Fae-ted to the Bear - Harmony Raines Page 0,5

leaned closer as Caleb sat down. “You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I met my mate,” Caleb blurted out and Rift reeled back as if he’d been struck.

“Where is she?” Rift looked around. “Don’t say you lost her already.”

“No.” Caleb shook his head and then glanced at Flora in concern. “She isn’t going to skip town, is she?”

“Is who?” Rift demanded while Valerie sat patiently waiting for more details.

“Elise. Her name is Elise,” Flora replied. “And no, she isn’t going to skip town.”

“Why would she?” Valerie asked at last.

“She’s a fae,” Aiden explained.

“Oh!” Rift’s eyes widened. “I bet she’s not happy that she has a shifter for a mate.”

“She’s not unhappy. More shocked,” Flora replied. “But she’ll come around.” She placed her hand over Aiden’s. “I did.”

“It took a while.” Aiden kissed her cheek.

“Why is she in Wishing Moon Bay?” Valerie asked. “We don’t get many fae visitors here.”

“She came to ask if Ivan would train her as a chef,” Flora replied.

“Wow. How did that go?” Rift glanced at Milo, he took the job of looking after the boy seriously, while also enjoying every moment of it. If any of the brothers deserved children, it was Rift.

“He wasn’t too eager. But once he realized that Elise was Caleb’s mate, he came around.” Aiden grabbed a menu and opened it up, although he knew exactly what was being served.

“So that’s why she’s not going to leave town. She wants to train with Ivan.” Rift chuckled. “A dragon shifter and a fae, now that is going to be an interesting combination in the kitchen.”

“Don’t remind me.” Caleb sighed.

“That’s between Ivan and Elise,” Valerie said sagely. “You stay out of it.”

“How can I?” Caleb asked. “If Elise and Ivan don’t get along, my mate might go back to her world and leave me here. I need time for her to get to like me.”

Valerie reached for her son’s hand. “You listen to me. If fate threw the two of you together, it was for a reason.”

“Let’s hope that reason is simply for you to help Ivan and Elise learn to get along.” Rift held up his finger. “One, because Ivan really does need help in the kitchen. He needs someone who can eventually run the kitchen so he can have some time off.” He held up another finger. “And two, we’ve had enough drama surrounding mates, thank you.”

“Rift is right on both counts,” Valerie agreed. “If all you have to worry about is how to help a dragon shifter and a fae get along, I’ll be happy.”

“It’s a good thing we already have a fae in the family.” Caleb held his hands out to Flora. “Please help me.”

She laughed and shook her head. “I will help you all I can, but Elise is a free spirit. She has never really pictured herself settling down and having a bunch of children. She’s worked in several restaurants in the fae realms, but she’s never been taken seriously by her parents.”

“Elise doesn’t want to be tied down?” Caleb’s heart sank a little.

“Worse, working with someone like Ivan is the opportunity she’s always wanted.” Flora’s expression turned to one of pity. Which made Caleb feel even gloomier.

“The very thing that’s holding Elise in town is the thing that might possibly push us apart.”

“Yes,” Flora agreed. “However, the one thing I have learned about you, Caleb, is that you are smart, and you’ll figure this out.”

Caleb only hoped Flora was right.

Chapter Three – Elise

“How did the job interview go?” Karros met her in a small diner overlooking the beach.

“It sure is beautiful here.” Elise slid into the seat across the table from him and picked up the menu. As she glanced at the dishes, she sure wished she’d taken Caleb up on his offer to join his family in the restaurant. Ivan’s food was the best she’d ever tasted, his reputation didn’t do it justice.

“That good, huh?” Karros leaned his elbows on the table and tried to ignore the two women seated at the next table who kept staring at him.

Elise studied the menu before placing it down on the table. “It had some unexpected surprises.”

“Like what?” Karros chuckled. “Did he ask you to cook for him?”

“No.” She ran her finger along the edge of the menu. “I met his brother.”

“Ivan’s brother? Or Aiden’s brother?” Karros’s tone sharpened.

“Well, both. Ivan’s adopted brother and Aiden’s twin brother. You do know Aiden was adopted by Valerie Kelts along with his twin brother and another four shifters.” She lowered her