When he awoke the next morning, he felt different. There was more to him now. He wasn’t alone in this world anymore. He had Sophia. Forever. That was what she had said.

He smiled at her while she slept. The eclipse was tonight. He still had to tell her about the ceremony, but after they had given each other their bodies, it was only a formality.

Her eyes fluttered open.

“Good morning.” He brushed the hair from her face.

“Good morning.” She smiled, nuzzling against his chest.

It felt good to hold her in his arms. To know that she was finally his. There were no more ghosts between them. No more walls.

He ran his fingers over the soft curves of her hips. He felt his cock jerk to life. He smiled, knowing she felt it too.

“You know I have to start baking downstairs,” she warned.

He nodded. “I do, but this is our first morning together.”

“I think I have something you’ll like this morning,” she teased.

She began to roll away from him, landing on her stomach. He licked his lips as he watched her tilt her hips upward. Holy hell, this woman was going to kill him.

She pushed up on her palms, her heavy breasts draping over the pillows. She tilted her head toward him.

His bear growled low and deep. Sophia giggled, then quickly whimpered as he nudged himself between her legs.

“You’re so big,” she whispered. Her hips rocked back. He reached between her legs.

“And you’re so wet,” he groaned. He couldn’t hold back anymore. He pushed inside her as her head jerked back. “Fuck,” he growled, feeling her stretch around his wide cock.

She was everything he wanted in a mate. He thrust in and out of her. She was meant for him. He could feel it as he slid inside her. She was so tight, but every part of her screamed out for him to take more. He twisted her nipples between his fingers, knowing it would make her come quickly.

She bucked hard at him and he grinned, pumping harder, burying himself in her.

“Oh, Liam,” she whimpered. “Fuck me, baby. Please, fuck me.”

He growled at the sound of his name on her lips. She spoke the words he had dreamed of hearing. He gripped her hips, slamming his cock into her tight cavern. She was his. The white light of pleasure ripped through him as he pumped into her, giving her his essence. He wanted more than he did last night.

Last night was about sealing their bond. Taking his mate. Now he wanted cubs. He wanted to fill her with life.

“Oh fuck, Soph.” He throbbed inside her, exhausted and satisfied.

He lowered her hips to the bed, their sweaty bodies fused with heat.

“I lied,” she whispered.

His chest tightened. What was she talking about?

“This makes me happy, Liam.”

He felt relief sweep through him. “That’s all I want for you.”

She pulled his hand under her chest. “I should have known it would be like this with you.”

He kissed along her shoulder. “I tried to tell you.”

“You did. I needed time.” She sounded quiet.

He rolled off of her back, and pulled her against his chest. He loved how she fit against him.

“Speaking of time. I need to talk to you about something.”

“What is it?”

“Our blood oath ceremony.”

She pressed on her chest, creating space between them. “Blood oath?”

He nodded. “Yes. How does tonight sound?”

“We just… I just… I’m not ready for that.” She looked bewildered, and he wanted to fix it. Change things. Turn back the clock so there was more time.

“It’s only a formality. We’re already bonded.” He looked at her neck where he had bitten her last night. There would be a mark for a while.

“It’s too much. I’m not ready.” She sat forward, dragging the sheet to her chest.

“We can keep it small. You, me, and only one or two elders. That’s all we need.”

She shook her head. “Not tonight.”

He felt the frustration in his chest. It was only a formality, but in order for the laws of the clan to be satisfied, the she-alpha had to swear her blood oath to her new mate. She was the symbol of the clan’s fertility and motherhood. If she didn’t swear the oath before the eclipse, the lineage lines stopped. There would be no more bear shifter cubs for the clan.

Sophia scooted out of bed and padded off to the shower. “I have to get ready for work.” She closed the door behind her.

Fuck.