Last Immortal Dragon (Gray Back Bears #6)(39)

Perhaps Damon would rebuild his house at the top of his mountains, or perhaps they would live here for always, she didn’t know. But by God, it did her soul good to watch her mate thrive here.

Even in this old trailer, so different from his sprawling cliff mansion, he smiled constantly and filled their tiny house with the sound of his laughter.

She hadn’t ever imagined she could be this happy.

The sound of the trucks coming down the mountain switchbacks from the landing above perked her sensitive ears right up. Willa, Aviana, Georgia, and Gia came from the direction of the worm farm out back and stood by the bricked in fire-pit, waiting on their mates to return from a long day cutting lumber, as Clara waited for hers.

Damon was a logger again. He didn’t do it for the money. He did this job with the bears who had become a family to him because it made him happy. Because he was allowing himself to get close to the people he cared about now, instead of hiding away in his tower, protecting his heart.

As the lead truck came around the bend in the white gravel road, Willa whistled and called out, “A-team!”

With a laugh, Clara stood from her rocking chair and locked her arms against the porch railing as her heart rate kicked up to a gallop. Her Damon was almost home.

The procession of trucks was short, thanks to the boys riding together in the mornings. Damon slid out of the passenger’s seat of Creed’s gunmetal gray jacked-up Ford pickup and nodded his goodbye to the guys as they piled out. When his dark eyes locked on hers, she froze at how strikingly handsome he was.

He’d admitted that he’d worn the suits to hide the burn scars on his arms, but no more. A dirt-smeared white T-shirt clung to his muscular shoulders, and his jeans were frayed and had holes at the knees. His dark hair was mussed from being under a hardhat, and his shoes were no longer the polished loafers he used to wear. Instead, they were mud splattered work-boots. And damn, that bright smile nearly knocked her feet out from under her.

She mirrored his happiness with an answering smile and jogged down the porch stairs to meet him. He dropped his lunch pail and scooped her up, kissing her as if he hadn’t seen her in weeks. This right here, this moment, was her favorite part of every day.

Easing back, she rested her forearms on his shoulders and looked happily down at him. “I have a surprise for you.”

“Oh yeah?” He quirked his lips. “Is it meatloaf?”

Clara laughed and squirmed as he tickled her ribs. Swatting him, she muttered, “I’m serious, and no it’s not my famously bad meatloaf.” Leaning forward, she whispered into his ear, “I figured out why I haven’t been able to Change into my bear.”

Damon’s arms went rigid around her backside. “Why?” he asked on a breath.

“Because we’re going to have a baby.”

Damon buried his face against her neck as his breathing went uneven. “Love, tell me it’s true. Tell me.”

“I took a dozen pregnancy tests. All positive.” She nuzzled her cheek against his hair. “Are you happy?”

Damon bit her collarbone playfully and eased back, stunning her with the emotion that pooled in his eyes.

“Happiness isn’t a big enough word. You’ve given me so much, Clara. Your heart, my mortality, and now this? A child?” He settled her on the ground and stood back, gripping her hips and staring down at her stomach. He sighed and shook his head, as if he couldn’t believe how lucky he’d gotten.

He didn’t see what she did, though. She had lucked into a life she hadn’t even dreamed of, and it was all because of him. Damon had saved her in so many ways, and now he’d given her this gift. He’d given her a child. He’d given her the chance to be a mate and a mother. He’d given her his unconditional love.

Her heart was so full, it was hard to speak. Forcing words past her tightening chest, she whispered, “We’ll get to raise our baby here in your mountains. Our child can protect your treasure when we’re gone.”

“Don’t you see it, Clara?” Damon murmured, lifting that beautiful, silver gaze to hers. “The mountains aren’t my treasure anymore.” His smile was slow and adoring as he brushed his thumbs over her stomach. “You are.”