by R. E. Butler
“You should use the money to buy something for yourself.”
“I was thinking we could buy some new furniture.”
“What kind?”
“Baby furniture.”
He purred, and she answered it with a soft rumble. His eyes flashed to gold, and she knew that hers had changed too.
“Before we have children, I’d like to do something first,” he said.
“What?”
“Get married.”
Surprised, she said, “I didn’t think you cared about marriage.”
“Our soulmate bond is far stronger than a piece of paper issued by the human government. But I want you to have my last name, and I want to belong to you and for you to belong to me in every way. Not just as soulmates, but as husband and wife.”
“That’s so sweet. I’d love to be your bride.”
He moved out of the car quickly and came around to her side in time to catch her door as she opened it. He offered her his hand and they moved up the sidewalk together. Her mom opened the door before they reached it. She hugged Valerie tightly and then looked at Charisma. He extended his hand to her, and she dropped her gaze to it, then stepped forward and gave him a quick hug. “It’s nice to meet you. Call me Ina. I hope you’re hungry – I made your favorite, honey.”
“Brown sugar ham and twice-baked potatoes. Yum!”
As they followed her mom into the house, Valerie winked at him. He breathed a nearly silent sigh of relief, and she chuckled.
The meal was amazing, as always. Her mom’s brown sugar glaze was so good that Valerie had told her many times over the years that she could sell it and make a fortune. It took almost no time for her mom to begin to grill Charisma.
“Where are you from?”
“A small town called Littlewood.”
“And your family?”
“My parents died when I was a teenager, and I don’t have any other surviving family.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you. Valerie has filled up the part of my heart that was empty for a long time.”
Valerie smiled softly at her mate.
“What are your intentions with my only daughter?”
Without missing a beat, Charisma said, “I’m planning to marry Valerie and spend the rest of my life making her happy. Whatever comes our way, I know we can weather any storms.”
“Okay,” her mom said. “Why don’t you head into the family room and we’ll bring coffee in?”
He kissed Valerie’s cheek and disappeared. She helped her mom clear the table, and when she delivered the last load of dishes to the kitchen counter, her mom said, “Are you pregnant?”
Her mouth fell open. “What?”
“I’m not judging, I’m just asking. Am I going to be a grandma?”
“Eventually,” Valerie said with a laugh. “I’m not pregnant, though. I just met him, and I really like him. I’m taking a break from my job, but I’m not making a rash decision.”
Her mom’s brow arched, and then she sighed. “I like him. He’s charming, and he dotes on you. He stares at you like the sun rises and sets with your permission.”
Blushing, she shook her head. “No, he doesn’t.”
“Oh, he does.” She looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, “When I was young I wanted to meet a guy who would sweep me off my feet. Your father did, but then he wished he hadn’t. I never wanted to be someone else’s regret again.”
“Why did he change his mind?” Valerie whispered, the words hard to say. She didn’t want to hurt her mom’s feelings, but she was curious, and her conversation with Charisma earlier had gotten stuck in her mind.
“He was a grass-is-always-greener sort of fellow. He married me because I was pregnant with you, but I’m not sure he ever really loved me. He said it to me, I think because he thought he was supposed to. But he always had one eye on greener pastures, and he found one. He’s happy now, I guess, but I’m happier alone.”
“You’re not really alone. You have friends and activities, and you have me.”
“And maybe I’ll have a grandson or granddaughter to spoil someday soon.”
“I wondered if you’d disapprove of me quitting my job and moving a few hours North.” She chewed her lip, still feeling like the little girl who wanted approval from her parents.
“You’re an adult. You’re allowed to make your own choices. I can promise you that if you need me for anything, I’m here for you. If what feels right to you is quitting your job and following your heart, then who am I to tell you that it’s wrong? I don’t know much about love, and my only real relationship failed. Are you happy?”
“Deliriously.”
“Then I’m happy for you. Just promise that we’ll still see each other regularly.”
