25. Mylo

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

MYLO

Don't you wish life-changing decisions announced themselves? I wished there was some kind of flashing neon sign saying, "This way to your destiny," or a voiceover giving me a pep talk.

Instead, it was more silent, but you had this weird feeling in your gut—like that moment at the top of a rollercoaster, right before the drop. Probably how skydivers felt before they jumped out of the plane.

Right now, that feeling had me pacing my cabin like a crazy person. My heart felt stuck somewhere between panic and… hope? Maybe.

Like maybe this time it would be different. Like I'd finally get the happily ever after, even if I definitely hadn't seen it coming with shifters...

But they were still them. Or maybe they'd always been shifters—that was probably the better point.

I tried imagining what it would be like to have such a big secret to tell. Maybe I would've hesitated too.

My phone was in my hand, but I hadn't texted anyone. I thought about calling Tyler, but yeah, that definitely couldn't happen.

I wanted to call Noah, but—well, aside from the fact that he was one of them—he'd literally almost been torn to pieces because of me.

And then there was Holden.

Since he'd left my place a couple of hours ago, I could still see his face, the way he looked at me with those eyes—like I was his entire universe. And damn if that wasn't terrifying—and exhilarating.

I'd spent so long feeling like an outsider looking in, like everyone else had their lives figured out and were just floating along, while I was over here trying not to drown. But Holden... he was holding out his hand to me. He made me feel like I finally belonged somewhere. Like I belonged with him.

I wasn't sure what was scarier—the fact that I felt that way, or the fact that I was ready to risk everything for it again.

Because yeah, the last time I let myself get close, I ended up face-planting hard. And maybe the logical part of my brain was still screaming at me to be cautious, to protect myself, but... it felt right. And maybe it wouldn't be. But I was tired of the walls I'd built around myself—they hadn't helped. And being alone sucked.

I sank down on the couch, staring at the ceiling.

It wasn't perfect—none of this was. But Holden, he'd put everything on the line. He'd shown me his world—the one filled with bears and wolves and a whole bunch of stuff I never could have imagined was real. And instead of running, instead of freaking out, I'd felt... okay. Hell, maybe even a little excited.

Like I was finally a part of something bigger than myself. Like I'd finally found my people.

And so what if they turned into predator animals?

I shook my head, a wry smile tugging at my lips. Was I really considering this? Was I really ready to dive into this world, into this life?

I so was.

Because Holden wasn't just some guy. He was… everything. He was the person who looked at me like I was more than just some kid with no name… no family. He saw me—the real me—and he still wanted me. And for the first time in my life, I believed I deserved to be wanted like that.

The thoughts kept coming, each one louder than the last. Before I knew it, I was up and out the door, halfway across the grounds. It almost felt like my feet had a mind of their own. It wasn't until I was at Holden's doorstep that I realized my heart was pounding.

I paused, staring at the door. I knew I could still walk away. I could turn around, pretend none of this had ever happened. But I'd go back to… what? Being alone? Pretending I was okay with just getting by?

No. No, I wasn't going back.

I knocked, and the door swung open almost immediately, like Holden had been waiting. His eyes widened when he saw me, and for a moment, neither of us moved. His gaze was intense, searching, like he was trying to figure out if I'd come to break his heart or...

"Mylo?" His voice was a whisper, barely audible over the sound of my own heartbeat. "What are you doing here?"

I drew in a deep breath and made myself take a step closer, closing the distance between us. "I… I thought about everything you said. About what you offered. About being your mate."

His eyes flickered with something I couldn't quite place—fear, maybe, or hope. He opened his mouth to speak, but I beat him to it.

"And I'm scared, okay?" My voice cracked, and I hated how small it sounded. "I'm scared because I've done this before. I've taken the risk, and it blew up in my face. I'm scared because this —you—it's all so big, and I don't know if I can handle losing it. But I..."

I looked up, meeting his eyes.

"But I want to try. Because I think... no, I know... that this is different. You're different."

Holden didn't say anything. He just reached out, cupping my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing gently over my cheekbones. His eyes were soft, filled with so much emotion it made my heart ache. And in that moment, I knew—I'd never felt safer than I did right there, in his arms.

"Mylo," he whispered, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. "You're everything to me. I'll do whatever it takes to make you feel safe. To make you feel like you belong. Just… please, don't walk away."

