Free Mary and the Bear by Zena Wynn Page A

last part was hissed at him as she noticed all of the stares directed toward them.
    Noticing that they were the center of attention, he let her go and stalked off. He wasn't exactly sure what happened. One moment he'd been minding his own business. The next, he'd lost it. What was it about her that affected him this way? He never lost control, especially over a female. He stalked out of the house, the expression on his face fierce. A path cleared before him as though by magic. No one wanted to tangle with an angry bear. He walked around outside, hoping the cold air would clear his mind and help him see reason. The whole time he wandered around, one question ran through his mind. Who was Charles ?
    * * * *
    As far as Mary Elizabeth was concerned, the incident with Hugh was over and done with. The man had issues, serious issues. She just didn't understand his whole ‘I don't want you but I don't want anyone else to have you either’ attitude. He kissed her senseless, apologized and then spent the next week avoiding her. Well, to be fair, she'd been the one avoiding him. Then tonight, because someone else was paying attention to her, he went into a rage and pulled some jealous, he-man stunt. He couldn't have sent a clearer message if he'd hit her over the head with a club and dragged her off by her hair.
    No man owned her. This macho crap had to stop. You liked the way he handled you and you know it. You love knowing he's jealous . She told the voice in her head to shut up.
    Her life was finally her own and she was going to enjoy every bit of it. For once, she didn't have to worry about anyone but herself, and it was lovely. She walked out on to the deck at the back of the house to see what was happening out here. It was chilly, but not unbearable. Alex had strategically placed fires that provided heat and light. The bar was located out on the deck where there was more space. Once outside, she could see that what she thought was a deck was actually a porch that wrapped around three sides of the house. Nice. Very nice.
    Her wanderings took her close to the bar. The bartender smiled and spoke to her. “Hey, pretty lady. What would you like to drink?"
    She shook her head and laughed. “I'm not a drinker."
    "Come on, it's a party. Live a little. I'll make you anything you want."
    She spotted several people sporting cute glasses with umbrellas in them. “What are they drinking?"
    He looked in the direction she gestured. “Oh, that's a Shifter Surprise. You don't want that. It's really strong. Let me get you something else.” He proceeded to rattle off a list of drinks that she might prefer.
    She interrupted him, more interested in the drink he didn't want her to have than any of the ones he was listing. “What's in it?"
    "What, a strawberry daiquiri?"
    "No, I know what's in a daiquiri. I'm talking about the Shifter Surprise. How do you make it?"
    He reluctantly told her. “It's a mixture of fruit juices and liquors, giving it a sweet and sour taste. But if you're not a drinker, it's going to be too strong for you. Let me make you a daiquiri."
    His attitude was really starting to bother her. “I don't want a daiquiri. I want a Shifter Surprise. If it's too strong then I'll just eat some food with it."
    Actually, that wasn't a bad idea. She hadn't eaten and drinking on an empty stomach was always a bad idea. Food would keep the alcohol from going straight to her head. Besides, with the kind of night she was having, a drink sounded really good.
    The bartender made the drink and gave it to her. “The alpha's not going to be happy about this."
    "You tell him that I insisted."
    "Yes, ma'am. I surely will,” the young bartender told her.
    As she walked back into the house to go get some food, Mary Elizabeth tasted her drink. Normally she didn't like the taste of alcohol, which was one of the reasons why she didn't drink. “Oh, this is good .” She took another sip, a larger one this time as she went into the dining area to fix