Page 47 of Mated to the Mountain Bear (Bear Protector #1)

BEN

“ B en.” Beau’s voice carries through the bedroom door, followed by three sharp knocks that echo in the morning stillness. “Lisa…eh, Detective Harris is here. She wants to check on Zara.”

I briefly close my eyes, not ready for the real world to intrude yet. The air still smells of sex and satisfaction flows through my veins. Zara’s pressed against my side, her breath warm against my skin, and her body, soft and pliant after our night together.

“Give us a minute,” I call back, my voice rough. Beau’s footsteps retreat down the hall, the old floorboards creaking under his weight.

Zara stirs, pressing a kiss to my chest before lifting her head. Her green eyes are still hazy with sleep, her hair, a wild tangle of golden silk. She looks thoroughly loved, and my bear puffs up with pride.

“Detective Harris is here?” she asks, immediately more alert. “Do you think it’s about Amber?”

“Let’s find out.” I press a kiss to her forehead. “Get dressed. I’ll handle this.”

We dress quickly, the easy intimacy of the night giving way to the business of the day ahead. I pull on jeans and a henley while she borrows one of my shirts and her pants from yesterday. The sight of her in my clothes satisfies something primal in me.

The living room feels too bright after the dim cocoon of the bedroom.

Detective Lisa Harris stands near the fireplace, her sharp blue eyes taking in every detail of my cabin. Her fiery hair is pulled back in a no-nonsense bun. Her blazer doesn’t quite hide the bulge of her service weapon. She turns when she hears us, her expression filled with genuine concern.

Mason and Maddox flank the windows like guards. Beau leans against the kitchen counter, arms crossed over his chest. The coffee maker gurgles behind him, filling the air with its bitter scent.

“Zara,” Harris says, her tone professional but warm. “When I heard about the incident at your apartment, I wanted to check on you. Beau didn’t tell me he’d taken you here . I thought you were holed up in a fancy hotel.”

She glares at Beau, who doesn’t look remotely apologetic, mumbling something about it not being a great hiding place if you tell everyone where it is.

“I’m okay,” Zara says, moving to the couch. “Really. Ben’s been taking good care of me.”

My bear is smug. Good care is an understatement.

Harris’s eyes flick between us, cataloging every detail. The possessive way I hover behind Zara’s seat. The way she unconsciously leans back toward me. Nothing escapes the detective’s notice.

“I heard there was some kind of commotion up here last night.” Harris moves closer, her boots heavy on the wooden floor. “And I see some fresh blood on the porch. Who wants to tell me what happened?”

Zara goes stiff, not sure what to say. I rest my palm on the small of her back to ease her nerves.

“Just an injured squirrel Jerry brought back to the cabin,” Beau says smoothly. “Nothing to worry about.”

Lisa rounds on Beau, irritated by him jumping in with an answer.

“A squirrel.” Her tone is flat, disbelieving. “A squirrel left all that blood on the porch?”

Beau nods slowly and cockily, deliberately trying to rile her up.

“Mountain life,” Mason chimes in with a shrug. “It isn’t always pretty.”

The silence stretches uncomfortably. Harris looks like she wants to press further, but Zara speaks up first.

“Actually, Detective, I think Ben and I are heading back to the city today.”

Harris frowns. “Are you sure that’s wise? We still haven’t caught your stalker.”

There’s a beat of silence. Nobody wants to lie outright.

“I can’t hide forever,” Zara says steadily, dodging the question. “And Ben will be with me.”

Harris’s gaze shifts to me, assessing. “You’re going to the city? You? ”

My bear bristles. Of course, I’m going.

“Where she goes, I go,” I say simply.

Something in my tone must convince her because she nods slowly.

“I should head back myself. Just wanted to make sure you’re okay in person rather than take his word for it.” She looks at Beau scathingly. “And I suppose you need a ride since your brother ran away before I could ask him why he’s been lurking around the logging compound.”

He smiles. “Yeah, I guess I do. But no funny business, Detective.”

Harris sighs, her patience clearly wearing thin. “Well then, let’s go. I’ve got actual work to do today.”

After they leave, the cabin feels quieter. I grab my duffle and throw in essentials: a couple of changes of clothes, toothbrush, the basics. I don’t need much. Hopefully, this won’t be a long stay.

“You sure about this?” Zara asks, watching me pack.

“Already told you. Where you go, I go.” I zip the bag. “Let’s get this done.”

Jerry appears from wherever he’s been napping and immediately glues himself to Zara’s side. When we head for my truck, he jumps in without being asked, claiming the middle of the bench seat.

I’m not the only one feeling protective and a little clingy.

The drive starts easily enough. Mountain roads, trees, fresh air. But as we descend toward the city, everything changes. More cars. More buildings. More people. Less nature.

I crack the windows, needing air that doesn’t smell like exhaust and concrete. My hands tighten on the steering wheel as we hit the first real traffic, and my bear rebels against being trapped in this tin can.

“You okay?” Zara asks softly, resting her hand on my knee.

“Fine.” I grunt. And I am. Don’t love it, but I can handle it. Jerry whines, pressing closer to Zara. He doesn’t like it either.

By the time we reach her apartment building, my jaw aches from clenching it. The parking garage is cramped, dark, and full of echoes, but Zara needs to do this, so we’re doing it.

“Let’s just get this over with,” she mutters as we climb out, pretending she’s not as nervous as she is about returning to the scene of the crime.

“Right behind you,” I tell her, grabbing my bag. Jerry hops out, still pressed to her leg.

Time to face that apartment, and boxing up both Amber and Zara’s lives, together.