The dragon is close, his bear said as the snow around them grew soggy, turning to slush beneath their feet. The watery slush made the going much easier and Hex’s bear picked up the pace, wanting to reach Mac and get Martha home. Her cougar might look fine, but Hex didn’t want to take any chances.
The cougar by his side froze, her tail stiff as she stared at something in the distance. Hex’s bear peered through the trees, watching as something moved just around the bend of the road.
Kelos. His bear bristled at the prospect of coming face to face with a dragon.
A dragon who has helped save us, Hex replied.
His bear let go of the tension building inside his short, stocky body. I don’t expect we’ll ever hear the end of it.
As the cougar and the bear raced toward the dragon, the air temperature warmed and the world around them was colorful once more as the snow melted.
Mac. Hex had never been so pleased to see his brother’s truck, which was stationary in the middle of the wet road.
The driver door opened, and Mac got out, while behind the truck a large dragon landed gracefully and arched his neck as he gazed on the two shifters who were approaching.
Hex shifted as they neared the truck. “Mac, thanks for coming.” He then directed his attention to Kelos. “Thanks for taking a risk for us.”
The air shimmered around the massive dragon before it faded from the world and Kelos stood in its place. “There wasn’t much risk since there is no one else around. The snow has kept most people off the roads.”
“And the fresh snowfall will cover the road once more so no one will know what happened.” Mac looked up as a flurry of fresh snow fell around them.
“Let’s get home.” Hex turned to Martha, who was still in cougar form. “Are you all right?” His heart hammered in his chest as fear took hold of him. “Martha?”
The cougar looked up at him. Was that panic in her eyes?
No, she’s in shock, his bear told Hex.
“Martha, you need to get in the truck,” Hex touched the cougar’s fur and ran his hand over her back.
The cougar blinked a couple of times as if woken from a dream. As she stared at Hex, the air around her shimmered and Martha returned to her human form.
“Shall we go?” Kelos asked and jumped into the back of the truck. As he pulled his collar up around his neck, he looked up at the sky. “We don’t have a lot of time before the road will become impassable again.”
“Thank you,” Martha stuttered, directing her thanks at the dragon shifter.
“No problem. Anything to help the Winter boys.” He winked at Hex who nodded his thanks.
“Thank you, too.” Martha climbed into the truck, where Mac was waiting with the engine running.
“You’re part of the family,” Mac said. “I’m just glad that Kelos agreed to fly in daylight.”
“It was a risk.” Hex got in next to his mate and shut the door.
“We both used our senses to check if anyone was around. Kelos kept below the tree line so no one could see him from a distance.” Mac looked up at the snow-laden sky. “We just need all that snow to fall on the road, so no one asks any questions.”
As if in answer to Mac’s request, snow started to fall in big fat flakes that settled on the windshield as he turned the truck around and drove back to the sawmill.
“How are you feeling?” Hex slipped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her close.
“Cold,” Martha admitted. “But I feel better.”
Mac shot Hex a questioning look. “The dream came true?”
“The dream came true.” Hex sagged in his seat as exhaustion threatened to rob him of the last of his strength. “But we survived.”
Martha placed her hand on his chest and snuggled into him. “That is all behind us now. We have a clear road ahead that leads to the rest of our lives together.”
Hex dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “I love you, cougar.”
“I love you, too, bear,” she said sleepily. “And I always will.”
“It looks as if you two are going to have a long and happy life together. With no more dreams,” Mac said happily. “At least one of us getting a happy ever after.”
“There’s still time for you, Mac,” Martha told Hex’s brother.
“You and Beck, wherever he is in the world,” Hex agreed. He wanted everyone to feel the same way as he did at this moment in time. But mostly he wanted his brothers to feel the same sense of love and belonging, because they deserved it more than anyone he knew.
There’s hope for the Winter family, after all, his bear said as he settled down to sleep after their eventful day. A sleep that would never be marred by dreams of their mate drowning.
That was in the past and only good dreams lay in their future.
Epilogue
“It’s done.” Hex switched off the chainsaw and set it down on the ground.
Immediately, Martha shifted and came to him. “Wow, you really did capture my likeness.” She reached out and stroked her hand along the curve of the cougar’s back, surprised at the smooth finish. “So much detail.” Martha stood back and shook her head in awe.