I closed my eyes, leaning into his touch. "I'm not walking away," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He pulled me into his arms, holding me tight, and I let myself sink into him. The fear was still there, gnawing quietly at the edges of my mind—but it didn't feel as overwhelming now. Not when he was holding me like this, like I was the most precious thing in the world.

"I'm not perfect, Holden," I murmured, my words muffled against his chest. "I've got so many flaws, so many things that are just… messed up. I don't even know if I deserve this."

Holden pulled back just enough to meet my gaze, his eyes burning with quiet intensity. "You deserve everything. You're perfect—at least to me. You're strong, you're kind, and you're mine. If you'll have me."

I nodded, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. "Yeah," I whispered, my voice soft but steady. "I'll have you."

He smiled, and it was like the sun breaking through the freakin' clouds—warm and bright and exactly what I needed. He leaned in, his lips brushing softly against mine, hesitant, like he was still scared I might change my mind. But I didn't. I kissed him back, my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt, holding onto him like he was the only thing keeping me grounded.

Maybe he was.

We pulled apart, breathless, and I rested my forehead against his. "I'm still scared," I admitted. "But I want this. I want you."

"Then that's all that matters," he whispered, his voice low and rough. "We'll figure the rest out together."

I smiled—a real smile this time—so wide it made my cheeks ache. "Together," I repeated. And for the first time in a long time, I believed it. Maybe—just maybe—I'd found where I belonged.

Holden took my hand, threading his fingers with mine, and led me inside. The door closed behind us with a soft click, and yeah, it was sappy, but it felt like I'd shut out the past and stepped into something good.

It hadn't been easy. But we were here. And it was ours. And that was enough.

We sank onto the couch, and Holden didn't let go of my hand—not even for a second. He looked at me, his eyes scanning mine, like he was searching for any trace of doubt. Checking if I was really okay, if I was really ready for this.

And I was.

I'd made my choice. I wasn't backing out now.

"Tell me everything," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I want to know it all—about shifters, about your world… about us."

He nodded, his thumb brushing gently over the back of my hand. "It's a lot," he warned softly. "But I'll tell you everything. No more secrets."

I smiled, leaning back into the cushions, letting my head rest on his shoulder. "No more secrets," I echoed. And for the first time, it felt like maybe—just maybe—I'd finally gotten it right.

Holden paused, his gaze catching mine. I could see the question lingering there, like he was still trying to gauge if I really wanted to see everything. If I was ready to know every part of him.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Do you want to meet him?" he asked quietly, his voice just above a whisper.

I frowned, tilting my head in confusion. "Meet who?"

"My bear." The words left his lips carefully. And in his eyes, I saw it—that same vulnerability, raw and hopeful, like he was waiting to see if I'd accept this part of him too.

I blinked. "Your... bear." The words felt strange on my tongue, like trying to speak a language I didn't fully understand yet. But then it hit me—of course I was saying yes to all of him. Holden wasn't just a man; he was a bear too. A part of him I hadn't truly met yet. A part he wanted me to see. A part he needed me to accept.

Slowly, I nodded. "Yeah, I think I do."

He gave me that look—half smile, half something softer, like he was teetering between hope and uncertainty. Then, gently, he took my hand and led me toward the back of the cabin. We stepped through the door and into the clearing beyond. The air felt still, like the world was holding its breath, waiting to see what would happen next.

Holden released my hand, taking a small step back. "Just... stay right there, okay?" His voice was careful, like he was still bracing himself for me to freak out or change my mind. And I hated that. I gave him my best reassuring smile.

"I'm not going anywhere," I said softly.

He exhaled, relief flickering in his eyes, though the tension in his shoulders didn't ease entirely. His gaze held mine, steady and searching, as if locking onto me for the courage he needed. Then, with a nod and a slight shift in his stance, his jaw set with quiet determination.

And then… he changed.

I'd seen Noah shift before—or technically, I had—but this was different. This was Holden. My Holden.

His body twisted, reshaped, bones cracking in ways that should have sounded painful, though he didn't flinch. It was like watching the most surreal, beautiful transformation—human skin and bone melting into something primal and wild. And suddenly, the man I knew disappeared, replaced by a massive bear.

His fur was deep and dark, almost black, and it shimmered slightly beneath the moonlight filtering through the trees. But his eyes—those were still Holden's eyes. Soft, familiar, and steady. They held the same gentleness, the same hope, as if asking, Is this still okay?

For a moment, all I could do was stand there, heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst. But there wasn't fear—not exactly. There was awe. This was Holden—every part of him.

And without even thinking, I took a step forward.

