The Bear’s Forever Mate Excerpt

Personal Journal, Giles Borealis, Sr.

And so one remains.

Of course, it makes sense that he’d be the final one to follow my instructions and find himself a mate. Stubborn as the day is long, just like his father.

Like every male member of this family, if we’re being honest.

Cooper’s probably the most like me when it comes down to it. Protective, caring—he’s a solid rock for the rest of the family. The lad’s always got one of his brothers coming to him for advice, and in any group, everyone seems to gravitate in his direction.

He strives to do the right thing for everyone else. Damn well time he did the right thing for himself for a change.

Stubborn boy would argue about that, I’m sure. Legal training never goes amiss except when the young varmints try to use it to wiggle their way out of losing a discussion with me.

Don’t know why he thinks he can continue to get away with being so perverse. He got that character trait from some other side of the family. Possibly from my beloved mate, although I’d never tell Laureen my suspicions.

Anyway, I know the type of woman Cooper needs. She’s got to have a soft touch to slip in under that protective instinct of his, but a spine of steel to force his hand when he gets all unreasonable. Amber is definitely the one for him, and between her and the mating fever, there’s no way Cooper will get away.

So, yes, my oldest grandson will fall as well, no matter how firmly he believes the contrary. I set the wheels in motion for this match so long ago, he’ll never see it coming. Won’t know that I was involved at all.

Which is right, I suppose. I don’t have to get the credit for making fine matches for my grandsons. I just want the grandbabies for me and Laureen to cuddle, and if I read the signs right, this last match might end up being the perfect beginning to the next generation.

Getting older means I have the time to watch their stories unfold. I can hardly wait to see what Christmas brings to the Borealis family, and most especially to Cooper and Amber.

I won’t gloat until everything is completed, but it’s coming—

I can tell!

 

 

Interlude

December. A remote cabin, somewhere in the wilds of the Canadian Northwest Territories.

 

Cooper Borealis tightened his grip on the window frame and fought for control.

I don’t know why you need to complicate everything, his inner bear complained. It’s the mating fever, not the guillotine.

There are reasons. I’ve explained this before. You’re not human, so you don’t get it, but this is important. Remember your promise.

Talking with the shifter side of himself was as natural as breathing, but right here? Right now? Cooper was borderline tipping into the disaster zone, and explanations needed to remain short and sweet.

Another wave of sexual need rolled through his system, and he shuddered as he turned away from the winter scene. Early that morning he’d retreated to this small cabin, and it was now time to lock up so that he didn’t do something unwise like leave and track down the woman he wanted.

The woman he intended to be with When The Time Was Right. Which was about five years from now. Maybe a little sooner if he and Amber Myawayan could deal with all the issues standing in their way before then.

A low growl rumbled inside, and Cooper sensed he was reaching the end of his leash. No problem…

Well, lots of potential problems, but fewer if his polar bear half behaved.

You remember your promise? Cooper asked yet again.

That is amazingly annoying, the beast snapped. Why do you think I have the attention span of a gnat when I’m part of you and I assume you don’t think you’re incompetent?

Just need you to understand this is serious, Cooper repeated.

He sat on the bed and double-checked that everything he needed was within reach. A cooler of food, plenty of water. He tugged the length of chain that lay across the floor, the shiny links reaching toward the bathroom then looping back to the bed. The heavy-metal restraining system was long enough so he could deal with being trapped for the duration of the fever without hurting himself.

Yet the chain was short enough he couldn’t reach the door or leave. It was as perfect as this wild situation could be.

As long as his bear didn’t use his strength to break free.

Cooper linked the handcuff around his left wrist. You promised to stay out of the picture while the mating fever runs its course. You will not take control of the shift and break the cuff. You will not—

I will kick your ass if you continue to lecture me like I’m a five-year-old cub. I heard your explanation of why you don’t want to enjoy the fever, yet again, and while I think you’re a few fish short of a barrel, I promised. Now Shut. Up. You’re pissing me off.

Communications with his shifter side choked to a halt like a tap had been closed.

It appeared the damn beast was pouting.

Cooper shrugged then tightened the cuff, tugging slightly to make sure his human strength wasn’t enough to break the chain free from its anchor on the bed frame. He was a big man, and it wasn’t impossible that he’d be able to wrench himself free from a normal bed and cuff.

Which was why he’d made sure to have the Necessary Upgrades To The Safe House installed when he’d booked the cabin.

When even a sharp tug held against the metal reinforcements, Cooper lay on the mattress and closed his eyes.

Mating fever had arrived.

His thoughts tangled as sexual need and the urge to track down the object of his desire flared again. This time Cooper didn’t fight the images flashing to his brain.

Amber, her dark hair falling over one shoulder as she looked up at him from lowered lashes.

The only woman he wanted, her sweater falling open to reveal naked skin at her shoulder and the upper curve of her breast.

The beautiful Japanese-Canadian woman staring at him, her eyes dark and full of concern as she leaned in close. Her knees rested on the bed beside him, far enough away she had pressed a hand to his naked chest to balance.

An odd sensation soaked through his feverish thoughts. The pressure on his chest was real.

Oh my God, he was having a heart attack. This denying the fever was going to be the literal death of him.

Cooper snapped his eyes open to discover the dark eyes, the knees on the mattress, and the sexy woman perched over him were not products of his fevered imagination.

Amber was really there.

Oh, damn…

Return to The Bear’s Forever Mate

Buy the Book