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Chapter Two

Stone

“Come on, Doc. There’s gotta be something more you can do for me.” My throat felt like it was on fire. My head had been throbbing for days thanks to the pressure in my nose. I felt like I was slowly suffocating to death.

She glanced sidelong at me, continued to type notes on her iPad.

Focusing on the screen for a few more moments, she came to a stop and faced me.

“Listen, honey pie, you’re a bear, not an anomaly.

And I’m a doctor, not a miracle worker. I’ve already doubled the normal were dosage because of your mass.

Now you just need to follow the directions, rest, and let you and your animal recover. ”

I knew I wasn’t thinking straight when I had the fucked up urge to throw a tantrum, as if it would help any. “But I have a date.” Damn. That sounded pathetic and whiny even to my own ears.

“I’ll write you an excuse.” She smirked, her eyes glittering, much the way Lora’s did in her pictures.

Dammit. The paper crinkled beneath my ass on the table as I shifted uncomfortably.

Desperation rose up inside me, stirring my beast. Not every paranormal creature had a perfect mate.

I’d been on this earth for thirty-five years and had yet to scent mine.

I refused to settle with a woman who didn’t make me happy.

If I couldn’t have my perfect mate, then I at least wanted happiness.

And I hadn’t stopped smiling since I started talking to the extra curvy beauty.

There was something about her. She had sass and spark, yet was easy-going and compassionate.

And I was about to crush her. I’d dragged my ass for months, waiting for some imperfection to reveal itself, the way it did with every woman before her. But she wasn’t every woman before her. She wasn’t a lot of things, and that made me appreciate her all the more.

And feel all the shittier for getting sick now. Fuck! I didn’t want to disappoint her. “Please, Doc. Come on. You’ve got a grown bear begging you here.” My lungs seized, sending me into a coughing fit. Dammit.

She shifted her weight, throwing one wide hip further outwards.

“I see plenty of needy bears all day, Stone; your pleas won’t have a magical elixir appearing out of nowhere.

” She stepped closer, resting a hand atop my forearm.

“If she’s the right woman for you, she’ll be there when you’re well again.

And if you think she’s the right woman for you, then your protective instincts will ensure you keep your distance, unless you want this cold to be her Christmas gift from you. ”

Shit. Check mate.

Blowing out a heavy breath, I officially surrendered. “Fine. You win.”

She grew pensive, dropping her gaze for a moment.

“Unfortunately, there’s no winning in my profession.

I’m only delaying the inevitable.” Before I could process what she’d said, the sadness in her voice, she spun on her heels.

“No exercising for a week. I’m sending your prescription electronically to the pharmacy; fill them as soon as you leave here.

Drink lots of fluids; get lots of rest, and” -she turned to look at me, her hand on the doorknob- “no exercising. Don’t think I won’t have Jake and the other guys ride your ass out there.

” She gave me a sugary sweet smile. “Feel better, honey pie.” She winked, leaving me to stew over my predicament.

Dammit. Of all the times to get sick. It’d been years since my last cold.

Hopping down off of the table, I winced, my body rebelling against the motion.

Whipping out my phone, I rolled my muscles, trying to ignore the soreness dominating every limb.

I hadn’t been strong enough to shift in several days, and my usually ornery bear had been unusually quiet and subdued.

Checking the time on my phone, I quickly calculated how much time I had before I was supposed to meet her.

If I hurried, I could get a dose or two in my system, let it do its thing, and see her tonight still.

Scrolling through my phone, I found her pictures.

Since I started talking to her, all other women ceased to interest me.

There was something about the extra curvy brunette.

I couldn’t put my finger on it, but there was something special about her.

And, after getting to know her these past few months, I was thinking about a long-term relationship with her.

If I could get my ass well enough to meet her and not feel like I was risking her health to do so.

The doc was right. This damned cold was the last present I wanted to give her for Christmas.

Slipping my phone back in the pocket of my sweatpants, I headed to the checkout desk.

I had a lot to do in a short amount of time, the last of which would require a miracle.

I was a bear on a mission, though. And anyone who had ever underestimated me quickly discovered that, when in beast mode, I was unstoppable, especially when it came to getting what I wanted.

And I wanted Lora.