Page 13 of Rough and Rugged

There went that devilish smile again. “Not in the way you’re thinking.” He winked, and my alarm vanished.

What the… “Ohhh. I understand—wait? Can we do—”

“No!” Beare cringed. “Not in my bear form. I much prefer skin to skin,” Beare’s eyes glowed a soft amber again. “Say you’ll be mine?”

It was freaky and awesome at the same time.

Mate. The notion that I was Beare’s mate was tough to comprehend. But so was a supernatural world that had coexisted with humans. I needed time to digest all that.

No matter how strange all this was, I felt safe with Beare, like he was my… my home. And no one had ever made me feel like that. Furthermore, I was extremely attracted to him.

Could I be his mate? There was only one answer. As crazy as it sounded—hell, this was crazy. I was crazy to even consider this situation. But every ounce of my being was telling me to go for it.

“Axton?” The questioning look across Beare’s face was adorable.

“Okay. Let me see your bear,” I insisted, folding my arms across my chest.

“What?” His eyes bugged out.

“Come on. If I’m your fated mate, I want to see your animal.”

Beare straightened to his full height, another mischievous smirk crossing his face. “Okay.”

Beare stripped out of his clothes and stood before me gloriously naked. Before I took another breath, he shifted into the biggest Grizzly I had ever seen.

I stood still as a statue, while Beare lumbered over and sniffed at me. He then proceeded to rub himself against me. His large head kept bumping against my arms, my hands, until I touched him.

His fur was a bit bristly and wiry, but soft at the same time.

With another hard bump, I stumbled backward, and landed on my ass. Before I could right myself, the bear hovered over me. For a beat, I feared he would crush me. Instead, he leaned down, sniffed, and licked my face.

“Eww. Gross.” I couldn’t say it was enjoyable to be licked by a hairy beast with claws that could easily shred me to pieces. I was just happy he didn’t bite me.

Chapter Nine

Beare

Ishiftedbackandhelped Axton to his feet. As his eyes drifted down my naked body, I stood tall and proud for my mate, letting him take his fill of me.

“Well, that’s interesting.” He simpered, but his eyes were centered on my cock.

I glanced down and my dick was giving Axton a salute he wouldn’t forget.

Axton quickly turned and began straightening the blankets on the bed. “So, I’m your mate. Is there a ceremony, like a wedding we have to perform?”

I smelled the heavy arousal on my mate. I crowded his back and wrapped my arms around him. “Sweetheart.”

“Hmm. Yes?” Axton purred as he leaned against me.

“We have to consummate.” I nuzzled into his slender neck.

“Oh.” Axton tilted his head, giving me access to his full lips. I kissed him gently, but my hunger grew, and so did his. He spun in my arms, dragged my head down to slam my mouth to his. I didn’t hesitate to open for him, as his tongue delved in, tasting me.

Both my bear and I agreed, we needed to claim our mate right then.

I picked Axton up, his legs wrapping around my waist, while our mouths continued to devour each other.

“Beare…” he whispered my name in a needy moan. “Please.”

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