Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Wilder sat down on the opposite side of the fire. The cub came and curled up next to him against his leg, immediately falling asleep.
“I’m still in shock that a wild bear cub is acting like that with you. You’d think he was your pet dog, not a wild animal.”
“He’s been through a lot.”
“I guess so.”
She didn’t look convinced. He doubted she’d imagine he was a grizzly shifter just because he was good with animals. He’d have to be more careful, though. If humans knew about shifters, they’d destroy them all. Like everything else they touched.
“Are you cold yet?” That same look was in her eyes. She was getting suspicious.
“I have a high metabolism. It keeps me warm.”
“What were you doing so far from your cabin at night?” she asked.
He narrowed his eyes. “You do remember I saved you, right?”
“Yes, but I have a lot of questions. I’m a photographer but I work with journalists every day. I guess I got my inquisitiveness from them.”
“This is my land. Sacred land. I know about the poachers and do my best to scare them off. It didn’t turn out so well today.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” she said, her voice softening. “You can’t be everywhere at once.”
“I need to be.”
She alternated watching the flames and looking at the sleeping cub.
“Don’t you get lonely?”
No, he never felt lonely. Bears were naturally solitary creatures. All he needed was his land and the nature around him. He did miss having a mate. With breeding season tugging at his hormones, it was more evident than usual. He imagined that’s why his bear was confused, ready to fuck a human and claim her as his own.
“No.”
“Never?” she asked.
He growled a bit, but tried to stifle it. “A wife would be nice. But I’ve gone forty-eight years without one, so I think I’ll survive.”
That shut her up. When he looked over, this time she was looking him right in the eyes. And she didn’t look away this time.
“It’s only natural to want to find someone to spend your life with,” she said. “I feel the same thing from time to time, especially when everyone my age seems to be married with children.”
“Why not you?” he asked.
“Well, look at me, for one.”
He cocked his head. “That’s why I asked. Any male would be thrilled to claim you as his own.”
She laughed out loud, but it was more like a snort.
“Yes, Wilder. I have a long line of suitors. I have to beat them off with a stick.”
He nodded.
Wilder imagined she was highly sought after in the human world. She was soft, with big ripe tits and large hips and thighs. He loved a thick woman. She’d be the perfect mate, luscious and made for fucking. He felt his own cock firm up. which was ridiculous. He wasn’t human like her.
But part of him was. He often neglected his human side, choosing to live in his fur most of the time. It was easier to get around the forest, and his senses were magnified.
“If I was back in my apartment, I’d be watching some lame movie from bed, eating food I shouldn’t be eating, and thinking depressing thoughts to complete the spiral. I guess it’s not so bad being in this cave with you.” She chuckled again.
He had such prejudices regarding humans and their society because they’d proven themselves to him over and over. This girl was different. She wasn’t loud or rude or judgmental. He didn’t even mind her company. Wilder was glad he’d saved her.
“What about you?” she asked. “If this was a normal night for you, what would you be doing?”
He had to think about it. His life was calm and peaceful when humans weren’t trespassing.
“I would be sleeping.”
“Oh.”
“I prefer to hunt in the daytime,” he expanded. “I do my rounds, I read, and I tend to my bees.”
“Bees?”
“I have twenty hives.”
“Twenty? Do you sell the honey?” she asked.
“No, I eat it. It’s one of my favorite things.”
She smiled.
“I’d love to try your honey.”
“I’ll give you some when we get to my cabin tomorrow. It’s the best. The bees have a lot of wildflowers around them.”
“Really? I love wildflowers. I think they’re one of my favorite things. I have so many photos and scrapbooks of them at home. And I know a lot of fun useless plant facts on top of it. I’m a catch, Wilder.”
He smiled. And couldn’t stop smiling. Somehow, she made him feel happiness. It must be a mix of her honesty, innocence, and childhood wonder. He didn’t want her to leave the forest.
She’d make a great mate for someone. For some reason when he envisioned her with someone else, he became agitated. More than agitated. She was a human, not a shifter. He should hate her and everything she stands for.
He thought of his parents and that doused those rising feelings. Humans were the enemy, and he had to remember that.