The Phoenix King's Forgotten Daughter

Chapter 2

Owen. He's my mate, I'm not entirely sure what that means but I'm pretty sure it means soul mates. I've seen quite a few couples come in the store over the years and everyone of them would say that word to each other every so often. But we haven't started to date or anything yet. I think he's too nervous to take that step with me or maybe he's waiting for me to make that move, but every time I try to, I chicken out. But tonight I'm gonna kiss him. It'll be our first but it's high time it happens. I'm 20 years old now and he's had his bear for a while now.

“Zoey! Come down here and help me with the delivery.” My mama called up the stairs.

“Yes mama!” I called back. Walking towards the door to our apartment. I put my boots on before walking downstairs, shoving my phone into my back pocket. Owen was coming over in about 3 hours or so. I had time to help out a bit before he came. it only took about an hour and a half to get everything sorted from the order.

“Thank you sweetie” my mama said as she recorded the last of the order into her log book. I've tried to get her to update her systems but she's refused. So I just let her do it the old fashioned way. That's when the shop bell rings. Owen had walked through the door.

“You're early.” I stated looking up at him from my spot at the shelf a few rows over. I was stoking canned goods. He's so handsome every time I look at him my heart races. He has the richest brown and honey eyes and the blackest hair. His smile is rare but when he looks at me he has this totally devoted look in his eyes, I'm sure mine are the same.

“I was too excited to wait any longer. Haven't been to the city in a while. Also I get to take you with me.” He said, looking me in the eye. He had walked over to my shelf. “Do you need some help?”

“I'm almost done.” I was blushing for literally no reason now. Well maybe for a reason, I wanted to kiss him so bad I almost reached.up on my tiptoes and done it. But having our first list in front of my mama was NOT going to happen. I quickly finished stocking the last 2 cans.

“See, all done!” I smiled up at him. His honey brown eyes watching me the whole time.

“Perfect. Do you need to grab anything before we go?” He said looking away with a faint blush on his cheeks now. Hopefully he was also thinking about kissing me. Or maybe it was because I caught him staring.

“Nope. Just need to say goodbye to mama real quick.” He nodded and I brushed past him. Being sure to be closer than I had to. I've been feeling the sparks between us for a few months now since they started after my 20th birthday. “Mama, we're leaving now. I'll be back later. I said kissing her on the cheek.

“Ok. Be safe and call me when you get there and when you're leaving” she said, hugging me and kissing my cheek. Turning to Owen she added “no funny business young man.”

“I'll try my best Ms.Pam” he said, winking at her like he was going to try something. I narrowed my eyes at him then smirked to myself.

“Come on bear man, we gotta hit the road.” I walked out the door brushing past him again. I could have sworn I heard a low growl as my hand brushed his thighs. I was excited mybe he was going to kiss me tonight. Maybe we were finally going to become mates officially. I steady my breath as I walk up to the passenger door of his truck. It was a retromod Ford from the 50s. Basically an old truck with brand new parts with as many bells and whistles as Owen could fit on it. I loved this truck, Owen loves this truck. I think he's more devoted to it than me sometimes, but I think he pretends to love it more just to make me mad.

We both slid into our seats and buckled up. Once we hit the road Owen looked at me for a moment. Then he grabbed my hand. His face was beat red.

“What's the matter Owen?” I squeezed his hand a bit. This isn't the first time he's held my hand but we've been skating around our feelings for a while now. He cleared his throat and glanced at me again.

“You know I'm a bear. You've known since before my first shift,” I nodded at him. Wanting him to continue. “Bears have mates. Mates are special to shifters. It basically is short for soulmates” I squeezed his hand again for reassurance. He cleared his throat before he continued. “Well I met mine a long time ago, claimed her even but I'm not sure if she remembers.” he looked at me again and I smiled a light blush blooming on my cheeks. He squeezed my hand this time, then turned back to the road.

“She remembers,” I whisper, “I remember.”

He let out a long breath and laughs. “Thank the goddess. I have been so worried since I shifted that you wouldn't remember or something.” he swallows and looks at me again, smiling he lets out a laugh. “Do you feel it? The bond?”

“The sparks you mean?” He nods. I squeeze his hand. I smile and look out the windshield. “I've felt them since my birthday.”

“Good. I'm sorry it took me so long.”

“Don't be.” I smile again and scooch closer to him until our thighs touch. “I think you should pull over.”

“Why?” His eyebrows scrunched together.

“Because I want to kiss you now and your driving and you'll be so-” he pulled the car over so fast my sentence was cut off. He looked at me his eyes black. “Woah, what-”

He crashed his lips into mine. I gasp and his tongue explores my mouth and I moan into the kiss. Our lips and tongues twisting together sparks tingling from every point of contact intensifying the sensation. I run my hand up his chest and around his neck pulling him in closer, not wanting this to end. He pulls his hand from the back of my head to my cheek. Wiping the tears away that I didn't notice before. I let us breakaway then. Our foreheads press together as we catch our breath.

“I've wanted to do that since I was 15,” he whispers and I snort. “Totally worth the wait.” He kisses me again more gently and less desperate this time breaking apart too soon.

“Maybe we should skip the city trip?” I suggest. Once he had kissed me the first time the fire inside me was burning my skin and I needed him. He looked at me, his eyes turning black again. He sniffs the air and lets out a groan that almost sounds like a bears.

“If we continue with what we're doing now I won't be able to stop. I'll mark you and rut you till we're so physically tired we pass out for a few days.” He says with a low gruff voice he's never used with me before. The heat between my legs grows and he snaps his head in my direction. “I can smell you. I know you want me as much as I want you. But if you don't want to, we don't have to. We can still go to the city.”

I shake my head. “I want you. I want you to mark me. I want you as my mate.” I look him in the eye and touch his cheek, bringing him in for a soft kiss.

“Let's go home then Zoe.” He puts the car in drive, holds my hand again and takes me to his home. The one he's built for himself. I take a deep breath in. He looks at me and squeezes my hand.