Page 18 of Marcus

“Aside from being able to shift into a bear, do you have any other special skills?”

“Normally, I heal much faster than a human. I would have expected this to have already been taken care of, but something isn’t working right.”

Just then my phone rings, but it’s not a number I recognize so I just hold it out to Marcus.

“Did you find out anything?” he asks in lieu of saying hello.

He listens to—I’m assuming it’s Ranger on the other end—and then grunts a couple of times.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” he says.

He looks over at me and I swear his eyes look red from this angle. That’s kind of disconcerting.

“Yeah, well, that’s not going to happen.” He pauses. “Because she’s a human. You know how I feel about that.” Another pause. “I don’t give a shit what my brothers said.” His eyes roll upwards. “Yeah, super helpful. Whatever fucker.” Then he swipes and hands me back my phone.

“Bad news?”

He closes his eyes briefly and then looks at me. They definitely look reddish brown. “My bear thinks you’re our fated mate. This,” he motions to his now-covered erection. “Is impairing my body’s ability to heal. A mating heat that will only get worse.”

“Until what?” I ask.

“Until I fuck you.”

chapter

ten

Marcus

Why did I just admit that to her? I mean obviously she needs to know why my body is reacting the way it is. Besides, the fact that she keeps talking about and looking at cock is not helping matters.

Mine. Mate.

She’s still staring at me, her lips parted, eyes round. “What does that mean, exactly?”

I cock a brow at her. “I don’t think those words can be confused with any others, but I’ll try to break it down for you. Until my bear is satisfied, this wound isn’t going to heal.”

She tilts her head back and laughs. Laughs so hard, she actually has to wipe away tears. “That is the worst pick-up line I’ve ever heard.”

“It’s not a fucking line. You asked why my dick was like this; that’s why. My bear wants you.”

“Why do you keep saying it like that? Your bear wants me?”

“My bear is confused. We don’t want a human mate. It’s not you specifically.”

“Oh, so you want me biologically, but not personally? Great. That’s a pretty harsh insult. My inner animal thinks you’re super attractive, Aspen, but the rest of me… meh.”

I roll my eyes. “It’s not you. I don’t want any human mate.”

“Oh, so you’re just a racist. Species-ist. Whatever.”

I have to fight the smile that tugs at my lips. “I have nothing against humans. I just don’t want one for a mate. This life is hard. I know first-hand that human women aren’t tough enough to take it.”

“So you think I’m weak? I’m not weak. Remember when I helped haul your giant butt in here? You’re welcome, by the way.”

What is it about this woman that makes me want to smile? All the damn time? I’m not a smiler. Never have been. I was grumpy as a child.

“I don’t know why I’m arguing with you. It’s not like I’m asking to be your mate. Or whatever.”