Page 24 of My Forever Bear

“Wow. I’ve never heard you say that many words… ever,” Tyler jokes, poking the literal bear.

Which makes Kiernan laugh harder.

“You fucker!” Reese lunges at Tyler, who swiftly jumps behind me, gently resting his hands on my shoulders. Using me as a human shield.

“Come on, Reesie. It was ajoke. The cricket noise maker is hidden under the bottom of the backseat.”

“Thank you.” The muscle in Reese’s clenched jaw twitches, like it physically pains him to say the words.

“Fuck, I needed that,” Kiernan says as he straightens to his full height, wiping the tears from his eyes. “I haven’t laughed so much since you filled his car with shaving cream. Remember that one, Reese?”

“Yes. I remember.” Reese’s jaw ticks again as Kiernan and Tyler break into another round of laughter.

Totally ignoring his immature pack members, Reese turns to me. “Wren, I took your car over to Oak Ridge to get repaired. Buddy owns the shop in town and he owes me a favor. He said give him a few weeks and it’ll be good as new. Takes him a while to get parts out this far.”

“Thanks, Reese, but you didn’t have to use a favor on my account. I can pay for it,” I offer.

“Nonsense. You’re one of ours now. We take care of our own,” he states, end of discussion. Warmth spreads over me knowing these big burly men look out for each other… and now me. It’s the first time, in a long time, that I’ve felt like I belong.

Kiernan steps up behind me, knocking Tyler out of the way before wrapping his strong arms around me and resting his chin on my shoulder. “Are Will and Benny around?”

“Nah,” Reese responds. “They’re finishing up at the creek. Remember where you ditched me yesterday?”

Kiernan tips his head towards me. “Priorities, Reese. You’ll understand someday.”

That earns Kiernan a chuckle from the grumpy alpha.

“Who are Will and Benny?” I say over my shoulder at Kiernan, but it’s Reese who responds.

“They’re the newest grizzly shifters to join us, only been here since summer. Good boys. Brothers. They spend most of their time together out in the woods. They’re still adjusting to being shifters. I’m trying to help them as much as I can, but…” He drifts off with a sad shrug.

“So, you’re all men.” A cacophony of grunts follows my statement. “What I meant was, are there only male shifters?”

Reese looks between Kiernan and Tyler before speaking. “I’ve never met a female shifter. And I’ve only met a handful of fated mates, like you and Kiernan.”

“Oh,” I squeak.

Kiernan squeezes me tighter in his arms, his voice right next to my ear. “Reese has the most knowledge and experience in our pack. He’s been shifting for over ten years, right?”

Reese grunts his agreement. “Yes. I started shifting in my early twenties, so I’ve had some time to accumulate information. Fated mates are fairly rare. In the couples I’ve seen, the female is human. The shifter gene only presents itself in males, but females are carriers. Mating with a human female is the only way to produce an offspring and keep the shifter lineage going.”

A lump sticks in my throat at the mention of offspring. I swallow it down, resting my hands on top of Kiernan's on my waist.

As if sensing my worry, Kiernan pulls me closer, speaking softly into my ear, “Don’t worry about that now, Lilac. We have plenty of time.”

Spinning in Kiernan’s embrace, I tip my chin up until our eyes meet. My worry must be written on my face because his brows dip in concern.

“What is it, Lilac? What’s on your mind?” he asks, pulling us away from Reese and Tyler.

We reach a secluded corner of the greenhouse, hidden behind tall, vining plants. Droplets of water cling to the green leaves. My eyes follow a fat drop, watching it fall from the tip of the leaf, bursting onto the cement floor.

Gentle fingers turn my face until I’m staring into familiar whiskey eyes.

“Talk to me, Lilac.”

Clearing my throat, I grab his hand, tracing my thumb over his knuckles. “Kids,” I murmur, “Is that something you want?”

A wide, boyish grin spreads across his face. Fuck, he’s gorgeous. “Yeah, Lilac. I’d love to have kids with you. Seeing you plump and glowing while my cub grows in your belly. Watching little mini versions of you and me figuring out the world. That would make me the happiest man on the planet.”

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