Mated to the Wilde Bear

Xavier bent to retrieve the shirt he’d discarded earlier and handed it up to Laurel. She smiled and pulled it on while he yanked on his jeans. Although he definitely preferred her bared to him, he saw the gratitude in her eyes as she mumbled her thanks. What the hell was it about this dominant woman’s submissive side that made him putty in her hands?

He’d gone to her in that clearing without conscious thought. His bear had wanted only to protect and comfort. But somewhere along the way, it had become more. She had become more important than he could have imagined. And now, he was in too deep. There was no turning from her, not even if he wanted to.

That scared the ever-loving shit out of him.

He’d known for a while now that his bear craved a mate. But he denied it. Just like Laurel denied her fox. He couldn’t have that responsibility on his shoulders again. Not when he’d handled it so badly the first time. Putting a mate first meant possibly putting his other loved ones in danger. He couldn’t—no, he wouldn’t—do that ever again.

“Xavier?”

knew he’d let

get you home,” he said, guiding her along the tree

do something wrong?” Her voice was too damn small and vulnerable and he cringed. Underneath all that alpha-woman bravado, she was so sensitive. He’d seen it when she’d told him about her childhood. And he hadn’t been brave enough to share his own secrets

didn’t do anything,” he

“Then what—?”

was parked near the wall, and thankfully, Jake’s truck was gone. At least one thing was going right. “There are

what?” She frowned, and he had to resist the urge to smooth those

you knew, you’d change your mind