Bearly Mated (BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance) Read Free Page A

thigh and nodded to the scandalized council. Lizzie refused to meet any of their gazes.
    “Thank you for making the right decision,” Patrick said to the men. “Good day.”
    A few minutes later, they were in Patrick’s car and heading to his house. He’d pulled her past everyone outside the council’s chamber, including her dad, his brother, and Emmy. Not to mention several others of his people waiting to congratulate them.
    “Is this really the right thing to do, Patrick?” she worried. “And you were so rude to everyone who supported us. I know there were a lot of your people who didn’t agree on you mating with me.”
    “That’s not my concern.”
    “Shouldn’t it be?” she insisted. “I’m wondering if—”
    He frowned at her. “It’s too late to wonder, Lizzie. You’ve been promised to me. That’s as good as a mating.”
    “But—”
    “Everything was explained to you. A representative came to your house twice a week and taught you our ways. You were given an opportunity to ask questions then.”
    “Stop this car,” she shouted.
    He blinked at her.
    “I mean it. Stop! ”
    They drove along a tree lined back road. On both sides were forest and more forest. Lizzie had no idea where they were, because this was most certainly not the direction of his house, which she had visited a couple times. Patrick slowed the car to a stop. The road was so narrow there wouldn’t be much room for another car to pass. Yet, the path had been maintained.
    Patrick threw the gear into park and faced her. “What’s wrong?”
    She clutched her hands together. “I don’t recognize where we are.”
    “That’s easy. It’s my private property where you and I can be alone while we seal our bond.”
    “What if I don’t want to?”
    He gaped at her. “What?”
    “What if I don’t want to seal it? I know the nodding of the heads thing is what you call a marriage, but not to my people. To us, it’s not too late, so I want to know what happens if I tell you to take me back to my apartment and that I don’t want to see you anymore?”
    Patrick leaped from the car, slammed his door, and paced. She watched as he shoved hands through his hair. Squinting, she thought she could see his mouth moving and dug into her pocket to pull out her glasses. She put them on. He was talking to himself. Now she’d done it. He was really mad. He would either force her to go to his house, telling her he owned her, or he would take her home and tell her he should have had someone knock him over the head rather than get involved with a human.
    Her prospective lover spun on his heel toward the car and signaled to her. Lizzie stiffened. He crooked his finger a second time, more insistent, and she unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed out of the car.
    “If you’re going to bully me, Patrick, you better think again. I have…” She scoured her mind for what she intended to say. He had moved around the car from the driver’s side to hers, making her feel stalked. So big and angry, he loomed over her. The words died on her lips.
    Patrick grasped her arms at her sides and drew her away from the door. He backed her up to the side of the car and followed with his huge form. At first, he stilled, and a chill wind stirred her hair, blowing it across her face. He reached up to brush it aside. She trembled and hated herself for her weakness.
    His hands settled on her hips. “Lizzie.”
    She gasped at his use of her nickname for the first time. “Yes?” she croaked.
    “I’m sorry.”
    An apology was the last thing she expected. “Um… okay.”
    His hands slid up her sides, fingertips brushing past the side swell of her breasts, up to her shoulders, and he gave them a squeeze before taking one of her hands. Lizzie swallowed when he pressed it to his crotch. Beneath her fingers, his cock twitched, and her panties were soaked. A low growl rumbled in his throat.
    “See what you do to me?” he whispered. “And I can smell your want. It’s