Page 8 of My Unbearable Mate

I had so many questions for her, but that would mean opening my mouth. Just because these bears wanted me strong and hadn’t hurt me—yet—didn’t mean that shit wasn’t laced with something that would have me talking to the big bear in the sky.

“You’re important to us, and we’re glad you’re here. I promise this will all make sense soon.” From the hushed tone of her voice, I had a feeling she was telling me more than she should. Which I appreciated, but it didn’t stop her from putting that awful tape back on my face.

A little bit of the soup stung the raw skin before it dribbled down my chin, onto my chest, joining what was left over from the last time they tried to force feed me.

I had to get out of here.

But how? A string of regrets played in my head like the worst mixtape ever. Like how I should’ve grabbed my phone before I got out of my car—not that I could use it with my hands tied behind my back, but eventually, I’d break free of these ropes. I’d been working on them before my fingers had gone numb. Or how I should’ve joined my sister Sage at the gym instead of hitting snooze repeatedly every morning. Her kickboxing moves would come in handy right now. But the track that played constantly on repeat was how I’d rejected my big, strong, stupidly gorgeous, perfect mate. Now I was spending entirely too much time fantasizing about Bellamy busting in here and coming to my rescue.

I was no damsel, and I didn’t need to be saved.

Yes, you absolutely do, my bear said.

There was no way that would happen, I wouldn’t admit how much I wanted it. Or him.

I pushed my bear’s voice and any thoughts of big, beautiful, bearded giants out of my head as I once again tried to shift. Cell phones and roundhouse kicks had nothing on sheer bear power.

But my body didn’t warm, my skin didn’t split, and my bear didn’t come.

Maybe that’s what the lady with the broth meant about keeping my strength up. She was giving me code for how to get the fuck out of here.

She thinks you have magic, my bear said. Like Nana.

This couldn’t just be over a locket, or magic. Every clan had a healer. It was not worth abducting someone over. I didn’t plan on sticking around to find out. But my numb fingers would barely move at this point, let alone untie a complicated series of knots.

The tent flap opened again, and this time, a much older woman entered. Small and wrinkled, almost like she’d shriveled, but there was no denying her power. It was a tangible thing. She flipped on a light.

Wait—this tent had electricity? Maybe this settlement wasn’t as rogue and transient as I thought.

If I were able to tear my gaze away from my guest, I’d get a better take on my surroundings. Even in the low light. I’d noticed crystals, dark pots that looked like cauldrons, and volumes and volumes of books. But they had nothing on my guest. Those eyes. They were pure bear. Clear and sharp and didn’t look like they belonged in that wizened body.

“If it isn’t the prodigal, wayward daughter of the Crowley Clan,” she said as she ripped the tape away from my face once again.

Up close and personal, the power was even more intense. I’d never felt anything like this before. Not even from my Nana.

“My name is Alba Lynwood.” She paused, as if she expected me to recognize her name. I didn’t. “As clan mystic, let me officially welcome you to our land.”

“Some welcome.”

“Ah, she’s still feisty.” She clicked her tongue, as if to scold me.

I was a grown-ass woman and I said what I said. She seemed to know much more about me than I did about her, which was dangerous. Normally I was proud of being the free spirit of my clan, the one who laughed in the face of tradition.

“Your spirited nature is nothing to be ashamed of,” she continued, like she had read my mind. “It’s one of the reasons you caught our attention. That, and of course, your ancestral talisman.”

I huffed out a sigh. “If I had any idea where that damned thing was, I’d tell you on the condition you’d let me out of here.”

Like it was that simple—I was deep in the forest, and there was no telling if my car had been left in the middle of that lonely country road. Or if someone had stolen it and was enjoying a shopping spree with my credit cards.

They won’t get much before they max out.

Not the time, bear.

“We think, once you know the truth about your lineage, that you may choose to stay,” Alba said as she circled me, inspecting me like I was the prized beast in some wildlife auction. “If you bring us to the talisman, we can give you its magic. You’ll be more powerful than you ever dared to dream.”

I laughed, and the old woman shot me a look that almost made me choke. The power that swirled between us would be a tangible thing, if I was able to reach out and touch it.

They knew I didn’t have the magic. And they hadn’t searched me for the locket. Then why were they holding me hostage?

---