Page 5 of Shattered Fears

“He knows we exist?”

“No, he thinks he knows we exist. I don’t know where it came from. It’s bizarre. She was close with her family. It would’ve meant she’d need to make a decision between me and them. I couldn’t let her do that. I just wish...” His shoulders slumped, and he felt his whole being sink deeper into the water.

“That you could fall out of love with her and move on? But the feelings you have will never go away.”

“Yes, exactly that.” He looked up at her with his big brown eyes. “I don’t think it’ll ever happen. She’s ingrained in my heart.”

“I wish I knew what love felt like. It sounds like it would be nice.” It was Katia’s turn to stare off into the distance.

“You’ve never been in love?” he questioned.

“Not even in lust,” she sighed.

“You never told us why you came to Glacial Blood? Does Kas know?”

“He knows bits. It’s not something I’m ready to talk about, yet.”

“I remember the day you showed up. You were so quiet; what happened?” He laughed and had made a joke to dispel the tension. Katia’s past was a closed book, for now, and he could see by the lines of worry marring her face that it wasn’t something she was ready to share, even if he’d been open with her.

“Hey, I like being noisy and a little crazy,” she purred.

“I’m glad you found a home with us.”

“Me too, and I’m glad you’re here, Zain. Even if everyone is finding relationships, it won’t ever change the sense of belonging I get from being in the pack. A family isn’t always blood, but it is what we have. Now, enough deep and meaningful, are you going to share some more fish with me?”

He groaned, reached into the water to get another fish, and tossed it to her. She caught it with her transformed tigress’ paw. She used her sharp claws to slice open the fish and nudged half of it back his way.

“Here.”

“Hey, you’ve got the bigger half,” he moaned.

“I’m a growing girl.” Katia got to her feet and waved at him over her shoulder as she receded down the jetty. “Thanks for my snack. See you back at home.”

“Bye,” he called out to her.

It was a beautiful day. He pulled his muscular bear frame onto the jetty and lay back to enjoy the sun. It wasn’t long before his eyelids felt heavy, and he allowed himself to succumb to the need for sleep.

“I’m not sure this is the best idea you’ve ever had, Izzy.” Zain winced as he looked at the ice rink in front of him. He was seventeen and already well over six foot in height; plus, he wasn’t steady on his feet. Him, out on an ice rink was a bad idea. He looked over at the woman beside him, though, and the look of excitement on her face washed away his fears.

“Can we just try? Please, I’ve always wanted to ice-skate. It looks so much fun.”

“Okay, but you have to kiss better all my cuts and bruises later.”

“Deal.” She jumped and clapped her hands together. “Give me your shoes, and I’ll get the skates.”

He bent over and untied the combat boots that he was wearing and handed them to her. She held them by the tip and sniffed.

“Wow! I think you need new shoes.”

He looked down in shame. It wasn’t his fault they smelled. He was a bear, and shoes constricted his feet and made them sweat. No shifter enjoyed shoes, well except for the lionesses when they were out on the prowl for the night. He’d seen it for himself one time when he’d been out for a wander in the woods. They all had on at least five inch heels and chatted animatedly about designer names, which had left his head spinning. He looked at the neat white trainers Isobel wore. Now, they were suitable for a shifter. Easier to run in. He liked what Isobel wore. He understood that it wasn’t the height of fashion, but the casual jeans, smart blouses, and tunic tops suited her.

“You look pretty, tonight,” he complimented her. She laughed and hit him lightly on the chest.

“Don’t change the subject. We’re going to buy you new boots.”

He groaned.

“As long as you take me shopping, and we can spend more time together. I’ll agree to that.”

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