“I’m ready,” she said, then hesitated, biting her lip as she gathered her things. Tulley poured himself a cup of coffee even though it was nearing dinner time.
“Is everything okay?” Tulley asked. “You’ve been on edge since you arrived.”
“What do you know about Drake Morgan?” she blurted, instantly regretting her question when Tulley narrowed his green eyes at her.
“He’s an honest and fair man.” Tulley defended the farmer. “His family has been the largest producer of corn in our community for generations.”
“Okay,” she blushed, feeling bad about her worry about the man. Maybe Drake just didn’t like her? “He seemed a little angry when I disturbed him with the last delivery. Are you sure he knows I’m coming tonight?”
“I talked to him personally this morning,” Tulley promised. “Why? Did he say anything to upset you?”
“No, not really,” she scowled. “Maybe he was just in a bad mood because we didn’t have all of his parts.”
“Well, you don’t worry about Drake Morgan,” Tulley huffed. “He can be a bit grumpy, but he’s nothing but a big ole teddy bear.”
“Okay, sure,” she mumbled and removed her keys from her purse. “I’ll see you on Monday.”
“Have a good day off Sunday,” he said with a smile, changing the subject of the handsome farmer.
“I plan on it,” she replied, and left the store. It was Thursday, and she only had the morning shift at the diner the next two mornings. Saturday afternoon through Monday morning was her only time off. Thirty-six hours to rest, do laundry, and go to the store was all the time she had to herself during the week.
As she drove, she imagined a day when she could work a normal nine to five job and have the weekends off. If she ever made friends, she could have a normal life again. She couldn’t even remember the last time she went out to have a beer.
The drive to the Morgan farm took about thirty minutes from the town square where the parts store was located. Tessa leaned over the steering wheel and looked up at the still-barren trees. They’d soon start filling up with leaves again as the temperatures warmed with each passing day. She was happy to have a bit of warmth back into her life. The winter had been too much for her. While she loved the beauty of a freshly fallen snow, working in the mess made it unbearable.
Tessa turned onto the road leading to Drake’s home, and she squared her shoulders. She wouldn’t let that man intimidate her again, but she still hoped she could give him the parts with no problems this time.
As she pulled into his driveway and passed through the grove of trees that lined the property leading to where his house stood, she sighed heavily when she noticed all three of the Morgan men standing on their wrap around porch. One of them was holding a shotgun, but set it down as soon as her car came into view. That had to be a good thing, right?
From the last encounter, Tessa knew they were apprehensive about people they didn’t know coming on their land. As far out in the country they lived, she guessed anyone who came onto their land would’ve been a friend. She felt sorry for anyone who stumbled upon this home with malicious intent on their mind. Drake alone could scare away the hardest of thieves. Now that she knew they carried weapons, she’d make sure she was in and out of there as soon as humanly possible.
She quickly pulled her long, blonde hair up into a ponytail and turned off the car, jumping out as Drake ambled down the stairs from his perch by the front door. “I’m here to drop off your part, then I will be on my way.”
She wanted to make sure he knew she wasn’t going to stay. As much as she loved his land and log cabin-style home, she knew she wasn’t welcomed.
The box was heavy as she lifted it from her trunk with a soft grunt. Drake’s eyebrows pushed forward and he took a step toward her but paused.
“Put the box down,” he ordered, pointing to the ground at her feet. She refrained from rolling her eyes, but she didn’t silence the huff of frustration that rolled from her lips. He’d made her do the same thing the last time she’d been at his house. Why did he do that?
“Umm, okay,” she replied, and bent over at the waist to set the box down.
Yes, she was probably really stupid. Tessa found Drake very good looking, and even though she’d sworn off dating ever again, she would totally flirt with him if he wasn’t such a jerk. This was the second time he’d grunted at her when he talked.
Screw this. Put the box down and go home, Tessa.
