Addison stared at Gage, who a mere moment ago had been a huge grizzly, loping toward her, furry ears and all. It was the first time she had even seen someone shift right before her eyes, and knowing about shifters and watching one change was as different as it got.

Stunned, she did her best to kick her brain into gear. But her first response at seeing him again was an emotional one. With his glittering dark gaze fixed on her, Gage looked tense, yet also eager somehow.

What is he doing here?

Her hear beat faster as that question passed through her mind. Could it be…? Before she could ask any questions, Reid spoke up.

“Gage,” he said. “What the hell is this?”

Gage didn’t even look at his brother, but there was a snarl in his voice as he spoke, the words clearly directed at Reid.

“Shut up, get out of the way and let me talk to her unless you want to get punched again. And this time, I won’t be holding back.”

Reid sputtered to himself, clearly not happy with any of it, but backed up nonetheless. Addison spared a thought at their poor driver, the same one from when they arrived, who was probably seriously over being involved in Atherton family drama. But when Gage reached out to grab her hand, all she could think about was the man in front of her and what he might say.

She hesitated probably less than she should have in taking his hand, and he led her away a couple of steps, until they were standing in between the plane and the hangar. That’s when Addison snapped at him, finally getting enough clarity to know she had had enough.

“Stop,” she said, tugging her hand free. “Why are you here?”

“I’ve been an idiot,” he replied, as she crossed her arms in front of her.

“No arguments here,” she couldn’t help but mutter under her breath.

“I don’t know the best way to say this so… I’m just going to say it,” he said, clenching and unclenching his hands at his sides. “You’re the one. I can’t imagine my life with anyone else, and I don’t want to. You’re my mate, Addison, and I couldn’t let you get on that plane without saying it.”

Well, if Addison had thought Gage showing up like this was a hell of a surprise, it was clear she hadn’t seen anything yet.

“You’re serious?” she blurted out, before having a chance to think better of it.

This wasn’t the type of thing shifters joked about. Finding their soul mates was serious business, and if that wasn’t enough, the nervous sincerity on Gage’s face spoke volumes, too.

“I mean,” she shook her head, trying to get her foot out of her mouth. “You’re telling me this now? Reid told you we were leaving yesterday. You didn’t come to me. I waited…” she trailed off, choosing to not finish that sentence lest any pesky tears leak out.

“Did I already mention I’m an idiot?” Gage offered, giving her a strained smile. “In my defense though, counselor, what I really wanted to ask you is kind of a tall order,” he admitted.

Addison’s heart was now thudding against her ribcage, the rising wind whipping her hair around as she looked at the devastatingly handsome man that had burrowed his way into her very soul.

Thinking about what he had just said, at least she felt less foolish about getting so attached to him so quickly. Turned out, it was biology, pure primal instinct, and what some might even call fate involved in their relationship. How could she deny that?

“And what’s that?” she asked.

“Stay,” he replied simply.

In that one word, she found everything she had wanted to hear. But that annoying little part of her that wanted to make sure everything was as she thought it was pushed her for more answers.

“You mean in Black Oak? With you? For how long?” she rattled off, unsure if she should give in to the joy blossoming inside her.

“Until you get sick of me, I guess,” he shrugged. “Which I of course hope doesn’t happen. Look, I know you have a life and a career back in Chicago. I know it’s insane of me to ask you to leave all that to be with me. The last thing I want is for you to regret anything down the road. But I realized I had to at least ask.”

The points Gage brought up were valid. She was set to take on her own cases now, and staying in Black Oak in no way aligned with the plans she had made for her life. But considering all that, in her heart, the decision had already been made.

“Yes,” she said, making Gage’s eyes widen. “I’ll stay.”

Instead of replying, he grabbed her into his arms, whirling her around. She yelped as one of her shoes went flying, but at least the airfield was empty enough so the heel wouldn’t take anyone’s eye out.

Locking her arms behind Gage’s neck, she couldn’t help but laugh in ecstatic relief. Every cell in her body told her it was the right decision to make, even if it didn’t make a whole lot of sense as far as her career was concerned.

But in the short week she had spent here with Gage, she had known true happiness, and come to see that was what mattered most at the end of the day.

“You can put me down now,” she said, when her head started to spin.

“As you wish, counselor,” he replied, gently setting her down on her feet while still holding her close.

“And for the record – I don’t think I’ll regret anything, or be sick of you,” Addison said.

She had barely gotten the sentence out when Gage pulled her into a slow, lingering kiss that made her forget all about how angry she had been at him just a few minutes ago.

No regrets, she thought, melting in his arms.