Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
“Bear shifters wait however long it takes for the universe to reveal their fated mate. When we find our soulmate, we seal our bond with a bite that combines our destinies. I’ll place a tiny mark right here.” He runs his nose along the delicate skin at the base of my throat. “It will show everyone that you are taken. The bond also links our life forces for eternity. We will leave this world and move on to the next life at the same time.”
“Shifters aren’t immortal?”
Wilder shakes his head. “Shifters are stronger and naturally healthier than humans. We aren’t susceptible to most human illnesses. Plus, our inner animals protect us from harm, extending our lifetime. But we will die eventually.”
“Do you have shifter-only illnesses?” I remember his dad being sick on our opening day.
“We get mild colds and viruses but nothing serious like cancer.” Wilder smirks at me. “The world can barely handle a bear with a cold. We’re notoriously bad patients, so the universe spared the world having to deal with seriously ill shifters.”
“Will I still get sick once we’re mated?” This mating thing is looking better and better if I can avoid my frequent sinus infections.
“Not as much. Our bond will protect you from most ailments.” I almost pump my fist in the air.
“And our children? We can have kids, right?” I can’t imagine life without children. I’ve always dreamed of being a mother.
“I plan to have at least five kids with you.” He takes our plates to the sink and turns to me. “Or maybe more.” Wilder wiggles his eyebrows suggestively, and my girly parts wake up.
“Will they be humans or shifters?”
“Our kids will eventually become shifters, but they are born human and remain human for the first four years or so.” Oh, man. One day, I’m going to have to figure out how to deal with five or more shifters in the house.
As my mate’s eyes start to droop, I realize it’s getting late, and I need to make sure she gets her rest. “Why don’t we finish this discussion tomorrow?”
I stand up and take her hand. “I’ll make up the guest room for you, so I don’t have to drive you home tonight,” I lie. It wouldn’t bother me to drive her home, but I can’t imagine letting her leave me. Even if it’s temporary.
“Can I borrow a t-shirt to sleep in?” she asks, and visions of my shirt hugging her perfect curvy body cause my cock to turn to stone. Fuck. It’s going to be a long night.
“We can definitely arrange that.”
“This doesn’t mean I’m going to jump into bed with you,” she adds as I lead her down the hallway toward the guest suite across the hall from my bedroom.
“I know you need more time, and I’m willing to wait until you’re ready,” I reassure her. “But nothing will make me happier than knowing you’re resting under my roof.” I might sound like a sappy idiot, but I don’t care.
“I’m happy to be staying with you.” Cora smiles at me. “But first, I need to text Bethany, so she doesn’t worry.”
I’m pretty sure Bethany won’t even notice since she’s probably staying at Clay’s house, but I keep that information to myself, figuring it’s not my place to give Clay and Bethany’s secret away.
While Cora showers, I rush out to the garden and cut a rose from one of the plants, then stop by my room to find an old comfortable t-shirt for my mate to sleep in. I lay the shirt and rose on her bed and hightail it back to my room before I’m tempted to forget my promise to Cora.
I end up spending the night staring at the ceiling as visions of my curvy little mate run through my mind, torturing me. My cock stays hard as a rock all night long. By four am, I can’t take the pain anymore and decide to take a long run around my property. Hopefully, letting my bear run loose will cool my jets.
I strip out of my sweatpants and t-shirt in the laundry room and step out the sliding door. Crickets chirp in the distance as the cool air caresses my overheated skin. Closing my eyes, I let my bear have control as I shift into my animal form.
I end up running for much longer than I’d originally intended to. The sun is peeking over the horizon as I run up to the back door. I’m about to shift into my human form when my ears pick up a slight sound. I turn toward it and find my mate standing on the patio, staring at me.
Cora’s delicate throat moves up and down as she swallows. “Please tell me you’re Wilder.” She takes a step back against the glass.
I nod my head and take a small step toward her. Once I’m sure she isn’t going to turn and run away from me, I drop down and lay my head at her feet. I breathe a sigh of relief when she kneels next to me and lightly pets my head.