Page 2 of Bearly Chilly

The room is small but clean, with a heavy plaid quilt on the bed. I drop my bag on the floor and collapse onto the bed, finally letting out the breath I feel like I've been holding for the last few hours.

Outside, the wind howls persistently as I text my mother to let her know I made it to a hotel and got a room before taking a quick shower.

Chapter 2

Grant

A while later,I’m lying in the dark room, listening to the hum of the heater, and trying to ignore the hunger growing in my belly. My eyes grow heavy as sleep finally overtakes me. I turn over and sink deeper into the surprisingly comfortable mattress. But just as I’m drifting off, a series of loud thumps followed by a muted curse jolts me upright. I groan, rubbing my face with both hands, trying to push away the fatigue weighing me down.

The noise continues, and I grit my teeth. I’m too tired for this. Every muscle in my body protests as I swing my legs off the bed and rush over to grab a pair of shorts from my suitcase. After pulling them on, I swing open the door and step out into the hallway, ready to give whoever it is a piece of my mind.

The sight that greets me stops me in my tracks. There’s a woman struggling with a stroller a few doors down.

I open my mouth and growl before I’m able to stop myself. “What the fuck?” The words come out more gruffly than intended. She spins around at the sound of my voice, eyes wide. “Mine,” my inner polar bear roars as my eyes move over her. My earlier hunger for food is replaced with a much more insistent ache.

She’s stunning—short and curvy with an undeniable presence. Her long, curly red hair catches the light in the dim hallway, cascading down her back, and her bright green eyes shine with a mix of frustration and determination.

Jealousy cuts through me at the injustice of my mate having a child with another man. My polar bear is busy making plans to make sure said man disappears when I notice the stroller isn’t exactly standard. Perched inside, looking entirely unfazed, is a small black and white French Bulldog. It blinks up at me,tongue lolling slightly, completely stealing the thunder of my indignation.

I’m momentarily speechless, processing the sight. My irritation evaporates on the spot, replaced by a feeling I can't quite place. Giving my head a shake, I let out a chuckle, the sound echoing in the quiet hallway. “I wasn’t expecting a dog in the stroller.”

She leans over and covers the animal’s huge ears. “Shush.” She rolls her stunning emerald eyes down toward the animal. “Oreo doesn’t realize he isn’t human.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.” I blink several times, wondering if I’m dreaming this.

My stunning mate relaxes, a sheepish smile curling her lips. “My baby isn’t a fan of walking in the snow so I decided to use the stroller, but the wheels keep getting stuck on the carpet.” Her voice is warm, with a playful lilt that matches the laughter in her eyes. I can’t help but be drawn to the way her frustration melts into humor.

“Well, let's see if I can help,” I say, stepping forward. Together, we maneuver the stroller, so the wheels are back on track while Oreo watches on with the air of royalty like he’s being served by his subjects.

“Thanks,” she says, brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face. “I didn’t mean to disturb anyone.”

“No disturbance. I was just… lying in bed.” I pause, feeling awkward but slightly more awake. My inner polar bear slaps me on the side of the head, telling me to get my ass into gear and woo my mate. “I’m Grant, by the way.” I extend a hand and hold my breath until she smiles and reaches for it.

Sparks fly when our palms meet. “Lennon,” she replies as a shiver runs through her curvy frame.

Being this close to my mate wakes me up faster than any coffee could. “Lennon?”

“My parents were Beatles fans.” She rolls her eyes and shrugs as if she’s explained that a million times.

“It’s nice to meet you, Lennon.” That’s a fucking understatement. Now, I know why shifters will kill to protect their mates. This curvy little angel just became the most important thing in the world to me.

“Thank you for the help with my little drama queen.” She turns and gives the dog a fond look, and I can’t help but notice the ease in her demeanor and the way she seems to wear her confidence like a cozy sweater. “Sorry again for the chaos.”

“No worries. Meeting you and Oreo has made my long, frustrating day better.” I grin, feeling the last remnants of my grumpiness fall away as she opens her hotel room door. I glance around, making sure the room is empty before turning back to my mate.

She laughs, a clear, melodic sound that resonates through the corridor. “Well, you must’ve had a really bad day if dealing with us was an improvement.”

She has no fucking idea.

My inner polar bear is ready to bite her elegant neck and make her mine for all eternity, but I fight the urge, knowing my human mate is going to need a little convincing first. Knowing I need to handle this delicately, I wrestle my bear into submission and tell her, “If you need help with any more stroller emergencies, youknow where to find me.” I point at my door a little further down the hallway.

“Thanks,” she says, her eyes lingering on mine as electricity flows between us. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

She turns to guide the stroller into the hotel room, and I watch her go with a smile tugging at my lips. I feel oddly energized, and my room suddenly seems less inviting now that the hallway has emptied of her presence.

I head back inside, closing the door quietly. Sleep is the furthest thing from my mind as I call and wake up my cousin. “Why the fuck are you calling me at this ungodly hour?”

“I need your help.”

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