Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
BECK
Ten minutes later, I set a mug of coffee spiked with whiskey in front of a pale but steady-looking Charlotte. She wasn’t freaking out. That was a good sign.
At least, I hoped so.
“Thank you,” she murmured as I took the chair to her right.
“That’s probably stronger than what you’re accustomed to,” I said, “but I figured you could use it.”
She looked at the mug. “You’re probably right.”
For a second, I considered grabbing the whiskey bottle from the counter and downing the whole thing. But my body would burn off the alcohol within minutes. Besides, I needed to appear steady in front of Charlotte.
Even if that was a lie.
“So,” she said, meeting my eyes. “Bear shifters.”
“Yes.”
“An entire species the world doesn’t know about.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re their leader. The alpha.”
“That’s right.”
The suggestion of a smile touched her lips. “You’re not making this easy.”
I shifted my weight in the chair, the wood creaking under me. Now that I’d revealed my secrets, the next step was telling her what she meant to me—and possibly watching her walk away.
“Ask me anything,” I said. “I’ll answer as honestly and completely as I can.”
She appeared to take that in. “How long have you existed?”
I rubbed my jaw, my fingers making a rasping sound against my beard. “You’re starting with a tough one.”
“You don’t know, or you’re not allowed to tell me?”
“It’s not like that,” I said. “According to our lore, we sprang from the far north of Russia. Over time, we spread south, crossing the ice into Alaska. Our numbers have declined over the years. As for our origins…” I shrugged.
“We don’t know for sure. Some say it’s magic.
Others theorize the shift is caused by a genetic mutation.
They say the same about the werewolves.”
Charlotte’s eyes went wide. “Werewolves are real?”
I nodded. “Their population is a lot larger than ours.” And now the conversation edged dangerously close to my species’ gender dilemma. “Bears have had a treaty in place with the wolves for over two centuries. It predates the founding of this country.”
She leaned forward, her coffee forgotten. “Like…diplomatic relations?”
“Exactly like that. We’re allies for the most part. We share resources when needed and trade information about threats.”
“What kind of threats?”
I hesitated. I couldn’t tell her about the vampires, at least not yet. If Dr. Henry was powerful enough, he could crack her mind like a nut and compel her to act on his behalf. If he suspected she was compromised, he could order her to kill herself.
“Humans are the biggest threat to supernaturals,” I said finally. “If they discover us, they’ll fear us. Eventually, they’ll try to kill us.”
She sat back, her expression thoughtful. “That’s why you offered to guide me. You wanted to stop me from discovering the others. You planned it from the beginning.”
“Yes. But I also wanted to protect you. Not everyone can handle this type of knowledge.”
“And last night?” The first inkling of hurt entered her eyes, and her voice went quiet. “When you kissed me after the storm. Were you protecting me then?”
I reached across the table and took her hand, threading my fingers through hers. “Last night had nothing to do with plans or protection. Last night was because I’m falling in love with you, and I couldn’t stay away anymore.”
Her breath caught. “Beck...”
“There’s more you need to know.” I squeezed her hand, anchoring myself. This was the hard part. “Charlotte, not all human women can mate with bear shifters. Only certain women can conceive our children. We call them compatible females, and they’re extremely rare.”
She frowned. “Why only certain women? And why human women at all? Are there no female bear shifters?”
“No,” I said quietly. “We only produce sons. It’s been that way for as long as our history remembers. We can only mate with human women who carry specific genetic markers—recessive traits that allow them to conceive shifter cubs. Without compatible females, we can’t reproduce at all.”
Her eyes widened. “That’s why your population is declining.”
“Yes. Most bears go their entire lives without finding their female. Some of my brothers in their sixties and seventies are still unmated. We’re slowly going extinct.”
Her lips parted, compassion filling her eyes.
“But,” I added, “some of us get extraordinarily lucky.”
Understanding replaced the sympathy. “You think I’m compatible.”
“I know you are.” Releasing her, I pulled the folded report from my pocket and slid it over to her. “Everett tested your DNA. I should have asked permission, but I worried it would drive you away before you even knew what we were.”
She picked up the report, scanning the technical language and genetic markers. Her fingers trembled slightly.
