Page 108 of Trusting Her Bear

I know my new sister did when she called to praise me and pledge her undying love for me. I brushed it off like it wasn’t a big deal, but secretly, I love her devotion. When she eventually finds her mate, they will have to go through me first.

My phone vibrates in my pocket again. I roll my eyes and slide it out of my pocket. I know who it is and I’m ready to opt out of the group text.

Sally likes to update everyone, and I mean everyone: the panthers, the vampires, the wolves, the dragons, the cheetahs, and the lions. I threatened her numerous times. She doesn’t give a shit.

“Bash is glaring at me,” she writes, with a bunch of sad face fucking emojis.

“So stop whatever you are doing,” I reply and then turn my phone off.

I cross my arms and lean against the tree. The day I bonded with Steph, I pretended to be oblivious to the plan she had brewing. She seemed so excited I decided to go along. I went outside with Micah, but I was anxious to see what she was up to. I was not disappointed. I will always look back on that day with warmth. She is everything I need.

My mate and I ate supper, and I could tell she was antsy about something. A few questions later, I get to the root of the problem.

My mate wants to be a brat.

I wasn’t mad about it.

So here I am. In the woods behind my house, waiting.

She’s hiding, but not very well.

Sure, we can pinpoint each other’s exact location because of the bond and, of course, the scent, but it’s the idea that counts. If I didn’t sense her and smell her, hearing her giggles would give her away.

I glory in the sound of it. I glory in the presence of her happiness and freedom.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. I suppose it’s been long enough.

I look around the tree. “Ready or not, here I come,” I sing and take a step. I shake my head when I spot the white of her dress which is not quite able to fit behind the tree she found.

I make a show of zigzagging her way, but she surprises me when she darts away from the tree, glancing at me with a grin before taking off.

I let loose my own grin and give chase. We fly over the grass and jump over fallen trees. Her laughter rings out the closer I get, her joy slowing her down. We have run the same path in our bear forms, hers much smaller than mine. Her bear is cute as fuck. We shift at least once a day, running together or just lying in the sun.

I am almost on top of her and reach out an arm, snagging her waist, lifting her off her feet and to my body. Her back hits my chest, her legs kicking in the air.

“Got you,” I say, my mouth touching her ear.

“No fair,” she says, relaxing.

“How was it not fair?”

“Your legs are longer than mine,” she reasons.

“You knew that when you decided to run and hide,” I say.

“Whatever,” she mutters.

“Do you give up?” I ask as I carry her to the nearest tree. I twirl her around so her back hits it.

“I’ll never admit defeat,” she says, grinning.

“That’s my fighter,” I say. I stare at her bright, open face, filled with love. She has found her laugh again. Her anxiety over the past is gone. I take a breath and then another. They come easily now. She is the reason. “I love you,” I say softly and cup her face.

“I love you, too,” she says, sensing the change in the mood.

“Marry me soon,” I state.

“You tell me when,” she says.

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