Page 35 of Call of A Eagle

I shoved his chest playfully, laughing. “Go take a shower.”

“I’m going,” he said, tossing his hands into the air.

Once Waylen was showered and ready, we climbed into his truck to head out on our date. I leaned back into the seat, glancing at him out of the corner of my eye.

“You really won’t tell me where we’re going?” I asked.

He shook his head, starting the engine. “Nope.”

I let out an exaggerated sigh. “You know I hate surprises, right?”

Waylen shot me a look, his lips twitching as if he was fighting back a smile. “Then this is going to be even more fun.”

As we drove, I leaned back in my seat and stared out my window. A sensation of contentment settled over me and my owl. We loved being close to Waylen. I let myself relax into the steady rhythm of the ride, wrapped in his presence inside the cab of the truck—until a sign on the road caught my eye.

“Crescent Creek Ziplining?” I read aloud. “Is that where we’re going?”

Waylen smirked but kept his eyes on the road. “I need to drop something off at work first,” he said casually, but there was a hint of something more in his tone.

“Uh-huh,” I said, not entirely convinced.

He was up to something. I could feel it.

When we finally pulled into the parking lot, I gave him a sideways glance. “Since you need to drop something off, should I wait in the truck?”

My question was a test. If he said yes, then this wasn’t the place, but if he said no, then it was.

He shook his head as he cut the engine. “Actually, I’d like you to come inside with me.”

Suspicion and excitement mingled in my chest as I followed him out of the truck and toward the entrance. As Waylen led me to the building, he took my hand. The moment we stepped inside, I noticed something was off. There wasn’t anyone here, but there was soft lighting that illuminated the lobby. My breath hitched as I looked around, realizing this wasn’t just a work stop.

Waylen was up to something.

“What is this?” I whispered, glancing up at him.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he walked me through the lobby of the building, leading me outside to a large deck at the start of the zipline course. The soft lighting spilled out here, making the place look fit for fairies, but it was the view that was breathtaking. Expansive treetops stretched out in everydirection, and the setting sun painted the sky in hues of vibrant orange and pinks.

Waylen stopped walking and turned to face me, taking both of my hands in his.

“From the moment I met you, something in me changed. I didn’t expect you to come into my life the way you did, but now that you’re here,” he paused, and emotion swelled in his eyes as he held my stare. “I can’t imagine my world without you in it.”

My heart pounded in my chest.

What was this? Was it what I thought it was?

“I love you, Lyra Smith. I’ve loved you from the moment I first saw you—even though you were ticked at me for being late.” He chuckled. “I know we’re fated mates, but I want to put a ring on your finger. I want everyone to know you’re mine, and that I’ve chosen you just as much as fate has.”

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small box. When he opened it, my breath caught in my throat. It was Granny’s wedding ring, the one she’d worn every day since I could remember.

“Will you take the leap with me, Lyra? Will you marry me?” His voice was soft and his eyes remained locked on mine as he held the ring out.

Stunned, I shifted my gaze from him to the ring and back. I’d seen this ring my whole life, and to have Waylen offer it to me now, it was almost too much.

“I—” My voice broke as I swallowed the lump in my throat. “How did you get this?”

“Alma gave it to me,” he said with a grin. “I didn’t steal it, if that’s what you’re thinking.” He chuckled.

I shook my head. “No, I didn’t think that. I just—I know how much this ring meant to her. My grandfather gave it to her.”