Page 18 of Bearly Believable Romance

Hope soared in Bram’s chest and his heart started a furious drumbeat against his ribs. But before he could pull her closer, press his lips to hers like he’d fantasized since their kiss on that boat, Tabitha stepped back.

“Goodnight, Bram.” Her smile was soft, tinged with regret. Then she disappeared into her dark cottage and the door snicked shut behind her.

Bram stood frozen, bereft, staring at the space she’d just occupied. He knew one soul-deep certainty.

He was in love with Tabitha. Utterly, completely, irrevocably.

And come hell or high water, he would find a way to turn their fake relationship into the real thing. No matter what it took.

On that vow, he turned and loped off into the night, shifting into his bear mid-stride. He had a witch to woo and a mate to claim. And this bear always played for keeps.

TEN

After spending most of the morning at her apartment in the city packing more clothes and items she wanted with her at her grandmother’s home, Tabitha rounded the curve just outside the town limits of Whispering Pines.

She was admiring the new beautiful stone sign that announced the entrance to the town and its founding date when a dark figure darted from the woods alongside the road. She slammed on her brakes, skidding to a stop.

In the middle of the road was the same sleek black cat with piercing green eyes that she’d seen when arriving the first time. What was it with this shifter? Did it have a death wish?

She blew her horn, but just like the first time, the cat lay in the middle of the lanes, refusing to move. With a grumpy sigh, she climbed from her car and slammed her door shut.

“Really?” she hollered, “we’re doing this again? Are you some kind alarm system meant to stop anyone before they enter?—”

The feline rose to its feet, teeth bared. Black streaks encircled the animal and suddenly there stood a cloaked figure hands wreathed in writhing shadows. Malevolence rolled off the being in suffocating waves.

“Well, well,” a raspy voice taunted. “I finally got you alone.”

Tabitha’s heart raced, but she forced her voice steady as she backed toward her car. “I don’t want any trouble. I didn’t mean anything by my comment.”

The figure laughed, a grating sound like nails on a chalkboard. “Oh, I’m afraid it’s far too late for that. I’m here just for you.”

Wisps of dark magic lashed out, seeking to ensnare her. Tabitha threw a shimmering shield up just in time, the obsidian energy sizzling against her barrier. Gritting her teeth, she retaliated with a blast of emerald light.

The mage batted it away effortlessly, cackling. “Is that the best you can do?” The being stalked closer, shadows swirling faster. “Pathetic.”

Fear clawed up Tabitha’s throat, but she ruthlessly shoved it down. She couldn’t afford to panic now. Reaching deep within herself, she tapped into the very core of her power, letting it build until her entire body hummed with barely leashed magic.

Tabitha unleashed a barrage of verdant bolts, punctuated by gusts of razor-edged wind. The mage snarled, its own attacks intensifying. Darkness and light clashed in a dizzying display of power, scorching the earth and shredding foliage.

Pain lanced through Tabitha’s side as a shadow blade slipped past her defenses, slicing deep. Hot blood bloomed across her shirt, but she didn’t dare look away from her opponent. Another volley forced the mage back a step.

“Why are you doing this?” Tabitha demanded, her breath coming in harsh pants. “What do you want from me?”

The figure’s eyes glinted coldly beneath their hood. “You have no idea about your past, do you? I want my birthright. You will give it to me or I will kill you.”

Birthright? What was this person talking about?

A chill raced down Tabitha’s spine at the ominous words, even as she lobbed a ball of crackling energy. It detonated against the mage’s chest, sending them flying.

Tabitha swayed on her feet, black spots dancing in her vision. She’d poured too much of herself into that last attack. The mage struggled to rise, murder in the black eyes. She knew she couldn’t withstand another assault.

Mustering the dregs of her strength, Tabitha cast the most powerful warding spell she knew, weaving it around herself like armor. The mage’s next volley bounced off the light shield, shoving Tabitha back several feet where she tumbled and rolled on the asphalt.

Her enemy limped toward her. “You are pitiful. How could you have such a privileged life yet be so weak?” Within feet of Tabitha, the black magic witch raised her hands. “I’ll get what is mine another way. You’re better off dead.”

Tabitha was too drained to save herself. Her only regret was not being able to say good-bye to Bram.

Thick black oil bubbled from under the witch’s cloak and slithered across the blacktop toward her. It flowed over a bug, dissolving it instantly like lava consuming a valley of grass. Tabitha swallowed hard, facing her death as bravely as she could.

---