Page 7 of Bearly Ever After (Bear Creek Forever #5)

Klein wound down the window and rested his elbow on the door as he drove through the mountains he knew so well. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and earth, familiar and comforting. But today, something felt different. The mountains seemed to hold a new kind of energy, a pulsing, primal undercurrent that Klein had tapped into since he’d met Nicole. His mate.

Because we are different, his bear told him, the voice full of joy.

We are, Klein agreed, a grin spreading across his face. He wanted to lean out the window and shout to the world that he had finally found his mate. That he was no longer the last of his brothers to be mated. That he was no longer waiting for that magical moment alone. But he knew better.

His bear chuckled. Yelling out of the window might jeopardize things since she’s right behind us. She might not have bear shifter hearing, but she does have ears.

Point taken, Klein agreed, as happiness bubbled up inside him and he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, barely able to contain his joy.

But then, his good mood faltered. Was he really the only one among his brothers who wasn’t mated yet? What about Jay?

His mind wandered to his estranged brother, and Klein gazed out at the far-off mountains, a heavy feeling settled in his heart. The more pressing question wasn’t whether he was the last to find a mate—it was where was Jay?

Klein flexed his fingers on the steering wheel and focused on the winding road ahead. He and Jay had always been close, and he missed him deeply. He longed to share this news with him.

Jay has missed out on so much since he left, Klein said sadly.

His bear’s mood shifted, caught up in the same melancholy. We miss him.

But does he miss us? Klein wondered, and a familiar ache bloomed in his chest.

I’m sure he does, his bear answered.

Sometimes I wonder… He sucked in a deep breath, steadying himself.

Jay had left on his own terms, and he’ll come back when he is ready, his bear said with unwavering certainty.

You’re right. With that, Klein pushed all thoughts of Jay aside. Today was special, a once-in-a-lifetime day.

And we should enjoy every moment of it, his bear agreed, his excitement rising again.

Klein glanced in his rearview mirror, and his grin returned. Mila was holding the little puppy as if it were the most precious thing in the world, her face full of joy and wonder.

Just like our mate is the most precious thing in our world, his bear murmured and settled down contentedly in the back of Klein’s mind.

Not just our mate, Klein corrected gently. There’s Mila, too.

Well, make sure you get around to telling them both about me. I want to meet them in the flesh. His bear huffed and closed his eyes, dreaming of the future.

You mean the fur, Klein teased.

I do, his bear agreed, and Klein laughed under his breath at his bear’s contentment. His imagination was already filled with images of them all together, walking the mountain trails side by side.

Soon, they reached the edge of town, and Klein kept checking his rearview mirror, making sure Nicole didn’t lose him as the traffic began to build. Not that Bear Creek ever had much in the way of traffic, but for someone new to town, it could still be disorienting.

Not that he would ever lose her. His senses were entirely focused on her, a connection so profound, the bond eternal, one he knew would last forever.

He pulled into the small parking lot near the pet store, easing his truck into a spot. A moment later, Nicole parked behind him, and he watched as she switched off her engine, not wanting to ever take his eyes off her.

But they were here for a reason, so Klein climbed out of his truck, taking a deep breath to calm himself as he walked toward Nicole’s car.

Mila was first out of the car, cradling the small dog, who gave an inquisitive sniff at the new surroundings. “It’s okay,” Mila crooned.

“He looks like he’s feeling a little better.” Klein nodded toward the scruffy pup.

“Tammy gave him something for the pain,” Mila explained, her voice filled with affection as she nuzzled the little dog.

I think Mila’s love for the puppy helps as much as the pain meds, Klein’s bear said.

Love does make us stronger, Klein agreed.

“I expect he must be hungry,” Nicole said as she joined them.

“Are you hungry, little one?” Mila asked.

“I bet he is.” Klein glanced toward the pet store, motioning for them to follow. “This way.”

Nicole fell into step beside him, and after a moment, she said, “You know, you could just give us directions if you need to get to the grocery store.”

Klein looked down at her, drinking in the sight of her oval face and those beautiful hazel eyes that seemed to catch the light just so. “Grocery store?” he repeated, as if momentarily confused.

Nicole’s eyes narrowed playfully. “You said you were coming to town to get dish soap for your mom.”

He blinked, then laughed. “Oh, right. I did, didn’t I? But it can wait. We need to get this little pup all the things.”

“All the things?” Nicole echoed, casting a glance at her daughter. “Don’t put ideas in Mila’s head.”

Mila rolled her eyes. “I am not a kid. All we need is some food, a bed, and some toys so that once he’s feeling better, he can play.”

Klein cracked a grin as they stopped in front of the pet store. “Here we are. Stanley will sort you out with what you need and won’t rip you off.”

“You trust him?” Nicole asked.

“I should—he’s my cousin,” Klein replied, pushing the door open for them.

“Your cousin?” Nicole repeated as she stepped inside.

“One of them,” a man in the store said, coming forward with a welcoming smile. “And believe me, there are plenty of us.”

“How many?” Mila asked as she stepped inside, her eyes wide as she looked around the store. The store was absolutely overflowing with pet supplies. It seemed as if every conceivable type, color, and variety imaginable filled the shelves to capacity.

“My dad is one of six brothers, and they each had six sons,” Klein explained with a touch of pride in his voice.

“Wow,” Nicole murmured, her eyes widening as she looked at Mila. “That’s one big family.”

“It is.” Klein pictured Nicole and Mila at a Thornberg family gathering and hoped that one day they would be part of that big, chaotic family.

They sure can be a rambunctious bunch, his bear said.

