Drake entered his home and immediately went to work preparing his mate something to eat. Tessa sat down at the kitchen table and turned in her seat so she could watch him. He kept an eye on her through his periphery and groaned under his breath when she removed the elastic band from her hair, letting it fall free around her face. She ran her fingers through it and pulled it over to one side. Her long, blonde locks curled ever so slightly, and he wanted to tangle his fingers in them to hold her tight so he could capture her lips again.

"Tell me what you like on your sandwich," he mumbled around his sharp fangs. The need to bite her and mark her was overwhelming. His beast was demanding he forgo food and mount her, but he forced it down and waited for her reply.

"Mustard, lettuce, and tomato is fine," she answered, patiently waiting for Drake to sit down with her. He could see the questions in her eyes and was surprised she was waiting before unleashing them.

"Go ahead and eat," he ordered, setting the plate in front of her before returning to the counter to make his own. He slapped his together quickly and sat down at the head of the table. Tessa was on his right, exactly where he wanted her.

"What's going on?" she asked. "I feel like there's something you need to tell me."

"Rex and Gunner searched the town last night," he admitted. "They couldn't find him, nor has anyone seen him."

"I know it was him, Drake," she growled, impressing him at how his sweet mate turned aggressive when speaking about the enemy.

"I don't doubt you, Tessa," Drake assured her, reaching over to touch her hand. His bear pushed at his human skin when the connection of its mate was felt. "Finish eating and we will go for a walk."

"Okay," she said, accepting his offer.

It took them only a few more minutes to clean up, and Tessa excused herself to the bathroom. When she returned, she'd already changed out of her jeans and work shirt, donning a pair of black track pants and a white cotton shirt. She wore a pair of tennis shoes, and Drake smiled as he led her out to the porch.

"You're not shifting?" she asked.

"No, we are going to talk about my world as we take our walk," he replied, and took he hand as he continued down the stairs leading off the back porch.

"What else do you need to tell me?"

The shade of the trees in the woods behind his home sent a cool chill through the air. Tessa shivered and Drake pulled her closer, offering his body for warmth. When she relaxed, he stopped and took her face with his right hand, never letting go of his connection.

The kiss was soft, passionate, and full of need. He wanted her to know she was going to be his. When her hands fisted in his shirt, he deepened the kiss. Her tongue was soft as velvet, and his chest rumbled, telling her he wanted her. He didn't know if she could sense his need like a female bear could, but he found his answer when Tessa pressed her body closer to his.

"Drake..." she whispered, then accepted another heated kiss. His body hardened, priming itself for the mating that needed to be done.

"Tell me you'll be my mate," he urged. "My beast wants to mark you as my own."

"Mark me?" she questioned when he released her lips.

"I need to tell you what will happen if you say yes," he groaned. "Let's walk."

She hesitated. "Why are we going into the woods, Drake?"