Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 16943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 85(@200wpm)___ 68(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 85(@200wpm)___ 68(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
“Damn right,” I continue, leaning back as if I’m straight-up royalty. “Then comes Grant. He’s almost as good looking as me.”
Louisa snorts at that, amusement lighting her features, and I relish in it. “And let’s not forget about my sister Gianna—she’s like an explosion of energy and sass. Finally, we have Dillon, the youngest and the biggest pain in the ass.”
“Wow,” she blows out, her eyes wide as she processes this. “Your parents must’ve been really busy with four rambunctious polar bear shifters running around the house.”
“Actually, there are three polar bear shifters and one grizzly shifter.” I want her to know everything about my family.
She blinks several times. “How did that happen?”
“Our family is a mixed shifter family. When my dad, a grizzly shifter from Honey Pot Hollow, came to town years ago for work, he met our polar bear shifter mother and fell head over heels. Or in shifter talk, his inner bear roared “mine” and it was a done deal. Since polar bear DNA is stronger than grizzly DNA, there’s a greater chance of having polar bear cubs. My parents ended up with three male polar bear cubs and one female grizzly cub.”
Her mouth falls open and I can see the wheels turning in her mind as she absorbs the information. “Oh. I had no idea that could happen.” She smiles at me. “I can see I have a lot to learn about shifters.”
I stroll over and wrap my arm around her shoulders, feeling that familiar surge of warmth flood through me. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll teach you everything you need to know.” I give my eyebrows a playful wiggle, and she can’t help but chuckle, a sound that sends a flush of happiness through my soul.
With a teasing grin, I stare down into her eyes, “Now, tell me about your family.” I want to know everything about my mate.
She shrugs, a hint of uncertainty flashing across her features. “There isn’t much to tell. Just me and my plain, boring, human parents.”
“There isn’t anything plain or boring about you, sweetheart,” I respond in all seriousness. The urge to pull her closer, to bridge any distance between us, takes over, and I lean in, pressing a soft kiss against her lips. It’s a gentle but electric spark that ignites something deep inside me.
When I pull back, I can’t help but smirk at the way her eyes dance with surprise and delight, and it lights me up even more.
Louisa walks over to the bookshelf I’ve been filling with a haphazard mix of mystery and fantasy books. “You have an awesome collection,” she muses, perusing the spines with genuine curiosity.
“You’re welcome to anything up there.” Everything I have is hers.
She turns back to me, and our eyes lock, the tension crackling between us. There’s something deeper here, something more than just physical attraction.
“Wanna sit?” I offer, motioning to the couch.
“Sure.” She smiles, and the tiny gesture causes my breath to freeze in my chest. Fuck. She’s so goddamn perfect. As she sinks into the couch, I follow, positioning myself close enough for our combined warmth to radiate around us like an electric current. The world around us fades into the background, leaving just the two of us locked in our own moment.
“Dinner smells wonderful,” Louisa says, leaning back against me, her head just barely brushing my shoulder. The sensation sends a warm rush through me, igniting every protective instinct buried deep within. My inner polar bear stretches beneath my skin, trying to get closer to my mate.
“I can’t take credit for it,” I admit, wrapping my arm around her shoulders, pulling her a little closer, and feeling the tension settle into something comforting. “I can’t even boil water, so I ordered dinner from Papa Bear’s Italian Eatery.”
“Papa Bear’s, huh? Is that the place everyone raves about around here?” she asks, glancing up at me with those captivating eyes. I swear, they shine like emeralds, and they’re way too expressive for my own good.
“That’s it.”
“Wow. So, you pulled out all the stops.” She turns slightly to face me, her curiosity palpable. “What are you planning for an encore?”
I glance down at her, trying to determine the best way to weave my thoughts into something tangible and engaging. “Well, I figured we’d have dinner, maybe watch an awful movie or two,” I start, feigning nonchalance. “And maybe see what mischief we can get into.”
Her eyes widen in surprise, and that silky laughter spills from her lips again, washing over me like a welcome tide. “I’d love to get into a little mischief with you.” As she grins up at me, all my hunger for food melts away, leaving only the intense desire for my adorable mate.
In that moment, I realize I’ve already dove headfirst into a wild and everlasting love. As our laughter settles into an easy rhythm, I know my inner bear was right. My mate is absolutely perfect.