Page 25 of Claimed By Her Bear

“Just leave me be,” Shekita cried out.

“Go,” Pola growled.

Bobbie had taken a step forward, then must have thought better of it. She whirled around on her heel and headed to her car. She yanked the door open, glared at them one last time, then got in, slamming the door shut.

The engine flared to life. The wheels screeched as Bobbie backed out of the driveway. Once she was in the street, she took off down the road. The red taillights grew smaller, then soon disappeared off into the night.

“We need to talk,” Pola growled.

ChapterTen

Shekita’s body trembled uncontrollably. She followed Pola into the house and shut the door behind her. If this had not been a serious confrontation, she would have laughed at the fact that Pola had been ready to fight Bobbie in nothing but Shekita’s too-small bathrobe.

Shekita felt Pola’s heated stare on her. She hadn’t turned away from the door yet. She didn’t want to see what was in Pola’s eyes. She also couldn’t believe that Bobbie had found her new house.

Shekita had done everything she could to keep Bobbie from knowing where she lived and her contact information. The only other thing she could have done was leave Black Fish. But then her family would have been distraught if she had moved far away. It would have meant getting a new job and all the things she didn’t want to do.

It was unfair that it would be she who would have to start over just to get away from someone who had terrorized her at the end of their relationship.

“Is she the reason you don’t want to talk about the elephant that’s been sitting in the room?” Pola’s voice was low and emotionless.

Shekita squeezed her eyes tight, bracing her hands against the door. She needed some type of strength to get through this conversation. Her knees grew weak and shaky. Slowly, she turned and leaned back against the door. Pola’s face was void of any expression.

“She’s part of the reason,” Shekita whispered. She wasn’t going to stand there and lie to Pola. There was so much that had happened between her and Bobbie that she had promised herself she wouldn’t dive into another relationship until she was sure the person really cared for her.

Pola’s bear chose you, a voice whispered in her ear.

Shekita’s heart sped up at that notion. She had made herself a promise that she would only choose someone who would put her first, respect her, care for her, protect her. Someone who would never harm her but make her smile and laugh.

She met Pola’s gaze and knew that person was standing in front of her.

She had been a fool.

Pola would be all those things if she’d let her.

“Is she who you would prefer?” Pola crept closer. She barely blinked waiting for Shekita’s answer. She stopped where there was only a hair’s breadth of space between them. Shekita tilted her head back, resting it on the door, so she could continue to meet Pola’s gaze.

“No.” Shekita’s body trembled. This time it wasn’t from fear but from desire. Whenever Pola was near, her body flared to life. She drew in a shaky breath and took in the scent of Pola. She smelled of the fresh outdoors. If she closed her eyes, she could imagine warm, cozy nights, a slight breeze, and the fresh scent of a storm brewing in the air.

It was funny she would think of a storm.

That was how Pola had come into her life.

The woman was a like a strong gust of wind, knocking down all of her walls and breathing new life into her.

Pola rested her hands on the door, trapping her. Shekita didn’t feel threatened by her at all. Pola would never harm her. It was something that didn’t have to be said between them. She knew deep down in her heart that she couldn’t avoid the inevitable.

She was Pola’s mate.

And she should not deny what Pola knew and what she felt. Even though she was human, she sensed they belonged together. No one had made her feel how Pola did.

“Is this scent of desire that I smell on you for her?” Pola practically growled. Her fangs peeked from underneath her lips.

Shekita zeroed in on them. Her breath froze in her chest as she thought of those fangs piercing her soft flesh. To be claimed by a shifter, she would have to bear their mark. Her core clenched at the thought of being branded by Pola. Being cherished by Pola.

Being loved by Pola.

Shekita blinked, her breaths coming in pants.

---