Page 35 of Bite for Sore Eyes

Torren's bear was equally impressive. His lighter brown fur caught golden highlights from the twin suns above, and his bright blue eyes watched her with an intelligence and warmth that made her heart skip beats.

These creatures are my mates. These magnificent, impossible beings belong to me, and I belong to them.

Without conscious thought, Lana found herself moving toward them. She approached slowly, not from fear but from reverence, her hands extended toward both beautiful beasts. When she was close enough to touch them, she reached out with both hands—one palm pressing against Rath's bear's broad muzzle, the other stroking along Torren's bear's powerful jaw. Their fur was impossibly soft and warm beneath her palms, and something inside her soul sang with recognition.

This was right. This was perfect. This was exactly where she belonged.

Before she could second-guess the impulse, pure joy bubbled up from somewhere deep in her chest. She pulled her hands back and took off running across the clearing, laughter spilling from her lips as she darted between trees and leaped over fallen logs.

Both bears understood immediately. This wasn't fear or flight—this was play. This was their mate inviting them to chase her, to explore this magical forest together, to be wild and free.

They bounded after her, their massive forms moving with surprising grace through the purple woodland as they matched her pace and energy. Soon they were all running together through Nova Aurora's alien forest, two magnificent bears and their human mate, exploring and playing and reveling in the simple joy of being alive and together. Lana felt perfect—more alive and more free than she'd ever experienced in her entire life.

I don't want this moment to ever end.

She didn't know why, but with every step deeper into the purple forest, she felt less like she was running out of time and more like she was finally arriving where her life had always been trying to take her.

FOURTEEN

RATH

Rath's bear had been running alongside Torren's massive form and their human mate for what felt like hours, weaving through the purple forest of Varkesh Hollow with a freedom he hadn't experienced in years. The weight of Alpha responsibilities, the constant demands of leadership, the endless decisions that affected hundreds of lives—all of it had melted away the moment Lana had laughed and taken off running through the trees. But even that unexpected freedom paled beside what had happened next.

His bear had never carried anyone on his back before. Ever. The very idea would have been unthinkable just days ago. But when Lana had slipped down from Torren's bear and approached him with those warm brown eyes sparkling with trust and adventure, everything inside him had fundamentally shifted.

She climbed onto his broad back with surprising grace, her hands gripping his thick fur as she settled herself securely behind his massive shoulders. Her weight felt perfect against him, not a burden but completion. Like the missing piece he hadn't known he'd been searching for his entire life.

"Okay, I'm ready," she called out, her voice bright with excitement.

Rath began moving slowly through the forest, his powerful muscles bunching and releasing with careful precision. Every step was measured, deliberate, ensuring she remained secure on his back. His bear instincts screamed protection, even as his heart soared with the rightness of carrying his mate.

"Run faster!" Lana's delighted laughter rang through the trees as she leaned forward, her hands fisting in his fur. "I trust you completely!"

She trusts me.

The words hit him with devastating force. Through their mate bond, he could feel her joy flooding his consciousness—pure, unfiltered happiness that made his bear impossibly satisfied. There was no fear in her, no hesitation. Only absolute faith in his ability to keep her safe while giving her the adventure she craved.

He obeyed her command without question, his massive form surging forward as he picked up speed. Trees blurred past them in shades of purple and gold, the forest floor rushing beneath his powerful paws as he carried his mate deeper into the wilderness. Her laughter echoed around them, wild and free, and through their bond he felt her excitement, her trust, and her growing love for him.

This is what happiness feels like.

The revelation struck him as he bounded over fallen logs and navigated between towering trees. For fifteen years, he'd convinced himself that duty came first, that personal joy was a luxury he couldn't afford. But running through this forest with Lana on his back, feeling her absolute trust and hearing her unbridled laughter, he realized he'd been starving himself of something essential.

Behind them, Torren's bear kept pace easily, his blue eyes bright with shared joy as he watched his best friend finally embrace something purely for himself. There was no jealousy in Torren's expression. Only happiness that they were all experiencing this moment together.

The sound of rushing water grew louder as they approached a natural clearing beside a waterfall. The twin suns were beginning their descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and rose. Crystalline water cascaded down smooth rocks into a shallow pool that reflected the changing light like liquid jewels.

Rath slowed his pace as they entered the clearing, then carefully lowered his body to the ground. Lana understood immediately, sliding gracefully from his back with steady movements that spoke of her natural athleticism.

The moment her feet touched solid ground, both he and Torren began shifting back to human form. The transformation always left him slightly breathless, muscles reforming and bones realigning as his bear retreated. When the shimmer of change finally faded, he stood naked beside the waterfall, his chest rising and falling rapidly from their run through the forest.

Torren materialized beside him in similar condition—naked, breathing hard, and glistening with sweat from their exertion. Both men turned toward Lana, who was looking between them with open appreciation that sent heat spiraling through Rath's body. Her gaze traveled over his muscled chest, down to his defined abs, then lower still before returning to meet his eyes. The desire he saw there made his cock begin to harden immediately.

"That was the most fun I've ever had," she breathed, her cheeks flushed with excitement and exertion.

"I could tell," Rath replied, unable to suppress the smile that spread across his face. "I'm so glad you had a great time."

"Maybe we could do it again sometime," Torren added, his own expression reflecting the same contentment Rath felt.