Page 37 of The Bear's Chosen Mate
Their new friend wrinkled her nose.“Small-town gossip is small-town gossip, and wolves are compulsively snoopy.Honestly, you’re always going to have curiosity on high when it comes to mating fever.Polar bears are the only shifters to get it, and they’re close-lipped about what goes on.Since wolves recognize our mates pretty much from the first moment, I’m fascinated by the differences in how things shake out for other shifters.”
Amber laid a hand on Kaylee’s arm.“You don’t have to answer, but hey—at least Lara understands the mating part, which I, the human in the group, do not.”
Kaylee fidgeted with her napkin.“I want to be with him, but so far I don’t feel anything unusual.Cats don’t have fated mates, and I haven’t felt any sharp tug or anything.I don’t know.What’s a mating bond supposed to feel like?”
“Like that moment when you’ve been holding your breath for too long, and if you don’t get your head above water and suck in fresh air you simply know you’re going to die.Imagine that moment, ongoing and urgent.At least with an unfulfilled bond.”
Lara took a casual sip of her drink while Amber and Kaylee stared in astonishment.
Their new friend shrugged.“So I’ve been told.”
Okay, then.“I don’t feel anything like that, but James says he wants to be with me, and I want to be with him.So, we’re going to see what happens.”
Amber squeezed her fingers on the table.“Again, as the lone human in the group, that doesn’t sound too weird.Sounds like dating, and then moving in together like most humans do.”
“No, it’s weird,” Lara and Kaylee said simultaneously, which set all three of them laughing.
“What’s so funny?”A deep voice sounded from two feet to Kaylee’s left.
They all glanced up to discover not only had James shown up, but Cooper and Alex both stood waiting as well.Looming over the table like massive, overprotective bears—
Yeah.Exactly what they were.
“Are you going to ask us to sit down?”James teased.
“Sure,” Amber responded quickly, tucking herself against the wall.
Kaylee slid into the middle of the bench seat to make room for James to join her and Amber.She would tease him later for being totally oblivious to the dirty looks Alex was tossing Lara’s way.
Oh, well.The guys owned the bar.If there were any damages, they’d have to pay for them.
15
As he sat next to Kaylee and pulled her against him, James couldn’t think of anywhere else he’d rather be.
Her thigh was tucked tight against his, hips together.He kept an arm draped around her body, and inside, his bear breathed a sigh of contentment.
She leaned closer.Amusement tinged her voice as she whispered, “I hope you brought bail money.”
On the opposite side of the table, the third woman, the one with the incredible eyes—brown shot with flecks of gold—snorted before busying herself examining the dessert menu.Alex had been forced into the space next to her, as Cooper rested on the outside of the bench seat.
They’d made the place to be as comfortable as possible for shifters of all sizes, but it still looked like there was crowding going on.
“You guys going to survive over there?”James asked.
Alex looked downright uncomfortable, easing away from Cooper to try and give him some elbow room as their oldest brother picked up his drink that had been delivered the instant they sat down.
Only moving sideways tucked Alex closer to the stranger, and neither of them looked as if they were enjoying themselves.
The woman with the white-blonde hair offered James a gentle smile that made her face light up.“I’m fine.You don’t need to move on my account.”
Alex picked up his glass and drank steadily instead of answering.
James linked his fingers with Kaylee’s and smiled at her.“You and Amber get caught up yet?”
In the corner, Amber leaned her head out.“Not yet, but a really good gossip session takes a few days.”
“Depends on how much there is to tell,” Kaylee said.
