Page 1 of The Bear's Second Chance Mate
Chapter One – Stanley
Stanley locked the door of Bear Creek Pets behind him, balancing a lightweight travel crate in one hand and his phone in the other as he made his way to his truck. After placing the crate on the back seat, he reread the text he’d received from his brother, Finn, ten minutes ago.
Stray rabbit spotted in the backyard of number 12 Maple View Lane. Can you grab it?
Of course, was his reply. As the local pet store owner, Stanley was often called on to help with escaped pets or re-home strays. Not that he minded. He loved helping pets and their human friends. Most days, he believed he had the best job in the world.
Yeah, most days, his bear chuckled.
Are you ever going to stop reminding me of the time I fell into the duck pond after saving Miss Kirby’s cat?Stanley asked.
Nope, his bear teased, as he settled down for a nap while Stanley jumped into the driver’s seat and started the engine.
Maple View Lane wasn’t far, ten, maybe fifteen minutes across town. But the closer he got, the stranger he began to feel. His skin prickled beneath his flannel shirt. His breath grew shallower, but not in an anxious way. It was as if…as if his body was tuning into something just beyond his understanding.
Or someone, his bear stirred. Wide awake now. Alert. Focused.She’s here.
Stanley’s hands tightened on the steering wheel.What do you mean, she’s here?he asked.
Although deep down, he knew exactly what his bear meant. He just could not allow himself to believe it was true. Because ifthis were a false alarm, he didn’t think he could cope with the disappointment.
It’s not a false alarm, his bear assured him.
So, do you think this might be one of Finn’s matchmaking mix-ups?Stanley asked.
We’ll soon see, his bear answered excitedly.
Stanley turned onto Maple View Lane, spotting number twelve halfway down the quiet cul-de-sac. It was a little white house with blue shutters and a wild, slightly overgrown garden.
Is this the right number?Stanley murmured, cutting the engine.Or did he somehow get it exactly right this time?
Does it matter?his bear rumbled in satisfaction.
You’re right,Stanley agreed.The only thing that matters is that this is fate.
Stanley parked the truck and took a moment to compose himself. He did not want to repeat his brother Nero’s first meeting with his mate, when he’d fallen at her feet holding out an engagement ring. Not that he had an engagement ring in his pocket. But he was capable of falling at his mate’s feet and making a fool of himself.
Not the first impression he wanted to give his mate.
No, he needed to play it cool, since he had no idea what or who to expect at house number twelve.
Only one way to find out,his bear urged.
True.He stepped out of the truck, his heart hammering against his rib cage as he retrieved the crate from the back seat. He could feel it more keenly now, the unmistakable pull of the mating bond. As if some invisible force were drawing him forward, compelling him to close the distance between him and his mate.
But as he walked toward the house, he heard a raised voice. A child in distress.
His first primal instinct was to rush through the gate into the backyard. But then a second voice reached him. A woman. Her tone was softer, gentler, as she tried to comfort the child.
Drawn by a force greater than anything he had ever known, he made his way down the side path and opened the low gate at the back. The latch clicked in his hand, and with the crate still in his grip, he stepped into the garden.
And there she was.
A woman…Hiswoman.
Our mate, his bear swooned.
Their mate stood in front of him, her arms crossed as she positioned herself between Stanley and a young boy of about nine or ten.
