Page 13 of Bearly Mine
What followed was the strangest job interview of my life. The elders read my resume off my phone and questioned me on what teaching methods I preferred and how I planned to approach discipline in the classroom. The job would involve teaching a mixed age group, from grade one through six, and they were curious about how I would keep everyone engaged at the same time.
Then Ellen took me to a cabin near the edge of town where a harried woman was attempting to homeschool four rambunctious young kids. I took a quick look at her lesson planand made a few modifications. By combining everything into one science experiment, it would be easier to engage them than if I had four separate lessons.
One hour and a dozen eggs later, the kids successfully dropped an egg without it breaking by creating a structure from straws and string. Then came the hard part. Clean up. But luckily they were riding high on their victory, and I turned the chore into a game.
Afterward, Ellen led me back to the school. “Janice appreciated the break. She has her hands full with those four.”
“I hope she doesn’t mind that I used up all their eggs.”
“A small price to pay to restore her sanity, even briefly. Her mate travels for work frequently, and she’s often on her own. The community helps where we can, but it’s still hard for her.” Ellen sat on a bench in front of the school building and patted the seat next to her. “She’s one of many who would benefit from the new classroom and teacher.”
“You should probably interview other people.” When her brow raised, I continued, “You might find someone better.”
“Why go through the trouble when we’ve already found someone we like? Unless you don’t want the job.” She turned to face me. “Do you not want to stay with Dean?”
“It’s not about Dean.” I sighed when she looked at me in disbelief. “It’s just all happening so fast.”
“That’s shifter romance for you.”
“But I’m not a shifter.”
“Doesn’t matter.” She patted my hand. “The mate bond works fast. And it works on you, too. Not as intensely as it does Dean, but it’s still there. You can try to slow it down and make sense of it, but fate often has other plans.”
She waved at someone behind me, and I turned to watch as Dean approached, hands stuffed in his pockets. She gave me a quick hug goodbye and whispered, “I won’t pretend that I knowa lot about human men. But I can promise you, you’ll never find anyone as dedicated to you as a bear shifter is to his mate.”
Dean nodded at his mom as she left, his hands still in his pockets, eyes shuttered. There was a distance between us that wasn’t there earlier. I followed him back to the quad and expected him to help me up again, but he didn’t. Scrambling onto the machine, I watched, brows furrowed, as he mounted. I placed my hands lightly on his waist, feeling strangely like I was invading his space, unlike previously, when our bodies gravitated and melded together.
The silence between us was palpable, even riding through the forest on a quad. There were no quick glances over his shoulder, no pressing up against him and wrapping my arms around his waist. I wondered what had changed. From the way he and his mother described mates, I had to wonder if I wasn’t his after all. That could explain his distance now. He realized he was wrong about me.
I blinked back tears I couldn’t blame on the wind blowing across my face as a pain pierced my heart. Had I already fallen for Dean? Really, truly, fallen? If so, it appeared I discovered it too late.
NINE
Dean
I was desperate to fill the silence between us as we walked into my cabin, to take her in my arms and beg her to stay with me. But I wouldn’t do that to her. She wanted something I couldn’t give her.
For the first time, I understood Bryce’s father. He lost his mate and ended up spending almost all his time as a bear. The appeal of losing myself in my bear, spending my time away from the pitying gazes sure to come my way after my mate left me. I’d be the bear shifter who was unable to make his mate happy.
Except I would make her happy. By letting her go. I shoved my hands back in my pockets and swallowed as I turned to face her, not quite able to meet her eyes, settling my gaze on her lightly freckled nose instead. “I didn’t get a chance to congratulate you on the job. I’m sure you’ll be amazing.”
Lily shuffled her feet, tugging at the hem of her shirt. “Which job?”
“The one out of state.” I drank in the sight of her, imprinting her image in my brain. Her golden hair, hanging around her shoulders, tangled from the wind. Her flushed cheeks and soft pink lips, the lower one caught between her teeth. And down toher body, disguised by my oversized clothes, and her toes, with light pink polish on them. Finally, I forced myself to look at her gorgeous green eyes, which were glossy with unshed tears.
I reached out, wanting to soothe whatever was troubling her, but pulled my hand back before I made contact. If I touched her, my thin grasp on my control would snap. “If you want, I’ll drive you home today. Dylan and I can drop your car off tomorrow. I’m sure you have things to do. Moving states is a lot of work.”
Having her in my home another night would be torture, despite how much I wanted her near. Smelling her, seeing her, talking to her, while trying to pretend I was okay would be impossible.
She wrapped her arms around her middle. “That might be best. I’ll go get changed.”
I listened to her footsteps on the stairs, then the door to the guest bedroom shut. My shoulders slumped and head dropped forward. I didn’t have long before she returned, and then I’d be trapped in the cab of my truck with her for two hours as I drove her home. Her scent would fill the vehicle, wrapping around me, invading my senses.
Thoughts of what our future could be if only I were enough consumed me. Nights with her cuddled on the couch, in front of the fire. Making dinner for her and cleaning up as a team after. Her belly, round with our child. Growing old with her and sitting on the porch watching as our grandchildren played outside.
I wiped away the tears that formed, not allowing them time to fall. I needed to stay strong. Then I heard her door open and my gaze found her at the top of the stairs, shoulders squared in determination. How could I surrender without a fight? Give up any chance at a relationship with her?
If she wouldn’t stay, I would go with her. Court her properly, however long it took for her to fall in love with me. She was more important than my home here in Shifter Alley. Maybe somedaywe would return, but only if she was willing. I would do whatever I needed to do.
