mom replied, “Well make sure you leave a lot behind then.” I laughed, “I’m not going to have to find an excuse to come and see you, mom. I will be able to come down whenever I have time.” She smiled, “Okay. I understand. I can always bring whatever you need to you.” I smirked, “Or you could ship them.” She squinted her eyes at me, giving me that, “Don’t you dare,” look. I laugh, “It’s only if neither of us have time.” She laughed, “I know. I’m just going to miss you, sweetie.” I sighed, “I’m going to miss you too. But I’m starting a new life. I know I’m going to be so happy.” She laughed, “You deserve it, love.”
I finish up my packing and we walk out of my room carrying all of my luggage. Dad and Luke jump up and insist on carrying them to the truck. I go back to my room, grab my backpack, and fill it with my makeup, and outfit for tomorrow (just in case we stop at a hotel tonight) and my toiletries. I zip it up and walk out to the living room. I announce, “Okay. I’m ready.” Luke smiles at me, “Are you sure you don’t want to say goodbye to everyone?” I laughed, “Oops. I do want to do that. I just got carried away. I’m so ready to start our new life.”
The triplets ran to me and wrapped their arms around me. Jack sighed, “I’m going to miss you.” Josh smiled, “I hope you really like it there.” Brianda smiles, “Be happy big sis. You deserve it.” Luna smiled, “I know you’ll be happy with your new life.” Nikina giggles, “Yeah. What she said.” I laugh at her and tell all of them, “I’m really going to miss all of you. But I know I will be happy.” My siblings step back in time for my parents to engulf me in their arms. Mom sobs, “I’m going to miss you so much.” Then my dad comforts both of us, “You’re going to be just fine. We will come and visit soon.” Mom reaches for Luke and wraps her arms around him, “Take care of my baby, Luke.” Luke smiled, “Of course. I most definitely will.”
I say goodbye one last time and we get in his truck. Luke starts the truck and looks at me, “There is one thing I haven’t done yet that I really need to do.” Then he puts his hand on my cheek, “I Lucas Parker, accept you, Sylvie Shumani, as my mate and Princess.” I giggle and blush as I hear him, “That blush is going to be the death of me.” I smile, “Well, then, let me finish this. I, Sylvie Shumani, accept you, Lucas Parker, as your mate and my duties as princess.” I smile as he kisses me gently. He sighs, “Thank you, little mate.” He sighs as I kiss his cheek, “Thank you for accepting me.” He smiled, “I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
Luke puts the truck in gear and we are on our way to our new home.
I can’t stop looking out the windows, enjoying the scenery as we go. He asks, “What are you thinking, love?” I smile, “I’m not really thinking anything. Just really enjoying the scenery.” He laughed, “I guess I’m just used to it. It’s not such a big deal for me.” We continue on our way and I ask, “Do we live at the top of a mountain?” He smiled, “Not at the top of the one we live on. We live at nearly nine thousand feet. We are going to stay in a hotel at a lower elevation for the first night. It will help with your acclimation. Some people have a hard time breathing on our mountain for the first week or so. I think if you have a night at a slightly lower elevation first, you might breathe a little easier at our home.” I smiled, “Thank you so much for thinking of me.” He chuckled, “You are all I think about.” I gush, “Aw, you’re so sweet.” We get to a town called Canon City. We park in a hotel parking lot at around eleven pm. Luke goes in and gets a room for us while I grab my bag. I
I’m looking around and I smile as I spread my arms open wide, “Are you kidding me? I love it!” I can not believe this is my new home. The entire main floor was my favorite design… Modern rustic! It had whitewashed hardwood floors, reclaimed wood wainscoting and antique white walls. The kitchen cabinets were white with black marble countertops. All of the appliances are stainless steel. I kept looking around and smiled, “This house is absolutely perfect, Luke.” He walked to me and wrapped his arms around me, “I’m so glad you like it. Do you want to unpack and then go for a run?” I nodded, “That sounds awesome.” I followed Luke to his truck then grabbed a bag and took it up to our room. I started folding items and putting them in my drawers. Luke continued to bring stuff in the house, while I continued to unpack. I had everything unpacked in no time and walked downstairs to find my mate in his office, “Hey, ready for that run?” He sighed, “I just got a message to call one of my assistan
I sighed, “I did see it. I take it that’s the suspicious activity?” He looked up and nodded as he took a bite of his peach cobbler and his eyes rolled back in his head, “Oh. My. Goddess. Baby, this is really good. It’s just like your grandma’s.” I laughed, “I’m glad you like it.” He sighed, “Can we talk about the books after I enjoy this? I can’t form a coherent thought right now.” I laughed and nodded as I ate my cobbler too. I smiled, “We should buy the stuff for homemade ice cream next time we’re in Canon City. This cobbler is really good with homemade ice cream. But it’s also good cold for breakfast.” He smiled, “I will be eating this for breakfast and probably after every meal.” I laughed, “You don’t want to burn out on it right away, do you?” He laughed, “That can never happen. I’m a bear. We love our fruit and berries.” I asked, “So if I found a place to pick some blackberries?” He gasped, “I would love you forever if you made this with blackberries! Well, I already will love yo
