BK 4 - Chapter 15 - We're Mates
Kiersten tried to process what Alex had said. She could feel his nervousness, so she knew he was waiting for her reply.
"What do you mean, you're a carebear?" She asked slowly. Alex burst out laughing.
"I didn't say carebear. I said I'm a werebear." He said carefully. Alex watched her face, waiting for her to laugh or show fear.
"What exactly is a werebear?" Kiersten questioned. She squeezed Alex's hand while waiting for an explanation.
"A werebear is someone that can switch from human to a bear. In my case, I can change into a grizzly bear." He answered. Was she going to want to leave now? He was scared Kiersten wouldn't believe him and reject him before she even knew they were mates.
"So what I was saying inside about animals being more than what they seemed was real? There are actually people out there who are part animal, and you're one of them?" Kiersten asked excitedly. When she heard people purring and growling, she thought she was crazy. If Alex could change into a bear, then she was right all along.
"Yes, what you said was right. Are you okay with this? I mean, you seem like you're taking it well." Alex replied, still watching for any signs that she wanted to leave.
"I'm really okay with it. I think it's cool, actually. Is your sister a bear too?" Kiersten thought it would be amazing to change from a human to an animal whenever she wanted.
"She's a werelion. Our mom is also a werelion, and our dad is a vampire." Alex chuckled as he saw Kiersten's lips form a small smile.
"A vampire? That's awesome. Why do you keep this to yourselves? I would think this would make you all like superheroes or something." She turned toward him slightly. Kiersten couldn't imagine anyone not thinking people who could be human, and animal would be anything less than incredible.
"It's dangerous for us out there. There's an unspoken rule all over the world that shifters, vampires, and witches are to keep what they are away from humans. The research that our grandfather compiled shows the brutal killings of our kind. When humans do find out about us more times than I would like to admit, they find a way to torture us. Lisa and I are the product of a scientist trying to make test subjects. He kept us in cages until we were rescued. Our family is responsible for stopping the trafficking of shifters, vampires, and witches all over the world. Lisa and I would be dead if it wasn't for them." Kiersten could hear the pain in Alex's voice, and it broke her heart.
"I'm sorry you have gone through so much. You should be able to live free without worrying about being hurt by others." She said softly, leaning against him.
"You're taking this better than I could have ever hoped, but I have something else to tell you," Alex said, sliding his arm around Kiersten's shoulders. Her being so accepting of him felt like a dream.
"Okay. Are you going to tell me we could never be together because I'm human?" She asked sadly. Alex ran his hand through her beautiful red curls.
"Actually, I wanted to tell you that shifters, vampires, and some witches have mates. It's the one person that's our other half. When you find that person, there's an undeniable connection." He answered while holding her closer. She felt so small next to him.
"What a minute. Is that why you said mate when we first met? Am I your mate?" Kiersten asked eagerly. If she was his mate, did that mean she could be with him forever?
"So you did hear what I said earlier. The sparks we feel when we touch is part of the mate bond. The more feelings we have toward each other, the stronger it becomes. I know you may need to absorb all this, so I won't rush you to accept all of this." Alex leaned down and kissed her forehead. Kiersten felt like she was going to burst.
"Explain what it means to be your mate." Her heart was racing with anticipation.
"It means that if you accept me as your mate, I will mark you and make you a werebear, too. We would be tied together for the rest of our lives." Alex held his breath. Was this going to be when she said she wasn't interested in him like that?
"I'll be able to turn into a bear too? Are you serious?" Kiersten asked, unable to hide the excitement in her voice.
"Yes, and yes," Alex answered with a smile. He could see her face glowing from what he said. She squealed and reached out to touch his face.
"I can't believe all this. Can I hug you?" Kiersten asked while running her fingers over his lips, feeling his smile.
Alex wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. She put her arms around his neck and threaded her finger into his thick, soft hair. Burying her face in his neck, she felt like her whole body was on fire. Alex rubbed his large warm hands up and down her back.
"Are you really okay with all this?" He whispered in her ear. Kiersten shivered from the feel of his warm breath.
"I'm more than okay. This is like a dream come true. Do you want to know why I was at the park today?" Kiersten asked, holding him tight as the tears stung her eyes.
"Why were you there?" Alex asked with confusion. He figured it was to take a walk like most of the other people there.
"I have been so depressed for so long I couldn't stand it anymore. When I woke up this morning, I decided I was done surviving. There was no one that would care if I was gone. I put my best clothes on and walked to the park, intending to go to the outlook area where I would jump off and kill myself. I figured at least if I was food for the buzzards, something would benefit from my time on earth." Kiersten started crying. Alex sat her across his lap. He held her as the tears streamed down both their faces.
"You're more than food for the buzzards. You're a sweet, loving, beautiful woman. I don't ever want you to feel like your life isn't worth living. You're special, and if anything happened to you, it would kill me. What made you change your mind at the park?" Alex asked before kissing her forehead. He used his thumb to dry her tears and kissed each of her cheeks.
"I heard you crying, and it broke my heart. Something told me I needed to try to make you feel better." She answered. If he hadn't been there today, her life would have ended.
"You did make me feel better. My heart was broken, and you healed it with just your sweet smile." Alex quietly thanked whatever unknown force had put them both in the right place at the right time.
"Will you kiss me?" Kiersten asked softly. She needed to feel that what he said was true. She had been so low for so long, trying to pretend everything was okay. Hearing Alex's sweet words filled her with hope.
When he heard what Kiersten wanted, Alex didn't hesitate. Closing his eyes, he brought his mouth to hers and kissed her gently. The sparks around them were so intense the kiss deepened. Alex ran his tongue along her lips, and she opened her mouth to allow him access. When their tongues began stroking each other, they both moaned. Alex pulled away when they needed air. Putting his forehead against Kiersten's, he felt alive.
"That was my first kiss. I didn't know it would feel so good," Alex said, kissing her lightly. Kiersten felt some of the hopelessness in her heart healing.
"Me neither. That was my first kiss too, and it was spectacular. I know you said we're mates, but do you want to be my mate? Are you disappointed that I'm blind? I don't want you to be with me out of pity." Kiersten asked nervously. She would be shattered if he said he didn't want her now. He saved her life.
"I wanted to be your mate the minute you sat beside me in the park. You being blind doesn't matter to me. If I could take your blindness away, I would, not for me, but for you. I want you for you, Kiersten. I'm already falling in love with you. I want to show you how it feels to be loved and cherished for the rest of your life. Do you want to be my mate?" Alex removed her sunglasses and kissed each of her eyes. Kirsten felt like her heart was going to explode.
"You're falling in love with me? I feel the same for you, but I thought it was too soon. Yes, I want to be your mate." Kiersten felt fresh tears running down her face, but they were happy tears this time. Alex took her hand and placed it over his heart.
"My heart beats for you. From the moment you came into my life, your name is the only one it knows. Before I mark you, I want to talk to you more about being mates, but there's something else I want to do." Alex said, smiling as he raised her hand to his lips.
"What's that?" Kiersten asked, rubbing her hand on his cheek before kissing it. Was it possible for a person's heart to explode? She was sure if he made her any happier, hers would burst.
"I want to let you meet my bear, Remy. Are you okay with that?" He asked while rubbing his hand up her back. Her face lit up again, and it made him smile. Even without seeing her eyes, he could read her expressions so well.
"Your bear has a name, and I can meet him?" Kiersten questioned with delight.
"He's anxious to meet you. Are you ready?" Alex asked while Remy bounced around in his head.
"Yes. Let me meet Remy."
