Page 2 of The Bear's Perfect Mate
Yes, that was probably it. He’d never been present when one of his rings was offered as a token of love, of commitment.
What if Pete presented the ring to his beloved, and she didn’t like it?
Not going to happen,his bear said. Even though he shared Nero’s sense of unease.
For a long moment, Nero sat with his hands still on the wheel, trying to steady himself. But he did not have the luxury of time, so he opened the car door and forced himself to get out.
You’re right. I just need some food,he muttered, although he wasn’t a hundred percent convinced that was the truth.
But he couldn’t let Pete down. This was important.
This was about love. The same kind of love he’d witnessed every day of his life growing up with shifter mates as parents. The same kind of love he now saw between his brothers and cousins, who had recently found their own mates.
Nero knew this was one of the most important days in Pete’s life. He was about to create a memory that would last forever. Setting the tone for his relationship, for his future life, with the woman he loved. If the proposal went wrong, it would cast a shadow over everything, the engagement, the wedding, and maybe even their marriage.
Woah, hold on there,his bear rumbled.I think you’re overreacting a bit.
Nero took a deep breath. His bear was right. This spiral of anxiety was unusual for him. He was typically the steady one among his brothers, the craftsman who approached life with the same precision he applied to his jewelry.
But nothing about today felt usual.
He patted his breast pocket once more, feeling the reassuring shape of the ring box. Then he headed toward the hotel entrance, his footsteps strangely heavy. Each step felt like trudging through treacle, yet something pulled him forward, like an invisible force drawing him in. The sensation reminded him of vertigo, that disorienting pull toward the edge when standing on a precipice.
Inside the hotel’s smart lobby, Nero paused to get his bearings. A sign with a flowing script directed guests to theWedding Expoin the Grand Ballroom. Nero had been here many times before. The space was impressive, with high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the immaculate hotel gardens, with the mountains in the distance. Hell, the happy couple might even have their reception here after the proposal.
“Okay,” Nero whispered to himself. “Find stall one, hand over the ring, then find something to eat before I pass out.”
He wove through clusters of people in the reception area, brides-to-be with their fiancés, or moms and other family members, vendors carrying samples, and hotel staff directing traffic. The double doors to the expo stood open, revealing a bustling scene of white and silver decorations, colorful flower arrangements, and the low hum of excited conversation.
As Nero stepped inside, the room seemed to spin around him. He took a few faltering steps forward, blinking to clear his vision. There, stall number one stood directly ahead.
Nero glanced around, but he couldn’t see Finn. And for some reason, he couldn’t sense him, either. It was as if something was jamming his shifter senses.
Just hand over the ring,his bear said.Then we’ll go find Finn and grab a bite to eat.
But before he handed over the ring, Nero couldn’t resist one last look at his creation. Pausing a few feet from the stall, he opened the box, admiring how the ballroom lights caught the diamond’s facets.
Mesmerized, he stepped forward. But his foot caught on something, a loose carpet edge perhaps…
Or your own foot,his bear said.
Whatever it was, all Nero knew was that suddenly, he was falling. Pain shot through his legs as he landed on his knees, but he kept a firm hold of the ring.
Can this day get any worse?Nero attempted to get up but only managed to get one foot under him. As he sucked in a breath, he was aware of people gathering around him, their faces a blur. Their voices jumbled.
Nero looked around, just as the crowd parted, and there she was, standing in front of him.
His mate. The love of his life.
Of course!his bear said.That’s why we had that funky feeling.
Nero shook his head, trying to clear the fog as the realization dawned on him.I...He tried to speak, but no words came out.
“Nero,” Finn was at his side, his hand under Nero’s elbow as he helped him to his feet. “What are you doing?”
Nero couldn’t tear his gaze from his mate as he said, “I was...the ring.”
The thought struck him like a freight train. He was supposed to hand over the ring so another man could propose to his mate.
