Page 23 of Stolen Mate

“I don’t know,” said Derek. “Dash’s burgers are damn good.”

Betty rolled her eyes, “And his fries are addictive. He uses some special secret seasoning on them.”

“That sounds great, but literally it’s been years since I had trout.”

Derek reached behind the door and grabbed his fishing rod and tackle basket. Most days he just shifted, walked into the river, and caught what he wanted. But today was not most days. He left them with Tess telling Betty what she remembered and how she’d felt, knowing his mate was in good hands.

As he walked down to the dock, he reached into his back pocket for his phone and called Zak.

“What?” snarled Zak into the phone.

He could hear Sienna giggle in the background. Apparently big brother had been enjoying the delights of his mate.

“I’ll make this quick. Do you remember the stories about Teresa Travers?”

“The woman who got snatched in Anchorage but got away? Don’t I remember one of the Shadow Sisters got killed?”

“How awful,” he heard Sienna say in the background.

“It was a long time ago, baby. Why bring her up?”

“Because I think her daughter is here.”

“Shit. That whole episode is still a thorn in Henry’s side.”

“What happened?” asked Sienna.

“Her mate found out where she was and tried to take her back. There was a fight and she killed him, and then a couple of tourists who didn’t know what they were dealing with killed her. There was always a question of whether or not there had been a baby, and if so, what happened to it.”

“Well, there was a baby; she survived. Zak, she’s here, and she’s my fated mate.”

“She’s your—” he interrupted himself with his laughter.

“It’s not funny.”

“It sort of is. Look at it this way, at least she’s a polar bear. Where is she now?”

“Inside, Betty’s looking her over. I’m going to fix dinner. I’ll try to get her to come to Otter Cove. She needs our help.”

“Agreed. The faster you get her claimed and the two of you are bonded, the better it will be.”

“I agree, but here’s the real problem…”

“There’s more?”

“Unfortunately. She doesn’t know…”

“About her mother being attacked by one of Henry’s clan?”

“That, either. And she doesn’t know about the murdered Shadow Sister. But the real kicker is she doesn’t know she’s a shifter.”

“How can that be?”

“I have no idea. I’m going to try and talk with her…”

“Give me the phone,” he heard Sienna say. “Derek? She might not want to come here. If she hasn’t a clue as to what she is, she’s going to need some time to process. Of course, both of you are welcome here, but…”

He could hear Zak reclaiming his phone. “Your mate; your call. I’ll back whatever play you want to make, but I’m sending a couple of our guys to keep watch over you, your mate, and your place. I’ll tell them to keep out of sight, but I don’t want you alone.”

---