Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 121871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
I nod my head, glad that at least one of us knows how this is supposed to work.
“So Dominic didn’t claim her until the first mating moon?”
She nods. “From what they said, he could have before then, but the transition would be easier if he waited. So he did.”
She lets out a little laugh and rubs her belly. “The mating moon gets all shifters though, not just the ones mated to humans. I guess this storm has good timing.”
“What do you mean?” I ask in confusion.
“I guess you wouldn’t know. Unless you’re mated, you don’t really pay attention to it as closely. But when the mating moon approaches, you want to make sure your house is stocked and you don’t have plans for a few days. I’m already pregnant, so the pull won’t be as strong. But all the other couples will notice a change.”
“But what does this have to do with the storm?”
She waves her hand like I should understand her meaning. “The mating moon is tonight, Koda. Shifters are going to be holed up in their cabins in a snowstorm, with Mother Nature telling them to breed.” She lets out a laugh. “Just be glad you’re not a newly mated shifter. I hear it’s pretty rough.”
A sinking feeling hits my stomach, and I feel like the earth shifts under me.
“Koda, are you okay? You look a little pale.”
I shake my head, trying to push away the thoughts running through my mind. “I’m fine.”
“Why all the sudden questions about mating?”
I shrug my shoulders and look away. “I’ve just been feeling lonely lately. It’s hard to be around couples and cubs and not want one of my own.”
Winnie reaches out, rubbing my knee. I put my hand on top of hers and look into her honey-brown eyes, the same color as mine.
“You’ll find her one day, Koda. And when you do, you’ll turn your world upside down for her.”
I nod, unable to tell her the whole story. I don’t know why, but I want to make sure that everything is perfect between Snow and me before I tell anyone. I feel as if our mating is something special, and I don’t want to tell anyone for fear it will all disappear. Like waking up from a dream that’s too good to be true.
“Kiss Micah for me when he wakes up. And take care of this little cub, too.” I reach down and rub her belly before giving her a hug goodbye.
“Be sure to stock up on food if you’re going to be stuck in your cabin for a while.”
I pause at the door, my hand on the knob. For a second I wonder if Winnie knows about my mate, but there’s no way.
Looking over my shoulder, I smile at her and head out. I grab Snow’s suitcase from behind the tree and make my way into town for a few supplies. The storm is getting almost impossible to navigate, so I don’t have much time.
Chapter 5
Koda
I unlock the bolts and enter my cabin, shutting the door behind me and locking it again. I place the packages of food on the kitchen counter, thinking I may have gotten too much, but I want to make sure my mate is well provided for.
Once I’ve got the bags out of my arms, I notice the pot on the stove, a mouthwatering smell coming from it. Walking over, I see that it’s a pot of stew, and my stomach growls loudly. The smell is wonderful and makes me think of a good home-cooked meal, something I usually have to go to someone else's house to get. It doesn’t happen that often.
Looking around the cabin, I see everything is tidy, like it’s been cleaned top to bottom. I feel a pang of guilt knowing that my mate did this. I should be caring for her, not the other way around. I should have cleaned up before I brought her here, but I had no idea I was going to meet her while I was out for a walk.
I inhale, smelling her scent, and I love it. Knowing she is here and in our home makes the bear inside me lie down happily. After I quickly put away the groceries, I pick up Snow’s bag and go in search of her.
The cabin is built for a family, but it doesn’t take me long to follow her scent into our bedroom. Our bedroom. The thought makes my bear even happier.
When I walk in, I put down her bag and see her laid across our bed. I feel a growl forming low in my chest. She looks like she belongs there. So small in the center of the giant king-sized bed.
She’s stretched out on top of the covers, wearing one of my old T-shirts. The bottom of the hem has slid up, and I can see the curve of her ass.