Her Reluctant Bear: A Hot Paranormal Fantasy Saga with Witches, Werewolves, and Werebears (Weres and Witches of Silver Lake Book 5) (15 page)

Dalton had told her stories he’d received second hand from Kalan about the strange hermit and his ability to understand things that a mere human couldn’t possibly know. It would be an understatement to say that she couldn’t wait to meet him.

They decided to take two vehicles. Since Kalan knew the way, Brian rode with Jillian as she followed closely behind. Kalan said he normally would have suggested they all ride together, but he wanted to play it by ear in case the two of them needed more time to speak with James alone. Elana was a lucky woman to have such a considerate mate.

“Are you nervous?” she asked Brian, who’d barely said a word since they’d left her brother’s place.

“Yes, even though I took an anxiety pill. In retrospect, I probably didn’t need to worry since I don’t think James can tell me anything that will surprise me. Due to everything I’ve been hit with recently, I think I’m a few miles past total shock.”

Jillian appreciated his attitude. “Well, I’m not so calm. Before we see him, I need to tell you something else.”

“What’s that?”

The bend in the road was rather severe, forcing Jillian to hold on to the wheel with both hands. This part wasn’t paved, and the ruts in the road hadn’t been attended to in a while.

She’d debated for a few hours today whether to bring this up. In the end, she decided it was best to have all issues out in the open. “According to your sister, James’s mate, Naliana, is in charge of pairing people together.”

“Pairing people? As in mating?”

She glanced over at him, surprised he was so well-versed in the concept. Then again, he had spent hours with Elana, Kalan, and Ainsley a few days ago. “Yes. What did Elana have to say about that?” Jillian glanced over at him, but Brian was looking out the window at the pure blackness that had painted the night sky.

“When you find your mate, you know it, because all you can think about is being with that person, and you want to protect her with your life.”

“What a nice way to put it.” She wanted to ask him if he had any of those feelings toward her, but it was too soon to throw that out. “I’ve been told that in order for the couple to be true mates, they must both agree to this bonding, and their consent is shown by biting each other on the neck.” If that didn’t toss him off the reality cliff, nothing would.

He twisted toward her. “That sounds barbaric.”

Her shoulders sagged. How did she expect him to react? With joy? “I’ve never been bitten, but supposedly, it’s not painful as long as it’s done in the heat of the moment. When I’m excited, my animal teeth extend, but that’s all I know about the mating process.”

“Are they like your tiger teeth?” he asked. She quickly glanced over at him, and the whites of his eyes were showing even in the dark.

She felt herself sinking lower and lower.
Stupid, Jillian. I never should have brought up the concept of mating so soon.
Hell, they hadn’t even kissed. “I can’t really tell. They’ve sharpened a few times, but not by much. I think it’s because I hadn’t met my mate when it happened.”

“Why are you telling me about this mate stuff?”

Why was she?
Because I need to know if you’re feeling anything close to what I’m feeling.
“Because you’re my mate,” she blurted, immediately sensing a wave of hope coming from Brian.

Don’t get too excited
, her tiger warned.
Be cautious.

So now her tiger decides to go the slow route? What was up with that? They’d have a heart-to-heart talk later.

“Back up a minute. You actually believe we’re destined to be with each other? Like Kalan and Elana are?”

He didn’t have to sound so surprised. “From the way I’ve been reacting to you, yes, but don’t worry. I promise to control myself when I’m around you unless I know you feel the same way about me.” Her heart jumped to her throat and remained lodged there. “The moment I walked into Teagan’s party—before I even set eyes on you—my body went kind of crazy with lust. At first, I couldn’t understand it, but the air smelled sweeter, and my heart practically fluttered. It was only after a day or so that I realized what that meant.” She wouldn’t go into any more detail.

“The way you described it, mating is purely physical without much emotional attachment.” His tone came out bitter.

She was really messing this up. “That’s not what I meant—or rather what I’ve been told. Just ask Elana or Kalan. At first, maybe yes, it is lust filled. Think of this mating call as a fire starter. That’s all. The emotional part is left up to the couple. At least, I think that’s how it works. My dad was a shifter, but he died when I was six, so he wasn’t around to explain it to me. My mom did the best she could.”

He reached out and placed a hand on her thigh. “I’m sorry.”

“Thanks.” She pushed aside the rush of excitement at his touch.

“I have a confession to make too,” he said.

Her body tensed. “What’s that?”

“I experienced the same reaction to you. I felt you before I saw you, and the moment you walked around the corner, my brain froze. Other parts did not freeze, however, which was why I had to leave. I had this overwhelming urge to touch you, but I’d been taught to take things slow. I’m not always good at reading people. Besides, I didn’t want to mess it up. It’s not every day a beautiful woman walks up to me at a party.”

Aw. That was so sweet. Kalan’s brake lights lit up, and she took her foot off the accelerator. Damn. They’d arrived. “I had no idea you felt anything. When I asked you a simple question and you ran, I thought you didn’t like me.”

“Quite the opposite. You were so out of my league that I kind of freaked. My intense and sudden feelings scared me.”

She swallowed a smile. “I’m glad you told me. Bottom line is that we need to get to know each other and see how we feel before we even consider mating. First comes the physical, or rather, the intense animal attraction, and then the caring and eventually the loving. Are you willing to give it a try?”

