Jabari’s bear starts pushing at me, urging me toward the house.
“Alright, alright, I’ll go inside. Would you calm down already?” I laugh as he circles around me and nudges my ass with his snout.
“Don’t you start,” I warn, putting my hands on my hips. “Don’t make me pop you.”
Immediately, his bear sits down in submission, and I giggle at his silliness. Even Jabari’s bear likes it when I get bossy.
“It was just a shiver from the wind,” I explain. “Look at my hideous clothes.” I gesture to the oversized jacket and thick leggings I’m wearing. “You know I don’t wear stuff like this, but I did it for you because you were so bothered about me waiting outside for you without warm clothes. I’m fine, Jabari.”
His bear just stares at me, unblinking, until I sigh and approach him again. I run my fingers over his head, down his snout, and across his mouth. Jabari’s bear doesn’t like kisses, but this gesture? He’s all over it.
He stands again, brushing against my belly once more.
“Okay, Jabari, we can keep trying, and I promise a cub will come soon,” I say softly. “I want a baby with you too.”
His response is to circle around me again, pushing at my butt with his snout.
“Alright, alright, you are so pushy sometimes,” I giggle, heading for the porch. I climb the steps as Jabari shifts behind me, his bear form fading away to reveal his human one.
Fully naked, he runs up the stairs after me, entering the cabin and shutting the door behind us. I take off my jacket, hanging it on the coat rack, then kick off my shoes. Almost immediately, He’s all over me—picking me up, kissing me, carrying me up the stairs to our bedroom, and setting me down on my feet once inside.
“How was your work day?” I ask, gazing up at him.
“It’s better now that I’m with you,” he replies, his voice deep and warm.
I roll my eyes at his cheesy response, but secretly, I love it.
He grabs a towel and heads into the bathroom to shower. I sit down on the bed and wait for him. He’s been gone all day, and I’ve missed him.
These past four months in the Clan have been... different. I spend most days at home, sometimes helping Jewel with the pantry upkeep, and occasionally visiting the spa. But I quickly realized just how much bear shifters like to hover. Jabari stood outside the spa building for hours waiting for me to come out, and Silas did the same since Jewel was with me.
I’ve built a good bond with Jewel, and with Ebony too whenever we connect. Most of the women in Wintermoon socialize at the spa, and I’ve met many shifter mates, and even Queen Anora once. She’s always busy, but she made time for a little small talk, which I thought was sweet.
Wintermoon is beautiful, but something is missing. I’m trying to find my place in the clan. I get along with everyone and I’ve been moving around, even visiting the academy sometimes to have lunch with Ebony while Jabari hangs with Tristian and his son Caleb.
But it just feels like something’s missing. And I know exactly what it is: my business. I miss seeing the glow in a woman’s eyes when they see their transformation. That moment when a woman smiles in a dress or gown after the world has told her shecan’t wear something like that. I proved them wrong every time. I’ve helped so many women and teens, but it doesn’t feel like enough. I should be doing more.
Jabari doesn’t spend long in the bathroom. He returns with his body still damp from the shower and tosses his towel into the hamper. He smirks at me as he walks over to the dresser, pulling out a pair of flannel pajama pants and a shirt that actually fits him. He’s so different from the Jabari I met months ago—he’s developed more confidence, takes better care of himself, keeping his hair cut and his beard trimmed. He cleans up nicely.
He comes to sit beside me on the bed, wrapping his arm around me. “Something is troubling you,” he says. It’s not a question.
I look up at him, feeling a bit nervous. We’ve talked about this before, me getting a job, and he just keeps telling me that he has something planned for me and needs more time. But I’m growing restless. I’ve been plenty busy, but it’s starting to seem like busywork, like Jabari is purposely trying to keep me occupied.
I place my hand against his chest. “There’s an empty chair at the spa for a hair stylist.”
I search his eyes for a reaction as I continue, “I’ve got my cosmetology license and it’s current.”
He takes my hand, bringing it to his lips and gently kissing the back of it.
“Rachel from the spa found her fated mate,” I tell him. “A dragon shifter from Ash Clan. Those dragons are kind of cool.”
He winces slightly at the mention of dragons, but I can tell he’s trying to stay focused on what I’m saying.
“You’re gone all day,” I point out, “not coming home until evening.”
“I’m working on a personal project,” he explains vaguely.
“Is it your punishment because of the ship?” I ask directly.
