Island Stripe Pride - Chapter 56: Chapter 56

Carter smiled as he snuggled his mate close. A week had gone by since the night she’d almost been taken from him, and he was fucking tickled that they’d spent every single day since locked in his bedroom.
It was Sunday, and tomorrow he had to go into Manhattan for a meeting with his Neta. He’d mentioned it to Toni, and she’d gone quiet. That night she’d made love to him like a wildcat. Leaving no place untouched or tried, especially his heart.
Carter was so in love with her, and lucky him, she loved him back. He knew it in his bones. Once a Tiger denied, he now sported over half a dozen mating marks all over his flesh, and they were all evidence of his sweet cutie pie’s eternal love. Something he echoed with all his heart.
“Good morning,” he whispered, kissing her sweet blonde head.
She’d been awake a few minutes, he could tell from the change in her breathing pattern. Something was up with Toni, but even if he was not a patient man, Carter was determined to be a patient mate.
“Hi,” she murmured shyly, dropping a short kiss to his chest.
“I gotta shower, but I didn’t want to get out of bed until you were awake,” he told her softly.
“Alright,” she said, her body stiffening.
Carter frowned. What the heck had he done? She seemed sad, a little distant too, as she sat up and pulled the sheet around her.
“Is everything alright?”
“Of course, I mean, no, I am not okay. But we both knew this was coming,” she replied, blue eyes brimming with unshed tears. “I just guess, I mean, I thought it would be fine⁠—”
“Cutie pie, I have no idea what you are talking about. Won’t you tell me?” he asked, trying to cajole her into telling him what was wrong. “Come on, now. I can’t help if I don’t know what it is you’re thinking.”
Toni stood and grabbed one of his t-shirts before turning to face him, hands on her adorable hips. Fuck, she was sexy. Her hair was tousled, lips swollen, and her skin was still glowing from making love all night. He imagined her swollen with his young, and fuck, his cock stiffened immediately.
“It’s just, I know you live and work in the city. It’s only an hour and a half away, and I always knew it was inevitable you would have to go back, but I don’t know what to do. Do you want me with you? Do I sell the diner? What about Mara? And my Flock. I mean, you are more important than anything, Carter, but you haven’t even asked me to go with you and I am making an ass out of myself,” she groaned, covering her face with her hands as she wound down her tirade.
Carter’s heart squeezed in his chest as he padded across the room and took her wrists in his hands. He tugged gently, uncovering her lovely face. His smile was so big, hell, he didn’t think he would ever stop wearing it.
Silly kit thought he was leaving her, did she? Fucking hell. He needed to work on his communication skills. He’d been so wrapped up in her body, in bringing them both to the ultimate pleasure time and again, he’d forgotten to tell her his plans.
Not the first time his cock ran away with him where his little Bunny was concerned. Loving Toni was like being swept up in the eye of the storm. So much clarity within a fuck of a lot of strong emotions. His love for her was simply bigger than he’d ever imagined.
She was his everything. Didn’t she know that?
“First, I think we have to get a few things straight. I love you, Toni Casabella. More than anything in the world. You are my whole universe. My fated mate, and nothing or no one is ever going to take me away from you!”
“But the Pride? You have to go back to the city to resume your position as Enforcer, and besides, it is where you live.”
“No. I live where you live. Fuck, cutie, I live for you. Now I am sorry I let you continue your assumption that we were going to part ways, but you aren’t getting rid of me. Not ever,” he said, loving the way she smiled up at him.
“You mean that? But how?”
“Yes, I mean that. Now, I have a meeting with the Neta to formalize details, and I do have to travel today, but I will be back before dark.”
Toni went still. She watched him carefully, almost disbelieving. Hope shone in her face, that unwavering blue gaze held him captive, and his Tiger roared inside his mind’s eye.
“Dean emailed me a few nights ago, responding to an inquiry I made last week about a change in my position with the Pride,” Carter began. His heart was pounding as he explained his plans for the future, their future. After all, a big chunk of it concerned her as well.
“Wait, so you are offering Any Time Eats a contract with Island Pride Mountain Resort?”
“Yes,” he replied after explaining it all. “You will be in charge of all the catering needs, and you will operate the kitchens. It will be like your restaurant is leasing space within the resort,” he said.
“That is freaking awesome, and you’re sure you want to run the resort?” she asked, astounded.
“I have a business degree and took some courses in hospitality when I was in school. To be honest, I really enjoyed my time here,” he began, scratching his head a little in embarrassment. What big bad Enforcer liked this kind of thing? But his Toni just took his hands and held them tight, her excitement tangible.
