Page 29 of Marked By The Grouchy Grizzly

I smile as they all turn to me, waiting for me to answer with my life story.

It sure feels like it.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Julian

It’s been a month since my newlymates clients left in a huff. They’re coming back in today so I can finish the woman’s tattoo—the head of a Kodiak bear on her ribs. Normally, I’d be dreading the appointment, having to hear how much they love each other and how perfect they are for one another, but today is different. I’m actually looking forward to making amends.

My own mate is in my life now and that grouchy, unfulfilled version of me they met last time is gone for good.

I’m happy now. Actually, happy doesn’t begin to describe the feeling of having Lainey in my life. I’m drowning in bliss. That’s more like it.

I’ve had her in my life for three weeks, four days, fourteen hours, and twelve minutes. And every second has felt better than the last.

She didn’t move back to Florida. She didn’t even move back in with her roommates who were both horrified to findout that she was dating the man who tattooed his name on her shoulder. She moved right in with me and we’ve been going strong ever since.

Every night, she falls asleep in my arms, and every morning, she wakes up with my hands on her body, my name still inked on her skin, and my mark still proudly displayed on her neck.

I fucking worship her. I can’t get enough of my mate.

Not one day has passed without us having sex at least three times. I can’t control myself around her, although I’m starting to think she likes it when I lose control. She loves getting me all growly and wound up. My growls and firm hands always turn her on.

She’s at a job interview right now for a small marketing agency in town. She’s really excited about it, and I really hope she gets it. I don’t want her to have any excuse to leave.

“Are you going to come watch me dance tonight?” Curt the male stripper asks my sister Victoria while she tattoos a snake on the side of his ribs.

“You’ve asked me that a hundred times,” she says, focusing on her work. “What makes you think I’d say yes this time?”

“I don’t know,” he says, shrugging his shoulders. “Maybe you’re extra horny today?”

Magnus is behind the desk going through our accounting for the month. He just shakes his head as he listens.

“Never going to happen, Curt,” Victoria says, not missing a beat as she shades in the green scales. “I’d rather gouge my eyes out.”

“Oh, come on,” he says with a huff. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”

Victoria grins as she focuses on her art. “All three inches of it?”

Me and Magnus burst out laughing. Curt is not amused.

The bell over the door rings and the newlymates walk in, arms hooked around each other.

“Are you going to be nice this time?” the big Kodiak shifter asks me, already looking pissed off.

I can tell he’s expecting me to bark back, but I don’t. I smile at them. A genuine smile.

“I’m sorry about last time,” I say. “That wasn’t professional. I’m a changed man.”

He glares at me for a while and then it dawns on him. “You found your mate?”

I nod, unable to hold back my wide smile.

“Mate?” Curt mutters with a laugh. “Who talks like that?”

We all ignore him. We’re used to shifter activity going over humans’ heads. There’s a whole world they don’t pick up on.

“That’s great,” the girl says, grinning at me. “What’s her name?”

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