Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 21243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
I turn around and head back to the bus, wishing I knew more about this Adrian guy. I want to know everything.
“I was pretty brave, wasn’t I?” Gavin says as he walks with me to the bus.
“You sure were,” I tell him. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t saved me.”
He puffs out his chest and steps onto the bus with his chin in the air.
I take one last glance at the forest, hoping to see him but seeing nothing, before stepping onto the bus to leave.
But every part of me knows one thing…
I’ll definitely be coming back.
* * *
It’s a restless night with my hand buried between my legs and the sweaty sheets twisted around me. My back arches as I come hard against my palm.
Adrian is on my mind. I can’t stop thinking and fantasizing about him. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I don’t understand why I’m acting like this.
I drop back onto the mattress, breathing heavily as the warmth flows through me.
But that usual satisfied feeling I get whenever I touch myself is just not there.
I’m more frustrated than fulfilled.
An edgy feeling has taken over, like I can’t sit still. I might not be able to rest until I see that man again.
I try to close my eyes and fall asleep, but that’s hopeless. I feel like I just drank a pot of coffee. My nerves are on edge. My adrenaline pumping.
I keep wondering what he’s doing right now. If he’s in his bear or his human form. If he’s sleeping in the dirt or in some kind of bed. If he’s thinking of me…
“Oh, crap,” I mutter as I get out of bed and throw my housecoat on. I around pace my dark apartment and look outside at the sleeping town. I live alone on the outskirts of Blackcloud Point in a tiny three and a half.
I want to go see him, but that would be stupid. It would be reckless.
And it would be dangerous.
But still… I don’t know if I’ll be able to go on if I don’t.
I spot my sweater hanging on a chair in the kitchen and before I know it, I’m slipping it on and grabbing my keys. I throw my yoga pants on and rush out the door.
I know it’s a bad idea, but I can’t stop smiling. Just the thought of seeing him again is making me all giddy—even though it might result in me being eaten by a vicious grizzly bear.
It’s past midnight and the dark streets look abandoned. There’s not much going on in this small Montana town at night, so I have the roads to myself as I head toward the Bowen ranch.
The moment I got home after work, I rushed to my computer and read up everything I could about shifters.
My heart was pumping when I was reading about what happens when they find their mates—the intensity, the attraction, the fire, the need. It clicked. Everything I read felt like everything I had experienced.
But still, it sounds crazy. It feels insane to think…
That we could be… mates…
I turn onto the street that leads to the ranch and I squeeze my thighs together already knowing it’s true. That’s why I’ve never been interested in other guys. When all of the other girls had crushes growing up, I had nothing.
When it was time for first kisses and first bases… the thought of doing any of that with any of the boys in my class brought nausea instead of interest.
It was because I belonged to him. And he belonged to me.
I turn my headlights off as I approach the ranch. I don’t want to wake anyone else up to explain why I’m here, so I park a little ways away from the entrance to the ranch and step out onto the dirt road.
The air is crisp and cooler than it was this afternoon. I dig my hands into the pockets of my jacket and hurry down the road.
It’s much creepier here at night with only the light from the sliver of moon to lead my way. I stop as I enter the ranch to give myself one last chance to turn back, but I know that’s not going to happen.
The lights are still on in all three cabins, although there’s only noise coming from one. I avoid it as I hurry into the valley.
The forest looks so dark and scary in the distance. It sends the tiny hairs on my arms and on the back of my neck standing straight up, but I head for it regardless.
I must be crazy for doing this. I should have my head checked.
Heading into a dark forest where I know there’s a vicious grizzly bear hiding is pure insanity.
But I’m not that scared. I’m excited and eager. And I have an almost comforting feeling that grows the closer I get to the dark trees.