Page 1 of A Bunny for the Bear (Beartastic Summer of Love)

Chapter One

Ross

I stared at the basket before me with glee. I wanted to devour the entire container, but that would not bring any friends my way.

And I needed friends since I was new to town. Looking for some type of companionship was first on my list of things to do right after finding a place to stay, which I’d thankfully done already. It was also the reason I found myself at this farmer's market.

When I made the journey to Collier Cover, I told myself that I would do everything I could to actually be part of the group.

As the only bunny in my previous pack, I was used to being an outsider. It sucked, but there wasn't much I could do.

If I knew where to find small shifters like me, I would have gone to them.

But as someone raised around wolves and coyotes and saber-toothed tigers, being a bunny made me less than.

It made me not only their prey, but I was also seen as an insignificant creature who stood in their way of having the perfect Alpha pack.

Did I forget to mention I'm also an Omega?

Yeah, it was a big deal.

Anytime an Omega came to visit the pack, they would inevitably be picked by one of the Alphas. Despite the way I’d been treated my whole life, I found myself longing to be one of them. I wanted to be chosen. I wanted to find my fated mate.

Not that all those pairings were Fated. Those Alphas would claim any willing and attractive Omega.

When yet another mating took place, I realized Fate was giving me a sign. I couldn't stick around in one place and expect things to change.

I had to get out. There was nothing left for me there. It was a wonder I stayed as long as I did.

So I packed my bags and moved on.

Rumor had it that this town was a place that only shifters could find. It was said to be the type of place where love was inevitable. I'd also heard they were in the midst of a baby boom.

Every mated couple was either pregnant or had just had a baby.

As much as the idea frightened me—because pregnancy was hard—I wanted it. I wanted my happily ever after.

"See something you like?" the nice lady behind the table asked me.

"Those carrots are lovely." I sighed after the admission. There was no denying they’d been what my focus was on. Even as my mind wandered, I wanted nothing more than to take a big bite out of that juicy carrot.

She tilted her head at me. "What type of shifter are you, sweetie?"

I blushed from my head to my toes. She wasn't patronizing me, yet her words brought up old wounds.

I leaned forward so I could whisper. I didn't want anyone else to hear quite yet.

"I'm a bunny," I told her.

She smiled brightly and clapped her hands. "That's wonderful. I met a bunny shifter years ago. She was very kind. Are you an Alpha or an Omega?"

I ducked my head at the question, and before I could reply, she said, "Omega it is then. My name is Arisha. I'm a raven shifter, an Omega, to my parrot Alpha shifter, Champ.”

I shook her outstretched hand, a genuine smile coming to my face at her words.

“I don't think I've ever met any bird shifters. My name is Ross.”

"Well, it's a good thing you came here then, Ross," she told me. "There are all types of shifters in Collier Cover. We even have a couple of humans that have stumbled in here thanks to Fate's hand.”

My jaw dropped. "Humans? Here? I hadn't heard of that.”

She shook her head. "No, you wouldn't have. We try to keep that quiet. Too many people find out something like that, and it causes mayhem. There's nothing wrong with the humans who are here. They're all fated mates to some of our long-term residents.”

“Then I'm glad they're here. I would love for Fate to send me my mate. I would not dare begrudge anyone else for finding theirs.”

She clasped her hands together and pressed them to her chest. “I agree wholeheartedly, and I hope that you find your person here. I know you're new to town, otherwise I would have already met you.”

"You're so sure of that," I told her.

She laughed. "Yes, I am somewhat of a busybody around town.

If there's someone new, I'm going to meet them.

Even people who just swing by for vacation, or others like Clynt, who stopped in a couple of months ago after a broken heart, end up on my radar.

Clynt wound up finding his fated mate and now they're about to have their first baby.”

“Their first? How do you know they're going to have more?” I asked the question curiously because I had been an only child.

It was rare in the shifter community, but that's what I was told happened by the head Alpha of the pack. I think it's part of the reason my parents gave me up so easily. Not having more than one must have ostracized them from their fluffle.

Arisha nodded. "Oh yes! Definitely their first of many. If you could see the way Maklihn looks at his mate, then you would see there's no stopping those two.”

A blush rose on my cheeks again. I knew people thought that rabbits were the type to procreate often. Maybe it was true somewhere.

I, on the other hand, believed in waiting for my mate. Sex was not something I was all that familiar with outside of gossip and reading. Even then, I would sometimes flip past the spicier bits because I wanted to get to the soft and sweet parts.

I knew that when I found my mate, I would feel differently. Until then, I would stick to what I felt most comfortable with.

"How about we do this?" Arisha said, pulling my attention away from the naughty thoughts.

"I'm going to give you this basket of carrots because I think it's a good idea as a welcome present. And you’ll promise to meet me for dinner later this week—maybe Wednesday.

We can chat a bit about your life, then I can tell you who's who in town.

I'll even invite a few other people I think might be friendly towards you. "

I paused for a minute to think about her offer. I did want to meet others in town. If she was the busybody she claimed to be, then she would be my best bet for that.

After another prolonged moment of silence, I nodded my agreement.

"Sure, that sounds great. I'm still trying to get my bearings. Is there a place I should meet you?"

"Why don't we do it picnic style in the park? I can bring a bunch of different things for you to try, and we'll stick to finger foods only. I imagine vegetables are high on your list of likes."

"They are," I agreed easily. "Should I bring anything with me?"

"Just yourself. I want you to not have to worry about a single thing. Dress casually and come have some fun. I'll make sure everyone knows to be on their best behavior."

She handed me the basket, and I held it close to my chest. It would be awkward to walk around with it for the rest of my visit to the market, but I wasn't going to turn her down. Not when this fresh harvest looked amazing.

"Thank you. You've been very kind. It's nice to feel welcome here."

She patted my hand where it laid on the edge of the basket. "Sweetheart, this place is all about welcoming others. You'll never be judged for the type of shifter you are or your designation. If anything, you'll likely be considered family from the start."

My heart warmed at her words.

Family. It was just the thing I was looking for.