Secretly Mated(37)

Owyn glanced at Magic. His friend’s jaw ticked as they shared a look that could only be interpreted as oh, shit.

They might have made it through this first battle mostly in one piece. But things were about to get even more twisted up. The peaceful lodge they called home was about to become a war zone.

But Owyn couldn’t imagine a more worthy cause to fight for than the safety of family. Sometimes, if you fought for the right reasons, the struggle was worth it in the end.

Turning to leave, Owyn was stopped by Gash’s harsh voice. “I… Owyn, I’m fucking sorry about your hand. I owe you a life.”

I owe you a life. It was the same thing Rigor told Doc when she’d helped him.

Owyn shook his head. “Nah, man. We don’t keep a tally around here. If we did, we’d all owe Doc our first born. We’re good.” He held out the fist of his good hand and Gash tapped it with his own. “Call me when the bears get here.”

“Will do.”





Chapter Thirteen



Doc looked around the dining room. It’d been cleaned up and set back to normal. The electric was fixed temporarily, until the utility company could repair the lines. The clan was safe for now, and there were human guests arriving in the morning. Not to mention the bear security Gash was hiring from Cleaver.

It’d be nice to see the twins again.

Things would be business as usual tomorrow. And maybe the next day. And the next. But eventually, the danger would return to Lake Haven.

The thought left her feeling cold.

People were trickling out, heading for the comfort of their cabins and some recovery time with their mates.

She wondered what Owyn would do tonight. His sweet declaration of love for her was rudely interrupted by the attack, and now she didn’t know what to expect from him. She wanted to fall into his arms and pretend there wasn’t a threat to their family. That when they awoke tomorrow, their worst problem would be deciding what to eat for breakfast.

He slid up behind her, and the heat of his body was a soothing balm to her nerves.

“Mate,” he murmured. “Are you ready to go home?”

Doc nodded, and resisted asking him where home was now. Maybe she was thinking too far ahead. Maybe they still needed separate places until they could get used to the idea of mating.

Owyn took her hand and pulled her toward the door. They were silent as they walked the trail toward the cabins. A trill of relief fluttered through Doc as they passed by hers and continued walking to Owyn’s.

He climbed the steps and she followed, stopping at the door when he turned to face her.

“I want you in my home. In my bed. I don’t want you ever sleeping away from me again. Tell me if that’s not okay.”

“It’s perfect. Exactly what I want too.”

Owyn opened the door and Doc stepped in, finding the design of the cabin familiar. And even with none of her things around, his place felt like home.

“What do you think?” He sounded nervous. Just a little. “We can move some of your things over tomorrow if you’d like. Or… or we can go buy new things. Whatever you want.”

Doc gave him a grin, her eyes filling with tears she refused to be ashamed of. “Our home,” she whispered. “I can’t believe this is finally happening.”

He drew her close, his arms circling her waist as he dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Are you happy?” It was part disbelief and part wonder.

She kissed him in response, stretching up on her tiptoes to reach his lips. “Yes.”

Doc stepped out of Owyn’s arms, bringing his hand up to examine it. “Does it hurt?” she asked.

“It’s nothing, Doc. Like hitting my thumb with a hammer… except a little worse.”

She rolled her eyes. “Bullshit.”

Owyn chuckled, gripping her hip with his other hand to keep her near. He leaned in, pulling her earlobe between his teeth and biting down softly. Doc shivered at the contact.

“Should we test our bond? See what it can do?” he asked softly.

“I used it from inside, when you were… when Rigor…” Her breath hitched at the memory. “Did you feel me?”

“Yes. I felt you, Christina. And tonight I’m going to prove to you how powerful our bond has become.”

Carefully, she unwrapped his hand. The reattached finger was angry and swollen, the stitches digging into the skin like it was an overstuffed ragdoll. Gently, she cradled it in hers, pushing healing power through their bond.

Owyn hissed, grinding his teeth together.

She knew this part was the worst. Healing what was broken always caused pain at first. But then his tension eased and the swelling faded. The redness returned to his normal skin shade and the bruising disappeared.