Free Bearing the Frostbite (Ice Bear Shifters Book 6) by Sloane Meyers Page B

commitment to make. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy spending time with you, and I think our relationship is really going somewhere. But what if it stalls out? What if you decide that you’re through with me and I all of a sudden have to find a new place to live? I don’t think I could take that kind of instability right now.”
    “That’s not going to happen, Alexis,” James said.
    “How do you know, though? You say that now, but those are easy words to say when we’re on vacation and everything is great and happy. But what about when we’re back in the routine of everyday life, and you’re dealing with all of life’s normal hassles and inconveniences. What then?”
    James took a deep breath. He had been going back and forth in his mind on how much to say to Alexis during this vacation. He didn’t want to scare her off, but he also wanted to make sure she knew his feelings were genuine. As he looked at her now, her face glowing in the soft, cloudy light of the Montana sky, he couldn’t imagine ever wanting to live life without her. The words of his alpha, admonishing him to take chances, ran across his mind. James knelt down next to his backpack and started unzipping the front pocket. He was going to take a chance.
    He fished a small black box out of his backpack, and then zipped the pocket back up. He didn’t stand up, though. He stayed on one knee and looked up at Alexis.
    “James?” she asked, a trace of suspicion filling her voice. “What are you doing?”
    “You asked me how I know things won’t change, once we’re back in the swing of everyday life,” James said. “I know because I love you. I know because you are my life. You are my everything, Alexis. I mean it. I love you.”
    Alexis' eyes softened, and crinkled slightly around the edges as she smiled. “I love you, too, James.”
    “Are you familiar with the shifter concept of lifemates?” James asked. “It’s the idea that every bear has one person who is fated to be bonded to them as their lifemate. It’s like a soul mate connection, except even deeper than that.”
    Alexis nodded. “I’m familiar. My grandmother talked a lot about the role lifemates and destiny play in the shifter belief systems.”
    “Alexis, I believe that you’re my lifemate. I’m telling you I love you, and I’m asking you to come live with me, because I don’t want to live another day of my life without you. I’ve debated how much to say to you, because I didn’t want to freak you out or scare you. But I don’t want to hold back anymore. I want you to know how I feel. I’m bonded to you, Alexis. I know without any doubt that you are my lifemate.”
    James looked up at Alexis, whose eyes were wide as she covered her mouth with her palms. He took one last long, deep breath before continuing.
    “Alexis, will you marry me? Will you be my lifemate?” James asked, as he opened the little black box to reveal a large marquise cut diamond. He almost couldn’t bear to look at Alexis’ face for fear that she would be laughing at him. But he held her gaze anyway, telling himself to be brave and own the moment.
    She wasn’t laughing. She was crying. Happy tears rolled down her cheeks as she started nodding her head, and James felt a flood of relief and happiness wash over him.
    “Yes,” she finally managed to say through her tears. “A thousand times yes!”
    James grinned and jumped up to slide the ring onto her finger, then he picked her up and swung her around in his arms.
    As he set her back down on the ground and kissed her deeply, the clouds in the sky started sending down large, white snowflakes. The beautiful flurries swirled around the couple against the backdrop of gleaming mountains and fiery-hued leaves. The moment was perfect.
    Montana in the fall truly was nothing short of magical.

Chapter Nine
     
    A few days later, Alexis chewed her fingernail nervously as she sat in the passenger seat next to James. She knew that biting her nails when she felt