Page 9 of Saved By the Grizzly Bear

Alec

When I wake up the next morning, I’m half expecting to have a text message from Morgan saying that she changed her mind and is calling the whole thing off. I dread looking at my phone and sag in relief when I see that the only message is from Ash, asking me if I can go in early for my shift tomorrow to cover for him for a bit. I reply, saying no problem and then climb out of bed.

Morgan and I had spent most of last night hanging out and discussing our marriage. We plan to meet for lunch today and then head over to City Hall to apply for our marriage license. I glance at the clock and see that I still have another hour until I need to meet her.

I head for the shower, ignoring my bear prowling back and forth inside of me. He wanted me to sleep outside of her hotel room last night, and it was a fight to head home instead.

We should be with her, he growls at me. What if her parents try something?

My stomach cramps at the thought but I shrug it off .

If she was in trouble, she would have texted or called me.

Maybe, he agrees.

I step under the hot water and hurry through my shower. Now I’m worried about Morgan, and I know that I’m going to swing by the ski resort early to check on her.

I get out and wrap a towel around my waist. I grab my phone and send Morgan a message.

Alec: I’ll swing by the resort and pick you up in twenty.

Morgan: You don’t have to. My parents are headed into town to look around.

Alec: I don’t mind.

Morgan: Okay, see you soon.

I head into my room and get dressed, pulling on a pair of dark jeans and a flannel. It’s supposed to be cold and windy today, and I know that I’ll need to dress for the weather, even with my bear keeping me warm.

I grab my phone and keys and head for the door. My truck is parked in the garage next to the house, and I hop in and take off down the road towards the ski resort.

By the time I get there, Morgan is already waiting for me out front. As soon as I wave at her, she runs over and hops into the truck.

“Go!” She says, ducking down, and I take off.

“Who are we running from?” I ask, glancing in my rearview mirror, but I don’t see anyone chasing us or looking suspicious.

“My parents and Randolph,” she groans, sitting up in her seat.

See? My bear snarls. We shouldn’t have left her last night. Just drive her to our house. She can hide out there and we can make her ours.

“Why are we running from them?” I ask, ignoring my grizzly bear.

“They’re trying to get me to go with them to town. I’m pretty sure that it was to get the marriage license. They need the bride and groom there to do that,” she says, and I growl under my breath.

“What will they do when they can’t find you?”

“I mentioned wanting to poke around the resort. Hopefully they’ll just assume that I’m there and they keep missing me.”

“Won’t they go looking for you?”

“No, that would be too much effort,” she says, sounding so resigned.

I can’t imagine growing up so alone. It sounds like her nanny raised her, but that still has to be lonely.

I grew up in a small pack inMontana. My parents and I were tight. We went on pack runs each week together. They were always there for me, helping me with homework and finding my first job. They were sad to see me join the Marines, but I know that they were proud of me too. It sucks that they passed, and I miss them every single day.

I hate that my mate didn’t have that kind of childhood. I wish I could fix it for her, but I can’t.

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