Page 10 of His Determined Mate

The big black bear prowled the dim recesses of his mind, making alternating growls of impatience intermixed with chuffs of excitement and pleasure. Rick was certain that his black bear was anticipating that this year’s rutting season would be different for them. This year they most likely would have a mate—and a fated one at that.

With deliberate movements, Rick began to undress. He folded his clothes neatly, placing them on the seat inside the Jeep. As he removed the last piece of clothing, he felt a familiar tingle in his spine, a prelude to the transformation that was about to occur. Standing naked in the cool air, he closed his eyes and focused inward, calling forth the ancient power that lay dormant within him—the spirit of the black bear into which he would shift.

A swirling mist began to form around his feet, creeping upward like tendrils of smoke. It was a mist unlike any other, thick and alive and pulsating with energy. The air around him crackled with electricity, and the first rumble of thunder echoed through the forest with lightning strikes descending from the skies to spark the mist and the shift that it empowered. Rick's heart pounded in his chest as he felt the change begin. His muscles tensed, his skin prickled, and then, with flashes of lightning sizzling within the mist and combining with the colors of the night sky, the transformation began to take hold.

The mist enveloped him completely, and he was plunged into a world of color and sound. Flashes of navy, black, and silver danced before his eyes, intermingling with bursts of pure, clear, bright light. The thunder grew louder, resonating deep within his bones. Rick's human form melted away, replaced by something larger, more powerful. His senses sharpened, his heartbeat steadied, and a primal roar escaped his lips as he completed the shift.

Dropping down onto all fours, Rick shook his massive head and stretched his limbs. He was a large black bear now—no different than his purebred brethren except for his much larger scale. His fur was thick and dark, his eyes gleaming with a new awareness. He could smell the earth beneath his paws, the distant scent of prey, and the crispness of the approaching dawn. He felt alive in a way that was impossible in his human form, far more connected with the wilderness all around him and all it had to offer.

Rick took off into the woods, his powerful legs propelling him forward with ease—his claws digging where necessary to give him grip and stability. The forest blurred around him as he ran, his movements fluid and instinctual. He reveled in the sheer joy of the run, the wind rushing past his ears, the ground pounding beneath his feet. Every muscle in his body worked in perfect harmony, and he felt an exhilarating freedom that only another shifter could understand, and which could never be fully explained to those who couldn’t shift, human or beast.

As he ran, Rick's thoughts drifted to Hannah. Hannah. It was funny how one little thing—the presence of his fated mate—could change everything. Ever since she’d arrived in Alaska, she’d been a presence in his life, even when he tried to stay away. But more and more as they’d been spending time together, he’d found himself drawn to her in ways he could never have anticipated.

She was his first thought each morning as he came awake and the last thing on his mind before sleep claimed him. His protective instincts towards her had intensified, and he was constantly aware of her presence and her safety. The thought of anything happening to her filled him with a fierce determination to ensure no harm would come to her, which led him back to the two incidents that had at first seemed like random accidents. He now wondered if they might not be connected.

The snowplow incident had been the first. Hannah had barely escaped serious injury when she’d been pushed directly into the path of the oncoming snowplow. He’d tried to write it off as just a lowlander’s innate clumsiness, but he’d watched her move. There was nothing awkward or clumsy about Hannah and she negotiated snow and ice with the best of them. At the time, Rick had chalked it up to bad luck and an overactive imagination.

Then came the gas leak. Hannah had entered her building to start her day. When she’d opened the door, she smelled the distinct odor of gas. She’d checked the downstairs and found nothing, but then had foolishly gone upstairs to find the source of the leak. He hated to think about what might have happened if he hadn’t found her, gotten her outside, and gone back in to turn off the stove and open the windows. He hadn’t told Hannah, but a quick call to the utility company later that day had confirmed that it had been a potentially fatal leak.

Two near misses. Two incidents, both of which could have been fatal. Rick's instincts told him that these weren't mere coincidences. Someone was targeting Hannah, and that realization chilled him to his core. He had to protect her, but he wasn't sure how. More importantly, he wasn't sure from whom. And if he did tell her, should he tell her about his true nature? He really didn’t want any secrets between them, but the shifter world was hidden for a reason, and revealing it to a human was forbidden without just cause.

Of course, he could always turn her. That idea warmed him in a way nothing else ever had. If she was a bear-shifter, she would be safer. It was a lot harder to kill a bear than it was a human. She would also be more able to endure the rut, even in her human form. And if she was a part of the shifter world, she would be far less likely to betray their kind. He shook his head. While the first two might be true, he didn’t believe for an instant Hannah would betray him or any of their friends who were also shifters.

After his long run, Rick found himself back by the Jeep. He slowed to a stop, panting slightly, his breath visible in the cool morning air. The exhilaration of the run was replaced by a heavy sense of responsibility. He needed to change back and return to Hannah, to be there for her, to keep her safe.

