Page 10 of Mismatched Mates

The birds, startled into a temporary silence, began to sing again, and I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding.

I fumbled for my seatbelt, my hands shaking slightly as I unclicked it. I peered out the cracked windshield, taking in my surroundings. Dense forest pressed in on all sides, the road barely visible through the trees.

Wolf territory, a small voice in my head whispered.

I pushed open the car door and stepped out, my legs doing an unwanted Bambi impression. The cool, damp earth and the tranquility of the forest felt like a cruel joke.

I allowed myself two seconds of frustration, then snapped back to problem-solving mode. If I was going to make the date, there was only one option now: call a tow truck and run the rest of the way to Foxmere. I was only a couple miles out, and if I was lucky, I wouldn’t even be late.

I surveyed the damage—the front bumper was crumpled, steam hissing from beneath the dented hood. I circled the vehicle, cataloging each scratch and dent, when I heard the snap of a twig, followed by a low snicker. Quiet enough that if it weren’t for my sensitive hearing, I’d have missed it entirely. But to me, it was like a gunshot.

A group of teenage boys emerged from the shadows, their eyes glinting with an unnatural amber hue.

Wolf shifters.

The boys’ build straddled the line between broad-shouldered and gangly, like their bodies hadn’t figured out how to work with the length they’d been given.

"Well, well," one of them drawled, a lanky boy with a shock of red hair. "What do we have here? A little bear lost in the woods?"

I straightened, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. "Just had a bit of car trouble. I'll be on my way soon enough."

Another boy, broader and more muscular, stepped forward. "You're trespassing on wolf territory."

"I didn't exactly plan this detour," I retorted, my tone sharp but controlled. I could feel my bear stirring beneath my skin, ready to defend if necessary. "Look, I don't want any trouble."

The red-haired boy snickered. "Maybe you should've thought of that before you crossed the border, bear."

Technically, he was right, but while I usually thrived on technicalities, this was ridiculous.Technically, this was the eastern side of Pine River and under the wolves’ jurisdiction, and while the road was exempt, they were correct that I wasn’t quite on it.

I crossed my arms, summoning my best 'don’t-mess-with-me' mom stance.

The air between us crackled with primal energy—predators sizing each other up. My mind raced, weighing my options. I didn't want a fight, but I'd be damned if I'd let these pups intimidate me.

I was about to retort when a new scent washed over me—earthy and rich, like rain on forest soil.

I whirled, my face coming startling close to a muscular man, with rugged features that spoke of both authority and danger. His gray eyes swept over the scene, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth. He was dressed in a crisp linen shirt and dark jeans, sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a fascinating number of scars along his arms.

"Boys," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent an inexplicable shiver down my spine. "Is this how we treat visitors to our territory?"

The teens immediately straightened, their bravado evaporating. "We were just—" the red-haired boy began, but a single raised eyebrow from the newcomer silenced him.

His scent drifted toward me again, hot and heavy in the wind, the particular brand of musk that always belonged to wolves. But instead of repulsing me, it settled on my skin, undeniably masculine. My bear stopped her pacing, and we both sniffed. Something primal inside me stirred at the sight of him—broad-shouldered and with a face that could have been carved from stone except for the hint of stubble.

He stood with a casual arrogance, facing off the teens with his hands in his pockets and a relaxed stance. But there was a spark of challenge in his gray gaze.

Those eyes, like twin storms, rested on me, and I sucked in a breath. There was a wildness about him, like his skin barely contained the animal simmering underneath, that called to me.My life was suburban, filled with spreadsheets, playdates and PTA meetings. This wildness sent a buzzing through my veins.

I was clearly suffering the ill effects of not having myneedsmet, as Heather so frequently reminded me.

The eldest ringleader, folded his arms, defiance replaced by an annoyed reluctance. Whoever this man was, he clearly pulled rank within the pack."This doesn’t concern you," the leader of the group growled, though his voice lacked its earlier bravado.”

The man’s eyebrow quirked. “I think it does?— ”

“She’s a bear,” he protested, cutting him off.

I growled, and the stranger grinned, amusement in his gaze as it landed on me again, traveling slowly, assessing every single inch of my body, heating my core.

“You think Vince is gonna want to hear about you harassing someone whose car crashed?” His voice was lower this time, all smoke and gravel. It made me think of dark nights and silken sheets and?—

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