“I promise.”
“And you could name your first daughter after me.”
“I already promised Bethany because of that bet I lost. But you could have the middle name?”
Her nose wrinkled. “Tell Bethany that I’ll arm wrestle her for the naming rights.”
Valerie laughed. “I have a lot to tell her about when she gets back from her honeymoon. But as far as baby naming goes, I’ll leave it up to you two to work out.”
She and her mom joined Charisma in the family room, where her mom promptly pulled out the photo albums from Valerie’s childhood and shared them. As they laughed and talked for the next few hours, she knew that she was so fortunate to have such an understanding and supportive woman for her mother. Her mother knew her well enough to see through the thin veil of the lie about why she was quitting and moving, and Valerie was thankful she didn’t have to deceive her mom about her plans for the future.
“Love you, Mom,” Valerie said as she hugged her goodbye.
“Love you too, honey. Take good care of my daughter, Charisma,” she instructed him as she hugged him briefly.
“I will. Thank you for lunch.”
As she pulled out of the driveway, Valerie waved at her mom, who stood in the doorway, cardigan pulled tightly around her body to ward off the fall chill in the air.
“You were right; your mom is a wonderful lady.”
“Thanks. I wish I could have met your parents.”
“They would have loved you.”
“I’m sure I would’ve loved them.”
“So is there anyone else we need to name our babies after?” he asked, rubbing the back of her neck lightly as he chuckled.
“What were your parents’ names?”
“Ezra and Opal.”
She glanced at him and smiled. “So we have to have a minimum of four babies, and three of them need to be girls.”
“I guess we’ll be busy,” he said, accentuating his words with a purr.
Her happy rumble blended with his as she accelerated toward her apartment so she could finish closing that chapter of her life. The next chapter, one she was sure would be filled with a lot of love and laughter, waited just ahead.
Chapter 12
The November full moon came quickly. Charisma felt as though the days were flying by. He’d never thought he’d find joy in simple activities like cooking meals together and teaching her to hunt in the woods, but every day he found something new that he loved about his soulmate. He wished he hadn’t waited until the All Hallows’ Eve full moon to spell for her.
Valerie leaned against him slightly, rubbing her cheek on his shoulder. “What are you thinking about so seriously?”
“That I wish I had spelled for you years ago.”
She hummed. “I wish you had, too.”
He turned from the workbench in the shed, where he was constructing a frame for a greenhouse. When she’d mentioned that she liked fresh vegetables and would love to garden in the spring, he’d pointed out that the land around the cabin was very rocky and not suitable for farming. At her disappointed sigh, he’d immediately begun planning a greenhouse.
He turned to face her, cupping her cheeks and kissing her l
ightly.
She smiled and said, “I’m convinced that the spell happened when it was supposed to. We shouldn’t spend our time wondering what if or harboring regrets for time lost. We’re still young and have our whole lives ahead of us.”
“My brilliant kitten.” Kissing her once more, he asked, “Are you ready to go?”
“I’m kind of nervous, but excited.”
“What makes you nervous?”
“Being around so many other shifters when I’ve only been one for a month.”
“You’ll be by my side the whole time. There isn’t anything to worry about. Solomon and his pack are good people. Plus, you’re an excellent hunter. Your instincts are amazing.”
She nodded, rising onto her toes to kiss him. “I’m ready to go whenever you are.”
Turning off the overhead light, he brushed his hands off on his jeans and followed her from the shed. “I can’t wait until the greenhouse is built,” she said as they walked toward the house. “Are you sure I can’t help?”
“It’s my gift to you, sweetheart.”
“You already give me so much.”
He touched her shoulder as she pulled open the back door. She turned to face him. “You saved me from becoming feral. Your presence in my life is the greatest gift in the world, and I could make you something every day for the rest of our lives and still never thank you enough. You’re mine and I’m yours. Making you a greenhouse so you can garden thrills me on a cellular level.”
