Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“Sounds perfect,” Dad agrees, setting the tray he’s been working on in the refrigerator. “We’ve got time, and it’ll do us good.”
All of us strip and put our clothes next to Gabe’s, then exit the kitchen and step into my expansive backyard. The air is rich with the scent of earth and pine.
With practiced ease, we begin to shift, and the transformation is fluid and natural. Limbs elongate, muscles change shape, and in moments, my bear stands where my human form once was, powerful and alive.
Dad and Clay shift into their grizzly bear forms, while Grant and I transform into our polar bears. Then we race into the thick forest that has been our playground since we were cubs. The forest floor is cool beneath our paws, the world alive with the scuttling chatter of squirrels and the soft whisper of leaves.
We run together, moving through the underbrush, hunting for Gabe’s scent.
After a while, we come across him sunning himself on a huge rock next to the small pond. “You took too long, and I ended up enjoying my snack without you guys.” His bear stretches lazily and rolls over onto his back.
“Greedy little shit,” my dad mumbles under his breath while stretching out on the green grass next to the water’s edge. After a few minutes lying out in the afternoon sun, we all decide to take a dip in the chilly pond to cool off.
By the time we make it back to my house, it’s later than I’d realized. We round the corner to find Gianna standing on the back patio next to the large table with our clothes. “I figured it would be better if you all had clothes on when you meet Dillon’s mate.” She turns to head to the door and calls over her shoulder, “Hurry up and get ready. Bethany started getting hangry two hours ago. We stopped and picked up snacks for her, but I’m sure that will only hold her off for a few more minutes.”
Chapter 12
EMILIA
After a busy but exhausting day of shopping with Tilly, Gianna, and Bethany, we return to Glacier Pass with an SUV full of bags.
As we step into the house, I'm greeted by the delicious aroma of marinated meats and herbs wafting through the air.
The kitchen is immaculate, everything neatly in its place, except for five piles of neatly folded clothes sitting rather conspicuously on the planning desk.
“The boys have been busy,” Tilly observes, a smile playing on her lips. “And it smells wonderful.”
“But where are they?” I wonder aloud, glancing around as if Dillon and the others might suddenly emerge from the shadows.
“They couldn’t have gone too far,” Bethany says, nodding toward the neatly folded clothes. “Especially not naked.”
“I’m betting they’re out torturing small forest creatures,” Gianna chimes in with a laugh. “Since I know Dillon will have a stroke if Emilia is greeted with five naked men, I’d better take their clothes out back and see if I can find them.”
Her words leave me half-laughing, half-embarrassed at the thought of such a peculiar welcoming committee. Gianna gathers up the clothes with a knowing grin, disappearing through the back door to search for the guys.
“Good idea,” Tilly calls to her daughter before turning to the rest of us and gesturing toward the kitchen. “While she does that, we’ll take over finishing up dinner before Bethany passes out from hunger.”
“Suddenly, I’m hungry enough to eat everything in that refrigerator,” Bethany declares, patting her baby bump affectionately. “Those chips and granola bar I had in Arctic Landing didn’t hold my little cub for very long. Let’s get this show on the road.”
We move about the kitchen, picking up where the guys left off, assembling salads, arranging side dishes, and finishing up the last-minute details of tonight's barbecue.
“Today was fun,” Tilly begins, slicing cucumbers with precision. “We loved having you with us.”
I beam at her compliment, feeling the warmth in her words. “Thank you. I had a wonderful time. I really feel like I’m part of the family.”
“Emilia definitely passed the family shopping initiation test,” Bethany adds with a wink, mixing a fresh vinaigrette for the salad. “You certainly held your own today against our various ventures.”
“I’ll admit it was a bit of a workout, but you three make it so much fun.” I chuckle while mentally calculating how much today’s purchases will dip into my monthly budget.
Just then, Gianna returns, a victorious smirk on her face as she announces, “Clothes delivered, and I'm pretty sure they’ll be dressed in about five seconds.”
The timing couldn't be more perfect. As we set the finished dishes on the dining table, the back door opens to reveal Dillon and the others, looking amused and clothed. Thank goodness. Relief mingles with humor on Dillon's face as he strides over to me, wrapping me in a bear hug that lifts me off my feet.