Chapter Twenty-Five – Michael #2
“And if you were any kind of man,” Liam continued, “you’d do the right thing and step aside.”
Before Michael could respond, Emmy came running back, her eyes bright with excitement. “Dad! I found the perfect one! Come see!”
The men separated, and Michael clenched his jaw as he suppressed his rage. He watched as Liam followed Emmy to the wreath display, his arm sliding around her shoulders in a gesture that seemed more possessive than affectionate.
Michael hung back, not trusting himself to be near Liam without saying something he’d regret. Instead, he busied himself with helping another customer, though his attention never strayed far from Emmy and her father.
When they finally selected a wreath—a beautiful creation of pine, holly berries, and pinecones—Liam made a show of carrying it to the register, speaking loudly enough for Michael to hear.
“Let’s take it home and hang it on the door,” he said to Emmy, emphasizing the word “home” with pointed significance.
Emmy tugged on his sleeve. “But you promised we’d go into town first for hot chocolate with marshmallows! So you can drink it while you eat the cookie I made you.”
Liam’s smile tightened almost imperceptibly. “Right, of course. Hot chocolate first, then home.”
As they walked toward the parking area, Emmy turned and waved, her smile genuine and bright. “See you soon, Michael!”
The simple farewell, so innocent and hopeful, twisted something in Michael’s chest. Was Liam right? Should he step aside? The last thing he wanted was to complicate Sarah’s life or put Emmy in the middle of adult conflicts.
His bear snorted derisively. No, we should go over there right now and tell Sarah just what she means to us.
Michael watched Liam’s car pull away, uncertainty warring with determination inside him. After a moment’s hesitation, he made his decision.
Pulling out his phone, he texted his dad. Morning. Can you come over and run things for an hour? I need to take care of something.
The reply came almost instantly. Sure. Is everything okay, son?
Yes. I have an errand to run. Michael sent the text and then went to help a customer, needing to keep busy while he waited for his dad to arrive.
Ten minutes later, Michael was in his truck, driving over to Sarah’s mother’s house. As he drove, Michael rehearsed what he would say, how he would tell Sarah about his encounter with Liam.
He only hoped that Liam and Emmy hadn’t made it home first. But no matter what, he was going to fight for his mate and the life they could have together.
Michael parked his truck in front of Sarah’s mother’s house and used his shifter senses to check who was in the house. Sarah was there alone. Perfect!
He strode toward the house, but before he had a chance to knock on the door, it swung open. Sarah stood there, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Michael! Is everything okay? I wasn’t expecting you.”
“I needed to see you,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. He longed to pull Sarah into his arms and kiss her senseless, but he needed to know it was what she wanted.
“Come in,” she said, stepping back. “Liam’s in town.”
“I know.”
Sarah’s brows drew together in confusion. “You do?”
“He came to North Peak Pines with Emmy to buy a wreath.” Michael stepped inside. He caught a whiff of cinnamon and coffee, but underneath it lingered the scent of Liam’s cologne. It smelled foreign, out of place.
Because it is, his bear growled.
Sarah sighed, closing the door behind him. “And what did he say?”
Michael clenched his jaw, remembering Liam’s words, the arrogance in his tone. “That he’s going to put his family back together again.”
“And you believe him?” Sarah asked, her voice soft yet challenging.
Michael shook his head, stepping closer to her. “No, because I won’t let him.” The words came out fiercer than he’d intended, his bear’s possessiveness bleeding through. “I’m the one you’re supposed to be with.”
Sarah’s lips twitched. “Is that right?”
“Yes.” Michael held her gaze, unwavering in his certainty despite the vulnerability coursing through him.
The smile that spread across Sarah’s face was like a sunrise breaking over the mountains on a summer day. She moved toward him, closing the distance between them. “Good, because that’s exactly what I told him.”
“You did?” Michael’s heart leaped.
Sarah shook her head, amusement dancing in her eyes. “Did you think I would choose a letdown like Liam over you?”
Michael shrugged, trying and failing to suppress his smile. “Not really.”
Sarah rose onto her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his in the sweetest of kisses. When she pulled back, her eyes glittered with emotion. “I believe in this mating bond, Michael. And I believe in you.”
A wave of intense relief swept over him as he stroked her cheek with his thumb. “You made me believe wishes can come true.”
Their lips met again, this time with a hunger that left them both breathless. When they finally parted, Michael reached into his pocket, fingers closing around the velvet pouch he’d been carrying since their visit to the Wolf Valley Christmas market.
He dropped to one knee, looking up at Sarah’s startled face. “I don’t have a ring,” he said, pulling out the gift-wrapped bracelet, “so this will have to do. For now.”
Sarah’s hands flew to her mouth, her eyes widening as she stared down at him.
“Will you marry me, Sarah?”
Sarah sank to her knees in front of him, her hands framing his face as she peppered it with kisses. “Yes,” she whispered against his skin. “Yes.”
Relief and joy surged through Michael as he unwrapped the bracelet, revealing the delicate silver chain with its bear charm. He clasped it around her wrist, a symbol of their love and belonging.
“I love you,” he said, the words simple but loaded with everything he felt for her.
Sarah’s smile was radiant as she leaned in, her lips a breath away from his. “I love you, too.”
Their kiss deepened as the first snowflakes fell outside, dusting the world in white. Michael’s bear rumbled in satisfaction, finally at peace now that their mate was truly theirs.
This bear’s Christmas wish had finally come true.