“I’m willing.” He huffed out a laugh. “I gotta tell you, Jillian, I didn’t think my head could be any more twisted, but you’ve managed it.”

At least he didn’t sound upset. “Life can be a wild ride sometimes.”

“You got that right.”

She stopped, cut the engine, and twisted toward him, every nerve electrifying her senses. Before she could ask him anything else, Brian grabbed the door handle, pushed it open, and jumped out. A second later, her door opened. “Ready?”

“I hope so.”

“Then let’s see if it is possible for me to shift.” He held out his hand, and she placed hers in his, loving his calloused palms and strong fingers.

Kalan was waiting for them at his car. “Don’t be surprised when James seems to read your mind,” he said. “I sure as hell have never figured him out. If he doesn’t answer your question directly, don’t push back. Remember, he’s doing us a favor by seeing us.”

“I appreciate the warning. Whatever pearls of wisdom James offers will be welcome,” she said.

Kalan knocked, and the mystery man answered seconds later. He looked exactly as Kalan had described—about six feet tall with close cropped white hair and a handsome face. Immortality had served him well.

“Come in.”

‡

T
he three of
them entered James’s rustic home, and the pleasing scent of fire mixed with some kind of incense flavored the air. The living room looked ancient with its handmade furniture, stone walls, and dim lights, but the fire made it super cozy—and warm. James motioned for them to sit on the benches that flanked the fireplace, while he took the chair facing the blaze.

Kalan introduced them, though Jillian suspected he’d already given James a briefing on who they were and their situation.

“Brian, Kalan tells me that you want to learn how to shift.”
Yep! She had guessed right.

“Yes. I figure if I’m a shifter, I should try.”

James smiled. “I would want to try too, if I had the ability.”

“Can I ask you something then?”

“That’s why you came, right?”

James would make a great attorney.

“It was. My first question is whether there will be any side effects if I do shift? I am thirty-eight, and my body isn’t used to being taken apart and put back together again in the blink of an eye.”

Jillian had never considered shifting as being rough, but then she’d learned by the age of two.

“I don’t have experience on that topic, but one thing I believe to be true is that shifting should help stabilize your hormones since shifter hormones are more powerful than human ones. I know you’ve suffered your whole life with bipolar disorder.”

His leg bounced up and down. “How do you know?”

Jillian wondered the same thing. She glanced at Kalan to see if he thought James was making that up in order to encourage Brian to try shifting, but all she could detect was a glint in his eye. Perhaps Kalan was thrilled his mate’s brother might have some of his demons vanquished.

James smiled. “Any other questions for me?”

Why hadn’t James answered Brian’s first question? Was if because he didn’t want to divulge where he received his information? Or did he like to be mysterious?

Brian grabbed Jillian’s hand, and her heart nearly burst with joy at this sign of affection—if that’s what it was. Possibly, he was overwhelmed again and needed some support. That worked too.

“Yes. How do I shift? Besides thinking about being a bear shifter.” He looked over at her. “After Jillian told me that I was more than a mere human, I closed my eyes and tried to imagine being an animal, but nothing happened.”

“Hmm. Well, I’d try again on the white moon. When a shifter bites his human mate, her first shift can only happen then. I’m not sure if it applies to you, as you are already a shifter. Mind you, it’s possible given your advanced age, you won’t be able to shift, so don’t get your hopes up too high.”

“What?” Jillian blurted before Brian could respond. “Why? If his animal is inside him, there has to be something to coax it out.” Please say that a lot of good loving might give his animal a boost.

Now that she’d spent time getting to know Brian, her animal was demanding some satisfaction—when she wasn’t telling her to be cautious, that is. Fickle beast. James could help her cause with a few choice words.

Sure, Brian was challenging, but deep inside, he was a sweet man, waiting for love. To accept that love however would take trust—something that had been in short supply in his life. Thankfully, Elana had been there for him when he’d reached out.

James held up a hand. “It’s like learning a second language. The younger a child is, the quicker he picks it up. If the child is exposed to another language at a later age, it’s more difficult, but still possible with hard work and perseverance.”

Brian sat up straighter. “I’m willing to try. If I can’t, then I won’t be any worse off than before.”

James smiled. “I like your attitude.” He turned to Kalan. “If you’ll excuse us, I’d like to discuss the concept of mating with these two.”

Was he kidding? Thank goodness she’d brought up the topic in the car. Otherwise, Brian might have freaked.

Kalan couldn’t jump up fast enough. “Call if you need me for anything,” he told them. With that he left.

Sex education wasn’t something she enjoyed, but there were some holes in her knowledge, especially regarding her blue glow and the best location to bite her future mate.

“Let’s begin with your blue glow, Jillian.”

*

Even a few
days after the meeting with James, Brian was still processing what the immortal had told him about shifters and mating. The most disappointing part was that until he shifted, he wouldn’t be able to mate with Jillian. It wasn’t like what happened with his sister and Kalan. James said Brian was not considered merely a human anymore. In the eyes of the goddesses, he was a shifter. Just as Jillian had explained, for two shifters to mate, they each had to bite each other. Well, he had teeth, but unfortunately they weren’t sharp enough and would hurt her. Depression nipped at him. Until he shifted, no mating could occur, which was why he was on his way to try his first shift.