Page 13 of Bear Boss’s Mate (Pleasantville Shifter #1)

AUSTIN AND BERN HAD spent several nights the past week patrolling the parks and streets with the local police.

They’d come across only one scene where a woman was being targeted by shifter haters.

The woman had been grateful for their help.

But the man that was threatening her had gotten away, and the attacks continued.

The males in the shifter community dating human women were getting increasingly worried that the attacks would escalate into murders. Patrols were increased as more shifter males stepped out at night to monitor their community.

After talking with one of the women who’d been attacked, Austin found the attacks seemed to target specific women. It appeared the disgruntled men carrying out these vicious attacks were ex-boyfriends.

They were a loosely organized group of about eight to ten men who spied on each other’s ex-girlfriends and attacked in groups of two at a time. Austin was concerned that Mick was part of this small group.

He hated how Marcy was being stalked by this lowlife. Something was nagging at Austin ever since he’d dropped Marcy off after their date. He’d gotten a sense that they were being watched. Mick was out there. Austin could sense it.

When he walked Marcy to her apartment, he caught the distinct scent of the man he’d confronted earlier that night.

He worried that Marcy’s ex-boyfriend stalker was a disaster waiting to happen.

Everything inside Austin made him want to protect her and keep her safe.

Before asking her out, he’d discussed it with Bern, and both men agreed that if Austin was discreet, she’d be safe.

Now that Austin had taken Marcy out and met Mick, he knew she may be in danger, anyway. It was up to him to keep her safe from harm. Whether she wanted him to was a different story.

His feelings for Marcy were stronger than ever. Their date had been a success, and he wasn’t giving up the chance to have a second one.

When he kissed her, it only confirmed to him she was his mate. It filled him with happiness, knowing that they had a strong connection that only needed time and nurturing.

Unfortunately, because of her experience with Mick, she was reluctant to date someone from work. This was a problem, but not one that he couldn’t overcome.

He was not going to give up on them as a couple.

Austin sat down in Bern’s living room to share a drink and discuss his date with Marcy. Bern was his oldest and closest friend, and he could rely on him to keep things in confidence.

“So this Mick guy just showed up there? What the hell? Do you think he’s the one that smashed out our window?” asked Bern.

“It’s highly likely. Seems a bit too much of a coincidence that it was broken after I kicked Mick out of Marcy’s building.

I don’t trust the guy. He hates shifters, but he was too cowardly to speak to me directly.

I’m worried for her safety.” He ran a hand through his hair and took a swig of his drink.

Bern thought for a moment before responding. “I agree with you. This guy can’t be trusted, and we need to make sure he causes no more problems for her. What do you plan to do about him?”

“I plan to protect Marcy and keep him away from her. I don’t think she wants me to get involved.

But I can’t sit back and watch her stop living the life she deserves just because of him.

” Austin bit the inside of his cheek. His protective instinct was strong, especially knowing that she was his mate.

Austin preferred his own company instead of going out and socializing with groups of people. Unlike Bern, who was more outgoing and liked to socialize. Their long-term friendship was something for which Austin was very grateful.

He knew Bern would always have his back, and he would always have Bern’s. His friend nodded in support. “I agree. I would be the same way. If you need me to do anything, just let me know. So what do you plan to do to help her overcome her reluctance to date the boss?” Bern teased.

A grin spread across Austin’s face, and he raised his brows. “I’m going to show her I’m serious about going out with her. Starting with taking her to lunch tomorrow.”

Bern cracked a smile.

Austin couldn’t wait to lay eyes on her again at work. She may have been reluctant to do more than kiss him. And he was partly to blame for rushing things. However, the next time he kissed those lips, she would be begging him for more, much more.