16. Epilogue
Epilogue
“Are they asleep?” Rae whispers, emerging from the bathroom clad in my fluffy white robe.
“Yes, finally.”
She tiptoes over to where I sit and scoops Eden from the crook of my arm so I can stand without jostling the cubs awake. Then, she turns to look out of the floor-to-ceiling window at the pink and purple sky. The pine trees stand tall and dark against the fading light, and as pretty as it is, it doesn’t compare to the image of my wife snuggling our child in her arms.
“Summer’s almost here. Soon, we’ll take you and your brother up the mountain. We’ll go see Daddy’s favorite waterfall and dip your little toes into the stream.” She sways gently side to side and walks toward the extension I built last year after I learned we were expecting. “Your uncles can teach you how to catch fish and climb and run, and Grandma and I will dance with you among the fireflies. Won’t that be nice?”
My heart gives a little squeeze at the picture she paints, and I can’t believe that just a year ago I’d been adamant about not wanting a mate. What an idiot I’d been, running away from the very thing that would take away my restlessness and fill me up with joy and happiness.
Inside, my bear snorts and turns his nose up as if to say, Told you so.
“I think I’ll be teaching them how to climb and run,” I chuckle. “Connor hates exercising.”
She smiles at me as she leans down to place Eden in the crib I made, and I set Espen down beside his sister. Instinctively, they turn toward one another, and I drop a kiss on each of their heads. I catch Rae looking at me with tenderness, and we slip out of the room as quietly as we can.
I follow her into the kitchen for our nightly wind-down ritual of a hot drink and a treat, my gaze dropping to her ass.
“Want something sweet?”
“Yes.” My voice drops into a low rumble. Desire claws at my chest, and my cock stands at half-mast as I watch her hips sway under my robe. Bearing my babies has given my mate a slightly plumper shape, but I’m not complaining. It’s more of her to love, and with a rare quiet moment to ourselves, there’s no time like the present.
“What do you want? There’s cookies, cake, or muffins. I made a fresh batch of your favorites this morning.”
“I know. I ate three already.”
She whirls on me, eyes wide. “Cole! I’m supposed to bring some to tomorrow’s family dinner. Mama’s invited another one of one special guests to join us. I think she’s some big city restaurant critic.”
“Mmm. Connor will love that.” I smirk. “Anyway, there’s still half a dozen left.”
“There won’t be any left if you keep gobbling them up at that pace.”
“Don’t worry, I don’t want a muffin right now.” Bracing my arms on either side of the countertop, I crowd my mate into the corner of the kitchen and nuzzle the spot where she bears my mark. “There is something else I’m hungry for, though.”
“Yeah? What’s that?” Her voice turns breathless as I slide my hand over her body. When the scent of her arousal hits my nostrils, my craving for her intensifies, and my bear hums inside me.
Then I untie the robe and groan when I find she’s wearing nothing underneath. A blush creeps into her cheeks when I exhale in appreciation at the sight of her. She’s still a little self-conscious about her post-baby body, but I keep telling her that she’s perfect as she is.
Tracing a lazy pattern up her thigh, I kiss the corner of her mouth and murmur, “This sweet little honey pot.”
She gasps when I slip my hand through her soft curls and find her already so wet for me. I kiss her softly, slowly. Building the heat between us and stroking her folds until her fingers dig into my shoulder, and I drop to my knees.
Growling, I lift one of her legs over my shoulder and dive in. She holds steady against the counter, moaning and moving against my tongue.
“Mmm, that’s it, Goldie. Give me every drop.”
And once I wrap my lips around her clit, she cries out my name and does exactly that.
Then I carry her to our bedroom and let her tear my clothes off. With her arousal thick in the air and her pussy still glistening with release, I prop her up on all fours and sink deep into her tight channel.
Then I slap her ass, she jolts, hissing, “Yessss. More, Cole. Harder. Don’t stop.”
My bear rumbles in my chest as I pump my hips to meet her, stroke for stroke. I spank her until her ass turns pink and her breaths run ragged.
“Go on. Say it,” I grunt.
“I’m all yours, Cole. Mind, body, and soul.”
Then she reaches for my hand and presses it against her heart. “My mate. My love.”
It’s not long until she clenches around me, sending pleasure tripping along my spine. Unable to hold back anymore, I roar, shuddering as I come and pour my seed into her.
“I love you, Rae. I’ll love you for always.”
With a sleepy, satisfied smile, Rae kisses me back. “I love you too, Cole. Forever.”
That glittering golden thread that ties us together burns bright between us, and as I gather her up in my arms, I’m filled with gratitude and love.
I’m one lucky son of a grizzly.
I truly hope you enjoyed your foray into Fable Forest alongside Rae and Cole. If you did, please consider leaving a review as it helps authors—especially newer ones like me!—find more readers so we can keep bringing you stories that warm your hearts and tickle your fancy.
Still not ready to leave Fable Forest? You can sign up for my newsletter to read a deleted scene from Rae and Cole”s story here, or you can venture further into the enchanted forest and check out the full series:
Jasmine”s Enchanted Genie by Ava RossBeauty”s Bossy Bear by Loni ReeRose”s Ripped Van Winkle by Alana KhanEliza”s Cursed Dragon by Bella BlairBeauty”s Twisted Tyrant by Nichole RoseJacqueline”s Gentle Giant by P. JamesonGreta”s Forbidden Fae by Fern Fraser