Page 6 of Bear In Mind

I sucked in a deep breath, fighting to remain in control.My instinct was to rip the kid in two.Of course my instinct was also to claim my mate the second I scented her.I’d fought that instinct for five long years, because I knew once I got my hands on her, I would never get enough of her.There would be no late nights studying if I had my way.

And being the alpha bear I was, I always got my way.

My gaze was glued to the pair.I didn’t move, and with the anger I was emitting, no one dared to brush against me.Humans didn’t understand why they were afraid of me, why I intimidated them, but, when it came to business, that fact worked in my favor.

“Hey, man.You okay?”

I recognized Jake’s voice instantly, and sensed him beside me.“Yeah.Take care of the drinks.”I didn’t look at him.I never detoured my focus.

He lingered beside me, no doubt trying to figure out what or who I was looking at.He was second in command, but not even my best friend knew who my mate was.I did everything in my power to protect her from my world until she was ready.

What the-

Every muscle in my body tensed.My hands fisted, my nostrils flared and my gums ached.I sensed her panic before I saw her sway, before I saw the fucker put his hands on her, and I responded to my mate’s silent plea.

This time, my bear’s growl broke the surface.

“Fuck!”Jake jumped into action, connecting the dots fast.

But it was too late.

Before I realized what I was doing, I was halfway across the bar.

Fiery heat burned through my veins.My pulse thumped loudly in my ears as I snarled at the twerp.My hand closed around his throat.With one jerk, he was dangling off the ground, flailing.A rumble hurled from my chest as my bear rose up, begging to be set free, clawing at the chance to maul the bastard.

My focus was singular, until I heard her name.

Blinking several times, I saw Jake catch my mate as she fell sideways.Snatching her glass off the table, I sniffed the drink.

“Don’t!The sheriff will need it for evidence, Bear.”

Knowing he would also need the guilty twerp to make an arrest, I released him.Rambo and Skip stepped in, stopping the kid from making a run for it.

Every fiber of my being wanted to kill him, but that wouldn’t solve anything.“Report this.”I spoke through gritted teeth, each exhale a tiny roar.“He only leaves in handcuffs.”

In one lithe sweep, I gathered Bryn in my arms.The place was so noisy that only the shifters realized that something was going on, something I was grateful for.I hated cover-ups.

Bryn moaned, curling all of her sweet curves into me.

Fuck.My cock hardened on the spot, and my bear roared with approval.

Holding her tightly, I made my way through the crowd.Outside, I loaded her into my pick-up, laying the seat back and buckling her in.It was only when I was about to close the passenger door that I took a good look at her, and my need nearly brought me to my knees.

She was gorgeous.Her dark jeans clung to every inch of her abundance.Her short shirt showed off the sexiest strip of flesh that had my fingers itching to unveil more.Her dark brown hair was tied into a poufy ball on top of her head, revealing her simple jewelry and giving me a good look at the features I’d memorized years ago.Her cheeks were flush, her lips plump and slightly red.I’d dreamed more times than I cared to admit about tasting her sweet lips, about sucking and nipping her pout.

At the last second, I removed her glasses, folding the frames carefully and stuffing them in a cup holder.The telltale bruising beneath her eyes told a story others seemed to ignore.My mate was so much more than a damn barista.She busted her ass every day.There were times I wanted to step in and rescue her from it all, but, I knew she needed to do this on her own.

And that was pure fucking hell.

Every day of the last five years was hell.Nothing satiated me.Nothing satiated my bear.She was my obsession.Drowning myself in work, in the clan, didn’t stop my thoughts from going to her.It lined my wallet, but it didn’t stop the dreams.It didn’t stop me from checking in on her without anyone knowing.I’d kept a careful eye on her for five fucking years, and on the last damned day, I failed to protect her.Who knew what the twerp was going to do to her or with her.

My body shook under the stress winding through me.My bear growled, shoving at my surface, fighting to break free.We almost lost her, and fuck if that didn’t mess with a man.

Closing the door, I stalked around to the other side and got in.I trusted my men to ensure the twerp paid for his crimes.For now, I needed to focus on taking care of my mate, and trying not to lose control with her.I’d never been alone with her before, and the pull to claim her was a hell of a lot stronger than any erection I’d had.

Chapter Six

Bear

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