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)
With our treats in hand, we settle back into our booth, Grant diving into his mountain of ice cream with enthusiasm. “So,” he starts around a mouthful of chocolate sprinkles, “what’s up with you lately? You’ve been more growly than usual.”
I shrug, taking a spoonful of my concoction. It’s damn good, better than I expected. The smooth bourbon gives the ice cream a little kick. “Just a phase, I guess. Things get quiet at the cabin, gives a guy too much time to think.”
Grant gives me a hard look that only a twin can manage without it being outright judgmental. “It’s time to find your own mate.”
After I finish choking on my ice cream, I open my mouth, ready to sputter my outrage at his suggestion, but the words evaporate when I see her.
The back door swings open, and time stops as a stunning human walks in carrying a large tub of ice cream. My pulse accelerates as she glides through the doorway like she’s some fairytale princess. Tall and curvy, with a confidence radiating in her every step, the stunning human commands attention. Sunlight spills through the large windows, adding a halo effect that surrounds her golden blonde hair. My stomach flips, and I can almost feel the ground shake beneath me as a primal vibration rolls through me.
Her hazel eyes sparkle with mischief and warmth as they scan the room. She’s wearing a fitted emerald-green sweater dress that hugs her figure just right, with a silky scarf tied around her graceful neck. Damn it, I’m not sure whether to be intimidated or completely in awe. My inner bear stirs, awakening with a low growl as the word “mine” echoes in my brain.
I manage to swallow the rest of the ice cream in my mouth, nearly suffocating myself with the effort. “Uh,” I mumble, my voice slightly strangled, still feeling the warmth of embarrassment flooding my cheeks as I try to compose myself. “I just found her.”
Grant’s eyes pop open wide. “What? Why didn’t you tell me?” he asks, disbelief etching every feature on his face. He turns to where I’m staring, and I can see the exact moment his gaze falls on the stunning blonde, all poise and confidence. “Oh fuck. You are in so much trouble. That gorgeous woman is going to give your ugly ass a run for your money.”
“Fuck off,” I insist, feeling heat fill my cheeks. I can’t believe this is fucking happening, but there’s something different about this stunning woman. Something powerful binding us together for all eternity.
I can't take my eyes off her as she walks closer to the counter, her movements fluid and graceful. I forget about the ice cream melting in front of me as she draws me in deeper. Why does she feel like home?
“I need popcorn for this show.” Grant smirks and sits back with his arm thrown over the seat back. I shoot him a death glare, silently begging him to just leave me alone while I try to figure this shit out. My goddamn cock already has things figured out—it’s hard as a rock. A sure fucking sign the stunning human is my eternal mate since no one but my soulmate will cause my body to react.
I watch as she sets the tub of ice cream on the counter before she turns to smile brightly at a couple sitting in a booth across from us. The way her lips curve, the way she throws back her head to laugh, I feel my heart racing ten thousand miles per hour. My bear urges me to storm over and claim her in front of everyone, but suddenly the gravity of it all sinks in like a heavy weight.
My human mate might not take kindly to her polar bear mate causing a disturbance.
Needing to cool off my inner bear a little bit, I take another bite of the banana split. But the universe conspires against me, and I end up aspirating the bourbon glaze-covered ice cream. Fucking great.
Chapter 2
Louisa
The grand opening of Polar Scoops is a whirl of excitement and chaos, and I can hardly believe this moment’s finally here. Two weeks of sleepless nights and an endless roll of to-do lists have led to this day. Honestly, there’s something intimidating about opening an ice cream shop in a town filled with polar bear shifters, but I somehow managed to pull it off.
After a whirlwind morning, my feet ache with exhaustion. Honey pecan, the most popular flavor we have, is running low so I figure it’s time to restock. While Wendy helps the people in line, I squeeze through the crowd and head toward the walk-in freezer, feeling the icy blast hit me as I pull the heavy door open.
The sight inside is slightly chaotic with tubs of ice cream stacked around like a frosty game of Tetris. My eyes land on the honey pecan and I hurry to grab the new tub before I freeze. As I race back out, the cold from the frosty tub seeps through my clothes, sending a chill down my spine.