Page 45 of Awakened By the Guardian

“Shifted and saved you.”

Margaret swallowed and nodded, though Vic clearly couldn’t see. Her gaze went to Gary, who stood watching the stairs as if expecting Jesse to return.

“Margaret?”

She jerked her attention back to the phone. “Yes?”

“Is he okay? Did Gary change back afterward?”

“No. He’s still a bear. He’s standing guard, I think.”

Gary’s head dipped in seeming agreement.

“Yeah. Well, don’t be surprised if he doesn’t shift back right away. He’ll stay in that form as long as he feels his mate is threatened.”

Margaret blinked. “His mate?”

Vic’s voice was solemn. “Yeah. You’re his mate.”

She nodded slowly. She was his mate. But…

“Is that how you feel?” she asked Gary. “Like I’m your mate?”

His head tilted slightly, as if he was considering her words. Then a slow, firm nod and a mini roar.

“Just so you know,” Vic said from the other end of the phone. “That’s a forever kind of thing.”

“What?”

“The mating bond. It’s usually a forever thing. Just saying.”

Gary huffed, and Margaret felt a brief moment of panic. Was he bothered by the idea of forever with her?

No, of course not. Bear or human, Gary loved her. She sank her hand into his warm fur and felt his strength erase her doubts.

Meanwhile, Vic was still talking. “Margaret, where are you?”

“At our apartment building.” She rattled off the address. “Jesse ran down the stairs. He’s outside somewhere and I don’t think he’s sane.”

Through the phone there came a tapping. Then Vic’s voice again. “I’m sending people to search for him. Don’t worry. We’ll take care of it.”

“Do you need our help?”

“No. Let us handle it. You just stay inside. Lock your doors and try to get some rest, Gary especially. Take care of him.”

Relief flooded her. That was exactly what she wanted to do. All desire to be alone had vanished. “Okay.”

“Call back if anything else goes wonky.” Vic chuckled. “Or wonkier.”

“No problem,” Margaret said, and then she cut the connection.

It took a moment for her to pull herself together. Her hands were still shaking, and she needed to lean on Gary for support. He was a solid presence, still a bear, holding her up with his bulk as she retrieved his wheelchair and opened his apartment door. But when she gestured him inside, the grizzly refused to move.

“Do you want to come to my loft instead?” she asked.

Warm and protective, he gave her a look that said he was staying with her wherever she went. And that made her happy. It was one of the reasons she loved him.

“You know, you’re going to have to shift back to human form sometime, right?”