Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

Kodiak

M y thoughts are all over the place, running wild in my head as my bear struggles with my distress and Callie’s disbelief. I’m torn between handling her fucking ex and making him pay for what he did to her and trying to help my mate understand the truth. It’s equally daunting as I hold her in my arms, debating if I want to see her expression and the doubt I can guess will be evident in her eyes.

I need to call Spike and get him updated, then see if Sly can run her ex’s information. He’ll be able to determine whether or not that fucker is sniffing around my mate. But first, I need to allay her fears about not being safe because I won’t let anything happen to her.

Our mate , my bear grumbles. We won’t let anything happen to her ever again.

I shake my head at his shenanigans. I’m well-aware that he and I are in this together, but for some possessed reason, he wants to be an asshole. Maybe it’s because he’s raging like I am at a man putting his hands on Callie in such a way she had to have surgery.

We’ll make him suffer.

On that, we’re united.

“The rumors are likely true,” I admit, returning to our conversation. “Wolves running around? An alligator in the water out at the kayak shop? The elephant in City Park? All truth, Sweetheart. Yukon Bluff is the perfect place for shifters who are misfits in their own packs, clans, clowders, or murders. While shifters as a whole don’t advertise our existence, there are so many here in town that there’s not much of a choice.”

“So, they’re real,” she slowly concludes as she turns and faces me.

“Yes,” I confirm, holding her gaze. I notice the moment she realizes what that means and how it connects to me.

“So, if shifters are real,” she pauses as her eyes widen. “That means you’re a shifter too, Kodiak.”

“I am.”

I watch as she blinks, nibbling on her bottom lip. “Uh, what kind?”

“A bear,” I growl as my bear uses that moment to insert his gruff and powerful tone. The asshole’s preening for our mate and it’s not the right time!

Callie jumps.

Shit. She’s scared.

My bear isn’t upset. He’s eager. I can feel his desire for her to see him and learn he’s not a threat. He wants her to feel his fur and nuzzle into his warmth.

Before she can reply, I’m blurting out an offer to her. “I can show you.”

“Show,” she gulps, “me?”

“Yes.”

My bear is almost uncontrollable now. I’m wrestling him as I try to keep him from bursting free. He will never harm Callie but he’s so excited that it can end in disaster soon if I don’t give him the chance for a smooth transition.

“Say yes,” I breathe harshly, holding back another growl.

“Uh, okay?”

As soon as I have her agreement, I’m hauling her to her feet, and tugging her toward her backyard. Since I know the property so well and our club routinely follows up with clients, I don’t have to worry about someone seeing my bear. I’ve got a blanket wrapped tight around her shoulders as we exit the house, hurrying into the forest that borders the edge of the property.

My skin tingles as a shiver erupts all over my body. Heat follows as my limbs feel like they’re being pulled and stretched without my permission. The shift is never easy even after all these years, but it definitely beats those first few when I felt every single bone snap then reform into limbs. The pain of it doesn’t faze me but it’s a reminder that I’m not completely human.

I’m different than Callie. But she’s still my mate, even if I don’t understand how we’ll be compatible. The logistics don’t matter, only the fact that I’ve found her, and I won’t ever let her go. I’m her protector now and I’ll defend her viciously against any threat.

For the next few minutes, I go as far as I can into the forest until I’m forced to stop. My bones begin popping and snapping as we enter a small clearing, far enough from the neighborhood that my growls and snarls won’t alert anyone to danger or induce panic. Dark hair sprouts on my arms, legs, and face. The fur thickens as I lower to my knees, keeping my gaze on Callie.

Her hands slap over her mouth as she stares, taking in the brutal changes overcoming me. “Oh, shit, Kodiak.”

My teeth elongate and I feel my jaw crack as the bone breaks. I finish the transformation with a roar, letting the wild beast inside me free. My vision sharpens. My hearing intensifies.

Callie’s heart is pumping fast as adrenaline spikes in her bloodstream. Her respiration rate increases. I see her pupils dilate. It’s a fight or flight response.

My mate is deciding on whether to run from me or toward me.

Everything inside my bear is on alert. He’s tracking her every movement, the rise and fall of her chest, her rapid breathing, and even her tense muscles as she stands before us, the blanket forgotten on the ground around her ankles. She dropped it without realizing it.

“Kodiak?” Her voice is only a whisper.

I slowly place my paws on the cold ground, moving in her direction. My head lowers as the bear submits to his mate in this instance only. He’s a predator. An alpha. He bows to no one but this slight female in a moment of vulnerability.

Callie blinks. Our eyes meet. And something. . . clicks . I see the hesitation disappear and her shoulders relax. It’s slight but my bear notices and a flash of white-hot desire courses through me. She accepts us.

I dare to close the remaining distance that separates us, bumping her hand with my snout.

She reaches out, sliding her hand over my muzzle, across my neck, and stops as she strokes the thick fur along my flank. “So soft.”

I’m in heaven. A low grunt leaves my chest and I resist burying my snout in her belly. There’s a strong pull to sink lower and press Callie into the grass on her back, sticking my nose into the apex of her thighs and scenting my female. I can already smell her musk and the need to taste her drives my bear wild. He’s salivating.

Callie doesn’t notice. She’s too busy petting my fur, digging her hands in and marveling at the wild beast being tamed by her touch. “You’re warm. Really warm. I’m not even cold, Kodiak.”

I huff at her comment. Bears are warm-blooded animals. We generate internal heat and maintain our temperature with ease no matter the weather.

Her head lowers and her cheek rests on my shoulder. “I thought this would scare me.”

