His Stubborn Mate: A Grumpy Fated Mates Romance (Alaskan Tails Book 9) by Delta James

Author:Delta James [James, Delta]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-08-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Amanda

Rance had tried to convince her to stay, but Amanda had explained that even though she was sure of what she wanted, she needed time to process everything. He had reluctantly agreed, but only if she agreed to call or text him when she got back to town. Amanda agreed and smiled as she did so. Once she was inside her clinic she made a quick tour through her facility to ensure nothing was out of place, then set the alarm and headed upstairs.

Amanda closed the door to her home above the veterinary clinic, the familiar scent of antiseptic and pine wafting up from the clinic below. The space was warm and inviting, but she felt anything but relaxed. The events of the night weighed heavily on her mind, especially the encounter with the Kodiak bear and the wild and exhilarating run through the forest in her new form. It was a lot to process, and she wasn’t entirely sure where to begin.

As she slipped off her boots and hung up her coat, she heard the soft murmur of a voice. She turned and found Eva sitting on the couch, her legs crossed and a steaming mug of tea in her hands. Her friend’s expression was a mix of concern and curiosity, the kind of look that said she had been waiting for Amanda’s return and wasn’t leaving without some answers.

“Eva,” Amanda said, trying to keep her tone light. “What are you doing here?”

Eva gave her a small smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I thought I’d stop by and see how you were doing. You’ve been through a lot lately.”

Amanda forced a smile, though she knew it probably looked as strained as she felt. “I’m fine, really. Just needed some fresh air and a change of scenery.”

Eva’s gaze didn’t waver, and she gestured for Amanda to sit beside her. “Why don’t you tell me what really happened?”

Amanda hesitated for a moment before crossing the room and sinking into the armchair opposite her friend. She knew Eva wouldn’t let her off the hook easily, and she wasn’t sure she had the energy to keep evading her questions. She took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully.

“I went to see Rance,” Amanda began, her voice steady. “I wanted to thank him for saving my life.” She raised her hand to stop Eva’s objection. “Don’t. He admitted he was there that night. We talked, and… well, he took me on a run in the woods.”

Eva’s eyes flickered with interest, and she leaned forward slightly. “A run? In the woods? At night?”

Amanda nodded, trying to keep her tone casual. “It was exhilarating. The air was crisp, the moon was out—it was beautiful. But while we were out there, we encountered a Kodiak bear.”

Eva’s expression turned serious. “A Kodiak bear? Amanda, those bears can be incredibly dangerous; they are very territorial.”

Amanda nodded, recalling the ferocity of the bear and the brutal fight that had ensued. “It was. The bear seemed to see me as a threat, but Rance… he protected me.

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