Holden—the bear—made a low, rumbling noise, like a warning. But I didn't stop. I took another step closer, then another, until I was standing right in front of him. My hand hesitated for just a second before I reached out, my fingers brushing against the thick fur on his shoulder.

It was softer than I expected, warm beneath my palm, and the touch sent a strange sense of comfort washing over me. He made another sound—a softer one this time, almost like a sigh.

"Hey," I whispered, my voice a little shaky but steady enough. "It's okay. I'm not scared."

And I realized, in that moment, I wasn't scared. Not even a little. Because this was Holden. Whether he stood before me as a man or a bear, he was still him . Still the same person who looked at me like I mattered, who made me feel like I finally belonged somewhere.

And I wasn't going to let a little thing like fur and claws scare me away.

I let my hand glide over his fur, feeling the power thrumming beneath it—the raw strength I knew he held. Holden turned his head, nudging my shoulder gently with his nose, and a surprised laugh escaped me, light and breathless.

"You're huge," I said, shaking my head in disbelief. "Like, seriously. Wow."

He huffed, a sound that was almost like a chuckle, and I grinned, my heart feeling lighter than it had in days. This was real. This was us. And it was perfect, in its own crazy, messed-up way.

"You're incredible," I murmured, my fingers sinking deeper into his fur. "All of you."

Then, just like that, the fur receded, and his body shifted back into the familiar human form I knew so well. Suddenly, Holden stood before me—naked, vulnerable, with his eyes locked on mine, his expression raw and open.

"Mylo," he said, his voice rough with emotion. He stepped closer, his hand cupping my cheek, his thumb brushing tenderly over my skin. "You're not afraid?"

I shook my head, holding his gaze. "No. I'm not afraid of you, Holden. I never could be."

Without a second thought, I stepped into him, wrapping my arms around his waist and pulling him close. He exhaled shakily, his arms circling me, holding me as if I was the only thing keeping him grounded. I could feel the tension leaving his body, the weight of his fear lifting as I pressed myself against him.

He leaned back slightly, his eyes searching mine, and then he kissed me—soft, tentative, like he was still afraid I'd change my mind. But I didn't. I kissed him back, my fingers trailing up his chest, holding onto him like he was the one thing in the world keeping me steady.

"I love you," he whispered, his voice hoarse and filled with something so tender it made my heart ache. "I love you, Mylo. Every part of you. And I swear, I'll spend the rest of my life proving that to you."

I closed my eyes, pressing my face against his chest, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I knew I was home.

"I love you too, Holden," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "And I'm not going anywhere. Not ever."

When we finally pulled apart, I looked up at him, my breath coming in short, shaky bursts. My heart raced, but I knew exactly what I wanted. "I want you, Holden," I whispered, the words barely audible. "All of you. Claim me. Make me yours."

His eyes darkened, flickering with a storm of emotions—desire, love, fear. For a moment, he hesitated, as if weighing the gravity of what I was asking. Then, his gaze softened, filled with nothing but devotion.

"Are you sure?" he whispered, his voice low, reverent.

I nodded, my pulse thrumming in my ears as I bared my neck to him, exposing the vulnerable skin. "I'm sure. I trust you."

He let out a shaky breath, his lips brushing over my skin—soft and warm. He kissed me there, his breath hot against my neck, and I closed my eyes, a shiver running through me. Then I felt his teeth—a sharp sting as they sank into my skin—and a rush of warmth flooded through me. It was strange and overwhelming, like I was finally whole.

When he pulled back, his eyes glowed, locked on mine, and for a second, it was like nothing else existed. He leaned in, kissing me deeply, and I felt everything in that kiss—the promise, the commitment. He was mine, and I was his, and nothing else mattered.

We moved inside, our hands never leaving each other, the world shrinking down to just us. Before I knew it, we were in his bedroom. Holden stood close, his hands skimming under my shirt, slowly pushing it up and off. The way he looked at me—like I was something sacred—made me tremble. My shirt hit the floor, and his hands were on me again, warm and sure, like he couldn't stand the distance between us.

His lips brushed against mine, down my neck, and over my shoulders. Holden was everywhere, and I couldn't get enough of him.

The moment his mouth claimed mine, I gasped, the kiss igniting something deep in my chest. He kissed me like he'd been waiting for this moment forever. His tongue tangled with mine, and his hands traced slow, deliberate patterns along my back, sending goosebumps trailing in their wake. When he nibbled my ear, a soft, needy sound escaped me before I could stop it. His touch was light, teasing, but it carried a weight—a claim that held me in place. I arched into him, needing more.

