Savage Bear: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance by Ruby Shae Read Free Book Online Page A

barbeque sauce. He wanted all of those things, and he wanted them with Leah.
    His past may have sucked, but he wasn’t his parents. He was capable of love, Leah had shown him that, and he knew he would never forsake his family. He may have done evil things in the past, but he wasn’t evil. Except for fighting, which was an excellent way to manage his tension, he didn’t purposely look for ways to hurt people. If he did, Leah would have dumped him first.
    Shit! I am so fucked!
    His bear roared in triumph and he ran down the street in his bear form. It was the shortest path to his truck, and he needed to get to the vehicle as soon as possible.
    His whole life was about to change, and he couldn’t wait to get started.
     
    ***
     
    A few hours later, Jared poked his head into Gabe’s office and rapped his knuckles on the door. Gabe worked the floor every night with Lucky, but he always came in early to do paperwork without the distractions of the club.
    “Hey, can I talk to you?”
    “Sure, come on in,” Gabe said.
    Even though no one else was in the building, he entered the small room and closed the door behind him.
    “Your dish is in that bag,” Gabe said, pointing to the shopping bag on the end table.
    “Thanks,” Jared said, sitting down on the small couch.
    He swallowed several times and looked around the tiny room as if he’d never seen it before. To his credit, Gabe watched him patiently, but he didn’t say a word.
    He knew he shouldn’t be so nervous, but he’d always had a hard time asking people for help. After spending the morning on the phone and running errands, he needed to make one more change before he pleaded with Leah to take him back.
    “I’m going to need a few days off,” he said finally.
    “Not a problem,” Gabe said. “When?”
    “Tonight, tomorrow and Thursday. I’ll be back on Friday to help Isabelle with the weekend crowd.”
    “Sounds good,” Gabe said. “Is everything okay?”
    “Yeah,” he said, “I’m going to try to get Leah back.”
    “Good,” Gabe said. “She’s perfect for you, and we all love her.”
    “I know we’re not supposed to have fated mates, but she’s the only woman my bear and I have ever wanted, and somehow she wants me, too.”
    “Yeah, the whole no fated mates thing is a bunch of bullshit. Lucky, Izzy and I all knew, without a doubt, the moment we’d found the one. I don’t know why more people don’t talk about it, but there’s definitely someone out there specially made for every bear. I’m proud of you for not letting her go.”
    “Well, I did—and she’s pretty mad—but I’m working on my apology.”
    “She’ll forgive you sooner or later,” Gabe said. “Everyone could see how much she loves you.”
    “I hope you’re right,” Jared said, “because I’m buying her a house and I’m going to ask her to marry me.”
    “Really? That’s wonderful,” Gabe said. He stood and outstretched his hand. “Congratulations.”
    “Thanks,” Jared said, clearing his throat.
    He sat back down and took a deep breath. The rest of what he had to say was more difficult, and he contemplated leaving, but he wanted to know.
    He needed to know why Gabe had kept him around.
    “Something else on your mind?” Gabe asked.
    He took another deep breath and jumped in with both feet.
    “How come you never fired me?” he asked.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Why have you kept me around all this time when I cause so much trouble?”
    “Because…,” Gabe searched for the right words. “Jared, you’re family. The minute you saved my life, we became brothers. I know you don’t believe in love, but we love you. All of us. As much as I wish you would channel that energy into something productive, you’re not going anywhere unless it’s your choice.”
    “That’s exactly what Leah said,” he said, solemnly.
    “Smart woman.”
    “I actually have an idea,” Jared started. “But I understand if you don’t want to hear it.”
    “Don’t be