The Bear's Forever Mate by Vivian Arend

Author:Vivian Arend [Arend, Vivian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arend Publishing Inc.

12

He’d worried at first. Because of course he did.

Still, he should’ve known that Amber hadn’t been blowing smoke when she said she could handle the dogsled, and he didn’t think it was because the dogs were actually shifters.

They’d headed out of town as quickly as possible, finding the open route to the north and west. Amber led the way, with Lara as her lead on the line of wolves hauling the sled forward. This was still familiar territory for the Orion pack, and Cooper wasn’t at all concerned that they would get off the trail. Not with his sister-in-law guiding them.

He opened the line between his and Amber’s headsets. “You’re handling the sled just fine.”

“I took lessons back in the spring. Didn’t realize it was going to come in handy so soon, but yeah. I know what I’m doing.” Ahead of him, she glanced over her shoulder for a moment. The line crackled and then she continued. “You’re not so bad yourself. You do this often?”

“Grandmother insisted we all learn survival skills. Because as she put it, ‘even you seemingly indestructible polar bears might occasionally need other forms of transportation.’”

“She’s the one who gave me the lessons as a present. It’s obviously something she’s passionate about.” Amber’s voice held a smile. “I like your grandma.”

“She’s your grandmother now too,” he insisted. Then he changed the topic before she could protest. “Are you warm enough?”

“If I’m not, I can just run more and ride less.”

Cooper admired the view as the landscape unfolded. The snow was hard-packed and windblown, and they had reached the point where they could travel side by side.

The wolves who weren’t attached to the ropes ran out and back willy-nilly, tongues hanging from their mouths as they grinned with sheer delight. James and Alex ran as well, their lumbering bear forms a sharp contrast with the sleek wolves and the dainty bobcat also keeping pace.

Cooper glanced over at Amber, but she was focused on her task. She didn’t seem the least bit afraid or fazed by the fact she was surrounded by a whole squadron of shifters in their wild forms.

She’s doing well, he pointed out to his inner bear.

Of course she is. You need to stop assuming that I think she’s wrong for us. She’s just not ready for us, that’s all.

She’s awfully willing to jump through hoops for being not ready, Cooper said with a touch of annoyance.

While he understood how important it was to find Amber’s brother, this whole delay on completing the mating bond had left a sizzle of frustration running just under his skin. As if the lack of finishing up was somehow making the situation worse.

His bear vanished, and Cooper settled back into concentrating on the task at hand.

They stopped a few times to let everyone rest and switch out the wolves who needed a break.

And to eat. Everyone needed to eat.

The weather was cooperating, the sky overhead blue with wisps of clouds that stretched like ribbons across the wide expanse. Crisp cold made each breath fresh and sharp.

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