Page 42 of The Bear's Mail Order Mate

But were either of them ready for rejection?

She will not reject us,his bear said with such confidence that Kris had to believe him. And had to take the chance.

“Stand back,” he whispered, releasing her hand. “Please.”

Confusion flickered across her face, but she nodded and took several steps backward. Kris closed his eyes, centering himself, feeling the familiar surge of energy that preceded the shift.

The air crackled and popped as Kris took one last look at his mate and then let go of the world.

For a second, their mate was lost to them. It was as if they existed in different dimensions. But a second later, Kris’s bear appeared, huge, powerful, and filled with wonder, standing in the presence of their mate.

Cassia gasped and took a faltering step backward as her hands flew to her mouth. Her eyes widened with shock as she shook her head in disbelief. For one terrible moment, Kris feared the worst, that she would scream, run, and never look at him the same way again.

But she didn’t run.

“Kris?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Is that...is that really you?”

The bear nodded his great head, keeping perfectly still to avoid frightening her further. He lowered himself slightly, trying to appear less intimidating despite his massive form.

Tears filled Cassia’s eyes, but they weren’t tears of fear. Something else shimmered there, wonder, perhaps, or awe.

“May I...” she asked, extending her hand tentatively. “May I touch you?”

The bear rumbled softly and inclined his head toward her outstretched fingers. Cassia stepped forward, her movements slow and deliberate. When her fingertips finally made contact with his thick fur, she let out a shaky breath.

“So soft,” she whispered. Her hand moved gently, stroking the coarse outer guard hairs to find the downy undercoat beneath. “I can feel you in there, Kris. Somehow, I can sense you.”

The bear leaned into her touch, a low, contented sound rumbling from deep in his chest. Then he leaned forward and rubbed his head against her thigh, huffing softly.

“This is the most incredible thing I have ever seen,” she murmured as she cupped his massive head in her hands.

And Cassia is the most wonderful thing I have ever seen,his bear said in reply.

She is, isn’t she?Kris agreed, even though it felt like a complete understatement.

But how could he explain his feelings for this woman? A woman who was a part of him. Who made him complete.

I don’t know,his bear said.But you’re going to have to find them if we want to keep her.

You’re right,Kris said, and a moment later, Kris shifted back, the air shimmering around him as his human form returned. He stood before her, his eyes never leaving hers as he waited for her response.

“That was...” Cassia’s voice trailed off, her hand still outstretched as if searching for the bear that had just been there. “Something else.”

That’s one way of putting it,his bear said happily.

“I mean…” She shook her head. “It was incredible.”

Incredible, I’ll take that,his bear shuffled from side to side, unable to contain his excitement.

“What are you?” Cassia asked. “A werebear?”

“I’m a shifter,” Kris whispered. “A bear shifter. My family—all the Thornbergs—we carry this gift in our blood. It’s who we are.”

“It makes you special.” Cassia nodded slowly, processing this revelation. “This is what you were trying to tell me, show me, last night when I got the phone call.”

“It is,” he said.

“And there was me thinking it was a social status thing…” She sighed and cupped her face in her hands. “How wrong I was.”

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