Page 42 of The Bear's Matchmaking Mix-up Mate
She set down her guitar, suddenly cold despite the warm sunlight. Had Finn arranged this? Was she the “special guest” they were promoting? He wouldn’t do that without talking to her first...would he?
The rational part of her brain tried to argue it could be anyone; it probably wasn’t her at all. But doubt crept in like a shadow, familiar and unwelcome. Her last public appearance had ended in disaster, with paparazzi shouting questions about Vince’s infidelity, cameras flashing in her face as she’d tried to escape.
She read the post again, searching for clues. The garden center’s social media account had few followers, mostly locals and plant enthusiasts. It wasn’t likely to draw much attention beyond Bear Creek. Still, the knot in her stomach tightened.
Wren set the phone down and picked up her guitar again, trying to recapture the creative flow from earlier. But the notesfell flat, her fingers suddenly clumsy on the strings. The joy that had infused her songwriting all morning felt muted now, overshadowed by the familiar weight of anxiety.
She tried to push it aside, to focus on the certainty she’d felt in Finn’s arms that morning. He wouldn’t betray her trust. Not Finn. Not her mate.
But old wounds had a way of resurfacing, no matter how much you wanted to believe you’d healed.
She glanced at her phone again; the screen was now dark. She should call him and ask directly. That would put her out of her misery. Or not.
If she didn’t ask, she could still cling to hope. But with each passing moment, her hope faded.
Chapter Seventeen – Finn
Leaving Wren’s bed was one of the hardest things he’d ever done. But he had promised Alfie he would meet him this morning at the garden center to go over plans for the fundraiser, and he couldn’t let his brother or the Bear Creek community down.
As he drove, he could not keep the smile from his face. He had claimed her in the most primal way. And more, she had accepted him, not just as a man, but as a shifter, too. The knowledge filled him with a warm tingling feeling that spread through his chest and settled deep in his bones.
Of course, she accepted us,his bear rumbled with contentment.After all, we are kindred spirits.
In what way?Finn asked, curious about his bear’s sudden philosophical turn.
We have accepted Wren for who she is and what she is,his bear began.No questions asked. It doesn’t matter that she is a music star; to us, she is simply Wren, our songbird.
Finn cracked a grin as he navigated the winding roads toward town.She will never be simply Wren.
His bear chuckled.No, she will not. She is our mate. Our hopes. Our dreams. Our heart.
The truth of those words resonated through him. Wren was everything he’d ever wanted, everything he’d ever needed, and by some miracle, she wanted him, too. All of him—man and bear.
Do you think we should tell Alfie?Finn asked his bear as he approached the outskirts of Bear Creek.
Yes,his bear replied without hesitation.Because if we don’t tell someone soon, we’ll burst.
Finn laughed out loud at that. His bear was right. The joy bubbling inside him was too big to contain. He needed to share it, and who better than Alfie? His brother had always been the most approachable of his siblings, the one who teased but never judged.
They reached the garden center, and Finn hopped out of his truck, unable to contain the spring in his step as he headed inside. The scent of soil and green growing things enveloped him as he pushed through the door, the little bell jingling to announce his arrival.
“Well, well, well,” Alfie’s voice called from behind a display of flowering shrubs. “Someone’s in a good mood this morning.” His brother emerged, wearing a T-shirt that declared,I wet my plants. “Did you win the lottery or something?”
“Better,” Finn said, unable to keep the grin from spreading across his face.
Alfie’s eyebrows shot up, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. “Oh? Do tell.”
Finn hesitated, suddenly nervous as he busied himself with straightening a row of plant markers. But the truth was too big to keep secret any longer. “I found her, Alfie.”
Alfie’s teasing smile froze, his eyes widening. “Found who?”
“My mate.” The words came out barely above a whisper, but they seemed to echo between them. “I found my mate.”
For once in his life, Alfie was speechless. He stared at Finn, mouth slightly open, before grabbing his arm and pulling him behind a tall display of hanging plants.
“Are you serious?” Alfie hissed, excitement making his voice crack. “When? Who? Why am I just hearing about this now?”
Finn couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. “Her name is Wren. She’s Mrs. Abernathy’s goddaughter. And it’s… It’s still new. You’re the first person I’ve told, so please, keep it quiet until I’ve spoken to Mom and Dad.”
