Bonus Epilogue – Wild

Colton

I glanced over at my mate as we cruised down the highway outside Nashville. “Please say we have some of your chocolate chip banana bread left.” It was the second day of our road trip from North Carolina to Montana. Marina had been my mate for two weeks and already her baked treats had become as big an addiction as she was. 

She rummaged in the bag behind my seat and unwrapped the last two slices. “You’re in luck, Sergeant Major.” She held a piece up to my mouth. I purposely took a big enough bite for my lips to graze her fingers.

“Mmm,” I rumbled. “Pure heaven.” Lucky for me, I had shifter metabolism or I definitely would’ve already gained weight.

I’d brought Marina back to base with me to end my military career, waiting on papers and packing. She’d spent the entire time in my kitchen–often baking in nothing but an apron and panties. It had simultaneously made my wolf howl in appreciation and go fucking nuts to make sure the shades were closed and none of my well-wishing brothers-in-arms stopped by.

But damn, I loved showing her off. Introducing her to the men I’d give my life for. Really appreciating their genuine happiness for me. For us. 

She’d already confirmed with her school that she wasn’t going back in person in the fall and had applied for the online program to finish her degree. I was proud of her for the decision to stick it out even though she had no plan to use it. Although, her knowledge had come in handy when she’d worked with Rob and Clint on designing the new barn roof. She hadn’t fully voiced her dreams yet, but I was pretty sure owning a bakery in Cooper Valley would be in her future. 

Our future.

I changed lanes, preparing to take the next exit. I’d gotten a wild hair and looked up jewelry stores at the last rest area and there was one not far from where we were. Marina was mine, as the healed mark on her side proved, but she was human. Humans did things differently.

I didn’t want Marina to miss out on even one tradition that might be important to her because she’d mated me. Audrey’d had her human wedding. I wanted the same for Marina.

“Where are we?” she asked when I pulled in and parked in front of the jewelry store. 

“Come on, little girl. I want to buy you a ring.” 

Her eyes widened as she stared at the building. “A ring?”

“Yeah. I gotta stake my claim human-style, too.” I winked at her.

Her dimpled smile was so beautiful it made my chest hurt. She threw open the door to my truck and tumbled out. “Does that mean we’re getting married?”

I climbed out and shut the door. For a moment, I faltered. My mate was still young and claiming her had happened suddenly, before she’d had time to adjust to the idea of shifters and what it meant to mate one.

I walked around to her side of the truck and nudged her back against it, caging her between my arms. “Will you? Marry me, that is?”

Her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink that made my dick go hard. “Aren’t we already? I mean, I don’t have a choice at this point, do I? I thought you mated for life.”

I nuzzled her neck, brushing my lips over her soft skin. “You’re mine. Nothing will change that. But if you want a long engagement, that’s okay with me. I just want you to wear my ring. You know, to keep those human males from prowling around.” 

She rolled her eyes. “Possessive, aren’t you?”

“Believe it.” I nipped at her neck. “I also don’t want you to miss out.”

“Miss out?”

“On the human mating stuff. If you want the white wedding like Audrey, I’m down. Whatever makes you happy, Marina.”

Her eyes misted. “You make me happy.”

I kissed her slowly, twisting my lips over hers, breathing in her delectable scent. The sudden urge to forget about the jewelry store and find a motel instead raged, but I shoved it down. “Come on. Let’s find you the perfect ring.”

Her face lit with a smile. “Okay.”

I gave a mental fist pump. My instinct had been right. These things did matter to her. Taking her hand, I led her inside, where a store clerk flitted behind the cases, eager to help us. 

“What excites you, sweetness?” They all looked the same to me, but I’d never looked at engagement rings before.

“Not a diamond,” Marina said. “Something else.” 

I didn’t look at the rings, I watched Marina, fascinated by my beautiful mate. When I saw interest spark behind her eyes, I followed her gaze. “That one?” I asked. 

She was looking a band with a simple row of emeralds, set in gold. “Do you like it?”

“I love whatever lights you up, Marina. Don’t worry about the cost, or about what you think I like.”

She looked back at the ring in the case and I lifted my hand to the hovering clerk.

“Would you like to see one of the rings?”

“Yes, please. That one, there.” I pointed at the emerald ring.

“A beautiful choice.” The clerk pulled the ring out and held it for Marina to try on her ring finger. 

Her eyes widened. ‘It fits perfectly!”

I smiled. “Must be fate.”

Marina turned her body into mine and put her hands on my chest. The ring glittered in the light and we both looked at it. I wasn’t not human, but I still fucking loved the way it looked on her finger. The pride in knowing she’d be wearing my ring. Marked by me for all humans to see.

“I love it,” she murmured.

“I love you.”

She stood on her tiptoes for a kiss as the clerk cleared her throat. 

I waited until I had thoroughly kissed my mate before I took out my credit card and dropped it on the counter. “We’ll take it. No box necessary.”