Bear Shifters: Hunt Collection #1 by Ava Hunt Read Free Book Online

remember health class. In school, they taught you, 'Your mate is your health and your happiness,' remember?" Jaime sat down and watched her cook eggs and bacon.
    "No, I don't remember that," Jeneva said.
     
    "Well, let me fill you in, since you're so forgetful," Jaime took a piece of cooked bacon. Jeneva stuck out her tongue at him. "'Your mate is your health and your happiness. Biologically, your body floods with oxytocin, to keep you in a bonded state. Your pleasure will increase and it will double when you become pregnant with cubs to ensure you remain a lifetime pair.'"
     
    "That's interesting," Jeneva made her brother a plate with bacon, eggs, and toast. "It's just natural? I feel amazing."
     
    "Of course, it can be interrupted. Like if one mate leaves for example," Jaime said. "It's rare because the bond is strong. But if one mate leaves, it becomes like torture. For both of them. The body will torture you until you get back together. That's probably why Rayner had such a hard time after Lorna left and aborted her cubs. It could still be a problem, you know."
     
    "What's that?" Jeneva chewed on the eggs.
     
    "Well, mate loss leaves scars. Those scars don't ever fully heal. I think he knows that. That's probably why he held you at arm's length for so long."
     
    "So what should I do about that?" Jeneva shrugged. "He should be happy now, right?"
     
    "I hope so. But having you now, might make things worse instead of better. At least for a while. If I remember science class right, all those old pleasure points are going to be flooding with feelings again. It's going to take some time for him to adjust to it. He may push you away or act out. I don't want you getting hurt and I can't always be around to protect you."
     
    "I don't need protecting, Jaime. I'll be fine."
     
    "Okay," Jaime helped himself to more toast. "Just be careful, sis. Have you all made plans yet? As far as cubs go?"
     
    Jeneva's face heated up. "We're going to go slow."
     
    "That's for the best. Give yourselves time to get used to each other. Then add in that extra joy. The cubs will be pretty cute, just like you."
     
    "Yeah... speaking of that, I think he went to see the Council yesterday, because Zula called here. They just want me to go to the doctor today."
     
    "That's it? You got off light with them."
     
    "Rayner must have had a good argument. They weren't mad at all, they're just concerned about the health of the cubs since we have the same genetic defect."
     
    "What time do you have to go to the doctor?"
     
    "Um..." Jeneva looked at the clock. "About now."
     
    "Alright," Jaime took his car keys off the table. "I'll drive you over. Come on."
     
    The medical office was based in the same building as the Council. Jeneva bristled, remembering how unpleasant it felt the last time she was here. But this time was going to be different.
     
    "I'll wait here," Jaime said. "Go on. Call me when you're finished and I'll wake up from my nap."
     
    "Okay, thanks, Jaime," Jeneva climbed down from his truck and he parked nearby. The Council building was low-lying, smooth and imposing, made of some kind of white granite with rounded edges. The entrance was cold and sterile. Jeneva was glad she wasn't here to see the Council today. She walked past their rooms to the medical center.
     
    "Jeneva Markham," she said to Misty at the front counter.
     
    "Hey, Jen. You made it. Have a seat and I'll let the doctor know you're here."
     
    Jeneva sat down. A few minutes later, Doctor Henry Sands emerged from the back rooms, with his white mustache and hair. "Hey Jen. Come on back."
     
    "Good luck, Jen!" Misty called.
     
    "I'm just going to check that you're in good general health," Doctor Sands said. "Then we'll send the obstetrician in. She can check your female health. Have you ever been pregnant before?"
     
    "No," Jeneva said.
     
    "And when are you planning to have cubs with your new mate?"
     
    "We haven't decided on that yet. Not now," Jeneva added.