The transformation back to human form was always slower, more deliberate. Rick focused inward once more, bidding his bear to relinquish control as the mist that heralded his change began to take hold. The colors and sounds enveloped him again, though this time they seemed softer, more subdued. His bear form receded, muscles and fur melting away to reveal human skin and bones. When it was over, Rick stood shivering slightly in the cool air, his human senses reasserting themselves.

He opened the door to his Jeep, grabbed his clothing, and dressed quickly, the familiar feel of his clothes and boots grounding him. As he laced them up, he glanced around the forest, feeling the weight of his thoughts. He got inside the Jeep, fired up the engine, and made his way out of the woods back down to the highway.

The drive back to Kodiak was a quiet one. Rick's mind raced and was filled with thoughts of Hannah, of the incidents that had almost taken her from him, and of his own secrets. The dark highway began to give way to a soft, glowing amber light as it stretched out before him. Should he tell her? Could he trust her with the truth about his nature? About that of their friends? It was a risk to be sure, a huge one, but they couldn’t move forward unless she knew the truth. But more than that, he couldn't shake the feeling that she deserved to know, especially if she was in danger.

Rick's hands tightened on the steering wheel as he approached the outskirts of Kodiak. He had always been a protector, a guardian of those with whom he chose to share his life, but this was different. This was personal. Hannah was personal. She was his fated mate; of that, he was sure. Hannah had become important to him, more important than he had ever expected. The thought of something happening to her or worse, losing her, was unbearable.

He pulled into his driveway, the decision still weighing heavily on his mind. As he stepped out of the Jeep and headed towards his cabin, he knew he couldn't keep this from her forever or even for much longer. Sooner or later, he would have to tell her. He had no choice. He only hoped that when the time came, she would understand and accept him for who he truly was.

CHAPTER 6

HANNAH

Hannah woke to the soft glow of the morning light filtering through her curtains, casting a gentle warmth across her room. She stretched lazily, savoring the rare moment of tranquility before the day truly began. A smile tugged at her lips as she lay there, soaking in the peace. It took her a moment to remember why she felt so unusually content, and when she did, she was surprised by the ease with which her happiness settled over her.

Today was a big day. Huge. Enormous. The Northern Lights Festival was starting, and it also, perhaps more importantly to her, marked the grand opening of her bakery. It was a culmination of months of hard work, late nights, and countless hours spent perfecting recipes and readying the bakery itself. She should be nervous, anxious about everything going according to plan. But instead, she felt an unexpected sense of excitement, anticipation, and calm.

She rolled out of bed, her feet hitting the floor with a renewed sense of purpose. As she padded over to the window, she opened the blinds to reveal a clear sky, the early morning light painting the world in shades of pink and gold. The view of Kodiak from her little studio apartment over Nicole’s office and warehouse looked out onto the harbor, filling her with a sense of belonging, and soon her own apartment over the bakery would be ready.

Hannah stepped out of the shower, steam billowing around her as she reached for a towel. She wrapped it around her body, tucking the end securely under her arm. The bathroom mirror was fogged over, so she swiped her hand across it, creating a clear space to see her reflection. Drops of water glistened on her skin, and her damp hair clung to her shoulders. She took a moment to study herself, taking in every curve and contour of her body.

It wasn't often that she allowed herself to linger in front of the mirror, but today felt different. The memory of last night's kiss with Rick was fresh in her mind, a delicious warmth spreading through her as she recalled the way his lips had felt against hers. Could someone as hunky and ruggedly handsome as Rick truly be attracted to a curvy woman like her? She bit her lip, feeling a flutter of doubt.

Hannah turned slightly, examining her profile. Her curves were pronounced, her hips full and her breasts ample. She knew she wasn't the typical standard of beauty often paraded in magazines or on television, but there was a softness and a strength to her body that she had come to appreciate. Still, the question nagged at her. Why would a man like Rick, with his chiseled features and muscular build, be interested in her?

She thought back to the way Rick had looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of tenderness and desire. Last night's kiss had been more than just a fleeting moment; it had been intense and passionate. His hands had held her close as if he couldn't bear to let her go. The memory of his touch sent a shiver down her spine, and she couldn't help but smile.

Maybe she was overthinking it. Maybe Rick saw something in her that she often overlooked. She remembered the way he had constantly been there for her, his protective nature, the way he made her feel safe, cherished, and desirable. She couldn't deny the chemistry between them, the spark that ignited whenever they were together.

Hannah hugged herself, feeling a sudden surge of joy. She pressed her hands to her cheeks, suppressing a squeal of delight. She had never felt like this about anyone before. There was something about Rick that made her heart race, made her feel alive in a way she hadn't experienced in years. It wasn't just his looks; it was the way he made her feel seen, truly seen.

She turned back to the mirror, her eyes shining with newfound confidence. Maybe she wasn't the conventional type, but she was beautiful in her own way. And if last night's kiss was any indication, Rick thought so, too. The thought filled her with a warm glow, a sense of happiness that she wanted to hold on to forever.

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