Leaning into his touch, she grabbed his other hand and put it over her heart. “I already know. I can feel it in here. And I know because I feel the exact same way.”
Taking a deep breath, trying to dispel some of the dizzying relief he felt, he blew the breath back out. Time to go all in. “I told you what a mate is. What one means to a shifter when they find them. What I didn’t tell you is that we claim our mates. And I want to claim you. It would solidify our bond, make us permanent in every way. But when I say permanent, I mean it. It’s irreversible. So if this is something you’d be willing to let me do, be positive you want me forever.”
“I will always want you forever,” she replied softly. “How is it done? How do you claim me?”
“I’d mark you with a talon.”
“Wait, you do it while you’re in eagle form?” she asked, startled.
“No,” he replied, chuckling. “I can partially shift. Not many shifters can, but eagles do.” He held his hand up and focused his energy, watching as his fingers sharpened to talons.
Gasping, her eyes went wide, and she reached out her fingers, tentatively touching a talon softly. “That is so cool.”
“Right?” he said with a smile, letting his hand go back to normal. “I’d mark you somewhere, usually on the shoulder or back. You can pick where. I won’t lie, it’ll hurt a bit. I have to go deep to make sure it sticks, make sure it scars and leaves a claiming mark. But then my scent would be a part of you. My mark will be stamped on your skin. Every shifter who ever saw you would know you’re mine in an instant.”
“I like the idea of that. I like the idea of wearing your mark on my skin, and I’d wear it with pride,” she said breathlessly before pulling back with a frown. “But how will people know you’re mine? I need those bitches out there to know you’re taken.”
“You dig your nails in pretty good when we’re making love,” he said with a laugh. “You drew blood last night. A few more nights in the bedroom, and I’m sure you’ll mark me up good and permanent.”
“Oh, shut up,” she replied, smacking him in the chest with a laugh. Smile fading, she searched his eyes as she nodded. “The answer is, yes. I want you to claim me. I want to be yours in every way possible.”
Heart leaping, he crushed her to his chest, barely able to comprehend the emotions crashing into him, the intensity knocking the breath from his body. Not so long ago, he thought she was lost to him forever. He thought he’d never hold her in his arms again, never have her by his side, never get to love her like she deserved to be loved again.
He’d been miserable, and his eagle had been broken, wings crippled from the loss of his mate, almost dead in Jax’s chest. But now his eagle was flying high, and Jax was happier than he thought he would ever be again.
He would love her with everything in him. He’d make sure she never regretted giving him a second chance, and he’d devote his life to making her understand just what she meant to him. To making her as happy as she made him.
Pressing his lips to hers, he murmured, “I love you. Always.”
“And I love you. Always.”
Jax wandered into the kitchen, looking for something to snack on. Piper would be home from the bakery soon, and then they were going out to eat, but it had been a long time since lunch. Eyes falling on a plate of lemon drops on the table, he grinned as he walked over and took a seat.
Eagerly picking up a cookie, he took a bite, eyes closing as flavor exploded on his tongue. There was nothing in the world that tasted as good as Piper’s lemon drops. A whine hit his ears, and he glanced down to find Snickers gazing at him expectantly.
“Oh, no,” he said. “Cookies are not on the Piper approved doggie snack list, and I’m not risking her wrath if she finds out.”
Dismissing the dog, he popped the rest of the cookie in his mouth. Looking down again as Snickers pawed at his leg, Jax paused for a second as an idea occurred to him. Glancing around and listening hard for any hint of his mate coming home, he grabbed another lemon drop and looked at Snickers.
“Okay, mutt. Here’s the deal. If I give you this cookie, you have to make friends with me. We call a truce. No more growling and snapping at me when Piper comes home. I’m sharing my cookies with you, you share Piper with me. Do we have a deal? Give me some paw on it.”
Jax leaned his other hand down and Snickers put his paw in it. Giving it a quick shake, Jax gave him the cookie, watching as he ate it. This could work. He wasn’t above bribing a dog to be friendly with him. He’d give the spoiled Devil Dog all the treats in the world if it helped win him over.
The sound of a door shutting hit his ears, and he looked at Snickers, hissing, “She’s home. Finish up that cookie, fast.”
Attempting to look casual as Piper came to a stop in the doorway, he smiled at her as she looked around.
“There are my boys. I’m glad you found the cookies.”
“Yeah, thanks for that,” he said, risking a quick glance at Snickers to make sure he was done.
“Snickers? Why aren’t you coming to greet me, boy?” Piper asked, looking puzzled.
Crap. Too much, too fast? Watching as the little dog jumped up and ran to Piper, Jax’s shoulders relaxed a bit. Bending down, she ruffled his fur, and then looked up with a smile.
“You two must be
starting to get along better now. He didn’t run right to me or try to guard me from you.”