“I have etched every part of your cougar into my mind. Just as I have etched every detail of your beautiful face into my mind.” Hex stroked Martha’s cheek before he lowered his head and kissed her lips.
“I can’t believe we’ve only known each other a few days,” she murmured against his mouth. “It feels as if we have been together forever.”
“In a good way, I hope.” Hex pulled back and gazed down at his mate. “I don’t want to be a chore you have to endure.”
“Never a chore.” She shook her head and coiled her hands around his neck, pulling him closer.
Hex groaned and slipped his arms around her waist, holding her tightly against him. He wanted her. He wanted her so much it hurt. Sliding his hand under her shirt, he cupped her breast in his hand and she pressed closer to him.
“There’s something I want to ask you.” Hex cleared his throat and stepped away from her. Fumbling in his pocket, he took out something small and round.
“Hex.” Martha put her hands to her cheeks and shook her head.
“I hope that doesn’t mean no before I’ve even asked.” Hex took hold of her hand and dropped down to one knee.
“It’s just…I didn’t expect it, with the snow and everything… I didn’t think you’d go out and buy a ring…” Martha’s voice tapered off.
“Kelos gave it to me.” Hex looked down at the ring which he held between his finger and thumb. “I honestly don’t know how much it is worth, but I suspect it’s worth more than I earn in a year.”
“That’s so kind of him.” Martha’s hands dropped to her sides.
Hex nodded. “I think he is in love with the idea of romance. He’s in love with the idea of finding his mate. Until that happens, he plans to live vicariously through every other shifter who finds their mate.”
“Then he should have a special place at the wedding since he did kind of save my life.” She chuckled at Hex’s expression. “After you saved me twice.” Martha rolled her eyes. “I have never needed saving before. I don’t know what’s happened to me.”
“What happened is you met me. A man who had a hex on him.” Hex shrugged. “Shall I apologize or ask you to marry me?”
“Ask.” Martha held her hand out, her fingers splayed as Hex took a deep breath.
“Martha Jewson, will you marry me?” He smiled looking kind of goofy but also incredibly hot. “Please.”
“I will.” Her stomach flipped in delight as he slid the ring onto her finger.
Hex stood up and hugged her close as if he never wanted to let her go. “You’ve just made me the happiest man in the world. It feels as if my luck has changed.”
“Then maybe we should do something to celebrate,” Martha whispered in his ear. She had a few ideas but as his lips locked with hers, she sensed someone approaching.
“Mac.
” Hex reluctantly let go of his mate as he also sensed his brother.
“So this is what you two have been up to.” Mac entered the barn, an axe in his hand.
“Have you just gotten back?” Hex asked as his brother approached the carving.
“I have. Roane made me a sandwich. She’s lonely. This snow has lasted longer than most people thought and they’re getting stir crazy.” He chuckled. “At least she can get her car out once the snow does melt. The tree had come down right across the road. Luckily it wasn’t a big one and my axe cut through it like a knife through butter.”
“You know that makes you sound like an axe murderer?” Hex asked lightly.
“I like my axe.” Mac ran his finger along the edge of the tool. “Although, I need to sharpen it now.”
“Don’t let us stop you,” Hex told his brother.
Martha patted her mate on his chest. “Don’t be rude.”
“So, Hex, now you’ve asked your mate to marry you…” Mac grinned as he backed out of the barn. “I saw the ring.”
“And?” Hex asked.
“Congratulations,” Mac kissed Martha on the cheek.
“Thanks, Mac.” She hugged Mac before stepping to Hex’s side. “I can’t wait to officially be part of the family.”
“So, when you get married, are you going to use your real name?” Mac asked.
Martha opened her mouth in surprise. “Yes, what is your real name?”
“I don’t remember,” Hex joked, crossing his eyes and looking foolish. “It’s been so long since anyone called me anything other than Hex.”
“Beck.” Mac’s expression faltered.
“I thought Beck was your brother’s name.” Martha watched the two men as they turned away from her and gazed into the distance.
“It is,” Hex replied. “And he’s here.”
“And that’s a good thing, right?” Martha asked. “He’ll be here for the wedding.”
“Yeah. It’s a good thing,” Mac replied as he and Hex exchanged looks.
So why do I not believe them, her cougar said.
Well, if it’s not a good thing, then I aim to change that, Martha replied. Because nothing is going to ruin my wedding to Hex. Not even a long-lost brother.
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Hex Winter Shifter Seasons Page 18
