"My grandmother would’ve loved to have met you," she says softly, her fingers buried in my fur. "She’d have so many questions. And she’d be unbearable, because you’re proof that she was right."
We stay like that for a while, Lisa on her knees in the dirt with her arms around my neck, and my bear pressed against her, his nose resting on her lap. When she finally pulls away, her eyes are glistening, but she's smiling.
"Much as I’d love to stay out here with you all day..." She wipes her cheeks with the back of her hand. "You better get dressed. We've got places to be."
The shift back is faster, and I pull my clothes on while Lisa leans against the truck, taking in the clearing, the trees and the mountains beyond, with an expression that tells me she's seeing all of it differently now. Eager to see how she is, I move to stand in front of her, hands shoved deep in my pockets.
“Well? What do you think?”
Her smile is soft. “He’s incredible, Beau. I mean, I knew, in theory, that you were going to turn into a bear, but seeing it? Seeing him up close, it’s something else entirely.”
She pushes to her feet and slides her arms around my waist, pressing her cheek to my chest. “I don’t know how else to describe it except that knowing both of you are looking out for me, I feel so safe.”
There’s nothing my bear wants to hear more, and I close my eyes, letting her words, and the relief that this went well, wash over me.
Pressing a kiss to the top of her head, I bundle her up in my arms and hold her tight. “I love you so much.”
36
BEAU
Bodhi's house is a twenty-minute drive deeper into the property. Lisa's been here before, for the wedding, but the land is so vast that there are many ways in and many ways out, and as we drive, she stares out the window and takes in the stunning scenery I’ve lived with for years.
Emma opens the front door with a huge smile, a dish towel over her shoulder and flour on her cheek. She pulls Lisa into a warm hug and ushers us both toward the kitchen where coffee is already on.
Bodhi is at the table, reading something on his laptop, a frown on his face. He stands when we walk in, and his eyes go straight to the mark on Lisa's neck. One eyebrow lifts.
"Can't say I'm surprised." He extends his hand to Lisa, who takes it, her slim fingers dwarfed by his. His handshake is brief and firm, and his eyes flick to me to check how I’m dealing with another man touching my newly marked mate. "Welcome to the family, Lisa. Officially."
His nose twitches as he releases her hand, but he says nothing, just gives me a look over Lisa's head and a knowing smile.
"We were up at the cabin yesterday," I tell him while accepting the coffee Emma pushes into my hands, filling Bodhi in while Lisa asks Emma how life has been since the wedding. "Amber's doing well, or as well as can be expected. Eating, sleeping some, and she’s starting to talk about what happened. Zara's been great with her."
Bodhi nods, settling back into his chair and pushing some freshly made bread in my direction. "And the wolves? Have they been back?"
“Chase spoke to them. Aaron agreed to wait, but we know that won’t last forever.” I sigh, feeling torn. We can’t pressure Amber into anything she doesn’t want to do, but knowing how incredible the bond is, the power of finding your mate, I feel almost compelled to help them both experience it.”
Especially when it could save his life.
“I'll set up a meeting when she's ready. If she’s ready. Ben's got Mason and Maddox watching the cabin in the meantime, in case they get impatient."
Which seems likely the more days that pass.
"Good." Bodhi sips his coffee. "Keep me posted."
The front door bangs open, and Natalie appears in the kitchen doorway, coming to an abrupt stop as she scans the room, flushed and slightly out of breath, like she ran here.
She steps forward and opens her mouth, arms wide to hug me, to congratulate us, but then nose twitching, she freezes mid-stride, her gaze dropping straight to Lisa's stomach, hands still hanging in the air.
"No way." Her gaze snaps between Lisa's belly and the mark on her neck and back again, and she rocks up onto her toes, both hands pressed over her mouth.
Lisa sighs and looks up at me. "She knows, doesn't she?"
Natalie squeaks from behind her hands, practically bursting with excitement.
Emma looks between Natalie, Lisa, and me, frustration lacing her tone as she grabs Bodhi’s arm and pulls his attention back to her. Not that it ever leaves her for long.
"Knows what? What am I missing?”