Page 23 of My Forever Bear

Tyler salutes in greeting. “Hey, Wren. Nice to meet you. I’m just going to wait over here until Mr. Growly calms down a little–for my own safety.” He winks.

“Don’t push it Tyler,” Kier growls.

Not quite sure how to handle this possessive side of my mate, I slowly stroke my hand down his arm and curl my fingers around his. I give him a reassuring smile and step into his side. Wrapping an arm around me, he pulls me closer until the tension bleeds from his big body.

“Sorry,” he says quietly, “I’m new to having a mate.” He rubs his other hand down the back of his neck and tips his head down toward me, his cheeks slightly pink. “I guess I’m a little possessive.”

“Just a little,” I giggle, holding my free hand up, pinching my thumb and forefinger together.

I hear a chuckle from across the greenhouse. “I like her,” Tyler says as he strolls toward us, hands casually tucked in the pockets of his worn jeans. “You calmed down, man?”

“Yeah, sorry,” Kiernan murmurs.

“Alright, Miss Wren. I, Tyler Gardner, welcome you to Cypress Valley.” He bows dramatically, one tattoo-covered arm behind his back, the other extended in front of him. I explode in a fit of giggles, which leads to Kiernan doubling over in laughter. A shit-eating grin stretches across Tyler's handsome face, and I take him in for the first time since we arrived at the greenhouse.

He’s gorgeous. Is that a grizzly bear shifter requirement? Are they drinking some kind of magic water up here?

He’s a few inches shorter than my own mate, but just as broad. His warm brown hair is pulled into a knot at the back of his head. A few days of stubble line his jaw, giving him a rugged look. A large rose is tattooed on the side of his neck. More tattoos adorn his arms, extending from the sleeves of his t-shirt, all the way down to his knuckles. Every visible inch of skin is covered in black and gray ink.

“Checking me out, hot stuff,” he teases. My face flushes a bright red as I dip my head down. He’s definitely the resident bad boy flirt, and he knows it.

Kiernan growls, his possessive side making another appearance. Tyler backs up a step and raises his hands in surrender. “Kidding, man, kidding.”

Clearing my throat, I break the tension in the room. “So, this greenhouse is amazing! Did you grow all of this, Tyler?”

That earns me a genuine smile.

“Yeah, this is all mine. The greenhouse is used to grow more temperamental crops, like berries, or things that aren’t native to the area. I’ve cultivated a small field out back for larger crops, like corn and heartier plants. Right now, I’m harvesting squash, pumpkin, and some other veggies. Next door is the food pantry where we store everything we harvest.” His voice oozes with enthusiasm and excitement.

“Tyler’s the farmer of the pack. We’re essentially self-sustaining when it comes to food because of him,” Kiernan chimes in. “This guy knows what to plant when and how to use nearly every part of what he grows.”

“You’re in time for canning season, Wren.” He nudges my shoulder. “If you want to help out, feel free to stop by.”

“I’d actually really like—”

The greenhouse door slams open, rattling on its hinges. A furious looking Reese stands in the doorway. His face is a deep red, like he’s forgotten how to breathe. A vein pulses on his forehead. Fists balled at his side and jaw clenched hard enough to break teeth.

“Where is he?!” he bellows as he stomps into the greenhouse.

“Oh, shit!” Tyler ducks behind me. “Help me, Wren, you’re my only hope.” A giggle slips from my mouth, even as a very angry bear stomps my way.

“Hey, fucker, I can see you,” he growls as he stops in front of me. Not sure how to react, my eyes find Kiernan, who has a hand in front of his mouth, trying to hold back his laughter.

Tyler pops up from behind me. “Heya, Reese. Beautiful weather we’re having today, isn’t it? Have you met Wren? Kier—” He rambles on until Reese grips his shoulder.

“Where is it? Huh? What did you put in my truck?”

At this point, Kiernan can’t contain himself. He braces his hands on his knees as he doubles over in uncontrollable laughter. And I am utterly confused…

“What is happening right now?”

“This smartass—” Reese shakes Tyler’s shoulder, still gripping him tight. “He thinks it’s funny to play pranks on me. So imagine my annoyance when I’m driving my truck this morning, minding my own fucking business, and I hear a cricket chirp.”

“You didn’t,” Kiernan gasps out between laughs.

“Oh, he did. That fucking cricket chirped every two minutes on my drive to meet Kiernan. Every two fucking minutes on the hour-long drive to Oak Ridge to drop Wren’s car off with Buddy. And everytwofucking minutes on the drive back. I searched every damn square inch of my truck, not finding shit. So you’re gonna tell me where the damn noise maker is. Right. Fucking. Now!”

The room is silent except for Reese’s labored breathing.

---