I swallowed against the knot in my throat. “You’re not just compatible, sweetheart. You’re exceptionally compatible with me.”
She looked up. “What does that mean?”
“It means my bear recognizes you as my mate. If we tried to have children, the chances of conception would be very high. It means…” I drew a bracing breath. “It means you’re incredibly precious to me.”
She set down the report, and she seemed to choose her next words carefully. “Is that why you kissed me? Because I’m compatible?”
“Absolutely not.” I pushed back from the table and moved around to her side, kneeling in front of her chair so we were eye level.
“I wanted you before I knew any of the numbers on that paper. I wanted you the first time you walked into this place with all your equipment and your refusal to take no for an answer. I fought it. I tried so hard not to want you. I’m more than twice your age.
You’re just starting your life, and I’m probably halfway through mine.
But I can’t do it, sweetheart. Despite my best efforts, I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything.
” I gripped her thigh because I couldn’t help it.
“Biology didn’t make me fall for you, Charlotte. You did.”
She touched my cheek, her fingertips cool against my skin. “This is a lot to process.”
“I know. Take all the time you need.”
“What happens now?”
I put my hand over hers, and I willed calm into my voice as I said, “That depends on what you want. You can leave Bear Cove. Go back to Colorado and finish your PhD. Never see me again. I’ll make sure you’re safe.
” The knot in my throat tried to choke me, and I swallowed again.
“Or you can stay. Get to know the clan and the town. See if this life is something you could want. If I’m someone you want. ”
“I already want you,” she whispered.
Pulling her hand from my cheek, I kissed her fingers.
“If you stay, you’ll be giving up almost everything, including your career prospects and research opportunities.
It kills me to admit that, but I need you to think carefully before you decide.
I’m asking you to choose me over everything you’ve worked for.
You’ll live in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere with very few women to talk to. That’s not a small ask, Charlotte.”
Interest sparked in her eyes. “I thought you said you don’t have any women.”
“I already told you about Skyler, Everett’s mate. He found her last year. And Cal just found his female. He’s the blond who spoke to you outside just now. His mate’s name is Margot.”
“Can I meet them? It might help me understand what I’d be choosing.”
Hope tried to soar in my chest. I stuffed it down. Because she hadn’t chosen yet. “Of course. You can talk to anyone you want. Skyler will be happy to meet you. When Margot arrives, I know she’ll feel the same.”
Silence held. Then Charlotte tilted her head. “What about you? Have you ever been in love before?”
For a second, instinct urged me to evade the question. But I’d promised her honesty.
“Once,” I said. “I was in my mid-twenties. Her name was Sarah.”
“What happened?”
“We had a few months together. She was here to ski. We didn’t have blood tests back then, but my bear sensed she wasn’t compatible. She couldn’t give me children, but it didn’t matter. She didn’t want this life.”
Charlotte stroked her fingers over my jaw. “That must have been hard.”
“It hurt like hell at the time, but I’m glad it happened.”
She stilled her fingers. “Why?”
“Because she wasn’t the right person for me. If she’d stayed, I wouldn’t have met you.” I turned my face into her hand, inhaling her sweet scent. “I would endure a thousand heartbreaks if it meant ending up with you.”
Charlotte caught my jaw, and her brown eyes were serious as she forced my attention back to hers. “Beck, I need you to understand something. I’m happy I’m compatible with you. But I need you to want me for me, not because science says we’re a good match.”
“I do want you for you.”
“Prove it.”
I pulled her to her feet and tucked a finger under her chin.
“Charlotte Mills, you are smart, beautiful, and absolutely maddening. You ask too many questions. You challenge me every chance you get, and I can already tell you don’t care one bit that you’re breaking our laws every time you argue with me. ”
Her lips parted.
“I like that, by the way,” I added. “You’re also kind, curious, and brave as hell.
I love how your mind works, how you get excited about data, how you bite your lip when you’re thinking.
I love your determination and your vulnerability.
I love that you don’t treat me like I’m old or boring.
I love that you never talk down to me even though you’re twice as intelligent. ”
She frowned. “I’m not twice as—”