Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21879 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21879 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
The adorable bear comes right up to me and sniffs my neck. I giggle as his nose tickles me.
“I’ve been waiting to meet you,” I whisper as I dig my hands into his thick fur. “We’re going to be good friends.”
He lowers his head into my stomach and I smile as I pet him lovingly. I’ve never had a pet bear before.
Enzo’s bear comes lumbering back down the ramp and Roman’s Kodiak looks at him with a huff.
“No, guys!” I say in a panic as Roman’s bear struts over to meet him. I’m expecting them to continue where they left off, but the bears seem to be friends as they smell each other.
“Oh, thank God.”
Now, I just have to worry about their human versions not killing one another.
Chapter Seven
Roman
I grab my clothes after phasing back and quickly put them on as I keep a watchful eye on Enzo. He gets dressed as well.
“Thank you,” Bailey says to her brother. She goes up and hugs him and I have to turn away before my possessive Kodiak bear leaps back out and mauls him.
“I told you this guy was trouble,” he says. “Look at the kind of people he’s associated with.”
“He’s right, Bailey.” I can’t believe I just said that but it’s true. “It’s too dangerous around me.”
“I don’t care,” she says as she turns to me with defiant eyes. “I’m not leaving your side.”
Enzo shakes his head. “And what happens when I’m not around next time and his buddies come back looking for blood?”
“Then we’ll handle it together,” she says with a defiant nod. “Like true mates.”
Enzo sighs as he looks at his younger sister. He must know there’s no breaking mates apart and there’s no use in trying.
He turns to me and we give each other a long heated look.
“You better fucking protect her,” he says with a snarl.
I hold his stare. “I will. With my life.”
“I guess there’s nothing I can say to change your mind.”
Bailey shakes her head. “Nope.”
“Then be careful you two,” Enzo says as he pulls his keys out of his pocket. “Maybe we can meet again under better circumstances.”
“I’d like that,” I say and I mean it. I want to be close with Bailey’s family even if one of them is a firecunt.
We shake hands and Bailey slides under my arm as we watch him leave.
“Thank you,” she whispers when he disappears onto the highway. “For trying with him.”
“He’s important to you, so that means he’s important to me. We’ll get there. One day.”
She stands on her toes and kisses the stubble on my jaw.
I turn her around in my arms to lay a fat one on her sweet lips, but the older lady from before interrupts when she opens the front door a crack and grabs her shoe.
“We better go,” I say when I realize that the cops are probably on their way. “Before more trouble comes dressed in blue.”
We hop in my truck and head home.
My Kodiak bear is really acting up by the time I pull into the ranch. He’s pissed that our mark is not on her, especially after having all those threatening wolf shifters around.
Do it, he snarls from inside. Mark her.
He speaks in snarls not words, but his intentions are crystal clear. He wants our mate marked.
I take a deep breath as I park the truck and turn the key. Bailey is both nervous and excited to be here and I don’t want to ruin the moment by fighting with my stubborn bear.
“Are you sure your brothers are going to like me?”
“They’re going to love you. How could they not?”
Moose, our huge Great Dane, comes bouncing over with his tongue lolling out and his big tail wagging. He’s white with black spots all over and possibly the best dog in the world.
“Who’s that?” Bailey asks with a smile as he jumps onto her door.
“That’s Moose, our ranch’s mascot. Don’t go out unless you’re prepared to be slobbered on.”
“Your bear did enough of that already,” she says with a grin.
I watch with my chest swelling with love as she gets out of the truck and makes a big fuss over Moose. He’s already in love with her.
Join the club.
My bear growls as he paces around inside, eager for me to do what every shifter animal needs once they find their mate.
“I’ll do it tonight,” I whisper as I get out of the truck and slam the door closed. I’ll let her get to know Mary and the guys and then I’ll mark her. Okay?
He growls in annoyance but slinks back down and doesn’t bother me again.
“Roman!” Jacob yells as he comes charging over from the house. “Where the hell were you? We’ve been worried sick!”
He stops, skidding on the grass when he sees Bailey kneeling beside Moose. “Who is she?”
“My mate,” I say proudly with my chin in the air and my chest puffed out. “Isn’t she spectacular?”