Jax: Mating Fever (Rocked by the Bear Book 6) Read Free

as pain shoots through my arm that’s attached to the handle above the car door.
    Jax says, “We’re almost there.”
    I don’t answer as I wonder if I can make a run for it when Jax lets me out of the car. As if he knows what I’m thinking, he says, “I’m taking you to the Veilleux mansion, Tori’s house. I can smell your fear, but I promise you aren’t going to die.”
    I decide to pursue the running option anyway and ask, “Are there a lot of you in this town?”
    “Hundreds. My clan is one of four that make up the Northeast Kingdom.”
    Time for another plan. I’d be tracked and found within minutes. I’m not sure why I offer it, but I say, “My mother went to the University of Maine.”
    “She probably met your father here.”
    All I know about my sperm donor is that my mother said he wasn’t cut out to be a parent and that’s why he was never part of my life. While I’m not convinced he’s a werebear, I’m curious about what kind of man he is. I recall that Jax said in the past his clan didn’t let humans and werebear be together, and I ask, “Is there still a lot of prejudice against humans in your clan?”
    “There’s some. But since our alpha was a half like you, it’s not tolerated these days.”
    Maybe I will be spared if she believes I’m a half. I ask, “Is there some kind of test to find out if I really am half werebear?”
    “You already passed it, Sasha. Being my true mate was your test.”
    I scowl. “How do I know for sure?”
    Jax reaches over to take my hand, and a warm buzz travels through my arm as he says, “This is your proof. I know you never felt our connection before you met me. Believe it.”
    I tug my hand away. No. Acid burns in my stomach. I can’t be the thing I’m trained to kill. I can’t be. I wrap my free arm around myself as my ears burn with the shame of being something so vulgar. A creature that-- I glance over at Jax and notice the line of his jaw in the faint dashboard light. The truth is he’s far from repulsive. One would never know by looking at him that he can shift into a bear. And the way he kisses... My lips tingle with the memory, and they burn with heat when I reach up to touch them with my fingers. I tuck my legs up as I try to curl into a ball. How can someone who is supposed to be evil make me feel so good?
    The car slows, and we turn onto a road that leads up a hill. Majestic trees line a driveway, and the entrance is lit up by tall lampposts. It’s so long that if not for the huge mansion laid out for us in the glare of spotlights, it could be a road. The ominous appearance chases my distress away as fear seeps into its place. The house appears to be Victorian style, and the car tires crunch over loose stones as we pull up into the U-shaped drive in front of the building.
    Jax cuts the engine and turns to me. “It’s all going to work out, Sasha. I wish I could make you believe that.”
    I nod and focus on controlling my breathing in an effort to stay calm when Jax opens his door. He walks around to my side to let me out. While Jax removes the restraint from my wrist and takes my hand to help me stand he says, “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
    I’m not sure if I believe him because his words ring true, or if it’s because I need to. Jax is still holding my hand, and I thread my fingers through his as we walk. I say, “Thanks.”
    We’re welcomed at the door by a tall, older man in a dark suit jacket. Jax says, “Hi, Thomas. Tori should be expecting us.”
    “She is.” He offers me a smile that appears to be genuine, so I go with it and smile back. He says, “Right this way.”
    The dark hardwood floor shimmers in the soft yellow light from a large, spectacular chandelier that makes my mouth drop open, and my boots thud on the floor as Jax’s sneakers tread softly down the hall. I imagine this is the kind of home where someone will scurry after us with a broom to sweep up the chunks of mud I must be leaving behind. We’re