Jared: Mating Fever (Rocked by the Bear Book 5) by V. Vaughn Read Free Book Online Page A

this is the most amazing breakfast I’ve ever eaten.”
    “Told you,” says Olivia. Her mug thumps when she sets it down, and she nods toward my plate. “Try the bacon. You’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven.”
    Jared says, “Last night she almost did.”
    Olivia scowls at him. “Be sure to remember that. You should be grateful for what she went through to be with you.”
    A protective jealousy for Jared surges in me, and I say, “That wasn’t the only reason I did it. I seem to recall my life being in danger was a reason as well.”
    Olivia says, “Whoa. Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to attack your mate, but watching you change really hit home for me. I swear women always get the short end of the stick. Mother Nature is a bitch.”
    Jax reaches across the table and hands Olivia a pastry. “How about a little sugar to improve your mood?” he asks with a mischievous grin.
    I try to imagine what it must have been like to witness the agony I experienced last night. I shake my head, because I’m going to do my best to try to forget that memory. Although it sure is a testament to how strong I am as a werebear. I bite into bacon and sigh as the salty flavor makes my taste buds want to dance with joy. I ask, “When do I start learning to fight?”
    “As soon as you’ve healed,” says Jared.
    I stretch my leg out under the table and notice the ache I felt when I climbed out of bed has faded. Olivia explained that by tonight I should no longer have any pain. I say, “I think I’ll be ready by tomorrow.”
    “I think so too,” says Olivia. “Maybe you could learn to shift today.”
    The apprehension I felt about becoming a bear no longer seems to exist, because the idea of morphing into bear form and running in the woods excites me. I say, “I’d like that.” I look at Jared and ask, “Can we try after breakfast?”
    “Sure.” He asks Olivia, “Was it hard for you to learn?”
    She swallows her mouthful of food with a gulp and replies, “No. But I’m told it’s different for everybody.” She glances at me. “I have a feeling Courtney isn’t going to have any trouble at all. She’s one of the most open-minded people I know, and I think she’ll have a knack for it.”
    Jax asks, “Do you mind if I come along?”
    I smile at him because I think he’s imagining what this will be like when he finds his true mate. I say, “Not at all.” I hold up a strip of bacon as if I’m toasting him and say, “You gave me bacon.”
    Once we finish eating, Jared takes me to the woods behind their house. He, Olivia, and Jax begin to strip off their clothes, and it makes it easier for me to do the same. Jared says, “Olivia, it might be best if you describe how you shift. Jax and I learned when we were teenagers, and I’m not sure my method of wanting to pummel Jax would work.”
    She says, “Sure.” A breeze makes me hug myself as Olivia says to me, “Anger is what worked best for me too, but you don’t get mad easily, so maybe we should try focusing on your protectiveness for Jared.”
    “Okay. So I think about him in danger?”
    She nods. “Remember how you felt when he was about to be shot, and when the feelings begin to surge, focus on the prickling sensation you felt last night.”
    “Got it.” I close my eyes and recall Jared jogging by me and the vision of blood I saw. My body tenses at the memory, and when my skin begins to tingle, I imagine a bear inside of me that’s trying to get out. I experience a fraction of the pain I felt last night as something within me swallows up my human form, and I open my eyes just before my front bear paws thump to the ground.
    Jared’s voice is full of pride when he says, “You did it!” I glance over at him, and he comes toward me to stroke my fur. A rumble forms in my chest as I lean into his touch. “So beautiful,” he says.
    I know as mates we’re supposed to be able to communicate telepathically so I try it by talking in my head. “What