I woke this morning feeling happier than I have ever been. I tried to get out of bed, but there was a heavy arm draped over me. I laid back and thought over last night’s events. Luke had been so gentle and loving with me, it brought tears to my eyes. Not because it hurt, but because I could literally feel how much he loves me. When we marked each other, the feeling of euphoria was more intense than anything I have ever felt in my life. Our marks! I look at my mark on his neck and see a bear curled around a sleeping wolf with a silver full moon in the background. I can’t wait to see his mark on my neck. I gently moved Luke’s arm off of me and walked to the bathroom. I’m looking in the mirror and see our marks are identical. I smile in admiration and I love how the simple thought of him being mine makes me feel. I never thought that I could feel this loved or that I could love someone this much. I’m smiling more than I ever have in my life as I start the shower. I get in as soon as the
I giggle as she runs to me. She hugs me as soon as she reaches me, “I am so happy to meet you!” I chuckle, “I’m happy to meet you too. I just finished making dinner. Have a seat at the table. We can visit and eat together.” I started putting the food on the table when Luke came in the kitchen, “Can I help you bring the food in?” I smiled, “You sure can.” I took the hot-hot out of the refrigerator and grabbed a spoon. I stirred it to make sure all the flavors are melded together. I grabbed a smaller spoon and let him try a bite, “Spicy enough?” He chewed it up and nodded while he swallowed, “That is awesome! My dad is going to love this.” We finished taking the food to the table and sat down. We started filling our plates and Luke smiled, “Dad, you need to try this. Sylvie calls it hot-hot. It’s her grandmother’s recipe.” Luke’s dad took a bite of it and smiled as he ate it. When he swallowed the bite of food, he moaned, “Sylvie, that is amazing. You must teach my mate how to make this
Luke must have overheard me, because I heard him agree, “Now that’s a sight I can’t wait to see.” He wrapped his arms around me and I leaned into him, enjoying the sparks. Zara gushed, “I just love watching you two. I can tell you already love each other.” I smiled, “We do.” Zara laughed, “This guy has loved you for most of his life. He never even wanted to date while he was in high school.” I smiled as I looked at him, “What would you have done if we weren’t mates?” He blushed, “I have no clue. I always just counted on you being my mate. If you weren’t at this ball, I would’ve come looking for you.” I chuckled, “You’re so cute.” He laughed, “Thanks, I think.” I chuckled, “It’s a good thing to be cute. Especially by me.” Zara laughed, “And your mama.” He laughed, “I will always be cute in your eyes.” Zara replied, “Of course you will.” And now it’s my turn to gush, “Aw, you guys are too cute!” Luke smiles, “Okay. Enough with the girly shit. I’m going to go sit with dad and take back my
I grabbed my purse and kissed my mate goodbye. He kissed me and sighed, “I guess I will work on paperwork until you get back. Call me if you want me to rescue you.” I chuckled, “You are too sweet. I will do that.” I put my phone in my pocket and I smile at Zara, “I’m ready. This is going to be so much fun!” I started to walk out the door when I felt a hand grab my wrist and the familiar sparks run up my arm. Luke pulled me back to him and wrapped his arms around me. I’m totally swooning while he kisses me with so much love, I nearly lose my footing. I smile, “You are sweet, but I really need to get going. The sooner I get done, the sooner I can come back to you.” He sighs, “I know, I just don’t like being away from you.” I shake my head, “I will try and get back to you as soon as I can. Is there anything you would like for supper tonight?” He replied, “You?” I laugh, “I mean something we can both have.” He laughs, “How about pizza? There is a restaurant in town called Zuccaro’s Kitchen
I walk up to Luke and kiss him on the cheek. He stands up and hugs me tightly, “I missed you so much! Never do that to me again.” I giggle, “I can’t make any promises, but I will do my best to do it when you have to be busy for the day.” He smiles, “I can live with that as long as you always come home to me.” I chuckled, “I think I can do that. Now, let’s get in the house. I have other stuff that I need to put away.” He asked, “Are your dresses getting altered?” I giggled, “They didn’t need to be altered. I asked your mother to keep them at her house so you can’t peak.” He laughed, “It would seem you know me too well.” I grinned, “I have already figured you out, mister. You have no secrets that I can’t discover.” He laughed, “I’m shaking in fear.” I kissed his cheek and suggested, “Let me go change clothes. I seem to recall you wanted to take me out for pizza tonight.” He chuckled, “I did suggest that.” I went upstairs and Luke followed. I asked, “Do you need to change clothes too?” H