Christina's Bear Read Free Page B

didn’t want to be a
downer when he got there.
    In the
hotel parking lot he dug out his keys, jumped into his truck and drove to
Matt’s.
    ****
    Jenn was
perfect for Matt. Bull was tremendously happy for his friend. Since they’d
talked last, Jenn had decided to become a wolf like Matt and they’d formed a
mating bond. A shifter could find his mate and live a long and happy life
without changing her, or the pair could form a mating bond. While both pairings
were good, a bonded pair shared more.
    A mate
is changed by tasting the shifter’s blood. Once the blood is tasted, the mate
will change into the same animal as the shifter and a mating bond is formed
when both mates shift together for the first time. Mates already have strong,
sometimes powerful reactions toward each other, but a mating bond is a deeper
connection.
    Love and
happiness seemed to swirl around the couple making Bull even more grateful he
declined the offer to stay in their spare bedroom.
    After
their initial meeting, Jenn left to run some errands before her friend showed
up, giving the guys time to catch up.
    “What’s
going on, Johnson?” Matt asked once Jenn drove away.
    “What do
you mean?”
    “Something
about you is off. Is everything okay?” Bull appreciated his friend’s concern
and even though he had planned to ask about the girl, he’d changed his mind. He
didn’t want to talk about his misery anymore.
    “Yeah,
everything is fine. Jenn’s great. I’m so happy for you.” Bull responded, avoiding
the subject.
    “Oh. My.
God. You’ve found your mate. How did it happen? When? Where is she? Does she
live in Chestnut Rock?” Matt was more excited than a kid at Christmas.
    Bull
sighed.
    “I met
her and I messed it all up. I don’t know anything about her except she’s single.
I have no way of finding her.”
    “How do
you know she’s single? What’s her name?” Matt asked, clearly confused.
    “I don’t
know her name. I only managed to find out she was single before I realized she
was terrified of me and I let her go,” Bull said miserably.
    “Wha—?”
Matt started before Bull cut him off.
    “Look,
can we not talk about it right now? I seriously messed up and I’d rather not
talk about it today, okay?” His skin was feeling itchy and he was fighting the
need to run.
    “Okay,
I’m sure it isn’t that bad. When you’re ready to talk, I’m here.” Matt gave a
sympathetic nod.
    “It is,
but thanks, man. I appreciate it.” Bull was happy his friend was ready to drop
it. He wasn’t ready to talk about it yet and he didn’t want to ruin dinner. He
was ready to change the subject. “You said something earlier about a possible
place to stay?”
    Matt
smiled.
    “Yeah,
Jenn’s best friend has an empty room now that Jenn has fully moved in here. She
said you’re welcome to stay with her until you find a place.”
    “She? No
way! I’m not living with any woman unless she’s my mate. Just the thought of it
makes my skin crawl.” He shook his head and rolled his shoulders for emphasis.
    “Okay,
okay. It was just a suggestion.” Matt laughed. “How was I supposed to know you’d
find your mate your first night in town?”
    “Second,
but yeah, who knew?” Bull laughed, too. “I appreciate the offer though, it’s
really generous. I hope she won’t be offended.”
    “Nah,
she won’t be. Christina’s great. I think you’ll really like her. She’s the one
who let me kiss her in the bar before I met Jenn. The kiss didn’t do anything
for either of us, but…”
    Bull
stopped focusing on what Matt was saying as a familiar smell met his nose. A
combination of fresh mountain air and sweet, ripe strawberries…the girl from
the market! He turned toward the side of the house and watched his mate step
around the corner toward them.
    “Okay,
bye.” She laughed and pushed a button on her phone. “Matt! Jenn said…” She stopped
walking and talking when their eyes met.
    All rational
thought left Bull as he realized