I wait for her to continue as she pauses, anxious to hear more.

“But I’m not. I mean, I know you’re dangerous. You’re a bear.” She sighs. “I guess what I mean is that I know you won’t hurt me. Inside, you’re kind and good and everything Jeremy never was.”

With the reminder of her ex, I can’t hold back a growl, my teeth flashing at the thought of her being hurt.

“I know. You hate what happened to me. That’s why I know you’re not a violent person.”

I want to contradict that statement. I can be violent when it’s necessary. In my youth, it happened without my consent more than once. Every shifter has that ability. Our beasts are animals with instincts that run contradictory to human nature, at least until we have better control of both halves.

“Kodiak? Will you change back now?” she asks.

I dip my head and agree.

Callie stands as I reverse the shift, returning to my human form. “Wow,” she gasps.

I glance down, noting my naked body and the large, muscled specimen she’s ogling. My cock is partially aroused by this experience and ready to impress my mate. Hanging low, it swings as I walk toward her, nearly reaching mid-thigh.

Noticing that she’s staring, I puff out my chest. “All yours whenever you want it.”

Her gaze snaps to mine. “Uh.” Her pink tongue flicks out, wetting her lips. “Okay.” That last part comes out like a little squeak.

My bear chortles inside, knowing it won’t be long before we claim her.

“Do you lose your clothes when you become the bear?”

“They’re torn apart during the process.” Maybe she missed that part because she focused on the changing limbs and popping bones.

I stride forward and pick up the blanket, wrapping it around her shoulders as I lead her back home. We’re silent until we’re inside and I lock the door. Knowing she might be uncomfortable seeing me naked, I sling a blanket around my hips and join her on the pallet.

A part of me wants to ask her thoughts about what she witnessed in the forest. Another wants to kiss her and spend the rest of the night bringing her pleasure.

“You said something earlier. Will you elaborate on what you meant when you said the word ‘mate’?”

“For a shifter, it’s the equivalent of a spouse, but also much more. We believe we are fated to find the one woman who is our greatest love. A shifter’s mate is his other half. There’s a pull and connection so strong it forms a bond that’s unbreakable.”

“I see.” Her hands clench in her lap and she clears her throat. “And you think I’m your mate?”

“Not think. I know ,” I clarify, leaving no room for doubt.

“This is a lot to take in, Kodiak.”

I tilt her chin up until our eyes lock. “I know. I’m not making any demands, only being as honest as possible. For me, you’re it.” My mouth captures hers. It takes all the restraint I can muster to stay in control and pull away from her pillow-soft lips.

“Kodiak,” she breathes.

Fuck. I want her. This is torture , my bear whines.

“This is why I have to ask a question and I need an answer.”

She nods.

“What’s Jeremy’s last name, Callie?”

She doesn’t ask why because there’s only one reason and it’s obvious. “Jeremy Thornberry.”

“Good girl,” I praise. “Thank you, Sweetheart. I need to make a call.”

Callie remains silent while I dial Sly.

After two rings, he answers. “Kodiak, what can I do for you, brother?”

“Someone is following my mate and harassing her,” I growl without being able to help myself.

Sly hisses. “Damn.”

“I think it might be her ex. His name is Jeremy Thornberry. Need you to dig deep and find whatever you can on this piece of shit.”

“I’m on it.”

“And there’s one more thing. We’re not sure how he found her. She changed her identity and moved away. There shouldn't have been anything to lead him to Yukon Bluff.”

“I’ll see what I can dig up and swing by once I have anything.”

“Appreciate you, Sly.”

We end the call and I dial Spike, filling him in on everything that happened since we last spoke.

“Whoever drove that truck onto her driveway is dangerous. Her house isn’t secure.”

Callie winces and I kiss her temple.

“I’m sending Nix and Fang. Nothin’ should surprise you.”

Good. The storm has eased enough they can use one of the trucks. “No bikes. Don’t wanna tip off whoever is watchin’ her place.”

“You won’t know they’re there.”

He’s right. Fang’s wolf and Nix’s phoenix can handle the weather or any other issue without a problem. Both are excellent trackers and hunters.

“And one more thing. I need clothes,” I add.

“Why?” Spike asks, suspicion lacing his tone.

“Because Callie saw my bear.”

There’s silence on the line for a full ten seconds. “No shit?” he questions. He sounds shocked, which almost never happens.

“Yep. She loves him,” I reply, my bear preening inside of me at the way our mate reacted to him.

Callie arches a brow but doesn’t contradict me, which has me smirking back at her.

Love might not be the most accurate word to describe her reaction, but it will happen with time.

Of course. She won’t be able to resist us. My bear is nothing if not confident. We will bring her much pleasure, and cubs. Lots and lots of cubs.

He needs to get off his one track; I’d like a little bit of time of it just being the two of us before we’re inundated with cubs.

“I’ll send some shit for you to wear.” I can hear the humor in Spike’s voice.

“Thanks. More food too. We’re gonna need it in the morning.”

“I’ll arrange it.”

“Thanks, Pres.”

After we finish the call, I pocket my phone. One glance at Callie and I can see she’s exhausted. I don’t plan to sleep in case her ex or any other threat shows up, so I pull her close, settling her between my legs as she snuggles against my chest. I’m careful to keep the blanket around my hips in place so Callie won’t be poked by the persistent hard-on I’ve had since I shifted.

“Sleep, Sweetheart. I got you.”

She yawns and I feel her relax. “Good night, Kodiak.”

“Good night, Beautiful.”