Page 9 of Riding With the Grizzly

"What kind of secret?"

"A big one, life-changing, and I'm trusting that you'll keep it."

He studies me for a moment and I stare back at him.

Would I keep a secret for him? I don’t really know him, I don’t owe him anything, but deep down, I know that I wouldn’t tell. Not if it was as serious as he says it is.

He must see that too, because he nods, takes a deep breath, and then starts to talk.

“I’m not human, not entirely anyway.”

That was… not what I expected him to say.

“I’m a shifter. A grizzly bear shifter.”

“A what?!” I ask, nearly spitting out my water.

My brain works on overdrive, trying to figure out what the heck he’s saying. Did I really just agree to a coffee date with someone delusional enough to think he’s a bear?

"That means that I can shift between a human and a bear."

My mouth drops open and I stare at him in shock.

“It’s true, I can prove it to you, just… just not here,” he says, looking around at the nearly empty diner. “For obvious reasons.”

“Okay,” I say slowly.

“I’ll show you my bear later.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him that that’s okay, I don’t need or want to see, but that’s not true. I’ve got to see it. I need to know if he’s crazy or telling the truth. I want to say crazy, but he doesn’t strike me as a liar or insane. Then again, I’ve been around liars and manipulative men all my life. Can I really tell the difference between the good guys and the bad guys anymore?

Could he be telling the truth? Could shifters like him really exist?

“Alright,” I say, taking another drink of water.

“There’s more. Shifters don’t have girlfriends and they don’t date. They have one fated mate, one person that they’ll love forever. That fated mate is the only person that they’ll ever want. Shifters and their mates are quite literally fated to be together.”

That sounds so nice. Knowing that you’re with the right person, having no doubts, would be a dream come true for everyone. Too bad it’s all a fantasy. It has to be. But the look inhis deep green eyes has me doubting my entire worldview for a second.

“And you are mine.”

“Your what?” I ask.

“You’re my fated mate.”

My stomach drops at the same time that my heart lodges in my throat and I stare at him.

The waitress comes over with our order and we both lean back as she sets the food and milkshakes down.

“Do you need anything else?” she asks and we both say no.

She leaves and I pop a fry in my mouth, needing something to do while I process all of this.

“How can you be sure?” I finally ask.

“I can smell it.”

“I’m sorry?”

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