Beast Bear (Return To Fate Mountain #2)

Chapter

Twelve

Theo sat in a booth by a large window in Fate Mountain Diner. It was just past seven, and the dinner rush had thinned slightly. One of the waitresses smiled at him, sensing he was waiting for someone special. He checked his phone one last time, thinking Serena might have sent him a text telling him she’d changed her mind.

Then headlights swept across the window. The car parked and Serena stepped out. She wore blue jeans and a zip-up jacket, her thick black hair falling softly around her shoulders. A twinge of anticipation stirred in his chest as she approached the diner’s door.

When she entered, she paused, taking in the warm lamplight and the faint scent of coffee and grilled onions. She caught sight of him and walked over, shoulders relaxing.

“You’re here,” she said, giving him a small smile. Serena slid into the booth and reached for the laminated menu, glancing over the classic diner offerings. A warm glow lit the pages, reflecting in Serena’s eyes as she studied the burger section.

“I’m in the mood for a jalapeno burger tonight. A little walk on the wild side,” Theo said.

Serena flipped a page, then nodded. “I think I’ll get a bacon cheeseburger. I had it my first night in Fate Mountain. I figure, why mess with a good thing?”

The sound of muted chatter filled the diner around them, while the faint hiss of a fryer in the kitchen hinted at fresh fries in the making.

The waitress approached. “Ready to order?” Serena set the menu down and gave the waitress her order. The server jotted it down, then turned to Theo. “And you?”

He handed her the menus and told her what he wanted. The waitress flashed a quick grin. “Great choices. Anything else?” They both shook their heads, and the waitress stepped away, menus tucked under her arm. Serena leaned back in the booth, resting her hands on the table.

Theo leaned forward. “How was your day? I heard you were on a rescue earlier.”

Her shoulders tensed. “It was a mess. The sabotage, or whatever it was, changed an orienteering session’s schedule. People left early, walked straight into a landslide zone. I ended up treating a sprained ankle.”

He frowned. “Feels like every day the academy has a new problem.”

The waitress returned, setting down two frosty shakes topped with whipped cream and a bright red cherry. “Burgers will be out soon,” she said with a smile before hurrying back to the kitchen.

Theo took a sip of his shake, savoring the cool sweetness. Serena drew on her straw, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment at the taste. “So good,” she murmured. She met his gaze and exhaled. “I really needed to get away from all that for a while. This is nice.”

The waitress reappeared with two plates of burgers and golden fries. The smell of grilled beef and melted cheese rose in a warm wave, making Serena’s mouth water. She picked up the burger, took a bite, and let out a soft moan of approval.

“This is better than I remember from my hotel room,” she said with a faint grin.

Theo smiled at her reaction. “I’m glad you like it.” He lifted his own burger, taking a bite. The savory, spicy flavor hit just right.

She dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “After you told me about your famous dad, I looked you up online. Seems like you were famous in the local restaurant scene in Portland yourself. You even had a write-up about rescuing hostages in a bank robbery.”

He set his burger down. “I suppose you read the article about how I got arrested in a Portland park.”

“I missed that one.” She took a sip of chocolate shake, watching him intently. “What happened. How did you get arrested in the park?”

Theo revealed his story in a burst. “I’d been losing my grip on my bear since the bank robbery. It was an issue I had in childhood that I’d thought I’d overcome a long time ago. After months of barely holding it together, I lost control when I saw what looked like a stalker in the park. I shifted and chased down what turned out to be a married couple and then several other humans. I was tranquilized and arrested. Charged with criminal threat. The papers officially stripped me of the hero status they’d given me just months before.”

She watched him carefully. “Wow. That’s a lot to process. I’m sorry that happened to you.”

“I’m dealing with it,” he said, wanting to change the subject. “Your pictures looked like they were taken in San Francisco. Is that where you’re from?”

“I’m from Las Vegas. But after I left home and got paramedic training, I roamed around a lot. I was in San Francisco when I found the paramedic-integration course at the academy. It sounded like a new challenge. I figured, why not? At this point, I don’t want to lose my investment.”

Theo grabbed a fry, swirling it in ketchup. “Do you have any siblings? What are your parents like?”

“I’m an only child,” she said. “Thankfully, I’m the only one who was subjected to my parents’ horror show of a marriage.”

“Why do you call it that?”

Serena set down her fork, her eyes going distant. He knew he’d hit a nerve. He wanted to reach across the table and take her hand, but he held back.