“Since the Council and the Pride are working together to engage more Shifter groups, predator, and prey alike, Dean has offered this space as a neutral ground to host seminars, conventions, meetings, and the like. He thinks they could use someone with my security background to keep the peace and make sure everyone conducts themselves accordingly,” he replied.
“That sounds amazing,” she said, tears flowing down her face. Carter frowned.
“What’s wrong? I thought you would be happy?” he asked, confused.
“I am happy,” she replied, laughing through her tears. “So happy. I thought you were going to hold the lies my father told you against me forever. I made so many mistakes and we lost so much time, but there has never been anyone but you. I love you so much,” she said, launching herself at him.
Carter caught her easily, always would, he thought, before leaning down to kiss her. Toni’s lips were soft and warm, as welcoming as sunshine on his face after a long, cold night.
“You are not the only one to blame, cutie. I was young and foolish. I should’ve dug deeper, but my pride was hurt. I am sorry we lost time, but we will make up for it. The future is bright for us both,” he said, kissing her again.
“Oh, and, for the record, you’re the only one for me, too. I’ve never been with anyone else,” Carter confessed, wanting to lay out the entire truth for her.
“Carter, me neither,” she said, kissing him again.
Their kisses grew deeper, more desperate, and soon they were writhing on the floor, a delicious tangle of arms, legs, lips, tongues, and fangs. Riding out wave after wave of pleasure until they were both satisfied made Carter late for his meeting, but he got there and finished the deal with a firm vow to not let the Pride down.
All in all, life was going to be amazing for the Tiger and his Bunny. No more denying their feelings, or their fates. They were in this together for always. Something his Tiger relished thinking about as he drove home back to Verona Falls. Back to her.
Rooooaaaarrrr.
EPILOGUE
Christmas was rolling around at the lodge and Toni had convinced Carter to hire Mara to do the decorating. Her baby sister had constructed the most magnificent gingerbread city on display in the lobby where she was currently having a loud discussion with Bruno, one of the new Tigers Carter had brought in to join their increased security team.
Apparently, Bruno had a thing for gingerbread and had eaten the tree that had stood in the center of her delicious town.
“It’s a cookie! You’re supposed to eat cookies,” he growled.
“Not my cookies,” Mara argued back.
Toni snorted, covering her mouth with her hand as she passed the two of them in the hall. She had a mate to track, and there was no time to waste. Good news always seemed to burn a hole in her pocket, or however the saying went. Anyway, she needed to find him. Rounding the corner, she opened the door to his office and found him deep in discussions with Bradley, his new assistant manager. The Mongoose Shifter winked at Toni as he stood and said his goodbyes.
“But we weren’t done⁠—”
Carter tried, but Bradley was already shutting the door behind him, and Toni ran over and locked it before turning to face her mate. Carter stood up, all six and a half feet of him, freshly shaved head, and a wide grin splitting his gorgeous face as he stalked her across the room.
“You know, I love when you visit my office, cutie pie,” he growled and kissed her lips. Toni sighed into his mouth, submitting to his delicious invasion.
She was head over heels for the man. In the months since he’d relocated to be with her, he’d shown her nothing less than the same emotions for her. She had never expected life to turn out quite this way. It was a wonderful surprise.
“Well? What is it you wanted to tell me?” he asked, a knowing grin on his face.
“It’s positive. We’re having a baby!” she exclaimed.
“Yes! I knew it! Come here, mate,” Carter shouted, kissing her lips and swinging her around. “I love you so much. You have made me the happiest man in the world.”
He kissed her again, sitting down on the sofa inside his office and cuddling her on his lap. Toni sighed contentedly. Life was good, and it was only getting better.
“I love you,” she said, finding the words came easier with practice.
Snow started falling just outside, and the couple watched from the large picture window. It looked like something out of a winter postcard. The mountain was blanketed in fluffy white snow. A cardinal emerged from the trees, stopping to land on the branch of a sturdy pine just beyond the main building, and Toni watched until it flew away. A good sign, or so they said. But she didn’t need signs. She had Carter now, and their babe growing in her belly.
“Let’s go home,” Carter said, standing with her in his arms.
“Let’s,” she seconded, kissing him softly as she slid down his body to stand beside him, where she belonged. Their love was no longer denied, and neither was their fate. Carter and Toni were finally exactly where they should be.
Mated. Together. Forever.
The end.