Fae-ted to the Bear - Harmony Raines Page 0,33

knees threatened to give way under her.

She blamed her need for food, but her heart told her it was her need for her mate that made her want to collapse into his strong arms.

Chapter Twelve – Caleb

“This is the life.” Caleb leaned back and tilted his face to the sun. His stomach was full, and his mate was by his side. What could be better?

“I could stay here all day.” Elise leaned her head on his shoulder, her eyes closed against the glare of the sun.

“Which reminds me...” Caleb glanced at his watch. “I have to go. Aiden will be waiting for me.”

“How is he?” Elise asked as she moved away from him and began packing away their breakfast picnic.

“You mean how are he and Flora?” Caleb asked.

“Yes, have they settled into Logan’s cabin?” She placed everything back inside the basket. Everything that was left, which wasn’t a lot.

“I think so. Aiden said they’re going to invite us to dinner in the next couple of days. Once they have the place cleaned up. Logan hasn’t used it for a while, and it got messed up pretty bad when a witch attacked Penny and Milo.”

“A witch attacked them?” Elise’s eyes went wide.

“Don’t worry, that kind of thing doesn’t happen around here very often,” he assured her.

“Do you think I’d leave town if it did?” Elise sat back on her haunches and placed her hands on her thighs.

“You might not, but Karros would probably bundle you back in the car and drive you straight back to the fae realm.” He inhaled deeply. “And if he does that, I will have to follow.”

“You’d follow me?” she asked sweetly.

“To the end of the world.” He leaned down and kissed her lips.

Elise grabbed hold of his arms and yanked them until he overbalanced and sat down heavily by her side. “Better.” She curled her arms around him and kissed his lips.

Caleb cupped her face in his right hand, his left hand wrapped around her waist, holding her close, never wanting to let her go. As his lips moved against hers, heat stirred within him, and tendrils of desire unfurled. He wanted her, he needed to claim her.

His phone vibrated in his pocket and they both jumped as it started to ring.

“Hey, Zara.” He covered the mouthpiece with his hand. “It’s my sister.”

“You have a sister?” Elise asked.

Caleb nodded and continued to help clear the food away while he spoke to Zara. “How are you?”

Elise closed the basket and stooped down to pick up the blanket.

“I’m good,” Zara replied. “I miss you. I was thinking of coming to visit Wishing Moon Bay this weekend if that’s okay.”

“Sure it is.”

“Are you sure?” Zara asked. “You don’t sound it, is everything all right?”

“Yes.” Caleb glanced at Elise. “I met my mate.”

“You what?” Zara asked.

We should have told her, his bear said.

“Yesterday. I met her yesterday. I was going to call you later to tell you. Things have been hectic.” He winced as he realized he’d completely forgotten he had a sister who should be kept in the loop where family stuff was concerned.

“Oh, I know you must be busy.” Zara couldn’t hide her disappointment, which made him feel ten times worse.

“It all happened so fast. Elise came to town with her brother, Karros...”

“Oh, the fae who was engaged to Flora?” Zara asked.

“That’s the one. Karros came to ask Flora if she would help his sister, Elise, get a job with Ivan.”

“Who is the chef. I think I’m getting the hang of this.”

“You are. Ivan is the chef and it turned out Karros’s sister is my mate.”

“Oh. Wow, that’s quite a coincidence. Just think, if Karros hadn’t been so great over the whole arranged marriage thing, you and your mate wouldn’t have met.” Zara laughed, she’d forgiven Caleb for not calling.

“So, anyway, we spent all day yesterday trying to find somewhere for them to live. Then we had to sort out furniture and all that stuff,” Caleb explained away.

“I’d love to meet her,” Zara said.

“You will when you come visit this weekend. In fact, I have room in my apartment for you to stay.”

“Where is Aiden?” Zara asked as if this was something else she hadn’t been told.

“He’s staying in Logan’s cabin for now. We can go visit him.” He glanced at his watch. “Oh, damn, I have to go. I took time off work to have breakfast with Elise. I am supposed to be back at the job by now.”

“Oh, you go, I should have called this evening