Page 1 of Hers to Call
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Simon Jacobs now believed in destiny. It was as much a part of him as his heritage, a gift no doubt from his mother. His father would’ve brushed the sentiment aside, telling him his bear would lead him in all things. In this case, either of them could’ve been in the right. His bear had chosen its mate, and whether or not fate had put her in his path was irrelevant at this point. Five years ago, hell, maybe even a year ago he’d have dismissed any talk of destiny. He’d wanted to believe he had control in all things, but it had taken a simple glance at Calita Wright, and just a small hint of her scent for his bear to rip that delusion from him.
He sighed, his body buzzing from just the memory of that day. He’d come to Selena’s diner on a whim, searching for something sweet. He had spotted a woman as she talked with his cousin’s wife Selena, their heads bent together at the counter. His bear had rumbled, tightening his body with power until half the patrons had turned to him, their gazes curious. Calita’s soft voice had reached his exceptional hearing and yearning clouded his mind. Only the iron control he asserted over his bear had kept the creature from bursting from his skin and rushing to her side. For her safety and his sanity, he’d left the diner that day.
But, he had come back.
Often.
And prayed fervently, sending thanks to the gods his mother and her people had worshipped. He and his bear, waited. Waited and plotted on the best way to secure their mate. Bears were nothing if not patient, and as the alpha, he had more patience than most. His bear had grown impatient with his pace, though, but Simon wouldn’t be rushed. Not when he saw flashes of fear in Calita’s gaze when she thought no one watched her.
Watching her skitter away from people, Simon had worried at first that she had an issue with shifters. But, he’d come to find out that Calita shied away more from the humans. Especially the males. Her nervous glances, the little flicker of her tongue as she moistened her lips, he catalogued it all. Calita was a little skittish, no doubt about it. But eventually, he would have her, he held no doubts about that either.
Last night he’d decided that his bear was right, it was time to make a move on her. It was one of the reasons he’d picked the comfortable booth he currently occupied, instead of the one nearer to the back of the diner in which he normally sat. He sipped his coffee and flipped through the Sunday paper, his hooded gaze watching the human wife of one of his bears.
“Mornin’, Alpha.”
“Good morning, Selena.”
“You gonna say something to her today?” Selena settled a hand on her generous hips and gave him a sly look.
“You keeping a calendar I don’t know about?” He folded the newspaper and laid it on the table.
She smiled. “You been in here for dinner two weeks straight, hiding in that back booth, watching my girl.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
He stifled his smile. Nosy bears. Calita was the first human to catch his eye, so he understood their fascination. Mating with humans was no strange thing, yet as alpha, it had always been believed he’d mate with a shifter. He’d grown up in a time where humans in Bear Ridge were rare, and it was rarer still for them to interact with each other. He’d never once considered a human for his mate. But, his bear had chosen, and that was that, so he gave it no second thought. He knew his clan would be the same, so he allowed them their fun.
Now that a new treaty with the humans was in place and the immediate threat of government interference in their town gone, his bears deserved it.
Behind Selena’s light banter, concern for her friend lurked in her dark brown eyes. Her gaze roved his face, searching for something. “Calita’s not like…”
He inclined his head. “She’s your friend. I understand, Selena.”
“I mean no disrespect, Alpha.” She paused, her gaze lowering.
“She’s been hurt.” It wasn’t a question. Calita had a natural wariness that told more than words could.
He’d figured out some months back that his mate had been through something. It was the only reason he’d been able to leash his bear for so long. Impatient though they were, the two of them were in agreement that hurting Calita was out of the question.
Selena sighed. “Some, but that’s for her to tell.”
“When have you known me to mistreat a woman?”
She let out a hard breath. “You’re right.”
“I’m always right.” It was an automatic answer, his bear prickling at the thought of someone thinking Simon wouldn’t take care of their mate.
She lifted her hands and barked out a laugh. “Fine, I’ll leave it be. Besides, another week of you tiptoeing will earn me a hundred dollars.”
He had to laugh at that. “The sheriff know you up in here gambling?”
“You let me take care of the sheriff.” She winked, a twinkle in her eye at the mention of her mate. Her face straightened, and her gaze drifted to the door. “Speaking of Calita.”
Selena hadn’t needed to tell him. His bear rose and Simon closed his eyes as her scent reached him. The warm fragrance of cream and honey hit his senses, and hunger assailed him. The familiar sound of her footfalls reached him next, and both he and his bear went on alert. It was rare to see her in the diner before lunch, but there she was. Her long legs, and thick thighs encased in a pair of fitted jeans that did wonders for her ass. The simple, no nonsense V-necked blouse clung to her, outlining her full breasts. He was entranced, his gaze following her as if by compulsion. His body buzzed, and his head spun with need gripping him.
Not now, she’ll be ours soon.He placated his bear, pushing down on his power.
Simon’s gaze traced her face, seeing the signs of a sleepless night in the dark circles marring the brown skin under her eyes. His jaw clenched and his grip tightened on his coffee cup. He wanted to walk up to her, demand she rest and let him take care of her. Instead, he could only follow her march towards the kitchen with his eyes. Her long black hair was tied at the nape of her neck, twisted into one of those nonchalant buns she liked. He’d only caught one glimpse of her hair down, and the image was burned into his brain. Her cocoa skin was smooth and unadorned. No make-up, no jewelry, nothing to detract from her natural beauty.
