Chapter 16 Burr’k
I spotted her the moment I stepped into the cafeteria.
Holly wore a ridiculous red and green outfit trimmed in fake white fur, a giant bow perched in her hair, and her lips painted the same shade as the berries hanging from the mistletoe. She looked festive and beautiful, and that insistent voice in my head kept declaring her as mine.
I hesitated, unsure if she wanted to see me.
I’d thought I’d need to hunt her contact information down, but was surprised that my shuttle already had it. I’d tried to contact her several times while I was away, but she hadn’t answered any of my calls or messages.
Had she been too busy with the celebration? Or had she decided she didn’t want me anymore now that our mission was over?
I hated not knowing where we stood.
For a while, after realizing she wasn’t going to reply, I’d considered not returning to New Franklin for the celebration. But Jask’l and Zec’k had tricked me, saying that they had a very important mission for me. That mission, it turned out, was to partake in the celebration.
I watched as she entered the cafeteria. Should I approach her? Or let her come to me? Maybe I could use the mistletoe to my advantage and lure her in for a kiss. I knew about the custom. Zec’k had told me and Jask’l all about it.
But all that vanished when I saw a young male approach her. He greeted her with a grin, and the two conversed before he pointed upward. My gaze followed and locked onto the mistletoe hanging above them.
Krux.
I was between them in an instant, instincts overriding reason. “Holly is mine,” I growled, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. I knew they were true the moment I said them.
My voice was louder than I’d expected, and the entire room stopped and turned in our direction. The male paled, took two steps back, and stammered something before fleeing the room.
I turned to Holly, bracing for anger or confusion. I’d barged in, claimed her in front of everyone, and I wouldn’t blame her if she pushed me away. But when her gaze met mine, wide and stunned, lips parted and trembling, I saw no anger. Just shock. And something else: hope.
I didn’t give her a chance to run. I pulled her into my arms, locking her against me where she belonged.
“You are mine,” I growled, voice low and firm. “You have been since the moment you stepped into my shuttle.”
Her brows furrowed. “But you left. You didn’t even say goodbye.”
“I tried,” I said, tightening my grip. “I searched for you before I left. When I couldn’t find you, I sent messages. I called. Over and over. You never answered.”
Her mouth formed a small O. “You contacted me? But…” She shook her head, confusion clouding her features.
“My shuttle confirmed the contact code was correct for the device you carry. It keeps asking for the image of it encased in ice.”
She shook her head again. “I don’t have a phone. The one I used on the trip was borrowed from the library. Just in case I needed to call New Franklin in an emergency. But I uploaded the photo to the Christmas Committee database. ”
I stared at her, the truth sinking in. “You weren’t ignoring me.”
Relief slammed into me, loosening the knot that had been strangling my chest since the day I left. A rumble tore from my throat, loud and primal, drawing every eye in the room back to us. I didn’t care. Holly was in my arms again, and I wasn’t letting go.
“No,” she said softly. “I thought you left for your new position without saying goodbye.”
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, making them glassy and more beautiful than any bauble hanging from the tree.
“I was coming back,” I told her. “For you.” I swallowed hard, then launched into my request before I could overthink it. “Join me, Holly. My new position is a traveling one, but it’s based out of New Franklin. We can return between missions. I know it’s a lot to ask, but—”
She didn’t let me finish.
Holly launched herself at me, arms wrapping around my neck. “Yes! I’ll join you!”
I slid my hand along Holly’s jaw, fingers curling behind her neck, guiding her closer until her soft curves pressed flush against my body.
Her breath caught, her lips parted, and I leaned in.
I claimed her mouth under the mistletoe.
The kiss was deep, possessive, and laced with every bit of longing I’d carried since the moment I’d left.
She responded instantly, her hands gripping my shoulders, her body arching into mine like she couldn’t get close enough.
Holly was mine. And I was done pretending otherwise.
It wasn’t until our lips finally parted that I realized it. I tried to release her, but my arms would not budge.
I leaned back just enough to look into her eyes. Her pupils were wide, her breath shallow, and her fingers trembled where they clutched my shoulders.
“Burr’k?” she whispered.
“I can’t let go,” I said, voice rough. “My body won’t allow it.”
Her breath caught, and then her look of confusion was replaced by understanding. “The mate bond?” She tried to slip away, but my arms were locked.
“Yes,” I said, holding her tighter.
Around us, the cafeteria buzzed with celebration, and I was acutely aware of a round of applause as those around us realized they were witnessing the start of a mate bond, right there in the middle of the mess hall. But none of it mattered. My arms were locked around my mate. I had found her.
When I first arrived in New Franklin, I was lost. I had no mission and no purpose. I thought everything was over after the mothership was destroyed. My place in this whole universe, gone in a flash.
But then came Holly.
She was all the hope I’d ever need. And somehow, against all odds, she was mine.
I didn’t know what the future would hold, but I knew that it would be by her side.
“I love you, Holly,” I said, burying my face into her hair.
She looked up at me, eyes shining. “I love you too.”