I smile at that.
“I’m leaving to go chat with the ladies now that everything is settled,” Leah says, pushing past us and heading into the retail space.
I want to follow her, already missing Jackie, but Silas stops me.
“Let’s not tell Jackie about this just yet,” he suggests. “Focus on building your mate bond, and we can surprise her with the space once it’s finished.”
I wince. “I don’t think my mate likes surprises.”
Kade laughs. “I think you’re right.”
“She might not like the timeline, and I don’t want Jabari’s mate to be anxious,” Silas explains.
I nod to my alpha, though I don’t agree with him. “I will follow my alpha,” I tell Kade.
She laughs at that. “Let me tell you a cautionary tale that you all know about. Don’t put the clan before your women. Levi did that with Nia, and look at where it got him.”
I don’t respond to that. I’ll honor my alpha’s request, but my bear disapproves. He wants to tell Jackie everything.
Kade glares at me. “You know nothing about women.” She holds up her hands. “Whatever. I’m so looking forward to finding out how this works out for you.” She turns to leave. “I’m going to get the kids at the academy some bagels. Catch you later.”
As she walks off, I head back into the retail space, searching for Jackie by her scent. My bear goes alert when I find her shuffling through the male section with Leah, chatting animatedly. Why is she there?
I approach, and Jackie looks up at me.
“Can you do that thing you did last night with the measurements?” Jackie asks Leah.
Leah beams a smile at her. A measuring tape appears in her palm. She moves with vampire speed, blurring around me to take my measurements before reappearing beside Jackie, notepad and pen already out. She jots down the notes, tears off the page, and hands it to Jackie.
Leah walks toward me, giving me a pat on the arm. “Looks like you’re getting a makeover, and about time. You always look a mess, honey. Got yourself a nice woman to help you clean up.”
I look at Jackie with a sheepish grin, watching as she scans the measurements, the wheels already turning in her mind. She tosses me a nice shirt and a pair of pants.
“Go try this on. I want to see how it fits on you.”
I give her a grin, playfully pouting as if denying her. I’m not, but seeing her eyes narrow as she points at the dressing room turns me on more than I can handle.
“Go try that on RIGHT NOW.”
The command in her voice makes my dick throb. I’m inclined to take her into the dressing room and ease the ache, but thatwill have to wait. For now, I do as asked, walking off to try on the clothes.
Since we’re here, I’ll collect some ingredients to make a nice dinner. I’m charming my mate tonight.
And my bear approves.
18
JACKIE
Igive myself a slow twirl in front of the mirror, finally feeling like myself in a dress that embraces my curves rather than fights them. The soft fabric caresses my skin with each movement. I’ve taken my time with a light makeup look, and my freshly washed hair is moisturized and straightened. The new slippers on my feet are plush and comfortable—a small luxury I didn’t know I needed until now.
The bedroom is a mess from my self-care regimen, clothes scattered across the bed and makeup covering the dresser. I’ve never been one to leave a space cluttered, so I start gathering the damp towels from the floor, wiping down the bathroom counter, and organizing the dresser.
As I hang up Jabari’s new shirts in the closet, a realization hits me. “I don’t have to worry about money,” I say aloud, testing how the words feel in my mouth. A laugh bubbles up from somewhere deep within me.
Here I was, stressing over my failing boutique, and now I can have whatever I want—a business on Wintermoon, the richest land in the world. The irony isn’t lost on me. EverythingI’ve been working for, struggling for, is suddenly within reach because I’m fated to a bear shifter.
The smell of baked macaroni and cheese floats up from downstairs, making my stomach growl. I hang up the last of his shirts and head downstairs, following the smell.