“Well, far be it from me to interfere with your cells being happy,” she said, smiling enough to reveal a hidden dimple in her cheek. He loved that smile; the one that was so honestly happy that it made him feel warm from the inside out.
“If you keep looking at me like that, we’re going to be late,” he said, his voice gruff with his cat.
She made an attempt to stop smiling, but didn’t seem able to. With a laugh, she said, “Let’s get on our way before our cats decide staying home is better.”
Ten minutes later they were on their way to the other side of Littlewood, where the wolf pack was gathering at their alpha’s home to celebrate the full moon. “Do you think anyone in the pack spelled for a soulmate this month?”
“I don’t think so. Solomon said that some of his wolves were drawing close to the time when they would need to, though.”
She hummed, undoing her seatbelt as he shifted the truck into park. “I want to tell them to do it as soon as possible and not wait for future full moons.”
“But the seeking spell isn’t supposed to be the first choice, because it lends itself to certain complications.”
She frowned. “Like what?”
“If a shifter finds his soulmate on his or her own, then they have an unlimited amount of time to convince them to become their mate. Just being in the presence of a soulmate keeps the beast in check, and the risk of going feral decreases greatly. But if a shifter spells for his or her soulmate, they only have twenty-four hours to consummate the mating, or else the soulmate will disappear and forget they ever met the shifter.”
“Did you ever come to Philadelphia?”
“Not anywhere near where you were. I felt aimless, like I was just wandering around looking for someone whose location I had no clue of.”
“Too bad you can’t have prophetic dreams.”
He snorted. “Is that something from one of your paranormal romances?”
She wiggled her brows. “Maybe.”
Leaning over to kiss her, he said, “You drive me wild in the very best of ways.”
“My favorite author has a new book coming out in January. It’s supposed to be about shifter babies being born to humans. Just wait until I tell you everything I learn from it.”
He groaned. “Sweetheart.”
“I’m kidding. Kind of.”
She gave him a peck on the lips as she laughed and climbed out of the truck. His cat hurried him, so he rushed from the truck to wrap his arms around her as her lovely curves were highlighted by the setting sun.
“I can’t wait to hunt with you,” she said.
“Me, too. Did I tell you today how lucky I am to have found you?”
“You may have mentioned it once or twice, but a girl never tires of being told how awesome she is. Especially by her sexy soulmate.”
“Later,” he whispered, “I’ll show you how grateful I am to have you.”
Her eyes glistened, swirling with the gold of her cat. “Only if I can return the favor.”
Hands clasped and identical purrs rumbling from their chests, they walked around the side of Solomon’s home to where his pack was gathered for the full moon. The air was electric with anticipation, as pack members milled around. He’d been shifting for so long that he never gave a thought to what a special experience it was. Seeing it through Valerie’s eyes made him appreciate how wonderful it was to be a shifter. They were unique in the world…the last golden-furred tigers in existence. At least for now.
Someday, hopefully soon, their young would join them, and their pride would grow. They had a chance to be the parents of a new generation of golden tigers, and he couldn’t wait to get started.
After greeting Solomon, Valerie said, “Thank you so much for inviting us to your celebration.”
“The full moon is for all shifters,” he said, “and we’re happy to share the time with you.”
He and Valerie followed Solomon as he introduced them to his pack who welcomed them both eagerly.
“I love this place,” she said, leaning against him. “Littlewood is perfect. Our home is here, our family is getting its start here, and there’s an amazing pack who are reaching out to us. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
“Me either.”
Once the sun had set and the moon rose entirely, he and Valerie slipped into the woods in private to strip and shift. She’d shifted a few times over the last month, and was still getting used to the process. As she shook out her beautiful tiger body, her golden fur glittered in the moonlight. He chuffed and bumped her shoulder, encouraging her to lead the way in their hunt. Following her into the dark woods, he knew he could never be thankful enough that she’d bought his medallion and put it on. From that moment on, they were destined to be together.
A tiger and his bride.
The End
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