Page 29 of Goldie's Grumpy Grizzly
“How is that possible? How can you be so sure?”
“Before you crashed into me, a witch told me you were coming. I didn’t listen. Every time you touched me or kissed me, my healing accelerated. Our bond felt so potent, so pure, and I assumed our connection and your inability to shield your thoughts were why I could so clearly see your world as you worked to put it on paper. I never considered the possibility I’d fallen under the spell you weaved.”
“What spell?” Rae splutters, her voice rising along with her defenses. “I don’t have the first clue how to do any kind of spell. It’s my friend Janelle who’s into all that, burning sage and arranging crystals and whatnot. As far as I know, I’m just an ordinary human, but now you’re telling me I’m not.”
“You told me that when you write, you sometimes get into a state where you can’t even see the words, right? Because in your head, you’re seeing things unfold and you’re capturing it with your writing, describing it so people can see what you see.”
“Yeah. So?”
“There’s magic in that, Goldie, whether you know it or not. You. You alone are magic and it works its way into every little thing you do.”
“So, what are you saying?”
“I’m saying you’re a witch. Just like the woman who murdered my father. And I’ll never be able to trust a witch.”
Three days, two nights. That’s all that’s left of Rae’s time here at Wilderwood. I have every intention of letting the time pass without bidding her farewell. After I found out what she really is, I shifted into my bear and led her down the mountain, avoiding further conversation.
Oh, at first, she went on and on trying to convince me that she really didn’t know her origins. That if she had been spellcasting, it’d all been innocent and unintentional. She’d never presume to cross boundaries and enchant anyone against their will.
But it’s not the enchanting that bothers me.
It’s the fact that I’d been bewitched before. And with disastrous results.
Finally, after a while, she gave up, became sullen and withdrawn. As she grew tired and her legs grew heavy, I nudged her onto my back and carried her the rest of the way home.
Once I was certain she was safe, I trudged off into the fading light to find another one of my dens.
It’s where I’ve been staying ever since.
Now that I’ve had some time to calm down, I realize I might’ve been too quick to jump to conclusions about her intentions. In my heart, I know Rae is not the beguiling liar that Magen had been, but I’d been too shaken to think it through. My sweet girl who calls a vet to check on a beast she runs into, who cuddles a grumpy bear because she’s seen my scar, and who cries because she’s felt my private pain.
It’s probably a dick move to stay away, but I remind myself that it’s better this way. We’ll both be better off without having to go through greater pain by strengthening our bond any more than it is.
My only problem is my bear refuses to leave her alone.
Even now, I’m stuck pacing in the shadows of the tall pine trees surrounding my cabin where I know Rae’s holed up, writing. Judging by the pace she’s kept, I think she must be nearly finished, though for some reason I can no longer see the scenes she’s writing as she types.
I huff, chomping berries off a nearby bush. Too late, I realize I’m not alone and I jump to find the burnished brown fur of Connor’s bear stealthily making his way across to me. Just behind him, lumbering up the trail is the rich, dark chocolate brown coat of Clayton’s bear.
What the hell are you two doing here? I bare my teeth in warning. I don’t need my brothers any closer to my cabin or my wo—no, nevermind.
Connor jerks his head to one side, jaw snapping. Your thoughts are so damn loud, neither of us are getting any sleep.
You didn’t say that the woman who could’ve killed you also happens to be your mate. Clay sidles up next to me and takes a bite of the berry bush I was snacking on.
It’s irrelevant.
Right. Sure. Because you don’t have any desire for a mate. Connor snorts.
I scowl. You don’t understand.
No, I sure don’t. Connor’s jaw snaps, teeth flashing and ears flattened. A sure sign of irritation and aggression, which surprises me. He rarely, if ever, gets on my case about anything.
What’s your problem?
Oh, me? My problem is I spend all my time trying to hunt my mate down, Cole. Connor’s eyes flash with annoyance. I look for her in every new townie, in every visitor, on every out of town trip. Because I want to live my life before it’s over. I want a taste of what mom and dad had. I want to connect, soul to soul.
It’s true. I’ve watched my brother scour the globe, go on more dates than I could ever count, and indulge in every stray Mama invites to family dinner. He’s a natural flirt, always has been, but deep down, he’s always been on the hunt.
