Page 7 of Bearly Chilly

“Together,” I say softly, wanting to be sure about what our future really means. I’m already head over heels in love with my polar bear shifter.

“Could we have kids? And would they be shifters?” The questions keep bubbling up.

“Our kids start human, but their first shift usually happens when they’re around five or six years old. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re ready when the time comes.”

I can’t help asking, “When did you first realize I’m your mate?”

“The instant I saw you in the hotel hallway. My inner bear fought me like never before while shouting ‘Mine.’”

“Your parents won't be upset with you for mating a human?” I wonder aloud.

“They’re going to love you. My brother, Dillon, just found his human mate,” he reassures me, pulling me close. I’m getting lost in him, his words becoming a little hazy alongside my soaring heart rate. “But, just so you know, they’ll give us space after we’re mated. We’re a close family, but polar bears respect each other’s independence more than most human in-laws do.”

I blink, taking it all in. “Wow, that’s a lot to process.”

“I’m positive you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Grant says, his gaze deep and full of love, making my heart do somersaults.

I’m running out of questions, partly because it’s hard to think straight right now. But one more pops up. “Tell me about your family.”

“Our clan’s pretty mixed. My dad’s a grizzly from Honey Pot Hollow. He met my mom, a polar bear shifter, when he moved here. Polar bear genes are stronger, so most of us were born polar bear cubs, but we’ve got one grizzly sister. Gabe, my twin, is older by two minutes. Then there’s the best—me. Next, comes Gianna, and finally, Dillon.”

“Wow, how am I ever gonna keep all this straight?” I laugh, dizzy from information overload and his nearness.

Then Grant kisses me, and all those remaining questions just melt away. As his lips meet mine, I realize everything else can wait. Right now, the warmth and connection are more than enough.

It suddenly occurs to me that despite our differences, or maybe because of them, we just click. There’s something seamlessly simple about how we’ve gelled together; it’s as if the snow brought us exactly where we needed to be. No forced moments, just the easy flow of two lives beginning to intertwine.

The evenings are my favorite. After our talk, we watch the sunset spill gold through the evergreens, just soaking up the peacefulness all around us. Oreo snuggles into his usual spot between us, content to watch the dusk settle.

Later that night, I climb into bed in my cozy little apartment above the garage, feeling a deep sense of love and contentment. My new life doesn't feel like I’m following someone else’s path. It’s my own destiny, crafted from decisions I never could have predicted but now wouldn’t trade for anything.

Life here isn’t just about figuring out what’s next or what it means to be a polar bear shifter’s mate. It’s about taking each day as it comes and enjoying the journey. And right now, that’s more than enough.

Chapter 6

Grant

I’m standingat the edge of the porch, watching the snowflakes lazily drift down and disappear into the white blanket covering the yard. It’s one of those peaceful mornings where everything feels right in the world, and I can’t help but think how quickly I’ve gotten used to having Lennon and Oreo around. It’s like they’ve always been a part of this place.

I tore up the report on Lennon that Clay sent over. I know I could’ve just read it and found out everything about her past, but I want my mate to share on her own terms.

The moment we got home from Arctic Mountain, I called Sheriff Bolden to give him a head’s up that another Helson was trying to run a scam out of his Glacier Pass home. The sheriff assured me he would have investigators check out Helson thoroughly. In the meantime, I added extra security to my home to protect my new family.

My peaceful moment is interrupted by the buzzing of my phone in my pocket. I pull it out to see my mom’s name flashing on the screen. I’ve been expecting this call, given how I’ve kept the family at bay for a few days, wanting Lennon to ease into things without the chaos that is my family descending upon us.

“Hey, Mom,” I answer, trying to sound casual.

“Grant,” she says, getting right to the point in that way only mothers can. “When are you going to introduce us to your new mate?”

I rub the back of my neck, watching Oreo dig a path through the snow like it’s the best game ever. “I wanted to give her some time to settle in before you guys come by and scare her off.”

I can picture my mom glaring at me through the phone. “We are not going to scare her off. We just want to meet her before you mate her and hide her away.”

“You have to admit the Bearly family is a lot to take in at first,” I remind her. “And she’s still adjusting to having a polar bear mate.”

“I get that, but you know how important this is. She’s family now, and we’d all love to meet her. Plus, your dad’s getting antsy. He’s worried you’re going to screw this up.”

I chuckle because I really do understand where she’s coming from. Once Dad gets a hint there’s a mate on the horizon, he starts seeing grandkids in his future. “Alright, alright. How about this weekend? I’ll check with Lennon and see if she’s up to the invasion.”

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