Page 9 of His Determined Mate

“Sort of like Valhalla?”

“Yes, but only better,” he laughed.

She was as captivated by his words as she was by the man himself. She could picture it all in her mind—the vibrant colors of the aurora borealis dancing across the night sky, the laughter and chatter of people enjoying the festivities, the warmth of community spirit. And with his description of the lights being a kind of dragon’s Valhalla, she didn’t think she’d ever see them again the same way.

"It sounds amazing," she said softly. "I can't wait to be a part of it."

Rick smiled, his eyes warm. "You will be. And your bakery is going to be a big hit, I can feel it."

They finished their coffee and got back to work, the hours slipping by in a blur of activity. As evening approached, the bakery was nearly ready. She had a schedule of when she needed to start baking what, and Rick told her Melinda would be down whenever she needed her.

The display fixtures were ready to be filled with an array of delicious breads, pastries and sweets, and the hot chocolate station was set up by the window, complete with marshmallows and whipped cream.

Hannah stood back, surveying the scene with a sense of satisfaction. "We did it," she said, turning to Rick. "I think we're ready for the grand opening."

Rick grinned, a rare sight that made her heart skip a beat. "Yep, we did. It looks fantastic, Hannah."

They tidied up the last few things, then headed out into the cold evening air. The town was coming alive with lights and decorations, the final touches being added in preparation for the festival. As they walked, Rick pointed out various booths and attractions, sharing stories and memories from past festivals.

Hannah listened, feeling a deep sense of connection to this place and the people in it. She had found her home here in Kodiak, and with Rick by her side, she felt ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.

"Thank you for everything, Rick," she said as they reached her apartment. "I don't know what I would have done without you."

He shrugged, his expression softening. "Anytime, Hannah. I’ll be here whenever you need me."

She reached up to kiss him on the cheek, but his head turned, and her mouth landed on his. She started to pull away, embarrassed, but didn’t get the chance. Rick moved forward, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat. His hand came up to cup her cheek, his touch gentle yet firm. For a moment, time seemed to stand still.

Then he leaned down, and their lips met.

The kiss was soft at first, a tentative exploration. Hannah's eyes fluttered closed as she melted into the warmth of Rick's embrace. His lips were warm and slightly rough, moving against hers with a tenderness that took her breath away. She felt his other hand slide around her waist, pulling her closer, anchoring her to him.

As the kiss deepened, Hannah's senses came alive. She could feel the steady thump of Rick's heartbeat against her chest, the slight chill of the winter air on her skin contrasting with the heat building between them. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in a cocoon of shared warmth and desire.

Rick's fingers threaded through her hair, tilting her head to deepen the kiss, his lips slipping between her lips, his tongue tangling with hers. Hannah responded eagerly, her own hands sliding up to rest on his shoulders. The kiss grew more urgent, a mingling of breath and whispered sighs. It was as if they were both pouring all their unspoken feelings into that one, perfect moment.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathing heavily, their foreheads resting together. Hannah opened her eyes to find Rick staring down at her, his gaze filled with a mix of wonder and affection.

"Hannah," he murmured, his voice husky with emotion. "I've wanted to do that for so long."

She smiled, her heart soaring. "Me too, Rick."

The northern lights swirled above and were mixed with fireworks that were being shot off over the harbor, but in that moment, nothing else mattered. He brushed her lips with his before taking a step back.

“Goodnight, Hannah. I’ll pick you up in the morning, and we can have breakfast at the diner.”

She nodded. "Sounds good. Goodnight, Rick."

She climbed the stairs to the studio she rented from Nicole feeling a sense of peace, combined with one of unabandoned joy settling over her. The bakery was ready, the festival was just around the corner, and she had friends she could rely on. The Northern Lights Festival was going to be a new beginning, and she couldn't wait to see what the future held.

CHAPTER 5

RICK

The following morning, Rick headed out before the sun had even begun to light the eastern horizon. It was that time of the day known as the blue hours—the time when the black of night began to give way and relinquish its hold on the earth. His sleep, what little he’d had, had been peaceful but elusive.

He wasn’t sure what he was worrying about but knew chances were if he found a spot to shift and go for a run, he’d realize what it was. Rick often found that running as a bear and letting the feral part of his brain take over, left the reasonable, analytical part to ponder whatever it was that was bothering him.

Thus, he found himself standing at the edge of the woods, the towering trees of Kodiak casting long, spooky shadows even in the half light of the pre-dawn. He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the crisp, pine-scented air. To the east, beyond the ocean’s horizon, the sky was just beginning to brighten as the first rays of the morning sun began to make their presence known. He knew he was alone up here, above Max Renner’s place, far from prying eyes. It was the perfect spot to shift and let go of his human self.