Page 22 of Marcus

“No, it’s okay. It’s been a while. Not that I don’t still miss them, but I can think of them without being horribly sad now. They died in a bus accident in Peru. About eight years ago, I guess.”

“It’s creative. The fish cursing. I like it.” He leans forward and kisses the tip of my nose.

My heart clenches. Oh no. It’s one thing to have raw, animalistic sex with this man, but if he starts being romantic, my greedy little heart is gonna want to keep him forever. Maybe there is something to this fated mates thing. It would certainly explain my life-long fascination with bears.

“Is Abner the only strange pet you’ve ever had?”

But I don’t get a chance to answer his question because my phone rings. Marcus answers it, then immediately frowns.

“Yep, I’ve got it. I can come out and deal with him, but I need some fucking clothes.” He listens, then nods. “Great. Thanks.”

I slowly pull myself off of him, his release drips down my legs.

“Nothing has ever looked sexier than my come leaking out of your pussy like that. You’re gonna fucking ruin me.” He comes to his feet.

I frown when I see his still hard and still leaking penis. “It didn’t work.”

He shakes his head. “Don’t think so. My bear really wants to claim you all the way.”

His bear. Not him.

He steps outside of the room briefly, then comes back with a bag. “Ranger brought me some clothes, thank fuck. I really don’t want to kick some ass in this state.” He quickly gets dressed, wincing when he has to cover his still open bullet wound and his erection. “We have a more pressing problem to deal with than my never-ending hard-on.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Seems your stalker followed you here.”

My heart thumps and my skin breaks out in cold chills. Fear settles in my stomach.

Marcus shakes his head. “I can scent your fear. Don’t be afraid. I’m not going to let anything happen to you, Sweetness. That, I promise.”

I nod, then get myself dressed, cleaning off between my legs as best as I can. “How did he find me?”

“My guess is that he followed your scent.”

“Do I actually smell that strongly?” The urge to sniff my pits is strong, but I refrain… because gross!

“That’s not what I meant.” He exhales slowly. “Okay, super quick shifter/human lesson. Shifters with very strong senses of smell, like wolves, can scent a human that is shifter compatible. Some call these people breeders, but it’s not a very nice term. Selene knew this about you from college. I’m assuming this asshat is a shifter and he knows you are mate material.”

I try to digest all his words. “Mate material—is that different from being a fated mate?”

“Yes. Fated mates are supposed to be a perfect match. Compatible in every way: love, passion, offspring, etc. Being mate material just means your genes can mix with a shifter’s genetic material. Make sense?”

“So basically, you don’t want me, even though I’m supposed to be your perfect match in every way. But Rusty wants me for my DNA’s ability to blend with his. It’s every girl’s dream.”

He grabs my chin and tilts my face to look at him. “If anything ever happened to you, it would destroy me. Losing Heather was hard, but you,” he shakes his head. “That’s fucking terrifying.”

I swallow hard. “Life is full of dangers and risks, Marcus. There are no guarantees. I didn’t expect to lose my parents the way I did, but it happened because the world is flawed. But hiding from potential hurt just means you’re not living.” I turn towards the door.

“No. You need to stay in here where it’s safe.”

“I know you believe I’m some sort of subpar species with my frail human body, but in case it’s escaped your notice, I’m strong. Sturdy. And I know how to use my gun.” I grab said piece out of my purse, then walk out of the lab’s door.

Marcus is hot on my trail as I step outside into the darkness. A car’s high beams are aimed in the area between the doors and the parking lots. Ranger and Denver are there as well as two other massive guys I’m assuming are other bears.

Then there’s Rusty. He’s smaller, both shorter and less stocky than the other men, but it doesn’t change his aggressive stance.

“I came to get her. Which one of you is in charge?” Rusty asks.