Wedding Bear: BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance (Enforcer Bears Book 3) by Zoe Chant Read Free Book Online

was what he wanted for himself. A life that wasn’t based on fear and violence. He wanted a home. A real home.
    And he wanted his mate there with him.
    ***
    K ayden used the next day to explore the town some more. He scouted out the best places to make a quick escape, until his mind held a mental map of streets and gardens and the fastest ways to leave popular spots where people gathered. In case of an attack by Blood Claw, he'd be able to make his way into the forest in a matter of minutes.
    When he returned to his room in the B&B after his walk, he found a note from Sidney  waiting for him. The paper was bright green and decorated with tiny cartoon astronauts; she clearly got her supply from her library.
    Dress fitting today! it read. Sorry, girls only. Keep your afternoon free if you can, I've got plans for you!
    Kayden raised an eyebrow, amused and intrigued, and unable to forget the way she had come apart beneath him.
    He hadn’t dared to bring up mates yet, although every instinct in him wanted to claim her as his forever. But with her worries about the wedding, he was afraid that he might scare her off if he moved too quickly.
    Had she felt the same overwhelming connection? He wasn't sure how it went for non-shifters. Iron Fang hadn't allowed his clan to mate with outsiders. But the way she had looked at him...
    “She has to feel the same,” he whispered. “She has to!”
    This was what he had fought for. Why they had run. For freedom—and for the right to find their own mates.
    And now that he knew what it felt like to find his mate, he knew that he couldn't go back, no matter what.
    I'd rather die than leave this town. Blood Claw will have to kill me first.
    His landlady, who was old and tiny and had hair the color of iron, insisted on preparing him a large platter of sandwiches for lunch. Before he’d even taken a first bite, Kayden found out why. For half an hour, Kayden found himself most skillfully questioned and cross-examined, until it felt like the old lady knew more about his feelings for Sidney than even he himself did.
    Fortunately, if there was one thing his landlady liked better than gossip about her guest’s love life, it was gossip about weddings. While he finished his sandwiches, he changed the topic to the upcoming wedding. By the time Sidney arrived, he’d been brought up to date regarding all the rumors about what the brides would be wearing and how long until they’d be blessed with children.
    While they walked to where Sidney had parked her car, he recounted some of those rumors to Sidney, who laughed at the outrageous stories.
    “A ten-story cake? Come on, Eve loves to bake, but she isn’t crazy.” Sidney slid her hand into his, her eyes gleaming as she tried to suppress her giggles. “This is her wedding, not a promo event for her bakery. All she cares about is making sure that the day will be fun for everyone. She wants to be happy, not win a bakery contest!”
    Kayden chuckled softly. “Then I’m sure you’ve also heard about the rumor that all the bridesmaids will be wearing short dresses of red lace...”
    “Eww,” Sidney said and wrinkled her nose. “For a wedding? No way! How do they even come up with these rumors?”
    “Oh, I’m sure lace would look lovely on you,” Kayden murmured, and then his smile widened. “Actually, I think she was just trying to see if I’d spill some secrets. You might not know it, but apparently the brides’ dresses are the most sought-after secret of Linden Creek...”
    Sidney groaned. “Do I ever know it! Auntie May has been trying to get all the details from me for the entire past month.”
    “I think they’ve got a betting pool going.” Kayden was barely able to hold back his laughter. “I felt a bit like I’d ended up at some back alley poker game—only with the venue decorated in pastels and doilies and wallpaper from the seventies.”
    “Trust you to find the seedy side of small town life within days of your arrival.”