by Layla Silver
A lot had changed in the past year. I had become a father and opened my heart to love again. I’d had to expand my closet to accommodate my mate, and I accidentally used her strawberry scented shampoo now and again since we now shared a bathroom. I’d even had to get used to hearing pop music around the house, and I knew some of the musicians by name now. The refrigerator was always full of baby milk and ice-cream; there wasn’t even space for a few beers anymore. But I wouldn’t change it all for the world; I loved my life now.
And one thing had remained the same through it all, and that was how Dakota still took my breath away. I had become this ever-smiling idiot I didn’t recognize in the mirror, and I was enjoying every second of it. Kyle and Claire teased me endlessly because of it, but it was fine because I teased them right back. They were the poster couple for ridiculously in love.
Dakota finally made it to where I was and stopped in front of me, extending her hand just as we had rehearsed. I took it in mine, and the ceremony official came forward with a golden chord, which he used to tie our hands together. The knot was tight and would bind us together until morning came. We wouldn't be able to remove it even if we tried.
"We are gathered here today to witness the union of Lincoln and Dakota," Kyle, acting in his role as the unofficial Alpha of Werebear Ranch, said. "This is an important decision that they have made, and we’re delighted to see the clan grow. As we bind these two today, we give them our blessing and support going forward. They have not only become family to each other, but they have become our family as well. To Lincoln and Dakota, may their souls be bound together in this world and beyond," Kyle said, and everyone rose to their feet.
"May their souls be bound together in this world and beyond," everyone said in unison.
He turned to me and began, "Lincoln, do you vow to uphold the laws of our clan, to teach them to your mate, and to respect her as our laws demand?"
"I do," I replied with conviction, meaning it with all my heart.
I would die for this woman and our child because that was how much I loved them. And it would be my pleasure to teach them both the ways of my clan.
"Do you vow to protect her with your life, to put her first before your own needs?"
"I do."
"And do you vow to live for her and her alone? Forsaking all others, in this life and beyond?"
"I do."
I felt the chord tighten around our wrists. It would tighten seven times until we were one, infusing the bond in our blood. The feeling was exciting, and my Bear was pacing in anticipation.
Kyle turned to Dakota and said, "Dakota, do you vow to uphold the ways of our clan and to honor them and your mate in this life and beyond?"
"I do," she answered.
"Do you vow to live for him and him alone? To be bound to him in this life and beyond?"
"I do."
"And do you accept him now as your mate and husband?"
"I do."
The chord tightened even further, and I checked Dakota's face for any signs of discomfort. She looked as happy and excited as she had been when she walked in, so I pushed any concern and worry aside. She was made for this, made for me.
Kyle nodded. "As you have vowed before all these witnesses, you will be held to your word. May all those present bear testimony to what you have promised. You may now present your gifts."
Josh brought forward two boxes and opened mine first so that I could take out my gift, then stood on the side. I held the engraved golden ring that I had bought for Dakota.
“Please accept this ring as my gift to you. To represent the love that I have for you, which is precious and never-ending,” I said and took her left hand to place it on her finger. It was a bit awkward to maneuver since her hand was bound to mine, but we made it work.
"Dakota, you loved me when I was broken. You gave me hope when I was content with the bare minimum. You light up my days with your smile, and you fill our house with laughter and joy. And you gave me the greatest gift of all: our son. You have given me everything I never thought I would have; you have given me life. Now I vow to give you everything you need for the rest of our lives and beyond. To love you and protect you and fill your days with happiness. My love may be rough around the edges, it may be overprotective, and it may be primal. But I promise you one thing: it is true and will be so for the rest of our lives."
She blinked, and tears rolled down her cheeks, making me smile. Josh presented her the other box, and she took out a ring as well.
“Lincoln, please accept this gift. A symbol of my never-ending love and devotion to you.” My ring was black and a perfect fit, and I looked at it with a smile when she put it on me.
"Lincoln, I trust you with my life. You have given me more than you could ever know, and I’m grateful that life brought you to me when I didn't dare dream of you or wish for someone as amazing as you are. I couldn't have made you up even on my most creative day because you’re so perfect for me in every way. I vow to love you for all of my days and to make you as happy as you make me. You have my heart, and now I bind my soul to yours."
It was done, we were now officially mates. My heart felt fuller somehow, and I wanted to burst with my love for the beautiful woman bound to me. The chord tightened a third time.
"You are now mates, bound by the laws of our land and the laws of this country," Kyle said as he took out the marriage certificate that we had signed earlier. "I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Pierce."
Everyone stood and clapped while Dakota grinned at me. I mouthed 'I love you' to her and winked; then, we faced everyone as they came up to congratulate us. Liam was fast asleep in one of the ladies' arms, and I was glad. He was spending the night at Kyle's, and he would throw a tantrum like no other if he had to watch us leave. As I had hoped, he took after his mother, and she was the apple of his eye. I knew that it would always be the two of them against me for the rest of our lives. While Dakota and I hadn’t really discussed having more children yet, she had expressed wanting at least one more. Which meant I had at least one chance to even the odds in my favor.
