by V. Vaughn
Anger comes as I picture the way he was so cocky about my attraction to him. He was convinced I'd really sneak back down to him in the middle of the night for a booty call. That too helped keep me from doing it. I get up and pace over to the other side of my room to burn off some of the energy from my annoyance at Max. But the biggest reason I could stay away was reminding myself about Josie and the vision of them kissing that I had. It sure makes my jealousy take over.
I never should have slept with him again. I pick up my dirty clothes from the floor to put them in a laundry basket and let out a groan. "I'm such an idiot." But even as I say the words my insides tingle with the memory of how good Max made me feel. This is so not fair. If we were usual true mates, I wouldn't have to be worried about any of this. We'd probably be bonded by now, and my mother and aunt would be planning a wedding for us. As an alpha heir, it would be the event of the season too.
Not that I'm one of those girly girls who can't wait for her wedding day, but I've had a fantasy or two about it. And since I met Max the visions are easier to imagine.
But no. I kick at my laundry basket and send it flying across the room where it hits the wall with a loud thud. My stupid mate had to go and have two true mates. And now I have to wait for him to figure out which one of us he supposed to be with. Personally, I think it should be easy. Why pick a human who can't compete with me, an alpha?
I let out a low growl as I remember why it's not so easy. Stupid prophecy. For all we know the waitress in Colorado was just messing with him. I return to my bed to fall back on it and stare up at the ceiling. My magic powers should be at full tilt again after plenty of sleep and food, and my thoughts move to something else. Connell. My poor brother is trapped in the otherworld, and I'm so wrapped up in my love life I wasted a day not saving him. What I need to do is go to Elise's house and work with her and Kimi to get my brother back and stop obsessing over a man I shouldn't want right now.
My stomach growls, and I get up to go eat breakfast before meeting with the clan's witches to get to work. When I get to the kitchen, I find Shannon and Kelly sitting at the table eating eggs and toast.
"Hey," I say.
"Did you get enough sleep?" asks Kelly with a smirk.
Shannon giggles. "Way to recharge the old battery, sis."
"Very funny, you two." I walk over and grab the coffee pot to pour myself some. “I'll have you know that's not happening again until Max makes up his mind."
"Uh-huh," taunts Kelly.
I grab a piece of her toast to take a bite and stare out the window at the building next door. I'm used to seeing warriors go in and out of the dorm as they use the gym, or other clan officials who have meetings filtering in and out, but today I see two warriors wandering around as if they're guarding the place.
"What going on out there?" I ask over my mouthful of food.
"Josie's next door," says Shannon.
"What?" I gulp down my toast as anger begins to fill me.
"Yeah." She looks at Kelly as if they have bad news for me.
I glare at Shannon. "You'd better tell me."
"She knows she's half werebear and that Max is her true mate. Mom and Dad are keeping her next door."
My stomach churns with the little bit of food in it, and Kelly adds, "She says she wants to join our clan."
As if that would ever happen. But I can’t stand the fact that she’s so close to Max, and I slam my coffee cup down on the table so hard it shatters as I let out a roar. My bear is dangerously close to the surface as my rage threatens to explode. Shannon jumps up to press herself against the back door. "Audrey," she warns, "there are guards all over her, and Max hasn't seen her yet."
"I don't care!" I stomp over and yank her out of the way to get outside. My jealousy is in full force when I exit the house and move quickly across the lawn to the building next door.
Shannon and Kelly rush ahead of me, and Kelly steps in my way. "Seriously, lets shift and run. Get out of here before you do something you'll regret."
I swing my arm to swat her out of the way, and she dodges me. As I pull open the door she says, "Shannon and I can stop you if we want to." I step inside and my sisters follow close behind me.
"I just need to see her," I grind out between clenched teeth.
"Then we're coming too," Shannon says. She and Kelly flank me as we walk through the kitchen to the lounge around the corner.
A tall girl with the bone structure of a werebear who looks like she could use a good meal hops up from a couch and stands with her feet spread apart, and she tenses as if she's ready for a fight. I recognize her instantly from my vision. "You're Josie."
"Yes," she says, and it pisses me off more that she doesn't seem afraid of me.
I let out a roar that's loud enough to shake the walls, and she has the sense to widen her eyes and gasp with fear.
"Why are you here?"
She widens her stance and says, "I'm here to join your clan. Max is my true mate, and I plan to bond with him and become a full werebeare."
I growl dangerously as my bear begs to be set free, and Kelly places herself between us and puts a hand on my chest. "She's just a human, Audrey. You'd kill her."
I breathe through my nose as I fight every primal urge I have to rip her head from her body, and I push my sister away. Magic is sizzling audibly around me, and I see fear flicker in Josie's eyes when I take a step toward her. It's like I'm a cat toying with a mouse, and I smile with the satisfaction of knowing she's aware her life is in my hands. I spit out, "You're not going to win."
"Win what?"
"Max. You're not his only true mate."
She opens her mouth in surprise before a smile covers her face, and braveness Josie shouldn't possess radiates from her like a glowing aura when she replies, "Wanna bet?"
Audrey is prepared for an epic showdown when Josie taunts her for Max’s love, and Madison takes the big step that will change her life forever… Loved by the Bear - Part 5 coming in December 2019.
More from V. Vaughn
Check out V.’s world of shifters:
Called by the Bear
Tempted by the Bear
Desired by the Bear
Rocked by the Bear
Bewitched by the Bear
Winter Valley Wolves
Smokey Falls Wolves
More Paranormal Romance:
Witches of Night Meadow
Called by the Vampire
Greenville Alien Mail Order Brides
You can see all her published books at www.violetvaughn.com
About the Author
V. Vaughn lives on an island in Maine and spends as much time outdoors with her two Portuguese Water dogs as she can. She may have seen a bear or two….
www.violetvaughn.com
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