Tessa knew she was in trouble the moment she realized the box was too heavy and her body lurched forward. Her boot caught the back of her other foot as she stumbled to evenly distribute her weight and she fell toward Drake, but she didn’t hit the ground.
Large hands wrapped around her arms and the scent of the forest reached her nose, but something was…off. Drake Morgan’s touch sent her body into a hormone induced frenzy. When she looked up into his eyes, they’d changed color…to a bright, glowing gold.
“Oh, my…” she breathed out as he held her close, but she frowned when she saw his mouth open wide, revealing large fangs where his human teeth should’ve been. She tamped down the need to rub herself against him and just stared at his mouth.
“You’re my mate,” he snarled. Drake’s voice echoed off the trees as the other two men came down the steps to stare at her in awe. “You’re human, and you’re my mate.”
Tessa gasped, her hand covering her mouth. She didn’t know he was a shifter. What was he? Was he like the others in town? Oh my god, was he a panther shifter?
“I’m no one’s,” she argued, shaking her head.
“That’s where you’re wrong.” Drake stepped back to look her over. “You are mine, Tessa…all mine.”
“Are you…are you a…panther?” she asked, but her eyes widened when he bared his fangs at her. Drake felt bad for scaring her, but she needed to understand he was no panther. He was a bear, and bears were the strongest shifters out there as far as he was concerned. “I know about shifters, Drake. Don’t lie to me.”
“I am not,” he snapped. How dare she think he was like those Shaw cats. “Those panthers are nothing like me.”
“What are you?” she asked. Drake could see the wonder and questions in her eyes as she reached up to touch his face. Her touch was like an angel itself was consoling him, and his bear bucked inside when it scented honeysuckle on her skin. He had the sudden urge to taste her. “Your eyes…”
“Fuck,” he growled, turning his head so she couldn’t see his eyes.
“Don’t hide from me,” she whispered, turning his face when he started to look away. “I’m not oblivious, Drake. I know you are some sort of shifter. What are you?”
“My beast is present,” Drake admitted, unsure of how much he should tell his human mate. Was she going to out him to the humans? Would she run away from him?
“Beast?” she gasped and jerked away. “What type of beast are you?”
“Drake?” Rex called out as he approached. Drake growled low in his throat at another male coming toward his mate. She wasn’t marked by him, and that alone set his bear on edge. “What’s going on? Is she your mate?”
“That’s close enough,” Drake warned, holding his hand out to stop his brother.
“Is she your mate?” Gunner repeated Rex’s question, but his voice was laced with a sliver of hope.
“Mate? Why do you keep calling me that?” Tessa asked, narrowing her eyes on Drake. She placed her hands on her hips and waited for him to answer. She had sass, and he liked it.
“He’s a bear shifter. And when he touched you, his beast claimed you for his own,” Gunner, the youngest, yelled. Drake turned slowly, his eyes flashing gold as he watched his brother shrug. “I did it for you since you wouldn’t tell her.”
“A bear?” she chuckled, making Drake turn his head back in her direction. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” he replied, gritting his teeth. The cat was out of the bag, so to speak, so he was left with being honest with her
, hoping she wouldn’t tell the other humans. “We are all bears, and this is our den. Humans aren’t allowed here, but apparently, you’re my mate. Our nature tells us when we touch the one we are destined to be with for eternity.” If she knew how they mated, she’d probably deny him and run away screaming…maybe even run to the police.
“I don’t think so,” she scoffed, shaking her head. “Did that once…never happening again.”
“You had a mate?” Drake asked. His beast was clawing at his skin to be set free. The bear inside him wanted to show her the shift. He wanted Tessa to forget all about her other mate.
“Well, a husband,” she frowned. “I divorced him and ran far away from him. That’s why I’m here in Olive Branch.”
“You’re hiding from your human?” Gunner asked with a frown.
“He’s not my human anymore.” She sighed dramatically. “Look, I didn’t mean to come on your land again and upset you, and I won’t tell anyone about you being a shifter, because it is none of my business. I need to be going.”
