Fae-ted to the Bear - Harmony Raines Page 0,11
us about are very nice, with great views over the ocean.
He drove toward the beach, where he’d arranged to meet Elise and Karros. As he parked the truck, his stomach flipped with nerves. What if he blew this? What if Karros tried to persuade Elise to leave Wishing Moon Bay and her dreams behind just to spite Caleb? It would be one way to get revenge for losing the woman he loved.
Caleb parked the truck. As he switched off the engine, he was suddenly alert to the feeling he’d experienced this morning. His mate was close by.
He closed his eyes and let his shifter senses roam free until he pinpointed his mate among the dozen or so people on the beach. It was as if they were connected.
We are connected, his bear reminded him. We’re connected by the shifter bond. We’re connected by fate.
Caleb only hoped that connection was strong enough to keep his mate by his side.
Chapter Five – Elise
“He’s here.” Elise turned her back to the ocean as she sensed Caleb.
“How did you know?” Karros spun around and stared at the cars parked next to the beach. “You can sense him?”
She smothered a smile. “I can. It’s as if we’re connected.”
“I know shifters experience the connection, but I always figured that was because of their unique senses. But you’re saying you have them, too?” Karros looked at her with disbelief.
“I don’t think I’ve got shifter senses.” She looked from side to side and then kept her head still as she focused on her hearing. “Nope, my vision and my hearing are just the same.”
“So, the only thing that’s changed is that you can sense Caleb.”
“Yes. I’m a little disappointed. I’d really like to have super speed.” Her eyes widened. “I wonder if that’s how come Ivan is so good in the kitchen. He uses his shifter speed to cook super-fast.” Then her mouth turned down at the corners. “Wow. What if those same senses are the reason he’s so good at cooking.”
“You think his enhanced sense of smell and taste help him?” Karros slid his arm around Elise’s shoulders and guided her toward Caleb. The bear shifter was waiting for them at the top of the steps leading down to the beach. Karros didn’t need his shifter senses to tell him that.
“Yes. It’s possible.” Her shoulders sagged. “If that’s the case then I have no chance of ever being as good as him.”
“If that was his secret then the world would be filled with shifter chefs. And it’s not. I think Ivan’s talent in the kitchen is something else. Something he can teach.” Karros, always the voice of reason.
“Hi there.” Caleb raised his hand as they approached. “When you said you were at the beach, I wondered if you were checking out the caves in case you didn’t find a place to stay tonight.”
“I didn’t know the man who wants to be my sister’s mate was so funny.” Karros shot Caleb a slightly hostile look.
“Now, now. We’re on the same team.” A shiver of excitement rushed through Elise as she climbed the steps to Caleb.
“We are.” Caleb bowed his head to Karros. “I know you’re upset about Flora and my brother, but I hope you don’t take it out on us.”
“Us.” Karros arched an eyebrow at Elise.
“Stop it,” she warned her brother. “You are trying to pick a fight.”
Karros sighed. “Sorry. This has been a strange few days. My world and my future have been turned upside down.”
“Karros expected to be sitting on a throne one day beside the next Lady of the Starlight Realm. Instead, he’s here on a beach outside of our world with me.” She held out her hands. “Not exactly a fair trade.”
“None of that is my fault,” Caleb reminded them.
“No, it’s not,” Karros agreed. “So let’s start again.” He held out his hand to Caleb. “Friends.”
“Friends.” Without hesitation, Caleb thrust his hand into Karros’s and the two men shook and made up.
“Thank you. I’m nervous enough about tomorrow without worrying about you two.” She gnawed on her bottom lip. “Is Ivan all right about me working in his kitchen? He was put on the spot and I know he wouldn’t have accepted me if it wasn’t for you.”
“Ivan might have agreed for you to work in his kitchen because of me,” Caleb began. “But whether you keep that position is up to you. He won’t let you stay if he thinks you can’t cook or can’t learn to cook. That would be wasting