Mated to the Wilde Bear

Kelly whirled, eyes wide, as she pointed down at the animal print caught in the pile of flour. “Is this a… paw print?”

“Yes.” Laurel squeezed her eyes shut in resignation. After tonight, she wouldn’t deny it. Xavier might be a complete and total ass, but he’d shown her one thing: she couldn’t possibly continue this double life. Not in her own home. And she wouldn’t lie. Not after Xavier had just basically done the same thing to her.

Okay, maybe not an actual lie, but he was hiding something. And now that she knew how it felt, the shoe on the other foot sucked. Besides, she didn’t have the mental energy to even think of a good excuse right now.

She sighed. “I think it is.”

Kelly’s eyes narrowed to slits, and her head cocked sideways, her cropped brown hair bouncing. “Why are you wearing a man’s shirt?” Her expression changed as she finally noticed Laurel’s bare feet and the half-open back door. “Are you just getting home?”

I’m sorry about the damage.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’ll

would you do

answer, but she felt Kelly’s

at the paw print in the flour and then back to Laurel’s feet. The cut from the lamp shard had already stopped bleeding.

I try very hard not to shift unless I’m far away from home and town and everyone. I’ve been busy at work and fighting it, and I think I waited too long this time and… I’m sorry. I’ll pay for everything,” she repeated, and because she knew she was rambling and Kelly

stared at her for a long, wretched moment, and for a second, Laurel thought maybe she’d let it go. Accept it. Maybe she’d finally found a human who would let her be

want me to give notice. I know the lease says thirty days—”