11. Riley
Chapter 11
Riley
"Blake, this French toast is so good." I shoved another mouthful in my face, savoring the last bite of my breakfast. The warm, cinnamony goodness was the perfect start to the chilly winter morning.
"Thanks. It’s my mom’s recipe. She makes them for me on Christmas morning.” His eyes were soft when he talked about his mother. “You’ll meet her soon.”
“I will?” The fact that he wanted me to meet his mom so soon was surprising. “When?”
“Christmas, if not sooner.” He smiled and pushed back from the table. “Ready to head outside?"
I nodded eagerly, already imagining the pristine blanket of snow waiting for us. Now that I wasn’t living in it, I could appreciate the fun aspect of a snowy winter day once again. Blake bundled me up in all my warmest clothes, and we stepped out into the crisp air, our breath forming little clouds. The world seemed silent at first, muffled by the thick layer of fluff covering everything in sight. But as I walked deeper onto the lawn, I could hear the sounds of nature.
"Still want to see my bear?" Blake had a mischievous grin, taunting me to change my mind.
“Absolutely.” I was a little nervous but more excited than anything. “Unless it hurts to shift.”
“Nope. Not at all.” He pulled his hoodie over his head and then dropped his sweats. Suddenly, he was naked, and I almost jumped his bones right there. “Remember, it’s just me. You’re safe, no matter what.”
I nodded and watched intently as Blake's form began to shift and change before me. In mere seconds, where my mate had stood there was now a massive brown bear. I gasped in awe, my heart racing with excitement rather than fear. "Blake? Can I... Can I touch you?"
The bear nodded and dropped to sit on his butt as I stepped closer and tentatively reached out.
I pulled off my gloves and let my fingers sink into the softest fur I'd ever felt. It was like touching a thick cloud of velvet that was somehow warm, even though the snow was falling around us. “Your coat is so thick and soft.”
I'd never been this close to a bear before, not many people had. And this wasn't just any bear. This was Blake. My Blake. My mate. I was completely safe.
Feeling bold, I wrapped my arms around the bear’s neck and held on tightly. His furry body radiated heat, chasing away the winter chill, and I wanted to stay there all day. “You’re so toasty warm. Why would you ever go back to your skin.”
Suddenly, the air tingled around me and Blake was human again, grinning wickedly with something hiding behind his back.
“Some things are only possible in my skin.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Yeah?” I stood back and looked down at his gorgeously naked body. “Like what?”
“Like this!” He cocked his arm back and threw a snowball right at me.
It splattered on my chest. "Oh, it's on!"
We chased each other through the snow, lobbing hastily made projectiles and laughing like children. By the time we called a truce, we were both soaked and breathless.
I held up my palms in surrender. "Race you inside for some hot chocolate?"
He was still naked as he walked toward his clothes. “You win. Get warmed up, and I’ll make it.”
“Deal.” I started walking backward toward the house. “Blake?”
He stopped just before stepping into his sweats. “Yeah.”
“Thank you for sharing that with me. It was...magical."
The scent of pine and cinnamon wafted through the cabin, stirring memories of the Christmases I celebrated as a kid. I turned to Blake and watched as he stoked the fire. "So, what about decorations? Do you usually deck the halls around here?"
He rolled back on his heels, a wistful look crossing his face. "Yeah, I just haven’t been in the mood this year. There's a big spruce out front I like to string lights on. Makes the place feel festive."
I knew exactly the tree he was talking about because I’d also been eyeing it because it looked like a perfect Christmas tree. "That sounds nice. Can we decorate it?"
"Yeah, sure. There's a box of stuff up in the attic. Ornaments, garland, the whole nine yards."
My heart leapt at the thought of transforming his cabin into a winter wonderland. "That sounds amazing."
"Actually, yeah. It does.” Blake's eyes lit up, and he cocked his head and grinned. “Gimme a hand with the ladder?"
We spent the next hour rummaging through dusty boxes that only got attention once a year. Delicate glass balls were nestled in tissue paper, strands of twinkling lights were tangled together, and a teddy bear tree-topper that had been carved out of wood was by itself on a shelf.
“This is cute.” I lifted the bear and held it up so it was in my line of sight next to Blake. “Looks just like you.”
He laughed. “It should. It is me.”
My mouth hung open. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, my grandpa made it after the first time I shifted. Said I should give it to my own cub someday.”
My hand instinctively moved to my belly at the reminder that his cub could already be growing inside me. “Someday.”
Blake put down the box he was holding and came to me. “That day might be sooner than we expect, omega.”
I smiled. “I hope so.”
“You do?” He reached for the bear and held it, smiling as he ran his fingers over the smooth wood. “Even though it’s so fast?”
I swallowed hard and nodded. “I don’t need more time to know you’re it for me. My mate for life.”
Blake kissed me and then pinched my ass. “That’s right, omega. Now, let’s go get this place ready for our first Christmas together.”
“First of many?” I slid my arm through a heavy string of lights.
Blake picked up the box he’d been holding earlier and winked. “First of every.”
For the rest of the day, we created an explosion of Christmas. As we draped garland along the mantle and hung stockings with care, I couldn't help but marvel at how right it all felt. Blake and I moved in perfect sync, passing ornaments back and forth, with our hands brushing together in not-so-accidental moves.
"I can't believe we completely transformed your house in just a few hours." I stepped back to admire our handiwork. The cabin glowed with colorful lights as evergreen boughs added a touch of forest magic throughout.
Blake slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me close. "It's never looked better. Thanks for suggesting this, sweetheart."
I leaned into his embrace, savoring the moment. As the fire crackled and the scent of cookies filled the air, I knew this would be a Christmas to remember.