“Why are you hiding from this human?” Drake growled, his eyes focused on her face. He needed to know more.
“Ahh, I really don’t want to talk to you about this,” she said, taking a step away. Drake’s head tilted to the side when he heard her stomach rumble.
“You’re hungry,” he grunted. “I’ll feed you before you leave. Come inside.”
“Wow, you like telling me what to do, huh?”
“I do, and you will listen,” he ordered, holding out his hand for the female to go ahead of him and enter the house. His two brothers turned and walked away first. Rex was the first one to reach the door, waiting for Drake and Tessa to follow. Gunner disappeared inside.
“You’re a stranger to me,” she scoffed. “I’m not going inside that house.”
“Tulley can assure you I am not a threat to a female,” Drake said, dropping his hand to his side. He reached into his back pocket and removed his phone, offering it to her. “You can call him if you’d like.”
Tessa stared at the phone and raised her eyes to Drake. It was obvious she had trust issues as well. He stepped back when Tessa pushed away his phone. “Tulley already assured me you were an honest and fair man.”
“I’ve known Tulley for many years,” Drake explained. “Won’t you join us for dinner?”
“I will stay for dinner, but then I must be going,” she resigned, crossing her arms.
“Thank you,” Drake said, holding out his hand for her to go first up the stairs to the porch.
The little hitch of breath she released when she walked inside made Drake’s chest swell with pride. His home was made for his and his brothers’ mates. The log cabin was much more grandiose inside with a large kitchen and living room. There were three hallways off the living room, and beyond those were each brother’s rooms. The hallways had their own exits, but the rest of the bedrooms were hidden in the ground behind the main home for protection and the winter months when it was time to hibernate.
“This is beautiful,” she sighed, placing her hand on her chest. She paused and inhaled deep, “What’s that smell?”
“Beef stew,” Drake said after clearing his throat. She was his mate, and if she didn’t like it, he’d toss it out and make something she’d enjoy. “Do you not like it?”
“I’m not picky.” She frowned, and Drake felt the sadness rolling off of her. “I’ll eat anything.”
“What’s wrong?” he growled, immediately on the defensive.
“I haven’t had a home cooked meal in a very long time,” she admitted.
“Do you not cook?” he questioned as he brothers started filling bowls from the huge pot on the stove.
“I can, but since I work two jobs, I don’t have time for more than what I can grab at the diner during my shift, and when I get home for the night, I just want to rest.” She paused to shake her head as if she was expelling a bad memory. “I appreciate your hospitality, but after I eat, I must go.”
She was his mate. There was no way he could let her go now. She needed to be marked so no other male would come around her.
“Promise me you’ll let me show you something before you leave?” he asked, but his eyes were pleading with the female.
“I guess,” she shrugged.
“Come eat,” he said, without so much demand that time.
“See, you can be nice,” she teased and took a seat at the kitchen table. Drake took a bowl from Rex and set it in front of Tessa with a spoon.
“I can be,” he winked. “What would you like to drink?”
“Water is fine,” she blushed. Drake froze behind her when he returned from getting her a glass of water. The sight of his mate sitting there with her back straight, hands on her lap, sent a thrill through his veins. Long blonde hair cascaded down her back in waves, touching her waist. She was full of sass, but something about her posture told him she was a bit submissive.
“You may eat,” he whispered as he touched her shoulder. He felt a small shiver roll through her body, and he knew she felt the power of their connection too. She nodded, picked up the spoon that rested next to the bowl, and took her first bite. Drake’s cock hardened when she moaned aloud.
“This is delicious,” she gushed, taking two more bites before looking up at him. Her big blue eyes were glassy as if she were about to cry. “Thank you.”
“What’s wrong?” he growled, dropping to his knees next to her.
“I’m sorry.” Tessa waved her hand in front of her face to dry the tears. “I don’t know why I’m so emotional. Please forgive me, I must go.”