The chord around our hands tightened again, and my fangs lengthened involuntarily. Dakota gave me a questioning look as she received a hug from someone, and I gave her a toothy grin. My Bear was taking over, ready to mark our mate, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. And I didn't want to stop. Kyle came to us and glanced at our chord as he congratulated us.
"It is time," he said with a nod, then raised his hand to signal that our time with everyone had ended.
Everyone hushed immediately, and they went to their seats. I looked at my sleeping son again and hoped he wouldn’t fuss too much until we returned the following day. But as long as he had his food and milk, he would be happily distracted. It helped that he adored his uncle Kyle, so the two would have some fun together.
"You have fulfilled the requirements of the laws of Werebear Ranch, and now, you shall become one." His voice sounded louder now, or was it just my senses becoming sharper?
I was now hyperaware of everything around me, every heartbeat, and every movement. It was natural for Bears to become stronger once they mated, although I hadn’t experienced that in my first marriage. Now I felt it, and it was like shifting for the very first time all over again. It felt good and addictive, and I couldn’t wait to explore the extent of my heightened senses.
"We need to go," I said to Dakota, who blushed several shades of pink.
"So, everyone just knows what we’re going to do?" she whispered, wincing when the chord tightened even more.
"Trust me, they don't care," I smiled, bending her arm so that I could carry her in both of mine. "Are you comfortable?"
She nodded. "Your eyes are glowing."
"All the better to see you, darling." I winked and started walking towards the woods without looking back at our guests.
"Sorry, wrong shifter story. I like my big, strong Bear," she laughed.
"Hmm, keep talking like that, and I'll show you a
big, strong Bear."
"That's what I'm counting on," she whispered.
I started running, and she laughed as we went deeper into the woods. By the time I put her down and laid her gently onto some soft ground, our chord was impossibly tight, and we were both out of our minds with desire. Even though she was human, Dakota could still sense a lot stronger than before through our bond. Which meant that every single thing that I was feeling right now, she could feel it too. She could sense my Bear’s excitement and impatience, and she would be able to connect with us both in a way that hadn’t been possible before.
"I love you," Dakota whispered as I all but tore her clothes off her body.
"I love you too," I whispered back, then proceeded to show her just how much.
I loved her as I sank my teeth into her shoulder, spreading my scent all over her before I spread her legs and sank into her warm body. I loved her until our mating chord disintegrated, leaving our mating marks engraved on both our wrists. I loved her as she cried out my name a thousand times until the sun came up. I loved her with my body, mind, and soul, as I always would.
THE END
Hi lovely! Thanks so much for reading Dakota and Lincoln’s story. I hope you enjoyed it. Would you like to read Celeste and Nathan’s story too? Then be sure to…
Read book 3 of the “Shifter Surrogate Agency” Series:
The Alpha’s Surrogate
I left the pack all those years ago.
Left her when she needed me the most.
Now I’m back to take my position as the Alpha.
Only I can’t. Not until I have an heir.
The Elders have decided who’s going to be my surrogate.
I almost choke when I hear it.
It’s her. It’s always been her.
But she’ll never take me back.
She’s moved on, and I should, too. But I can’t help myself.
The only thing my brain is interested in thinking about is her.
The only thing my Wolf wants is nuzzle her throat, not play pack Alpha.
The only thing that can quench the fire inside of me is her.
She wants to keep things professional, and I owe it to her to respect that.
So I’ll bite back the urge to kiss her breathless, to pin her perfect body to the wall.
Let’s not forget one thing, though: I’m still her Alpha.
Whether she wants me to or not, she’s mine to protect.
And protect her I will.
Cause nobody touches my mate or my baby but me.
Read “The Alpha’s Surrogate” now
About the Author
Hi there! I’m Layla Silver, and I’m so happy to see you here :) I’m a mom of three adorable kids and after all these years, still wildly in love with my awesome and hard-working husband. I LOVE to write about hot shifters, whether Wolves, Bears, or Dragons, who are looking for their mates and will do anything to protect them no matter what comes their way. When I’m not writing or spending time with my family (which is pretty rare, but I’m not complaining!), I like to be in the mountains chasing paranormal dreams.
Check out my author page on Amazon and click “Follow” to get updates on new releases.
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Books by Layla Silver
“Shifter Surrogate Agency” Series
What's a very hot shifter to do if he hasn't found his mate yet but can't wait to have a baby? Go to the Shifter Surrogate Agency of course, where he might just get more than he bargained for...
Each book in the series is a standalone story with a guaranteed HEA.
The Wolf’s Surrogate
The Bear’s Surrogate
The Alpha’s Surrogate
The Lion’ Surrogate
The Dragon’s Surrogate
