There was a brief moment of shock. Arianna prepared herself for a massive outburst of anger from Ajax. Instead, almost as one, the whole group burst into laughter.
“Damn, it’s good to have you back,” Cedric said as he slapped Ajax on the back. “Now quit being a dick and introduce us to your lovely lady.”
“I’m Arianna,” she said, playing a hunch and stepping forward without hesitation and taking his hand. “Good to meet you.”
The shifter paused for a moment, then beamed. “Oh Ajax. You are in trouble. She is going to be running this place in a matter of days!” he boomed.
Arianna blushed at the backward compliment. She wouldn’t be timid around these people, no. They would respect her for being a straight shooter.
“This is Cedric, my second-in-command,” Ajax explained. “He’s been looking after the place while I was gone.”
“More like partying to celebrate,” the big shifter joked, then grunted when Ajax elbowed him in the ribs.
“Come on,” Ajax said with a smile, taking her hand as others crowded around. “Let me introduce you to the family.”
Not “my” family. Not “our” family. No, just “the” family.
Sometimes, she thought, it really could be that simple.
Arianna smiled and let herself be sucked into the burgeoning celebration, learning everyone’s names and promptly forgetting them, only to learn them a second time.
***
Later that night, as she curled up under a blanket, a real honest-to-goodness wood fire burning in front of them, she nuzzled herself closer to Ajax, feeling the warmth of his skin pressed against hers.
She yawned. The past few days had been catching up with her before they arrived in Genesis Valley. The celebration had sapped whatever strength she had left, and then the past half an hour had drained her of even the reserves she hadn’t known she’d had.
A smile touched her face and she bit her lower lip softly. It had been worth it, especially the last little bit where she could finally be alone with Ajax, in the place she was already calling her home.
It was perfect.
“I love you,” she said, not for the first time since they had cuddled up after their lovemaking session.
“And I you,” he said, gently kissing her head.
She felt the change in his body language before he said anything.
“Arianna.”
“Ajax.”
She turned around in his embrace as he moved his arms.
“I...” he paused, and she felt her eyebrows narrow.
What is he up to?
He swallowed and tried again. “I’ve been thinking about something. A lot.”
“What’s that?”
“I never properly asked you to marry me.”
She smiled. “No, no you didn’t. But then again, we haven’t had a proper courtship either, now have we?”
Ajax laughed softly. “No, we haven’t. But still, I need to know.” His hand disappeared behind the couch to fumble with something.
Her eyes widened as she realized what his fingers closed around.
“When did you have time to get that?” she asked, shocked.
Ajax blushed a violent shade of red, much to her shock.
“I, uh, actually had it made, at a different time of my life,” he admitted. “I thought I knew what I was doing, but now I realize that even back then I was doing it for you. That it was always for you.” He braced himself visibly and opened the black box. “Arianna Jones, will you marry me?”
A normal woman would have been angry that he was using the ring from a previous love to propose. But Arianna knew better. She knew of the pain he had experienced, followed by a period of loneliness that no one should ever have to endure. He wasn’t being cheap, nor trying to pretend that she was someone else.
No, this was a statement from Ajax, that she fulfilled all the ideals of the person he had wanted to marry. So what if that happened to be a different person? She knew how much the concept of a mate, and marriage, meant to him. That just made his gesture even more touching to her, regardless of how awkward it might be for someone else.
This wasn’t someone else’s relationship. This was hers. If others decided to judge her for it, then she would tell them the same thing she told all the others. It was her life, and if they didn’t like it, they could get out.
She knew her answer. Had known it from that moment in the dirty, dingy bar. From the first time his brown eyes had met her blue. She hadn’t understood what was going on then. But she understood it now. So with a smile, she gave him her answer, the only answer she would ever have.
“Yes.”
THE END
Want More of These Characters?
Hey!
Thanks for digging in to my back matter for more books to read. I’ve written a number of series now, in two main worlds. Both worlds have an easy and convenient to read introductory bundle with a number of stories in it that will drag you right into the world.
The Outsiders
Dragon Temptation (Crimson Dragons Book 1)
Cadia
In this world shifters and humans live apart. Will imaginary barriers prevent real love? Not sure where to start? Try reading:
The Dragons of Cadia Bundle (Click)
This 6 book bundle is just $0.99c or FREE with Kindle Unlimited. From there, just follow the links in the back!
Genesis Valley
This is the other world I have written extensively in. There are a number of books in the series, and the order can jump around a bit. The best way to start is here:
Jade Crew: The Boxed Set (Link)
This 7 book collection is also just $0.99c and FREE with Kindle unlimited. Once you reach the end, it will link you to the next series.
Already read both box sets and want more? Flip the page for the complete rundown of all my series and the recommended reading order.
Thanks!
-Amelia Jade
The Outsiders
This is the series/book list for the Outsiders world.
Crimson Dragons
Dragon Temptation
Dragon Seduction
Dragon Devotion
The world of: Cadia
Here are the main series in the world of Cadia. Find them below!
Start with:
Dragons of Cadia: The Complete Dragon Shifter Series.
The Full 6 Book Bundle (Link)
Includes:
Frost Dragon
Fire Dragon
Electro Dragon
Gale Dragon
Fume Dragon
Aurum Dragon
Next:
Base Camp Bears
Green Bearets: Luther
Green Bearets: Aksel
Green Bearets: Jarvis
Green Bearets: Garrin
Green Bearets: Kiefer
Green Bearets: Gabriel
Then:
The Koche Brothers
Blackjack Bears: Pierce
Blackjack Bears: Kean
Blackjack Bears: Kassian
Blackjack Bears: Maximus
Then:
Standalones (In Chronological Order)
Big Bad Wolf Dad
Bad Bad Bear Dad
Big Bad Bear Daddy
Bigger Badder Bear Dad
Wing Her Over
The World of: Genesis Valley
This world follows the events in Genesis Valley, where misfit shifters of the world are sent. It is a brutal, vicious place where everyone’s chances have already been used up. This is it. Screw up, and they end you. But amongst the harsh life these bear shifters have eked out for themselves, everything burns brighter. Especially love.
The books in the first two series jump around some if you wish to follow the exact chronological timeline. See the numbers in bold
to follow the order.
Start With:
Jade Crew
The Complete Boxed Set (Link)
Includes:
Jade Crew: Alpha Bear [1]
Jade Crew: Haunted Bear [2]
Jade Crew: Forgotten Bear [3]
Jade Crew: Captive Bear [5]
Jade Crew: Outcast Bear [6]
Jade Crew: Hunted Bear[8]
Jade Crew: Fallen Bear [9]
Next:
Stone Bears
Stone Bear: Sentinel [4]
Stone Bear: Phoenix [7]
Stone Bear: Guardian [10]
Then:
Genesis Valley
Blueblood Dragon
Blackmarket Bear
Finally:
The Agency
Get the 4 Book Boxed Set (Click Here)
Sentinel: Bravo Bear
Blackblood Bear
Silver Bullet Bear
Kingpin Bear
About the Author
Amelia Jade
Amelia Jade loves to write the stories of tall, growly shifter men and the women who come to love them. Living out in the backcountry near the mountains, she keeps her own alpha male close by to keep the bears away and keep her warm. In her downtime (which is rare), she loves to read science-fiction with a dash of fantasy. You can often find her curled up in front of the real wood-burning fireplace, her nose firmly buried in a book or her favorite e-reader. The cold can’t bother her there!
For more information about Amelia Jade and her work, visit her website or find her on Facebook.
Amelia Jade’s Website
Author Page
Contents
Copyright
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Click here for a free bonus scene with CHARACTERS
Want More of These Characters?
About the Author