Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17830 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 89(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17830 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 89(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
“Watch,” Cedric whispered, and my jaw dropped when pink lights floated out of his chest. “These are spirit lights. When a shifter bonds with their mate, they accept and take in the core characteristics of one another, which are represented by these lights. Pink is the color of love, compassion and understanding.”
The color was perfectly suited to my lover. He was patient with me and lifted me up when I was down on myself. “Breathe me in, Daddy.” I took a deep breath and the lights entered through my nose, illuminating my chest from the inside.
From my own chest escaped small black orbs, making Cedric smile and explain, “Black is the color of power and control.” It is what he craved from me more than anything else.
Cedric breathed in the colored lights and I watched as both of our chests glowed a deep purple as our colors mixed and melded. It took both of us to achieve happiness and a perfect match.
“We are now bonded together forever,” my love explained. “Nothing will ever come between us. I love you.”
“I love you too.” I pressed a gentle kiss to his lips and then his forehead.
“Will you hold me for a while, Daddy?” he asked with a sweet smile, and how could I possibly say no to that?
I lay on the ground and pulled him into my side. We were both sticky and dirty, but I didn’t care. I would always want to be close to Cedric, no matter where, when, or how. I needed him, and now I understood that he needed me too. I was no longer afraid of love or the loss of it, because I had my perfect man forever.
Epilogue
Cedric
4 Months Later
My leg bounced beneath the table as my mate and friends ate the dinner I prepared for them; teriyaki chicken, fried rice, and wontons. Cooking for them and watching them enjoy their meals was the biggest happiness in my life.
That happiness had increased ten fold once Asher and I bonded. He moved into the lodge immediately, and we spent every night kissing, cuddling, and making love. It wasn’t always rough and wild; sometimes it was sweet and gentle, and it was always incredible.
Our love grew and stretched every day, and so did Asher’s confidence. He became closer to the rest of the pride, who of course accepted him as family. Wanting to do his part (even when we all insisted that it was unnecessary), he took a position at Pride Place, stocking the bar when we received alcohol shipments. It helped him feel like a provider and he just loved the work. He spoke to all of the bartenders and made many new friends. He smiled constantly and the sight was breathtaking.
“Aren’t you hungry, sweet boy?” Asher asked, eyeballing my still-full plate. Everyone else around the table was shoveling the food in with two hands, but my stomach was feeling a little queasy, as it had been for the past several days.
“I guess I snacked too much throughout the day,” I fibbed. But I was planning a surprise, so fibbing was okay.
“You’re missing out,” Felix insisted through a stuffed mouth. “This is great.”
“Everything you make is great,” Asher added with a wink, making me beam. I liked feeding the pride, but I loved feeding my man.
Once everyone was finally done, I rushed into the kitchen to return with dessert; homemade fortune cookies. I passed them out around the table, making sure to give Asher a particular cookie.
“Your comic book release will be a roaring success,” Brandon read aloud when he snapped his cookie open. “Aw, thanks, Cedric!”
I gave him a wink. He’d chosen a publishing company and was expecting his debut release in a week, and I knew it would be a smash hit.
“A fun time is in the near future,” Enzo read from his own slip of paper. “Hell yeah! Sign me up!” He and Felix high-fived while the rest of the table laughed.
“Let’s see what mine says,” Asher said as he split the cookie and my heart raced in my chest. He pulled out the slip of paper and read, “You’re the perfect Dom and Daddy, and now…” His voice cracked and his eyes filled with tears.
“What’s the rest?” Hunter asked curiously.
Asher cleared his throat and tried again. “You’re the perfect Dom and Daddy, and now you’ll be the perfect father.”
The table erupted with cheers as my mate stood up and scooped me into his arms. “I’m going to be a dad?” I nodded and tears ran down his cheeks. “I’m going to be a dad!” he yelled, bouncing me in his hold. “Oh shit, I shouldn’t do that, huh?” He placed me gently on the floor and rubbed my stomach. “I’m sorry, little one. I’ll be more careful.”
Everyone laughed again at my big man showing my non-existent bump such tender care. What I’d hid in the cookie was true; I knew without a doubt that Asher would be the most perfect father, and I couldn’t wait to grow our family with him.