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

are you waiting for? Let’s run.”
    Jared’s laughter rings out, and he replies, “Your voice is like music to me, Courtney.”
    I watch as he morphs into a bear before my eyes, and I recall how he did it before to carry me to safety. This time I enjoy the show as I see what must have just happened to me. Jax and Olivia shift too, and my best friend nuzzles me before she takes off in a sprint. I race after her as the four of us make our way through the forest.
    We follow a path and blow by brush and trees with ease until Jax leads us off the trail. Jared is behind me, and he communicates with me. “Take your time if you want to. I won’t leave you.”
    My heart warms at his concern, but I find that keeping up with Olivia and Jax is easy. Each time I dodge something, my body works. It’s as if I’m no longer awkward, and I enjoy my fast reflexes as I weave through the trees. Even though I’m a large being, I seem to have grace with my speed, and as twigs snap under my feet, a breeze ruffles my fur, creating a sensation similar to wind blowing through your hair. If bear smile, then I’m doing it.
    I notice Jax slow down as the trees begin to thin, and when we reach a clearing, I realize he has led us to the river. I gaze out at the water as it rushes. A rocky beach is ahead, and the area appears to be deserted. Jared asks, “Want to try swimming?”
    My first thought is that it would be too cold, but then I realize that as a bear, I have fur and a layer of fat designed to keep me warm. “Lead the way.”
    The rocky shoreline should be rough under my feet, and I begin to pick my way down before I realize my animal feet are toughened. I barely notice the pebbles as we make our way to the water. We walk out until it reaches our bellies, and the cold doesn’t seem to seep into my skin at all. I dive forward to begin to swim. Each stroke I take propels me easily, and I marvel at the strength I have in my limbs. Jared moves toward rocks that stand close to the other shore, and when we get there, he climbs up to sit. I join him and let the warmth of the sunbaked granite seep into my belly as I lie down. I bask in the simple pleasure as I say to my mate, “This is wonderful.”
    “I know. Whenever human life becomes too much, I shift so I can dial it all back to this again.”
    “Yes.” A calmness has settled in me, and it’s as if I’ve suddenly got nothing to worry about. “I feel so free.”
    Jared rolls so that our bodies are touching, and I lean against him as I say, “You were right. I love being a werebear.”
    He touches his nose to mine. “Does that mean you’re glad I bit you? Because once I saw you begin to change I wanted to take it all back. You went through hell for me.”
    “I went through hell for me. For us.”
    Jared wraps his limbs around me and rolls onto his back so that I’m on top of him. He asks, “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
    His words make my heart nearly burst as I experience yet another emotion supercharged by my new state. I say, “If it’s what I feel, yes. Because I can’t imagine anyone could feel more love than I do for you.”
    Water splashes, and I lift my head to notice Jax and Olivia watching us. She tosses a fish toward me, and without thinking I open my mouth and move to catch it. When I do, I let out a small roar of excitement. I ask Jared, “Did you see that? I just caught something!”
    His laughter sounds in my head as he jumps off the rock to join them. But I stay to watch my mate fish, and when he tosses them my way, I snap them up and enjoy my new skill. Perhaps letting my bear take over wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

10
    W hen we return from our excursion, I discover I’m just as good at shifting back to human as I was becoming a bear. It’s similar to how I felt when I discovered I could paint. Sure, I need to perfect a few of my techniques, but it’s as if I was born to do this. And I suppose with one parent as a werebear, I