Bear Prince: Shifter Paranormal Romance (Royal Bears Book 1) Read Free Page A

lazy arm to fell a man this size. She put the towel on Andrew’s forehead. His eyes opened, just a little.
    “Pain pills?” he whispered, grimacing. “Migraines. Apologies.”
    She bit her lip. “I don’t keep medication.” Not even Tylenol for her period cramps.
    He closed his eyes. Hannah watched him for a while, but he didn’t move. The silence in the apartment seemed less oppressive with him present. She heard television through the thin walls- her nightly entertainment aside from the stack of paperback books next to her mattress. Hannah wondered if she should ask a neighbor for help, but reasoned that if he was breathing, talking, and not bleeding he was fine… she’d had a cousin who suffered from migraines, though. They were horrible.
    Hannah rose after a while and readied for bed, knowing there was nothing she could do. She was exhausted, choosing to forgo dinner. Stress robbed her of an appetite anyway- not that noodles were so delicious it hurt to pass them up. A quick shower and pair of worn sweats later, she laid down. In the morning she’d deal with Andrew. But it was hard to sleep.
     
    ***
    He wasn’t better. It disturbed Hannah to see an obviously strong man, one who’d defended her, laid low with pain that carved fine lines into his face. She knew from experience to keep the apartment dark. Quiet wasn’t a problem. She couldn’t go to classes- how could she leave him alone? After an hour of watching him lay there, Hannah slipped out of the apartment and walked down the hall to a neighbor.
    Knocking on the door, she waited while multiple chains were unlocked.
    “Who’s at my door?” a dry, quavering voice asked.
    “It’s Hannah, Mrs. Carter.”
    “Girl, don’t you have school?”
    Hannah grimaced. The elderly woman knew everyone’s business- and was just as ready to tell everyone hers. Especially when it came to the many ailments she suffered.
    “I had to take the day off. My friend has a migraine and I don’t have anything for… him.” Hannah blushed, faltering, but made herself plough forward. “Do you have pills or something he can take?”
    Mrs. Carter opened the door fully, a once tall woman now stooped with age, wearing neatly pressed sweats and fluffy house shoes.
    “You got a man in your place? I thought you was better than that, girl. You need to focus on your education.”
    “It’s not like that. He’s just a friend.”
    “Huh. Well, come in. I’ve been known to have a headache or two. I can give you some stuff- or some stuff , if you know what I mean.” The old woman winked.
    “Umm… I’ll just take the regular... stuff. Thanks.”
    Mrs. Carter came back with a clear orange bottle of pills. “If he has migraines, he’ll know what this is. And you don’t miss another day of classes, you hear me? Won’t be dancing nowhere but a pole if you don’t get your education.”
    Hannah fled, glad the hue of her skin hid the heat in her cheeks. She knew what poles were. She entered the apartment quietly, glancing over at the couch, and stopped.
    “Andrew?”
    A noise came from the bathroom. Crossing the living area, she pushed open the door. The light wasn’t on; Andrew knelt on the floor over the toilet.
    “I’ve got some medication for you,” Hannah whispered, crouching next to him. She pressed the bottle in his hands and went to get him a glass of water. He took it when she returned, first rinsing his mouth and then downing a pill. After a minute he began to stand again, waving her off when she would have helped him.
    “Thank you,” he said, leaning on the counter. “Do you mind if I stay here for a few more hours?”
    She shook her head. “No, not at all. I took off from school so if you need anything… can you eat?”
    He began to walk back to the couch. “No, thank you. I just need rest and quiet. The migraine will leave in a few hours.”
    Hannah spent the day focusing on her homework. Andrew slept, mostly, shifting restlessly every once in a while. He