BEARly Mated to the Grizzly (Bear Clan 2)

And although it helped marginally, it wasn’t a cure. The only thing that would fully help, fully control the raging beast that was housed inside of me, was my mate.

When I finally got to my destination, I pulled my pack off and set it on the ground. Already, my bear was itching to come out, to run free. If I was smart, I would’ve set up camp for the night first, but my inner animal was too restless, too untamed in this moment.

I had to shift.

I had to run.

I stripped out of my clothes and set them beside my pack, closing my eyes and just inhaling deeply, taking it all in. I smelled everything, the wind that moved through the pine needles, the small animals running around. My senses were heightened to the nth degree. I could hear the trickling of water from the creek nearby, made out the sound of a bird overhead.

I felt the shift come over me, this tingling that started at the base of my spine and moved up. I felt the stretching of my skin, felt the blood rush through every part of my body, making my muscles stronger, thicker. My nails lengthened into claws, bursting free from the tips of my fingers. My bones broke and realigned, my skin peeling away from my body and being replaced with fur.

This all happened in a matter of moments, too quick to really take everything in if there was somebody watching.

I fell onto what were now my front paws, giving a mighty shake, my fur moving over my bones. I curled my claws into the dirt, feeling energy rush through me. And then I made my way into the forest, picking up speed as I let my bear have control.

I didn’t know how long I ran, but I found myself closer to town then I liked when I was shifted. Hell, I didn’t even like being around people when I was in my human form, and that feeling was intensified when my bear was released.

I turned around, intent on heading back up the mountain, running the entire way to get this extra energy out of me, when the wind picked up and blew from the right. It was that scent, something sweet, addicting, that had every part of me freezing. I felt my muscles contract and relax, felt my heart start to pound harder.

There was one thing that came to mind.

Mine.

I dug my claws into the dirt even harder, this low growl leaving me. I swung my massive head in the direction that the scent came from and before I realized what was happening, I was making my way toward it, unable to stop myself.

Moving faster, I needed to be closer to that aroma. And then I stopped before the tree line broke, before I was stepping into a clearing where a small cabin was. The scent was diminishing the more the wind picked up, but it still lingered in the air, still had my heart beating wildly and my mouth watering for a taste.

Through the window on the back of the cabin, I saw the one thing that was meant to be mine.

Her.

My mate.

I could see her through the glass, just a thin pane keeping her from me. I was doing everything in my power to control myself, but I moved closer to the structure, needing her, unable to control myself.

My mate. I’d finally found her.

There was no stopping me, even if her seeing me like this would surely frighten her.

Once I was standing on the deck, my nails scraping against the wood, I inhaled deeply. I was letting out deep, animalistic sounds.

I moved closer to the window so I could see her more clearly. Long dark hair tumbled down in waves along her back. A body that was curvy, womanly… made for me. She lifted her head and looked out the window, her eyes this bright blue color.

For a moment she didn’t see me, not yet, but as she started to turn away, her gaze landed on me. I watched as her eyes widened in fear. And then she screamed, her fear making me feel like a bastard. But I couldn’t force myself to move, couldn’t find the strength to walk away.

Nothing was going to make me go from her.

I backed up, my big body hitting the railing of the porch, my claws leaving gouges in the wood of the deck. My bear was in full control right now, and I fucking hated that my human side wasn’t strong enough to force him to be calm, to make him realize that we were frightening our mate.

I butted my head against the back door, and the only thing on my mind was getting in there, claiming her, having her close.

Mine.

Get to her.

Be with her.

Over and over I slammed my big body into the door, wanting to be next to her, wanting to have her hands on my body, her fingers moving through my fur. I didn’t want to frighten her. I wanted her to know I’d never hurt her. All she saw was a wild animal trying to get in.