Page 6 of Marcus

“I do know. But Heather wasn’t your fated mate; she was someone from your clan. That’s different. You can’t ignore the pull of a fated mate, my friend.”

I brace my arms across my chest. “Watch me.”

“You know it will only drive your bear crazy.”

I shake my head. “Not gonna happen. I’ll move away.”

Ranger joins us, standing in the parking lot. “Your friend is getting anxious,” he tells Selene. “What’s going on?”

“Aspen is Marcus’s fated mate,” Selene says.

“Oh fuck,” Ranger says quietly. “Truly?”

I squeeze my eyes shut. “I’m not doing this right now. It’s probably just a fluke. She can’t possibly be my mate.”

“Bullshit,” Selene says. “I knew she belonged with one of you. I just had to convince her to move here to see which one.”

“You couldn’t possibly have known that,” I say. “You just knew she was compatible.”

“A breeder?” Ranger asks.

“Don’t fucking call her that,” I growl, taking a step closer to him.

My best friend’s brows raise. Then he looks at Selene. “Why did you suspect she was meant for one of us specifically?”

“She’s obsessed with bears. Has a tattoo of one on her ankle. But also, she wears them on her clothes, her jewelry, and decorates her stuff with bear stickers. I mean obsessed! She’s always said they’re her spirit animal. That combined with her scent,” she lifts a shoulder in a shrug, “it just made sense.”

“Well, if she works for a bear, maybe I’ll go for her,” Ranger says.

I growl, deep in my throat. “I know you’re fucking joking brother, to get a rise out of me. But hear me now; if you touch her, I’ll rip your throat out. That goes for any of our guys. So let them know.”

Ranger holds his hands up in defeat. “I hear you. But unless you’re planning to claim her for yourself, you can’t keep everyone away from her. I know you’re thinking about Heather⁠—”

I hold up a hand. “Do not finish that sentence.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Look, I don’t know if she’s my fated mate. I’m not even sure I believe in that shit. It’s practically unheard of with bears.”

“Marcus, your eyes were glowing red when I got out here,” Selene says quietly. “Your bear knows.”

“There are no goddamn laws that mandate you have to pair up with your “fated” mate. Who knows. Maybe she and I could create the most perfect cubs, but I don’t want that life. I don’t want a family. I tried it once and it didn’t work. So, I’m just gonna ignore it. Ignore her. I don’t have to interact with her again. As long as I stay away, the urge will disappear.”

“I think we all know you’re lying to yourself,” Selene says.

Ranger puts a hand on her arm. “Let’s go back inside. She’s probably very worried about what’s happening out here.” He nods at me, and they turn and go back inside the restaurant.

I tilt my head back and look at the expanse of blue sky above me.

My bear just needs out for a while. That’s all this is.

chapter

four

Aspen

“Thanks for coming, but it was unnecessary,” I say to Selene as I let her into my house. “I don’t have a ton of stuff to unpack. Mostly just books and the kitchen stuff now.”

“Maybe I just want to spend time with you. I’ve missed having you around and those weekly video chats just weren’t enough,” she says.

“I totally agree. I’m really glad you talked me into giving this job a try. If nothing else, it’s a new adventure.”