Page 1 of Mitchell's Untamed Mate

Prologue

Two decades prior:

The Bearclaw Estate: Outside of Bremerton, Washington State

United Species of North America

“Tracy, love, are you in here?It’s time for dinner.”

Tracy frantically wiped at her damp cheeks and rubbed the sleeve of her shirt against her nose.She pushed the book she had taken from the family library under the woodland-scene throw pillow on the couch.She sat up when her father entered the third-floor sitting room where she liked to go when she wanted to be alone.

Art Bearclaw stood in the doorway and shook his head when he noticed her tear-stained cheeks and red, puffy eyes.Tracy hiccupped and wiped at her cheeks again.Her father motioned with his hand to make room on the couch, and she scooted over.No sooner had he sat down than he opened his arms wide.She crawled onto his lap and snuggled against his warm body, breathing in his familiar, comforting aftershave.

“Why, Daddy?Why were we so mean to them?”she hiccupped before she buried her face against his chest as sobs choked her.

“Aw, love.You shouldn’t be reading about things like the Great War just yet,” he gently admonished while he stroked her coarse auburn hair in comfort.

“I’m a big girl.You didn’t answer me.Why were we so mean to them?”

She sniffed and rubbed her nose again.Tilting her head back, she stared into her father’s warm, compassionate brown eyes.If anyone knew the answer to her question, it would be her father.Her dad was the Director of the Anthropology and Archaeology Department for the Washington State Animal Sanctuary, Research, and Observation Center.He was the youngest director ever assigned to the prestigious position and was the smartest shifter in the whole wide world in her seven-year-old opinion.

“Sometimes shifters make poor decisions,” he said.

“But-but, we killed them.We killed all of them!”she wailed, burying her face against his chest again.

Her father released a long sigh and continued stroking her hair and back until she calmed down for a second time.He leaned back into the cushion and cupped her chin.She reluctantly looked up at him with watery eyes.

She sniffed when she noticed the expression of resignation on his face.She hoped that didn’t mean he was going to lock the library again, though it wouldn’t matter if he did.She would just get Ty to open it.Her twin could unlock anything.

“I know, love.That is why it is important we learn everything we can about humans, so they are never forgotten—nor are our mistakes.Now, let’s get you cleaned up.If your mother and Martha see you like this, they’ll blame me for telling you more horror stories about humans and not let me have any of Martha’s delicious dessert tonight,” he teased.

She sniffed and nodded.“What did she make tonight?”

“Bear-berry pie with sweet cream.”

“Oh, I love Bear-berry pie.She only makes that for special occasions,” Tracy breathed.

“I know.Your Aunt Michaela is coming for dinner,” he replied with twinkling eyes.

“Auntie Michaela!Yay!”

Art rose from the couch with Tracy still in his arms.His slender frame was deceptive.He possessed incredible strength as a silverback grizzly shifter.She wound her arms around his neck, rested her chin on his shoulder, and looked back at the book peeking out from under the pillow.She would come back after dinner to finish reading the chapter about what happened to the few remaining humans after the Great War with the shifters.

“Daddy,” she murmured.

“Yes, love.”

“I wish I could have met a human,” she said.

“Me too, sweetheart.Me too.”

Deep in the Cascade Range, Pacific Northwest

“Come on, Mitchell.I don’t want to miss the story,” Jace urged.

“Go ahead.I’ll be there in a minute.I’ve got to finish doing my chores,” he said.

Jace groaned.“I’ll tell you if you miss anything.”

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