Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
“Is that you?”
Ryker’s Kodiak gets up off the ground and sinks his teeth into Colin’s furry shoulder. The bear roars in fury and then throws him off so hard that Ryker summersaults across the lawn.
Even after that, the anger is still gone. He’s staring at his mate in awe, ignoring all the other bears. She’s the only thing that matters.
The bear trembles and shakes, letting Colin come back out. He phases and stares at her like he’s staring at the missing piece in his life.
“It is you,” she says with a quivering voice.
They’re just staring at each other. The Foxhounds circle around to leap on him from behind, but Remy races over, holding up his sword.
“Don’t even think about it, mes petits ours,” he warns. “Give ‘em a second.”
They hang back as the two long-lost mates find each other once again.
“I… I didn’t think I’d see you again,” she says as her eyes water. “Do you hate me?”
“No,” Colin says as he rushes over and takes her hand. “I could never hate you, Valerie. You’re my mate. I’ll never stop loving you even if you refuse to talk to me for the next hundred years.”
Tears stream down her cheeks. They stream down mine too as I watch with my heart aching.
“I thought I was doing the right thing,” she says, cracking as he holds her hand. “My parents… I… They convinced me it was the right thing to do. I was never sure, but… Seeing you now… I’m so sorry, Colin. I was wrong. All this time wasted.”
Her chin quivers as she looks up at the man she’s destined to be with.
“I’ve missed you so much,” she says as she trembles. “I wanted to come see you so many times.”
Colin hears all he needs to hear. He wraps those big arms around her and holds her like he’s not going to let her go this time.
“Oh no!” Mrs. Barton shouts as she stomps out of the house. “That’s not happening again!”
Grayson and Ryker phase back into their human forms now that the fighting is over. If Mr. and Mrs. Barton hated shifters before, they’re going to absolutely loathe them now that there are five naked ones on their front lawn.
“The cops are on their way,” she shouts as she grips the railing of the porch. “Valerie, get back inside now!”
Valerie’s face is full of resolve as she turns to her mother. “No, Mom. Not this time.”
“Valerie,” she warns.
“I was wrong to listen to you. I was wrong to keep Nathan away from his father. I’m moving to Montana with my mate and I’m bringing Nathan with me.”
Mrs. Barton gets red with fury. “No, you’re not, young lady! You’re going to march up these stairs and—“
I lift the hose, aim it at her face, and let it rip. I don’t turn it off until she’s soaking wet and running back inside.
Everyone is staring at me in shock.
“Why am I not surprised that’s Remy’s mate?” Grayson says with a roll of his eyes.
“Who is that?” Valerie asks as she looks at me like she’s impressed.
“That’s my sister, Adalynn,” Colin says as he holds her.
“Hi,” I say, giving her a smile and a wave.
“Hi,” she says, smiling back.
I can already tell that we’re going to get along great.
Nathan bursts out of the house and runs into his parents’ arms. He looks so ecstatic as Colin picks him and Valerie kisses his cheek. It’s the first time he’s seen his parents together.
“Can we be a family now?” he asks with a hopeful look.
Colin looks at Valerie for an answer. She smiles with tears in her eyes. “I think it’s about time for that, don’t you?”
They all hug as the AFA agents watch.
“See?” Remy says as he shoots them a look. “We almost took this nice moment away from them.”
Jackson sighs as he watches the happy little family.
“It’s like your brother, Jackson,” Remy continues. “How happy are August and Hazel? There was a time you had no hope for him either.”
“You’re right,” he says in a low voice.
“What’s dat?” Remy asks with a wide grin. “I’m what?”
“Don’t push it,” Jackson warns. “This doesn’t prove that he has full control over his bear. Colin, bring your grizzly out and then pull him back in. We need to see it.”
Colin nods as he walks away from his mate and child. He looks at me and I nod encouragingly.
You got this. Come on…
He closes his eyes and lets his bear come bursting out. The grizzly is a different beast now that his mate has returned. The bear looks around calmly and then gazes at Valerie until Colin pulls him back in.
“See?” Remy says as he puts his Samurai sword back in the car. “All better.”
Grayson is shaking his head. “Once a feral bear, always a feral bear. Your words, Remy.”