Page 2 of Bearly Breathing

He just didn’t have the time to find a mate. Not now. He was too busy. But when he had the time, it shouldn’t be too hard, he told himself. He knew that women found him attractive.

Marcus was the eldest of the Devlin trio. He was taller than his two brothers, though they too shared his bulk, and he had an easy-going nature most of the time. He worked hard, his body evidence of just how hard.

All three Devlin boys were heavily built, each one covered in sinewy muscle. They were big as, well, as Bears. Shifters in general were well muscled, but Bears were downright brawny.

It didn’t stop the ladies from flocking to them. When he was younger, he ate up the attention, but nowadays it just felt wrong. He was tired of one-night stands. And he had plenty to offer a mate, now that he was coming around to the idea.

He was handsome, with his chiseled features, full lips, and preferred bit of scruff on his face. He was financially sound and the bakery was doing amazing.

Unlike his two younger brothers, Marcus had inherited his mother’s mane of dark brown hair. He kept it long and plenty a woman enthused over the natural silkiness of his locks. Yes. He was enough to tempt any female.

Not just any female. A mate. My mate.Fuck, fuck, fuck. He’d never been interested in more than a casual affair with women. But he realized this was bound to happen sooner or later.

At least he could be objective and choose one before he fell under her spell. Lord knew he didn’t want to wind up like his brother, Daniel. Poor guy was still eating his heart out after his fiancé left him at the altar for another man.

“Fuck me,” he growled out loud.

Sure, he’d tried dating more and more the last few months, but there were slim pickings out there for a guy like him. He disliked aggressive women, and the types that frequented the bars and restaurants that he and his brothers used to hang out in were more than that.

Christ, last night a long-legged blonde had walked right up to him and put her hand right on his dick before he even got her name. Not his type at all.

Taylor, the baby of the family and his mama’s pride and joy, had been too happy to take over from there. Marcus left early and came right here to work off his annoyance.

Ten hours by the ovens in their main distribution baking facility and, still, he was agitated. Need to Change. Now.

He rolled his neck and relaxed his crouched stance. Mate or no mate, he needed this time right now to unwind. He was more than a little anxious to stretch his legs.

He refused to think about what would happen if he couldn’t find her. His Bear roared at the thought of going feral. Unmated Bear Shifters, or Werebears, were a threat to their entire way of life.

The face that supernaturals walked amongst humans, or normals as they were called, was a secret that must be kept at all costs. Each group had their own way of enforcing this rule, and there were other agencies that helped track down and take care of anyone who was a threat to that and a handful of other absolute rules.

Fact was, a feral Bear had no place amongst society. In short, Marcus would be hunted and later put to death if he went feral. A strong probability if he remained unmated.

This odious task was usually carried out by the Alpha of the Bear Clan in question. For him that would mean his father. Fuck.

Okay, time to Shift, he told his inner beast. He visualized the thick, dark fur and the hefty weight of his other self.

His body trembled in response to the magic that responded so readily whenever he called forth his Black Bear. He was easily double the size of any normal black bear and right then, every single inch of him was on edge.

The next day, he was leaving Barvale to visit one of the new Bear Claw Bakery locations. His job was to evaluate the site and make sure it was up to their specifications.

He’d leave all this business of finding a mate till he got back. This new store was the perfect excuse for a few days of relaxation. Just what he needed!

As the eldest, he got first pick when it came to travel. He’d use this as a mini-vacay. After all, it was his business plan that led them to lease spaces in Stein Luxury Hotel & Resorts.

Bear Claw Bakery had over a dozen locales up and down the east coast already, but with these new mini-storefronts in the popular hotel chain, they’d launch into an entirely new level of renown and fortune.

Famous locally and in the tri-state area for their wide selection of organic, non-GMO, freshly brewed coffees and teas, not to mention their made-to-order fresh fruit or veggie smoothies, Marcus knew they’d benefit any tourist establishment.

They also served a delectable assortment of freshly baked bread, muffins, cookies, pies, pastries, croissants, and other goods throughout the day.

He was thrilled with the prospect of Bear Claw Bakery becoming a household name. Of course, the new mini-bakeries in the hotel chain had shortened menus, but they were damn good ones. Marcus made sure of it.

His brothers had helped him decide what products they’d sell at these smaller bakeries. Of course, baking would be done on the premises. That meant finding chefs. Good ones.

Marcus had spent months interviewing and training the right people to manage the new locations. Finding experienced chefs was handled by Daniel. The Bear may be a woman hater now that his fiancée had dumped his ass, but he could sniff out talent fast as lightning.

Taylor, his youngest brother, came up with the idea to feature fresh local produce in their stores according to each location. Marcus and Daniel readily supported the decision. Real ingredients for real people.

All three brothers took turns to visit the new locations, and there were just a handful left. Marcus’ turn was next. And not a minute too soon. This mate business was making him nuts. He couldn’t wait to land in paradise!

He booked the hotel room for an extra week instead of the normal day or two the trip usually entailed. He couldn’t remember the last time he just relaxed. It was long overdue.

This time tomorrow he’d be sitting on a beach with a tumbler of Clover Bite, his favorite brand of artisan whiskey, and soaking up the glorious sun. But right now, he needed to Change.

His Bear hated to fly. The idea of soaring thousands of feet above land was ludicrous to the beast inside him.

Marcus found it best to let him out before a long trip. Alright, buddy, let’s run, he said to himself and let out a short roar as his body changed to that of his hulking Black Bear just before he took off into the woods.

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