Page 14 of Bear to be Wild (Moonlight Siren #5)
ROAN
I wandered the decks alone. Searching for distraction, anything to break the constant longing and unending questions in my mind. Not to mention my bear’s pestering to find and claim our mate, and to make her see we’re meant to be together.
Not so easy, considering she’s doing her best to keep us apart , I told him.
I’d let him run loose on an island for a couple of hours earlier that day, though he wasn’t as content as usual to explore the forest. The pull to return to the ship, back to Maribelle, tugged at us.
It had been two days since she’d broken the spell that bound us together, yet the yearning to return to her had grown stronger than ever.
Music thumped in the distance, drawing me closer. A rock song coming from the Nocturnal Lounge.
They were playing AC/DC. I stepped inside and was greeted by the scents of fruity cocktails and varied supernaturals.
Four bandmates played on stage: a blond singer, a dark-haired guitarist, a bearded bassist, and most surprising—a massive gray gargoyle pounding on the drums. Maribelle had told me about the band when she’d mentioned her brief encounter with the singer and how she’d hexed him.
I grabbed a beer from the bar and remained back there as I watched the show.
They were good, entertaining guests with more rock favorites through the ’80s.
I kept staring at Van. Did that make me some kind of crazy stalker?
Maybe. It wasn’t jealously that raged, though.
He knew Maribelle. I had questions, and I didn’t know how to get answers.
“We’re Luna Blue Shadows,” Van said as they ended the set. “Thank you for coming, and good night.”
Over the next several minutes, the crowd filtered out. When I saw my chance, I walked over to him.
“Great show, man,” I said.
“Thanks. Appreciate you coming,” he said earnestly, although he probably repeated that a dozen times a night.
“I’m new on the ship. Work as a personal trainer in the gym.” I pointed upward.
“Welcome aboard, man.” Van smiled broadly and clapped me on the shoulder in a friendly greeting. “Come join us for a beer.” He nudged over to where the others were gathering at the bar.
“I wanted to talk to you alone, if you have a second,” I said.
“Yeah, sure. What’s up?”
I exhaled slowly. What was I doing? Where did I even begin? “Actually…a beer would be welcome.”
“Got it.” Van cocked his head, nodding in understanding. “Let’s grab a table.”
We got our drinks and headed to a small table that seated two across the lounge.
“What’s your name, man?” Van asked.
Ah, I hadn’t even introduced myself properly in my distress. “Roan Mathers.”
“Van.” He raised his glass, and I clinked mine against it. “Now—what can I help you with? You interested in music?”
I took a deep breath and revealed, “It’s…Maribelle.”
“Maribelle?” he repeated with surprise, his brows lifting.
“This stays between us,” I insisted. “I don’t want to get her into any trouble.”
“Sure, man. What is it?” He took a casual sip of his beer.
“Well, the short version is…she’d accidentally bound us together through magic for the last couple of days.”
Van’s eyes lit with amusement. He shook his head with a wry smile. “Maribelle,” he said, chuckling. “You don’t wanna mess with her.” He grunted and waved his index finger from side to side. “I’m guessing you’ve heard what she did to me?”
“Yeah, she told me.”
Van put down his glass. “Can’t say I didn’t deserve it.
I was a dick before I met my mate, and Maribelle found a way to get back at me.
Don’t blame her, really. I was wary of being around her after that, but we’re good now.
” He shrugged, then tilted his chin toward me. “So she messed with you too, huh?”
“Not exactly,” I said slowly, almost under my breath. “She broke that spell, but…I’m still connected to her. And for a reason that has nothing to do with her spell.”
Van narrowed his eyes and tapped his fingers on the tabletop. “I don’t follow, man.”
I stared at my glass, running my fingers over the condensation. “The thing is… Maribelle…” I groaned. “I don’t know how to say this.”
“Just say it,” he encouraged with a chuckle. “Spit it out.” He leaned forward. “Aww, shit, wait—did she hex you to prevent you from saying it? Blink twice if you can.”
“No, nothing like that.” I tapped my foot, summoning up the words. “What you said… About meeting your mate.” I gulped at the tightness in my throat. “Maribelle is my—mate.”
Van’s eyes bulged. “Oh shit, dude.” He leaned back as my revelation settled over him. “I know how—” he paused as if searching for the right word, “monumental that is. No wonder you’re spiraling. You got it bad, huh?”
“Yeah,” I admitted with a short nod. A flicker of relief passed through me after speaking the words out loud.
“And I don’t know why I’m telling you this but…
You know Maribelle. You’re a shifter. You found your mate, and…
” I rubbed the back of my neck where frustration knotted it tight.
“I need someone to talk to because—I don’t know what the hell to do about it. ”