Waking the Bear (Shifter Wars) by Kerry Adrienne Page A

city-dweller, she was Southern through and through. He knew the type. Polite to the core. She had no idea she was his mate but she wouldn’t have refused anyone who asked her nicely if they could join her for lunch. That was just who she was. It’s also what would make her a target for the lions, if they ever found out she was his mate.
    If he’d told her the truth, she’d shoot out of there faster than a rifle bullet out of a barrel.
    She couldn’t know. For one thing, she’d never believe him. He spent so much time with the bears preparing for the war, she’d be alone and unguarded. The den couldn’t afford such a high layer of security for one person, either.
    This mate thing is confusing .
    He chewed on a fry and took another peek. Amy shoved her burger into her mouth and chewed without a care. He liked that. Why she was timid about showing her artwork, he couldn’t understand.
    “Do you like the burger?” he asked.
    She glanced up and their gazes met briefly before she blinked her soft brown eyes and looked away. “Yes, it’s very tasty.”
    He watched her confidence drain by the moment as he looked her up and down. He forgot. Humans didn’t like to be physically analyzed. He cleared his throat and stared at his plate.
    He shifted in his seat and brushed up against her leg. Heat shot straight to his groin, followed by ice. “Sorry!” he almost yelled.
    She smiled and dabbed her mouth with her napkin in an effort to cover it. “It’s okay.”
    Did being near a mate make someone act stupid? Apparently, it did.
    “The fries here are excellent.” He almost laughed at himself. She probably thought that was as lame as he did. He didn’t know what else to say. If he said, “You’re my mate and I’m taking you to my cabin to claim you,” she’d call the cops. But he wanted her. He didn’t want to have to wait until the lions were gone.
    “They are.” She shoved another one in her mouth.
    He imagined her mouth closing over other things. He shook away the thought quickly.
    Soon, the rest of the bears would converge at the den, and he needed to be ready to help them plan the lions’ defeat. Would he be able to keep his mate at a distance until things were safe? Maybe he should enlist Elijah’s help.
    Unless he planned to kidnap Amy, he could forget her being a willing captive until the war was over. She’d never agree; she was too independent. He could try to get her to go back home, but Evers could follow her, so she really wouldn’t be safe until the lions were gone. He also didn’t like the way she’d said “ex-boyfriend.” The guy sounded like a controlling asshole, maybe even an abusive one. No, she needed to be in Oakwood at least, so he could make sure she was safe.
    Where he could protect her from both Evers and the ex.
    Dammit. He didn’t know what to do.
    “What’s that on your burger?” She pointed, scowling. “An egg?”
    “Yep. I love fried eggs on burgers.” He took another bite.
    “If you say so. Must be a regional thing.”
    He nodded. Being so close to her was causing his body to respond in ways that messed with his mind.
    Maybe just one date would help ease the tension. She smelled so good. Who was he kidding? He wouldn’t stop until he claimed her.
    Mate. Mine.
    “Can I get you anything?” Tina reappeared and refilled Griff’s water glass.
    “No, I’m okay.” Amy wiped her mouth with her napkin. “May I have my check, please?”
    Before he could stop himself, Griff said, “Put it on my tab.” He saw Amy go tense and he shot her a look. “It’s the least I can do for my new tenant. You can pick up my tab another time, how’s that?”
    Tina smiled a wicked smile and scuttled off to the kitchen.
    “I guess that’s okay.” She looked down.
    “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be overbearing—” He squirmed. He needed to back off or she wasn’t going to have anything to do with him. She was going to think he was like her ex. Which he wasn’t.
    “It’s okay.