His mouth drifted lower, leaving kisses down my neck. He lingered at the bite mark, kissing and sucking, making it sting and pulse with every beat of my heart. My thoughts scrambled, and I was nothing but a mess of need, his mouth working magic on my body. My head tipped back, and for a moment, it felt like I could come from that alone.

Holden kissed his way lower, dragging his lips down my chest and stomach. When he reached the waistband of my pants, he paused, glancing up at me through hooded eyes. The weight of his gaze burned through me, leaving me breathless.

He tugged my pants down slowly, deliberately, like he had all the time in the world. When his breath ghosted over me—barely brushing the tip—I trembled, a soft whimper escaping as his mouth finally wrapped around me.

My hips jerked off the bed at the feel of him sucking me, chasing the heat of his mouth. Every pass of his tongue, every deliberate tease, pushed me deeper into the haze of pleasure. His hands slid over my ass, firm and possessive.

By the time Holden shifted between my legs, I was half-gone, lost in the feel of him. When he pushed into me—slow and deliberate—I thought I'd come undone right then and there. The stretch of him filled me in ways I hadn't known I needed. My head hit the pillow, a ragged moan slipping past my lips as he slid deeper, his eyes locked on mine. They burned with heat and something heavier—something that said mine without a single word.

Each slow thrust had me teetering on the edge of something I couldn't name. Then he picked up the pace, and the world narrowed to the sound of our bodies moving together—the slap of skin on skin, the creak of the bed, and our gasps filling the space between us. My nails dug into his shoulders, leaving little crescents behind, clinging to him like he was my anchor. He kept hitting that spot inside me that sent fireworks behind my lids, driving me closer to the edge until I wasn't sure where I ended and he began.

I clutched at his hair, dragging him down into a messy kiss. His mouth met mine with the same frantic energy, tongues tangling as we fed off each other's need. The tension coiled tighter and tighter in my body, and when I finally let go—when I shattered around him, muscles clenching hard—I saw stars. A desperate sound escaped me as the orgasm ripped through me, waves of pleasure crashing so hard they left me shaking beneath him.

"You are mine," Holden whispered against my neck, his voice rough and possessive. Then his teeth sank into the same spot, the sharp bite heightening everything. Pain and pleasure wove together, leaving me breathless. I shivered hard, pressing into him, moaning against his skin as he sucked at the bite, drawing out every last bit of sensation until I was trembling all over again.

He didn't stop. His hips kept moving, each thrust harder, deeper, driving me past every limit. I clung to him like he was the only thing keeping me grounded, holding on for dear life as we found a rhythm that felt primal and desperate. It wasn't just sex—it was more than that. With every thrust, every grip of his hands on my hips, it felt like something permanent was being etched into me.

When Holden finally let go—when he came with a low growl that rumbled deep in his chest—I felt it everywhere. The heat of him filled me, and my body tightened around him in response. A second orgasm hit me out of nowhere, just as intense as the first, leaving me gasping beneath him.

Holden's thrusts grew erratic, his movements wild and uncoordinated as he rode out his release. His fingers tangled in my hair, holding me close, and I didn't care how messy or desperate we were—it felt perfect.

When he flipped us so I was on top, his cock still buried deep inside me, I'd never felt so stretched, so complete. Our foreheads touched, and his dark eyes locked on mine, the promise we'd made reflected in their depths.

When he finally slipped free, I slumped against him, weak and satisfied in ways I hadn't known were possible. Holden wrapped his arms around me, pressing soft kisses to my temple, my cheeks, my neck. I sighed contentedly, nuzzling into him, savoring the warmth of his skin against mine.

"You are mine," he whispered again, softer this time, his lips brushing against mine.

And I believed him.

We barely caught our breath before Holden slid back inside me, making love to me slowly this time. His touch was reverent, like he was worshipping every part of me. And I let him. I let myself feel everything—the love, the connection, the belonging.

When he knotted me a second time, claiming me fully, it was everything.

I knew without a doubt this was where I was meant to be. With Holden. My mate.

Afterward, we lay there tangled together, our breaths mingling in the quiet room. His hand rested on my stomach, his thumb brushing lazy circles over my skin. I smiled, my eyes drifting shut, content and at peace, maybe for the first time in my whole life.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "For loving me. For choosing me."

He kissed the top of my head, his lips lingering. "Always, Mylo. Always."

And for the first time in my life, I felt like I was home.