Page 19 of Snowed in with the Bear Shifter
“Gross? You think I’m gross?” He pulled her into a headlock and scrubbed his knuckles over her head.
“Let me go, you loser!” She jammed her fingers between his ribs, poking at the tender internal organs. “You’re going to make me spill this delicious cider.”
“You’re the loser,” he said, plucking the cup from her hands and setting it on the island. “Don’t mess up my house.” He wet his finger and stuck it in her ear.
She squealed and bucked against his grip. “Okay, now you’re asking for it,” she growled and started tickling him.
They bumped into the island, knocking the chairs askew, wrestling for sibling superiority until Dillon said, “Um, Mom. What are you doing?”
Instantly, they broke apart to find a pair of curious cubs watching them with wide eyes.
“We’re just playing, my loves,” Briar said, shooting Roarke a dark look as she straightened her hair. “Uncle Roarke was being a dingdong, and I had to teach him a lesson.”
Willow started chanting, “Dingdong! Dingdong!” as she pranced around the living room, a green-hatted troll clutched in her arms.
“You see what you’ve done?” Briar hissed at him.
“Me?” Roarke growled back. “You’re the one calling names, sis.”
She rolled her eyes again. “Dillon, why don’t you take your sister outside to play in the snow?”
He perked up. “Really? Can I shift?”
“Me, too! Me, too!” Willow shouted.
Briar blew out a breath. “Fine. But stay in the backyard where I can see you.”
Before she could say another word, magic washed through the space. In place of the kids stood two black bear cubs, clothing tangled around their legs.
“Dagnabbit, you two.” She shook her head and helped the cubs free themselves. “I’ve told you a million times, you need to take your clothes off before shifting or this happens.” She opened the door for them. “And no woods or I’ll tell Santa,” she called as two furred booties scooted out into what remained of the snow.
“Does that threat still work?” Roarke asked, handing her a fresh cup of coffee.
“Eh, mostly. Though Dillon’s at the age where some of his little friends know the truth about Santa so I don’t think it’ll work on him next year.”
“They grow up so fast.”
“Another reason you’re not allowed to skip out on family fun time.”
“I already told you I’d be there,” he grumbled.
She gave a noncommittal hum and took a fortifying sip of her drink. “So, now that the cubs are out of earshot, you want to tell me what you’ve been up to with Eloise, little brother?”
“No.” He absolutely was not ready to talk about what happened. Not yet. Maybe never.
“No?” Except Briar being Briar, she wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Woman was stubborn as hell, especially when she caught the scent of something he’d rather stay buried. She should have been a detective. With a growl, she looked him up and down and took a sip of her coffee, waiting for him to break.
He narrowed his eyes at her.
Not breaking eye contact, she returned the glare.
As per usual when it came to a standoff with Briar, he broke first. Damn the power of the big sister. “Fine. Eloise Fisk is my mate.”
Her jaw dropped, and she sank slowly into a chair. “Your mate. You’re sure? This isn’t just your high school crush part two, right?”
“Oh, she’s definitely my mate. But don’t get too excited.” He folded his arms over his chest. “She doesn’t want to be.”
Briar nibbled on her bottom lip as she studied him. Finally, she said, “Do you know that with absolute certainty? Did she say she doesn’t want to be your mate? Outright reject you? Run screaming into the snowy night rather than stay near you another minute?”
