Mate Fur Hire (Bears Fur Hire #3)(50)

When Ian released Elyse, he looked around, eyes bright. “Where’s Jenner?”

“Still asleep,” Tobias explained. “We woke you up first.”

Ian stumbled toward Vera, and she caught his weight, but just barely. He was still clinging to Elyse’s hand, but he hugged Vera so tight she couldn’t breathe. “You did this. Thank you.”

How did she tell him she did it for selfish reasons? How did she explain she needed Tobias awake to stay happy and steady? How did she explain she couldn’t stand the thought of Lena and Elyse alone out here, protecting their mates’ bodies half the year? She needed the Silvers awake so she could be okay. Maybe someday she would find the words, but not today. “You’re welcome,” she whispered instead.

“Lena’s waiting,” Elyse said, tugging his hand.

Ian sat heavily in the sled, and Elyse nestled herself between his legs while Vera and Tobias settled onto the seat of the snow machine. The snowy mile ride to Lena’s cabin seemed to take forever. Ian and Elyse talked quietly in the back, too low to understand over the roar of the motor, and Vera held onto Tobias’s strong waist as she let her other hand catch the crisp breeze. Twice, the dog, Miki, Elyse called him, bounced up and touched her outstretched glove with his head, as if he couldn’t wait for the snow machine to stop for an affectionate pat on the head.

Lena was sitting on the porch in an oversize sweater, leggings and wool-lined snow boots, clutching a large package wrapped in thick brown paper and twine. She stood as Tobias pulled to a stop in front of her cabin.

Lena broke out in a disbelieving smile as her gaze landed on Ian, standing slowly from the sled in the back with Elyse’s help. Tobias grabbed the backpack, gave Vera a quick kiss, and whispered, “I’ve got Jenner. He’s deep under the house. You stay here with Lena.”

Tobias gave Lena a hug and murmured something too low for Vera to hear, then jogged around the side of the cabin.

Lena looked shocked, and all the blood had drained from her face.

“I like your place,” Vera said, shyness suddenly creeping in.

“I got you something,” Lena murmured distractedly as she stared off in the direction Tobias had gone.

“I got something for you, too. It’s sort of a congratulations gift. Here.”

Lena blinked hard and dragged her attention to Vera. When they’d exchanged their presents, Lena opened the lid to her jar of moonshine, then inhaled deeply. “Perfect,” she murmured, right before she took a healthy swig and handed it to Vera for a turn.

With a laugh, Vera took a drink, too, and reveled in the burn that traveled down her throat and warmed her from the inside out.

“Your eyes are gold again,” Lena observed.

Vera shrugged self-consciously. “My fox is happy. So am I.”

Lena’s lip trembled as her gaze went to the side of the house again. “How long does it take?”

“I can’t say. It’s different for each shifter. Maybe half an hour?”

But she was wrong. At that moment, Jenner, all mussed dark hair and intense blue eyes, stumbled around the corner of the house, leaning heavily on the log wall. “Come here,” he said in a hoarse, desperate voice as Lena let off a soft gasp beside her.

She bolted for her mate, and they both barely stayed upright as Lena threw her arms around him.

Elyse was crying again, and Ian’s eyes were steady on Jenner, who held his mate tight to his side. Miki was bouncing between both couples, barking constantly, and Tobias—her Tobias—was looking at Vera as though he’d never seen anyone more beautiful.

Her stomach fluttered as he approached. Damn, he was stunning as he strode toward her on those powerful legs, her capable Alaskan man. They wouldn’t have to be apart ever again, and the weight of everything they’d been through finally slid off her shoulders. She’d done what she’d promised and given the Silvers freedom from hibernation. And in return, Tobias had given her stability and safety. He’d given her control over her animal. He’d given her freedom, too.

Hooking his finger under her chin, he lifted her gaze and shook his head like he couldn’t believe he’d gotten so lucky. “You’re everything,” he whispered, just before he lowered his lips to hers.

Tobias jerked just as cold snow blasted across her cheek. Turning slowly, he murmured, “Dick.”

Ian was grinning as he packed another snowball.

With a laugh, Tobias bent down and started gathering snow. From the corner of the house, Jenner lobbed a frozen white ball that landed by Ian’s feet.

“Man, that sucked.”

“My arms are numb!” Jenner slurred.

Vera snorted as she watched Elyse and Lena gather their own frosty weapons to launch. And as the clearing filled with the sound of laughing and Miki’s barking, Vera sat heavily on the porch stairs of the cabin, feeling like a million pounds had been lifted from her shoulders.

Settling the gift in her lap, Vera untied the twine and ripped into the brown paper covering. She gasped at what was inside. It was an oversize, black and white photo of her and Tobias. It was one Lena must have taken in town, the first time she’d met her. In it, Vera was mid-laugh, her eyes squeezed closed as Tobias kissed her cheek from behind, his arms wrapped tight around her middle. And under it was another. This one was in color. She and Tobias were grinning at the camera, cheek to cheek, looking utterly happy. Vera’s eyes were a strange gold color in the sunlight, and Tobias’s eyes were darker, probably from being so close to Ian at the time. How fitting. Their animals were right there with them, so evident in the picture.