Mated To An Enemy

Bell and Galen spoke on the phone every night and most mornings. A few minutes, a few hours. It didn’t matter so long as they could connect each day for at least a little while.

It had only been a few weeks since they had started their relationship. Still, Bell was already seeing the effects of this new happiness she was feeling. Her nightmares were getting fewer, and even when she had them, they didn’t overwhelm her like they used to.

Though she had only done it once, knowing that she could call Galen anytime and just listen to his warm, comforting voice was enough to help her back to sleep.

As happy as she felt, she still couldn’t help but wonder how long it could last. Bell was trapped in Winter. If she left, that bastard would be able to find her anywhere she went. Staying here was the only thing that was keeping her safe.

She had told him about her binding to the land. He understood, and he was willing to come to her to spend time together. But for how long? His place was in Summer, and hers Winter.

Her phone rang, she smiled when she saw his name.

“Well, hello, Handsome,” she answered.

“Hello yourself,” he smiled back at her.

“I was just thinking of you,” she said, laying her head down on her desk.

“What a coincidence. I’m always thinking of you.”

Bell smiled.

“I miss you,” she whispered.

“I miss you, too,” he replied.

“What are you up to today?” Bell asked.

“Not much,” he said. “I have a special assignment.”

“Ooh, what kind of assignment? Is it a secret mission?” Bell asked playfully.

There was a knock at her office door. She got up while still listening to Galen speak._.

“Nothing super secret,” he said. “I am meeting with a few doctors.”

Bell opened the door, she was shocked to see the man himself standing there.

“One in particular,” Galen smiled as Bell’s eyes widened.

Galen quickly put his phone in his pocket as he recognized the look of excitement. She jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around him with a delighted squeal.

He laughed and held her close before carrying her back into her office and shutting the door behind him with his foot.

Bell gave him quick kisses as she spoke.

“What are you doing here? Why didn’t you tell me? How long are you here?”

Galen carried her over to her desk. Setting her down, he brought his hands up from her waist and held her face gently. He smiled at her.

“Hi,” he said in a voice that warmed her.

Bell felt a blush spread across her face.

“Hi,” she whispered back.

Galen leaned forward and captured her mouth against his. His kiss was tender and filled with a wild desire that made her moan against his lips. He deepened their kiss, lacing his fingers into the back of her hair.

Bell pulled down at his neck, drawing him closer and closer to her. He moved a hand down to the desk to brace himself.

She squeezed her legs tighter around him, drawing a low growl from his throat. She pulled at him once more, leaning back and drawing his body against her.

Galen moved the hand he was using to brace himself against the desk. He put it at the small of her back as she laid herself down on the desk. He followed her down, stretching himself over her body while keeping his feet on the ground as her tight grip on his waist caused him to grind his pelvis against her.

Bell let out soft moans that were driving him crazy. He wanted to push further, start tearing off pieces of clothing and taste her sweet flesh. She relaxed her grip on his waist.

Galen quickly shoved off the desk, stumbling back away from her.

Bell let out soft protests as the warmth of his body pulled away from her.

She sat up on the desk, staring at him with a predatory gaze and a dark swirling in her eyes. Galen felt the tight pressure of his pants.

“Damn…” he sighed, turning away from her and taking deep breaths to calm himself down.

Bell stood up from the desk, walking towards him slowly.

“Bell…” he said softly. “Maybe we should keep some distance…oh.”

He had backed himself into the wall, and Bell was already in front of him. She moved her warm hands under his shirt, tracing the thick grooves of his muscles with her fingertips.

“Distance?” she asked in a thick voice. “There is always a distance between us. Let’s close the distance.”

Bell pressed her hands to the sculpted muscles of his stomach, letting out a satisfied sigh as he moaned to her touch.

Galen rolled his head back against the wall, enjoying the soft pressure of her warm hands on him. She moved closer. He felt his shirt being raised, and he almost couldn’t hold back anymore.

Galen growled low and dangerous. He grabbed Bell’s hands and held them away from his body.

“Bell…” he said as calmly as he was able. “We need to stop.”

“Why?” she asked with a smile that made him ache.

“Because,” Galen said, swallowing down the surge of desire. “We need to wait.”

Bell raised an eyebrow at him.

“Galen.. have you never…. Are you a–”

“I’ve had my own experiences!” Galen growled.

Bell laughed.

“Then what’s the problem?” she asked. “I want you; you want me. No reason for us to hold back.”

Galen growled again.

Bell looked up at him. He looked down at her with concern.

“When we talked about your past,” he began, “you told me that you wanted to honor your father through the traditions of Winter.”

Bell pulled away from him.

“That bastard stole that right from you.”

Bell hugged herself tightly and turned away.

“I’m already tainted,” she said quietly.

Galen grabbed her shoulders gently.

“No, you’re not,” he said. “It may not be perfectly following tradition, but I want to do our best to honor it.”

Bell smiled and then sighed.

“Galen, it’s sweet, but I’ve already been mated to him… there is nothing else–”

“The traditions of Winter don’t just apply to the mate chosen by the Goddess,” Galen said softly. “You were forced into being his mate, but I hope you will choose to be my bride.”

Bell turned around to face him.

“Galen… are you asking me to marry you?” Bell asked.

Galen smiled brightly.

“Is it really much of a shock?” he asked. “I’ve been yours since the moment we met.”

Galen reached out for her, taking her hands in his.

“We may not have been fated by the Goddess, but I believe we were meant for each other.”

Bell smiled.

“Did you practice that?” she asked with a laugh.

“A little bit,” Galen laughed.

Bell sighed.

“What?” he asked, sensing that she was not happy.

“It sounds wonderful,” she smiled. “But how would this even work?”

“We vow to love each other, kiss, boom, married,” Galen said.

“Shut up,” Bell laughed. “I mean, you know my situation, I can’t leave Winter, and you are Beta of Summer. So are we just going to have a long-distance marriage?”

Galen shrugged.

“You could just tell me his name, and I could kill him,” Galen replied nonchalantly.

“Galen…” she sighed.

“I’m just saying, it’s an option to consider,” he sighed.

“It’s not.”

“Fine,” Galen said. “There is another option.”

“What’s that?”

“I could become a wolf of Winter.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“You can’t leave Fiona and Caleb.”

Galen sighed.

“I’m willing to do anything, Bell,” he said, touching her cheek gently. “Just name it.”

Bell swallowed.

“Alright,” she said.

“Alright?” he asked.

“We can try a long-distance thing… we were going to do that anyway, right?” she laughed.

“You’re saying yes?” he asked.

“I’m saying yes,” she answered.

Galen’s grin grew wide. He picked her up and swung her around as she let out surprised squeals and laughter.

“I love you, Bell,” he said when he finally stopped spinning her and looked into her eyes.

Bell reached a hand to his face and gave him a genuine smile filled with all the love she had in her heart.

“I love you, too, my big goofy puppy.”