“My father is a rich and powerful dragon shifter. My mom is a cougar shifter like me. But she and I couldn’t be any more different. She’s…” Serena looked down at her lap, her face falling. When she glanced back up at Theo, her eyes were shining. She shook her head and wiped her face with her napkin. “I don’t want to say my mother was weak. It wasn’t her fault. My father… he used the mate bond to control her. Even if she’d wanted to get away, I doubt she could have.”

“Did he…hurt her?” Theo asked, his heart constricting.

Serena looked away again, her face falling. He didn’t want to push this subject. It felt too raw. Too painful. Serena looked back at him, her lips a hard line.

“Not exactly. He didn’t have to. He just sucked the life out of her with his constant demands and commands. He never let her have a moment of peace. Her entire existence had to revolve around serving him, focusing on him, making his priorities the only thing that mattered. It made me sick.”

She took a deep breath before going on. “From the time I was a little girl, I knew there was something wrong with their dynamic. I left home as soon as I could. I got a scholarship for an EMT training course when I was seventeen. My mother’s cousin lived in the same city and offered to let me stay with her, so I left. And never looked back. I’ve only seen my mother a few times in the last fifteen years. The last time I talked to her, it was all still the same. I couldn’t even have a ten-minute phone conversation with her without my father dominating the entire situation.”

“Serena. I’m so sorry. No wonder you’re hesitant to form a mate bond.”

“Well, now you know how messed up my past is. You have the chance to run.” She gave a sardonic laugh.

“I’d never think badly of you because of your father.” On impulse, he reached across the table and squeezed her hand briefly. “I just want you to know, I’m nothing like that. I could never…”

“I didn’t say you were,” she said, folding her hands in her lap. “It’s the fear. The disgust. When I see mates, all I can see is my parents’ toxic dynamic. Even when I know it’s not that way for most shifters.”

“It makes perfect sense why you’d be hesitant to mate. Thank you for sharing that with me.”

The waitress returned with the bill. She cleared the plates and gave them each a grateful nod. Stella, Theo’s sister and the manager of Fate Mountain Diner, walked through the door, spotted him, and strode toward their booth. She was in her mid-twenties with dark blonde hair tied back into a bun. She wore a simple blouse and slacks.

“Theo,” she said, stopping by the table. “I had no idea you were here tonight.” She glanced at the bill. “I hope you two enjoyed the food.”

Serena shifted in her seat, looking between Theo and the newcomer. Theo stood halfway, an awkward pride tugging at his posture. “Stella, this is Serena,” he said, gesturing with an open palm. “Serena, this is my sister, Stella. She runs the diner now.” He paused, gathering his nerve. “And Serena is my mate.”

Stella’s eyes widened. “Your mate? Since when?” She looked from Theo to Serena with clear surprise. “You haven’t told the family?”

Theo rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s recent.”

Stella put a hand on her hip. “You should’ve told us. Mom and Dad will flip. You know how they get with big news like this.” She turned to Serena. “I’m sorry we didn’t know sooner. I’d love to have you both over for our family barbecue on Friday night. That is, if you’re free.”

Theo angled his head toward Serena, letting her take the lead. Serena looked to him, then back at Stella. “That sounds nice,” she said, picking up on Stella’s earnest tone. “I’d like to meet your family.”

Stella’s face lit up. “Perfect. I’ll text Theo the time and details. Don’t stand us up.” She reached down, lifted the bill from the edge of the table. “No charge tonight. I’ll mark it as manager’s treat.”

She slid the bill into a pocket. “I’m so excited for you two to come to the barbecue.” With that, she turned and walked off, weaving around a busboy clearing a nearby table.

Theo exhaled, easing back into his seat. “My dear little sister.” He glanced at Serena, unsure if the impromptu invitation was too much. “I hope you didn’t feel pressured to accept.”

Serena gave a faint grin. “I think it’ll be fun. Your sister is lovely. She makes me feel like I can trust you.”

Theo dropped the cash he’d brought for the meal onto the table for a tip. Serena stood, gathering her jacket. He led her toward the diner’s entrance, stepping out into the cool evening air. The parking lot lights cast a dim yellow glow across the asphalt. She paused near her car, turning to face him.

“Thanks, Theo,” she said. “This was great.”

He watched her climb into her car and drive off, the headlights cutting through the night. His inner grizzly rumbled, but a sense of satisfaction settled into his veins. He’d managed a successful date with Serena, and they’d really opened up to each other. It was the first step in the right direction.