Page 40 of On Tap for the Bear
"Something like that."
Quinn pulls her hand back slowly, wrapping both arms around herself. "That's a lot to process."
"I know."
"And you believe this? That some magical land decided I'm supposed to be here? With you?"
"I believe the land brought you to Redwood Rise for a reason." I hold her gaze, willing her to understand what I can't quite say yet. "What you do with that information is up to you."
She stands abruptly, pacing to the window. Her reflection in the glass looks torn, conflicted. "This is insane. Magic and ley lines and destiny. People don't actually believe in this stuff."
"People here do."
"Do you?"
"Yes."
Quinn turns to face me. "Why? What makes you so sure?"
Because my bear chose you the moment you walked into this tavern. Because I can feel the mate bond forming between us, tying your soul to mine. Because I've been waiting my whole life for you without knowing it.
But I can't say any of that. Not yet. Not until she's ready to hear it.
"Because I've lived here my whole life," I say instead. "I've seen what the land does. How it protects people. How it bringsthe right people together at the right time. I've seen it work too many times to doubt it."
"And me? You think the land brought me here for you?"
"I think the land brought you here to heal. What happens after that is your choice."
She studies me for a long moment, her brow furrowing. "You're holding something back."
My heart stutters. "Quinn...”
"I can tell. There's something you're not saying." She crosses back to me, stopping close enough that I can smell her shampoo. "What is it?"
Tell her. The bear demands it. Tell her what she is to us. Tell her everything.
But the fear of losing her is stronger than the instinct. Fear of seeing acceptance turn to horror. Fear of watching her walk away from the best thing that's ever happened to me.
"It's complicated," I manage.
"Everything about this is complicated." Quinn reaches up, cupping my jaw the way she did last night. "But I'm still here. I'm still choosing this. So tell me what you're afraid to say."
The words rise in my throat, fighting to get out. She deserves the truth. Deserves to know what I am, what we could be together. Deserves the chance to make an informed decision.
But before I can speak, my phone buzzes in my pocket. Once. Twice. Three times in rapid succession.
I pull out the phone, read the message from Calder. Six words that make my heart stop.
Ley line surge. Jonah's signature detected.
"Eli?" Quinn's watching me, concern replacing her earlier intensity. "What's wrong?"
"I have to go." I'm already moving toward the door, grabbing my keys. "Family emergency. I'm sorry, I...”
"Is everything okay?"
No. Nothing's okay. If Calder's detecting Jonah's signature in the ley lines, it means something massive just happened. Either my missing brother is trying to reach us, or— I can't let myself think about the alternative. And Quinn's standing here with questions I can't answer while my clan needs me.
