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She felt his arms tighten at her words. “I love you, Lily. So so much.”
When she had cried all she could, she pulled back to look at him. Some of the wounds he had moments before were already starting to heal. Even that provided her with a small modicum of relief.
Quintin walked in then and gestured to Ronnetta. The two of them quietly snuck away, along with the cougar who had been guarding Lillian. Before the giant cat disappeared, Lillian called to it, having no idea who it actually was.
“Thank you for keeping me safe.”
The animal opened its mouth and let out a gentle hiss before gracefully striding out the door. They were alone now, and Oliver pulled her to the back of the house. He needed to shower and wanted her help in doing so.
“What’s going to happen out there?” Lillian wanted to know.
“I’ve given orders to have the bodies returned to where they belong. Cleaning up is going to take some time, but for now, everything is being tended to.”
Lillian nodded and followed Oliver into the bathroom, where he turned on the hot water and stepped inside the shower stall, washing the blood and gore from his limbs. She could smell the floral scent of shampoo and body wash surrounding her.
A moment later, she joined him in the spray. Her arms came up to wrap around his waist. She kissed him.
“I’m so happy you’re safe. But I knew you were. I could feel it.”
“That’s our bond,” Oliver said. “You’re starting to feel it.”
“It’s what got me through that fight,” she admitted. “Knowing that you were alive. I didn’t know if you were hurt, but I knew you were breathing.”
Oliver paused as the water cascaded down around them. His hands were on her waist, gripping her firmly but not too tightly. His face was serious, as if whatever was to come out of his mouth next was of paramount importance. She waited, knowing he was about to ask her something.
“Lily, can I mark you?”
“Mark me? What does that mean?”
“I love you. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone.” He stopped talking for a moment so he could kiss her. “A mating bite is how bear shifters claim mates. It unites us officially. It tells the entire community that we’re together. It’s a permanent, binding claim from me to you.”
She didn’t have to think about it. “Yes! I want to be yours. Forever. I can’t think of anything I want more.”
With the thought of the mating bite on the horizon, Lillian stood on her tiptoes to kiss Oliver. The only man she could imagine spending the rest of her life with.
TWENTY-ONE
OLIVER
Oliver's sense of pride had never been stronger. Not only did he have a woman who loved him unconditionally, but he had won the fight against Uziel. Those two things alone made life worth living.
What made it all even better was Lillian's consent to receive the mating bite. She wanted him to mark her, to claim her. She would belong to him and him alone. Forever.
That meant more to him than anything, knowing that she loved and trusted him enough to allow him to claim her in such a manner.
Out of the shower and in bed, he gazed at her lovingly as he pressed his lips against hers. His tongue gently coaxed her mouth open, exploring the depths of her warmth. She tasted like home, sweet and familiar. Like sunlight and fresh air after a long rainstorm. Her body felt safe in his arms as he held her tightly against him, each inhalation sending waves of pleasure through him.
Oliver kissed her deeply, his hands trailing down her back, over her round bottom, and onto her thighs. He couldn't help but think about how beautiful she looked in the moonlight that poured through the window, illuminating every curve.
His bear growled triumphantly as Oliver rolled them over, pinning Lillian underneath him. She giggled into the kiss as he took advantage of their new position, his hips grinding against hers teasingly. Her nails dug into his shoulders lightly, urging him on.
"I love you," Oliver whispered between kisses. "More than anything in this world."
Lillian smiled against his lips before replying softly. "I love you too."
Their heated breath mingled as Oliver dipped his head to nip at her jawline gently. The soft skin beneath his teeth sent shivers down her spine, and she arched into the touch, wanting more.
Oliver obliged by sucking gently on the spot just below her earlobe. A soft moan escaped her lips as he nipped and licked his way down her neck. His hands moved to her wrists, holding them above her head as he hovered over her body.
