Page 41 of Cowboy Bear's Hope

I shifted back to my human skin and dressed quickly. It hadn’t snowed again, but we were due for more in the next day or so.

I walked to the pen outside the dairy barn, doing up the buttons of my flannel when the motherfucking bane of my existence stopped in front of me.

Idiotic sandy-haired cretin.

“Damn, Teddy! You went and claimed her, huh?” Kian asked with a big dopey grin on his dumb face.

“None of your fucking business,” I growled, pushing past him.

The big moron leaned over and sniffed, raising all my hackles. Didn’t this fool know not to fuck with a newly mated bear?

“None of my business? Bro, it’s everyone’s business. Plus, you smell like Avery and fucking. Were you guys sexing it up all night? Do Grizzlies fuck doggy style or is it beary style? Or—ggg,” he choked at the end.

But that was likely because I turned and grabbed him by the throat. Then I punched the moron right in his stupid face, taking a little satisfaction in watching him fall ass over teakettle into a big pile of manure once I let go.

Fucking bovines.

“Dammit, Dante! What was that for?” Kian bellowed.

“Serves you right, idiot,” Zeke murmured.

“That was a warning,” I said, ignoring the sputtering imbecile. “Don’t ever talk about sex and my mate in the same sentence ever. In fact, never talk about Avery again. Understand?” I growled, my voice rough with my Grizzly.

“What? I wasn’t saying anything bad,” he mumbled, slipping back into the pile of shit when he tried to stand.

No, I wasn’t going to grin. Even gritted my teeth to stop myself.

It was Saturday, and all I wanted to do was be with my mate. But I dropped Avery and Rosie at Penny and Max’s house right after we ate.

Penny was apparently feeling better after being sick all day yesterday. Couldn’t say the same for her mate, though.

Poor Max.

Penny had apparently walloped him good for not telling her she was pregnant. And with twins.

I’d heard an earful about stupid, red-skinned Devils, and their super sperm, but that was all before I kissed my pretty mate and told her I’d be back in a few hours after I finished working.

Saturdays were still working days on the ranch.

They had their own rhythm.

A slower pace compared to the chaos of the week. Even so, there was shit that had to be done.

But I had to admit I hated dropping her off like that. Like I couldn’t shake the feeling I was missing something.

I pressed my hand against my chest and closed my eyes, feeling our new matebond contract and expand as if it too were having trouble being away from Avery.

Maybe it was because our mating was still so new. Every moment was uncharted territory.

I was still getting used to the fact that she was mine. Really mine.

I didn’t have to look at her from across a room and swallow my daydreams, wondering about what could be.

She was here, real, and wearing my bite—something I’d craved for longer than I cared to admit.

Or maybe it was because I’d wanted her for so damn long that now that I had her, it was like getting the first taste of a feast I’d been starving for.

She wasn’t just a meal. Avery was the whole banquet. One I wanted to savor slowly, every bite more satisfying than the last.

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