Page 28 of Bear to be Wild
Ugh. Who was the big, foolish oaf now?
After playing an Amy Winehouse album, I lit scented candles and soaked in a hot bath with lavender oil and herbs swirling around me. It was an attempt at self-care, since it felt like I’d sabotaged my well-being in countless ways lately.
While I lingered in the soothing water, I couldn’t stop thinking about Roan. I pictured his face, those gentle eyes that flashed with desire when we were alone. All the sensible thoughts with rules I’d set to protect myself from heartache vanished, because now I was more miserable than ever. And I was certain these feelings weren’t lingering from the spell since no trace of magic remained.
I missed him. So damn much.
After I dried off,I put on a flowing lilac dress and silver bangles. I let my curls fall loose over my shoulders. I wandered up through the decks, searching for distraction—anything to avoid returning to my tiny cabin where I’d be tormented by memories of Roan.
When I heard Luna Blue Shadows playing in the Nocturnal Lounge, an idea came to me. Piper. She was mated to a wolf shifter. Maybe she could help give me some insight. I searched inside the lounge for her, but she wasn’t there. Van was, though. He briefly met my eyes and acknowledged me with a small smile. His gaze quickly returned to his mate, Celeste, and softened. He’d changed so much from being a womanizing jackass. Perhaps falling in love really could change people for the better.
Resuming my search for Piper, I headed to the Mermaid’s Gallery where I found her wearing her ship uniform, with her pink-gold hair pinned up. She chatted with passengers about the framed paintings up for auction while they sipped flutes of champagne. Once they’d moved on, she greeted me.
“Hey, Maribelle. What brings you here?”
“I came to see you, if you have a minute.”
She glanced around the room. “It has to be quick as we’re going to start the auction soon.”
“Of course.” I took a deep breath, exhaled, and let it all tumble out. “So, this funny thing happened with Roan and me. I accidentally bound us together with a spell. And during that time…we grew close.”
Piper arched a brow. “Howclose?”
“Realclose,” I admitted. “I was able to undo the spell. But now I’m so confused, because I can’t stop thinking about him. And he said something that’s been stuck in my head ever since.”
Her eyes flashed with intrigue. “What?”
I hesitated, then lowered my voice. “That I’m his mate.”
“Hot damn, woman!” Piper burst out, then slapped a hand over her mouth. She straightened, smoothing her spa uniform and adopting a more professional tone before leaning in again to whisper, “No way. His mate?”
“Yes.” I pushed a curl from my temple. “And I reacted like a fool. Shrugged it off by saying we might still be affected by the magic. He denied it, said he’d known since we first met. But still, I insisted we needed space.”
Piper groaned in sympathy. “Understandable. But I’m guessing something’s changed?”
I nodded and let out a breathy sigh. “Now I know what I feel is real. But I’m afraid.”
Her brows knit closer. “Why?”
“Because what if he was mistaken? And it really was the spell confusing him?” My shoulders sagged, the weight of possible rejection weighing me down. “He doesn’t want me after all.”
Piper squeezed my shoulder. “I sincerely doubt that, Maribelle. This mate business is no joke—it’s like magic on steroids.” She curled her biceps. “Trust me. I know.”
I took a deep breath. “What do you think I should do?”
“Find him,” she advised with kind eyes. “Be honest. Tell him how you feel.”
“And if he doesn’t feel the same way?”
She gave me a warm smile. “Love is always worth the risk—even when it hurts.”
I hurt all right. But was it…
Could it…
Could this be—love?
I leftthe gallery determined to find Roan. First stop, his cabin. Nope. Then back upstairs to the fitness studio and gym. Not there either—only memories of him etched in every space.
