Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 94(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 94(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
“Does it bother you?” I hope my mate doesn’t feel that I’m intruding on his thoughts.
“Not at all. I love sharing everything with you. Everything,” Thorne reassures me. “Well, almost everything. Papa Bear taught me how to shield my mind in order to keep special surprises from you.” That will be a handy trick at Christmas time.
Once I started sensing his thoughts, Thorne explained to me that most bear shifters can communicate nonverbally with their bear shifter mates, but he had no idea if it would also be true with our shifter-human mating.
“And another thing. That band howls louder than a cat on a liver truck.” Bossy Bear gives a fake shudder to demonstrate his point.
The next night, I stare down at the diamond ring on my finger. Earlier today, we had a short, simple wedding ceremony, and Thorne surprised me with the two-carat emerald-cut diamond ring.
I love you. I communicate to Thorne, wondering if he’ll hear my unspoken words over the loud music on stage.
I love you, too, sweet girl. Bossy Bear wraps his arm around my shoulder and hugs me close. I’m not going to lie; I kinda feel silly standing in the empty pit with just my mate.
Thorne went overboard in his effort to make me happy. Bossy Bear bought every single pit ticket so I could be close to the stage without taking the chance that some wild concertgoer might bump into me and hurt the baby.
I really think you went a little crazy. Buying two hundred tickets to this concert was too much. Thorne waited until we arrived and found the completely empty pit to tell me what he’d done. I’m truly shocked that he managed to shield his secret from me until tonight.
Nothing is too much for my sweet girl. I live to make you happy. Bossy Bear’s words melt my heart, and I feel tears forming in my eyes. Darn pregnancy hormones.
Then we’re a perfect pair because you mean everything to me. I lean against my husband, hoping this concert ends soon so we can go back to our hotel room and I can show him just how much.
Epilogue Two
Thorne
I stare down at my sleeping mate and feel my inner bear sigh with contentment. After pulling the covers up over her, I cradle my newborn son against my chest and head out to the living room to let her rest.
Although it was an easy labor and delivery, I nearly tore that fucking hospital to shreds while my wife whimpered in pain. Papa Bear and my brothers attempted to take me outside to calm me down, but there was no way I’d leave Mabel’s side.
Once my little Theodore came howling into the world, things calmed down a tiny bit, but we’re still adjusting to being a family of three.
We just got home from the hospital this morning, and I’m allowing my family to come to see our new addition tomorrow but only for a little while. Today, I’m letting my wife rest while I spend time with my little clone.
I struggle to get us settled on the large sofa, but my son sleeps through everything. When my phone rings, I grumble under my breath. I’m going to kill the motherfucker who’s interrupting us.
I see Clay’s name flash across the screen and answer. “What?”
“Did you really name your son Teddy?” my younger brother hisses. “Are you trying to put a fucking target on his back?”
“My mate chose the name and I happen to love it.” I plan to make sure my son can kick ass if someone is stupid enough to make fun of his name.
“Good God,” Clay grumbles, and I hear Angel Baby howling in the background. My brother offered to babysit my spoiled pooch for a few days while we adjust to having a newborn in the house. “Your first dependent isn’t happy with the current situation.”
My little Chihuahua had been acting out during my mate’s pregnancy. I had to take the stubborn dog in hand and break some of the bad habits he’d developed as an only child. My efforts paid off, and he’s been much better lately.
Once the little dog felt secure in his place in our family, he became insanely protective of Mabel. Of course, my inner bear is still the most obsessed being on earth. My mate can’t sneeze without my bear jumping to attention.
“Angel Baby is only doing that because he knows you’re an easy target. Grow some balls and tell him to calm down. The little shit will listen,” I instruct Clay, then hang up the phone before he can argue.
“Your uncles are pushovers. I’ll teach you how to wrap them around your little finger. I have a bet with Papa Bear about how long it will take for them to get in a fight over who’s your favorite uncle. And I need a new zero-turn riding lawnmower.” I smile down at my sleeping son and realize I probably shouldn’t teach him to torture his uncles. My mate will kick my ass if she finds out I’m already corrupting our little one. Oh well, I actually love my mate’s ass-kickings. So, it’s a win-win for me.