“No, Zeke.” She gently rested her palm against his breastbone. “You have to forgive yourself for something that wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault. It was something that no one saw coming. A mating bond is meant to inspire love, hope, and happiness. You can’t blame yourself when it didn’t.”

Pulling in a restorative breath, Zeke nodded. For the first time in what felt like ages, the weight of it began to lessen. As if sensing the change, Nina’s mouth twitched into a smile.

“I love you, Zeke.”

“I love you, too, Nina.”

She tilted her chin up, eagerly awaiting the contact of his lips on hers. Zeke gave in to the offer, savoring every second of her sweetness. She melded her body with his, pressing her body against his and dissolving into his embrace.

When he lifted his head, it was to the budding spring of the Colorado Rockies. Nestled high in the mountains, he’d built the cabin by hand decades ago with permission of the local werewolf alpha, Riaz. Over the years, he’d refurnished, redecorated, and redone every major part of it, but the original charm of it had remained. Now, it was his to share with his mate.

Nina’s sharp intake of breath betrayed her surprise, her hand coming to her throat as she eagerly strode toward the gallery windows.

“The Rockies?”

“I faintly recall you coveting a leisurely vacation to a hidey-hole in the mountains where no one could find you?” The smile in his voice was evident. “Rest assured, our freezer is well stocked with Chunky Monkey ice cream and Blair has loaned me your favorite rom coms.”

Turning back to face him from, deep emotion pinched her flawless features. “You’re too good to me, Zeke.”

In two strides, she’d buried her face in his chest. Zeke stroked the thick curtain of her hair, gently smoothing the soft brunette waves that framed her face. “Years ago, I built this space as my personal retreat: a place where I could be alone. Now, it’ll be ours. No one else has ever been here, Nina, only you and I.”

Gently, Nina caressed her fingertips along his shadowed jaw, the delicate movement full of adoration. Electricity jumped across his skin as he leaned into the contact, deliriously happy. Standing on her tip toes, she pressed an affectionate kiss to his lips. The short, fleeting sensation of her mouth on his was over far too soon, and he found himself bereft when she retreated.

“You’ve outdone yourself this time, mate.” Unspent emotion clouded her eyes, but she offered him an endearing smile. “All I got you was an old car.”

“An old car?”

“A little birdie told me your pride and joy suffered an … unfortunate accident. Seeing as how its fate was entirely my fault, I decided to make it up to you. It’s sitting in your garage in Ontario. It’s not a surprise—since you detest them—it’s a replacement. Happy Mating, my love.”

Zeke gave her a half-hearted glower. “There are less than one hundred in the world, Nina. Where on earth did you get another?” He balked, incredulous. “Did you steal it?”

Her hearty laugh reverberated through the otherwise silent house. “No, Zeke, don’t be silly. Believe it or not, the owner owed me a favor.”

“And he just gave you the car out of the goodness of his heart?”

She chuckled. “Okay, okay, money changed hands, but everything was well above board.”

Shaking his head, Zeke swathed her in his arms and pulled her against his chest. “In any case, mon cœur, thank you.”

“It seems we have a lot to be thankful for.”

Zeke couldn’t agree more. And there, enjoying the view of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Zeke and Nina began their eternity together.

Source: www.seynovel.com