Page 41 of Fated to the Grizzly

She draws back and gives me a long look. “You’re okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, mom.”

“B-but when did you get back?”

“Earlier today. Look, I need to get you home, but there’s something I need to tell you first…”

By the timewe get back to Orion, my mom iskindaprepared to be greeted by a giant grizzly bear, but she still lets out a gasp of terror.

I don’t blame her. He looks fearsome, all glowing eyes and flashing teeth and claws. And I’m so proud I could cry.

I help her onto his back, and I climb up behind her, and we retrace our steps back to the compound, going a little slower than before.

* * *

We spend the evening together.After dropping us off, Orion goes and hunts a couple of rabbits, while mom gets the fire going.

“He’s a keeper,” she says, when we’re alone together.

“I know,” I reply happily.

She frowns. “And what good luck that you found each other after your father left you in the wilderness.”

“Some might say it’s fate,” I say, and the mark on the back of my neck—his mark—tingles like crazy.

She gets a dreamy look to her. “He’s so big, and strong, andmuscular…” She finishes with a shiver.

“Mom!” I protest. I don’t want to think about my mom having a crush on my mate.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m just real happy for you.” She squeezes my knee. “I can see he’s absolutely crazy about you.”

“Really?” I know it’s true, but it doesn’t hurt to hear it said aloud.

“He can’t take his eyes off you.”

A thrill goes through me. I love being held in Orion’s gaze, so, so much.

“You’re gonna make some beautiful babies.”

“Mom!” Truth is, I can’t wait to have his babies, but there are so many things I want to do first.

“Guess what?” she hisses. “You know that man your father tried to marry you off to?”

“Kinda,” I say, and I’m not even joking. Since I first laid eyes on Orion, no other man has meant anything to me.

“Well, he’s been round here looking for you. Says he made a big mistake, and he wants you back.”

I can’t resist a little smile. “And what did you tell him?”

“I said, you only get one chance, buster. And you screwed it up.” My mom giggles like a schoolgirl. “Then I told him to get the hell out of here and never come back.”

“High five, mom.” I hold up my hand and she high-fives me enthusiastically.

I tap a finger against my lips. “Actually, on second thoughts—you think you can get a message out to him, and to all the neighboring prepper families to come here in three days’ time?”

“What for?” she leans closer, eyes glittering with excitement. For the first time, I get a glimpse of what she might’ve been like if she’d married someone other than my father.

“All will be revealed,” I say cryptically.

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