Tessa began to stand, but Drake put his hand on her shoulder again, carefully pushing her back down into the seat. “You will eat a full meal before you leave our home. There will be no arguments.”
“Um, okay,” she stammered, turning back in her seat to continue eating. “Are you going to eat, too?”
“Our females eat first,” he admitted, finally taking a seat next to her.
“That’s very nice of you,” she said, and smiled. “So, is that a bear thing?”
Drake’s lip lifted into a smile and her eyes darkened with heat when he laughed. “It is. We cherish our mates.”
“And I’m your mate?” she asked, a soft blush painting her cheeks.
“My bear has claimed you,” he stated. “We are ruled by the animals that live inside us, and our world is different from the humans. They’re ungrateful for the things they have and the people who love them.”
“And you don’t like humans?” she continued questioning, and took another bite of food. He didn’t know what to think of the female. She was docile, but inquisitive. Tessa Ward was beautiful.
“We live a solitary life here, and we don’t care for humans to know our secret.” He paused to shake his head. Why the fuck was he telling her this?
“Oh, I won’t tell a soul,” she promised, holding up her hand as if to stop him from speaking. “I understand the need for secrecy, believe me. Plus, having a home like this would be the perfect place to escape. You’re so far out from society.”
“Do you like my home?” he asked, feeling hopeful he could convince her to stay tonight…and the next.
“It is everything I ever wanted in a home if I was able to build it myself.” She sighed as she glanced around the living room. “It’s perfect, and you have done an amazing job with it.”
Drake’s hand latched onto her wrist, and Tessa gasped when he pulled her out of the chair. She didn’t struggle as his lips crashed down on hers. This woman was his mate, and he’d do anything to keep her…even if she was a human.
Rex sat in his room, completely jealous of his brother. He’d found his mate just by the woman stepping foot onto their land. How had that even happened? He and Gunner had been going out twice a month to clubs and bars in the area, trying to meet women, but none of them appealed to their bears.
Rex knew he’d never be that damn lucky. No one ever came out to their property unannounced.
Drake better treat that female right, or Rex would kick his older brother’s ass. They all knew the oldest of the Morgan Clan had never liked humans. Hell, Rex and Gunner understood why, but they didn’t share the disgust for them like Drake did.
“Hey, bro,” Gunner said after knocking on the door frame. “Want to go to that cat bar and have a beer?”
“Yeah,” he said, standing up from his desk. “Do you think this female will make Drake less bitter toward the humans?”
“I really don’t know,” Gunner sighed. “He may never get over the death of our parents.”
Their mother and father were killed eight years ago by a human male who was strung out on human illegal drugs. He’d broken into the office of their farming business early one morning. The male tried to rob them but ended up shooting them point-blank when he realized the business didn’t have any cash on site.
Drake, Rex, and Gunner were left the business, barely knowing how to run it successfully. Drake was twenty-eight at the time and ran the machines that harvested the corn crops. He didn’t know anything else. Thankfully, the three of them worked hard over the next two seasons to keep the business alive. Today, they were the largest corn growers in the area.
“Let’s give them some space and see what happens,” Rex suggested.
“You don’t think he will hurt her, do you?” Gunner worried.
“He may hate humans, but he would never hurt a female…no matter her species,” Rex answered.
The two of them quietly walked out of the tunnel leading to Rex’s room. When they entered the living room, Drake was pulling his mate up from her chair. He cupped her face and kissed her hard. Rex smiled and turned to Gunner. “See, he’s going to spoil her.”
They slipped out the back door on the other side of the living room and walked around the house to jump in Rex’s truck. They’d give Drake some time with his mate. Rex was hopeful he and Gunner would get lucky at the werepanther-owned bar, The Deuce.
Tessa gasped and pushed at Drake’s chest. He released her as soon as she began to struggle. “What the hell are you doing?”
Mating Season (Morgan Clan Bears, Book 1) Page 3
