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As we stepped into the vineyard clearing, Mariah gasped, her gaze darting to me.
“Evan,” she breathed, her eyes widening as twilight fell. “What is all this?”
“Come,” I said, leading her toward the small private space that’d been erected: a table and chairs, a fire with thick, cozy blankets and pillows set up before it, and hundreds of candles everywhere. “I’ll show you.”
We walked hand in hand along the path of flickering candles Lucas and Cynthia had set up, their warm glow casting a golden light over the clearing. The atmosphere was magical, and I could feel Mariah's curiosity growing with each step.
Once we reached the end of the trail of lights, the beautifully set table for two awaited us, surrounded by even more candles. The stars seemed to twinkle brighter, as if they were sharing the moment with us.
“Have a seat,” I said softly, pulling out a chair for her. She obliged, her brown eyes filled with questions.
“Evan, this is incredible, don’t get me wrong, but what is all this about?”
I took a deep breath, the scent of the earth and vineyard filling my nose. It was time to bare my soul to the woman who had changed my life.
“Mariah, these past few weeks have been some of the hardest in my life. But through it all, you've been there for me, for Sofia, for our family, in spite of everything you were dealing with personally. Just as you always are.” I paused, searching her eyes, seeing the love I felt for her reflected right back at me. “You've brought so much light into my life. So much love. I never imagined I could feel this way about another person, but you’re everything I could ever want. I love you, Mariah, desperately, passionately, eternally, and I don't want another day to go by without claiming you as my mate.”
Her eyes glistened with tears as she bit back a small gasp and reached across the table to take my hand. “I love you, too, Evan. You've shown me what it means to be truly cared for, how it’s safe for me to trust someone with my whole heart. You’ve given me everything I could have dreamed of: a life, a family, a precious baby girl. I can't imagine my life without you and Sofia in it. I don’t want a life without you in it.”
“Mariah,” I said, wanting this to be just right, wanting every second to be perfect, a memory we’d cherish forever. “I know you can't shift yet, so you won’t be able to give me your own claiming bite just yet. But I don't want to waste another day worrying about our future. I want you by my side, as my partner, my love… my mate. May I claim you? Will you be my mate in every way?”
The tears spilled over, sliding down her cheeks as she nodded. “Yes, Evan. Of course. There’s nothing I want more than to be your mate.”
As Mariah's whispered yes echoed in my ears, I forgot all about the food and drinks our family had prepared for us. I forgot about the champagne and the fire. I forgot about everything else except this woman who wanted me as much as I wanted her.
I stood, pulled her into my arms, feeling her heart beating wildly against mine. And as our lips met, it felt as if our very souls were reaching out for each other, ready to seal our bond forever.
“Come with me,” I murmured, taking her hand and leading her down another candlelit path, toward a cabin just beyond the vineyard. It was a small, rustic hideaway tucked into the trees, unused for years, but Lucas and Cynthia had cleaned it up for what I’d planned.
I’d thought we’d have dinner first, but I couldn’t imagine sitting through a meal right now, not when my mate had said yes and was waiting for me to claim her.
“Oh, Evan,” she said breathily when we walked inside. The single-room cabin was filled with flickering candles and soft blankets strewn across the floor before a fireplace. “You really went all out.” She grinned and winked at me. “And apparently really want to claim me on a blanket by a fire.”
A laugh rumbled in my throat as I pulled her into my arms again. “Only the best for my mate.”
I cupped her face in my hands and pressed another tender kiss to her lips. I could feel her heart beating rapidly beneath her chest, matching the rhythm of my own.
“Are you ready?” I said, searching her eyes for any sign of hesitation, but all I saw in their warm depths was love.
“More than anything,” she whispered back.
I reached for her shirt, pulling at the hem as I kept my gaze on hers. She licked her lips, staring up at me.
“Nervous?” I could already sense that she was.
“I just don’t know what to expect,” she said. “Will it hurt?”
“Maybe for a moment.” I pulled the shirt over her head and tossed it away, then rid myself of mine. “But I promise I’ll make you feel better.”
She nodded, and I ran my hands over her shoulders, her chest, brushing my fingers over her bare breasts in a teasing caress. She shuddered beneath my touch, and desire coursed through me. She was so incredible. So fucking sexy. And sensing her dragon there inside? It was driving both my dragon and me wild, the need to claim her even stronger than usual. But I’d wanted to wait for this moment when everything was perfect.
I carefully lowered her to the blanket, and her hair fanned out, making her look like an angel. My angel. Mariah had given me a gift I didn’t even know I wanted: love, acceptance, a home that went beyond any physical space.
Now I could give her all of myself without holding back. I would’ve loved her just as much regardless, but now that she was a shifter, I felt the difference in our bond. It would be stronger than I ever thought possible.
My fangs pressed against my gums, the pressure growing as I scented her arousal. My dragon knew what was coming, and he was overeager. I forced him back, wanting to set the pace, and I brought my mouth to hers again.
She sighed against my lips when I brushed them over hers, gently at first, then more demanding, urging her to open for me. She did, and my tongue slid against hers, white-hot desire surging at the sensation.
