Page 18 of My Forever Bear

“What do you need, mate? Would talking to Sydney help?”

I nod, words stuck in my throat at the magnitude of his feelings for me. He's really in this, and he wantsme.

“Okay, call your sister. I'm going to take a look around and see if whoever did this left anything behind. Maybe I can pick up a scent trail. I'll call Reese to come and tow your car.” Leaning down, he places a soft kiss on my forehead before heading toward the other side of my car and pulling out his phone.

Wanting some privacy, I step back by the bed of his truck, digging my phone out of my leggings’ pocket.

No new notifications. Thank god, no creepy messages from Chris. I pull up Syd’s contact and hit dial, putting the phone to my ear as it begins to ring. I swipe my finger under my eyes, brushing away any leftover tears.

“Finally! I was about to call and make sure you're alive. How was last night with your mystery mountain man?” My little sister's voice fills the line, cracking my resolve.

“S-Syd,” I croak.

“Oh, fuck. Wren, are you okay? Whose ass do I need to pummel? Give me names.” On cue, her sister's intuition kicks in and she knows I'm not remotely okay.

“Someone vandalized my car, Syd,” I choke, those damn tears filling my eyes again.

“Holy shit! Wren, are you okay? Are you with mystery man?” I pull my phone away from my ear slightly as her voice rises in pitch.

“Calm down, Syd. I’m fine, shaken up a bit, but I wasn’t there when it happened. Kiernan drove me to my car this morning. We found it with the windshield smashed and the tires slashed.” I conveniently leave out the part aboutWHOREbeing keyed in the side. She’s already worked up enough.

“I’m glad you’re alright, Wren. But who would do this? Do you think it was Chris?” she asks.

“I mean, the thought had crossed my mind, but I haven’t seen him in months, not since he broke up with me.”

She hums. “But he’s been sending you those weird texts.”

Shaking my head, I let out a bitter laugh. “Syd, you really think Chris would drive over four hours to trash my car? What’s that going to get him? I’m not taking him back. And that’s if he even knows where I am, but how would he?”

“I guess.” Her tone sounds skeptical. “He is a city boy. I doubt he even knows where Cypress Valley is. What about your mountain man? Could it have been him?”

“No,” I blurt, immediately defending Kiernan. “We were together all night, so I would have noticed if he was missing. Plus, I trust him.”

“So, what? It was just some rowdy teens?”

“Probably. Someone probably saw my car sitting in an empty parking lot. It’s the perfect crime since we’re in the middle of nowhere and there aren’t any cameras on the lot,” I say, trying to convince my own brain this was a random attack, even with the nasty word carved into my car.

“As long as you’re alright. Wait… you said Kiernan? Is he your mountain man? Oh my god! Is he hot?” She’s practically squealing with excitement. A smile spreads across my face and those pesky tears dry up.

“Sydney Fields. Breathe!”

“Sorry,” she whines. “But I need all the details. You spent the night with him? Did you sleep with him? You hoochie.” Her cackle rings down the line.

“Stop, Syd! His name is Kiernan Holzman. He’s gorgeous, Sydney. Like stepped off the cover of a magazine gorgeous.” I flick my eyes over to Kiernan, making sure he’s out of earshot. He glances up at me from the treeline on the opposite side of my wrecked car. I give him a small smile and wave. A panty-melting smirk spreads across his handsome face. “I did end up in his bed, but we didn’t have sex, Syd. He did go down on me. And let’s say he knows what he’s doing.”

“Yes, Wren! Get it, girl! So what happens now? Was it only a one night thing?”

“That’s the problem, Syd. He’s a shifter, like turns into a big ol’ grizzly bear whenever he wants. And he says I’m his mate.” I rush the words out before I lose my courage. But I know Sydney is the one person in this world who will tell me if this whole situation is crazy.

“WHAT?” she shrieks into the phone.

“Jeez, Syd, my ears!” I squeal back.

“Sorry, so, wait, not only did you run into a handsome mountain man who is good at cunnilingus. He’s also a freaking shifter! Do you know how rare they are, Wren?”

“I know,” I say quietly. “But is it insane, Syd? He wants me to stay with him. And, I guess, I-I don’t know what to do.”

“That's it,” she proclaims. “I'm driving up there.” As if to emphasize her point, the jingle of her keys rattles down the line.

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