Rambunctious? Klein chuckled at the word, even though it did describe the Thornberg Clan perfectly.

“And it keeps getting bigger,” Stanley added, a teasing glint in his eyes as he shot a questioning look at Klein.

Klein just smiled, shaking his head. “We’re here for the pup, not for family gossip.”

Stanley raised his hands in mock surrender. “Fair enough. Let’s get this little guy sorted out, then.”

“We need food, a bed, some toys, and maybe a collar,” Mila said, listing off the essentials as she looked at the shelves around them. “But just enough food for a few days, since we don’t know if he has an owner.”

Stanley nodded, his expression sympathetic as he tickled the puppy behind his ears. “Let’s see what we can find.”

Klein stepped back, watching as Mila and Stanley moved toward the shelves. Nicole lingered beside him, her gaze following her daughter. He could sense her hesitation, her concern. It was a mother’s instinct, he realized, wanting to protect her daughter from disappointment in case the puppy had an owner and had to be returned.

He leaned in closer, his voice low so only she could hear. “Are you okay?”

Nicole glanced up at him, her eyes meeting his. “Yeah. Mila’s already getting attached.”

Klein reached out, giving her arm a reassuring squeeze. “Whatever happens, we’ll make sure Mila’s okay. And the pup, too.”

Nicole looked at him, her eyes searching his, and for a moment, he saw a flicker of something—trust, maybe, or hope. She gave him a small smile, nodding. “Thank you, Klein.”

“Anytime,” he replied hoarsely, wishing he could click his fingers and make everything all right. He could not bear the thought of either Nicole or Mila being in pain.

“Maybe Tammy knows of a litter of pups,” Nicole suggested, smiling as Mila chose a blue collar decorated with small hearts for the scruffy pup.

Klein nodded. “I’ll ask around... Just in case.”

“Just in case,” Nicole murmured as she watched Stanley lead Mila and the puppy around the store, helping them select the perfect food, bed, and toys. With each new carefully selected item, Mila’s excitement grew. The puppy, for his part, seemed to perk up, his tail wagging as Mila showed him each new treasure. It was as if he could sense the care and consideration being lavished on him by his new friend.

“Shall we join them?” Klein arched a questioning eyebrow at Nicole and gestured toward Mila.

Nicole nodded. “I guess we should, since I’m going to be picking up the tab.”

“I’ll make sure Stanley gives you the friends-and-family discount,” Klein said, leaning in as he spoke, so close their hands brushed against each other, sending a tingle up Klein’s arm. He forced himself not to react, even though he wanted to slip his hand into his mate’s and relish the feel of her fingers entwined with his.

Nicole gave Klein a playful look, her lips curving into a teasing smile. “A friends-and-family discount, huh?”

Klein nodded, the grin on his face widening. “Absolutely.”

She thinks she’s our friend, his inner bear mused with a touch of smugness, but she has no idea she will soon be part of our family.

Yes, she will, Klein agreed, his gaze shifting to Nicole as she watched her daughter and the pup. For now, all he could do was hope—his heart aching with longing as he imagined making her a permanent part of his life. I just hope she accepts us.

She will, his bear assured him.

All we have to do is explain what we are, Klein said with a snort. The thought of revealing his true nature to Nicole was a daunting one, but his bear’s confidence didn’t waver.

We are her mate. That is all we need her to know, his bear insisted, a fierce edge to his tone. That’s all we need to prove to her.

That I can do. Klein smiled to himself, his eyes locked on Nicole as she walked over to where Mila was holding up a chew toy shaped like a bone.

“Do you think he’ll like it?” Mila held the bone up for her mom to get a closer look.

“Looks like he already does,” Nicole answered as the puppy tentatively sniffed it and then gave it a lick, his tail wagging just a little.

“Can I give it to him now?” Mila asked Stanley.

“Sure.” Stanley nodded and gave the little dog a scratch on the head. “That one is on me.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” Nicole insisted.

“I know,” Stanley replied. “But I want to.”

“Thank you,” Mila said happily and offered the puppy the toy. “Here, this is yours.” The puppy took it in his mouth with great care. “Do you think this is the first toy he’s ever had?” Mila’s voice wavered.

“I don’t know.” Nicole placed her hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “But it won’t be the last. That I know for sure.”

“Hear that?” Mila whispered loudly into the puppy’s ear. “You’re going to have all the toys.”

“Well, maybe not all of them,” Nicole said and shot her daughter a stern look before she cracked a grin. “Come on, let’s pay Stanley and get home while we can still fit everything in the car.”

“It’s a good thing Klein has a truck, then,” Mila replied with a playful smirk.

Klein’s bear sighed happily. They have such a great relationship.

They do, Klein agreed. He felt incredibly thankful to be part of their lives.

“Are we all set, Mila?” Nicole asked.

“I think so.” Mila cuddled the little puppy close.

Nicole nodded. “What do you think, Stanley?”

Stanley stood behind the counter, ringing up the items. “I am pretty sure you do. And if not, you know where I am.”

“Oh, I am sure we are going to be regular customers,” Nicole replied lightly.

But Mila’s mouth turned down at the corners as she dropped a kiss on the scruffy dog’s head. The look on her face broke Klein’s heart. She had fallen in love with the sweet puppy, but she knew love was not enough. If the puppy belonged to someone else, she would lose him.

And the same could be said for his mate. He’d never gotten around to asking her if she had a significant other.

A husband, a lover?

Would his heart be crushed, too?

No, fate would not be that cruel, his bear said firmly, but they both knew fate was not always kind.

Their brother Jay was a perfect example of that fact.