Free BEARing The Frozen Night (Ice Bear Shifters Book 1) by Sloane Meyers

the floor to his alpha’s face. Had he really heard Neal correctly?
    Neal sighed again, and looked meaningfully around at his bears. “We almost lost Ryker last night. Then what? We would have been down to four bears. And we would have been even weaker as a clan than we already are. And, seeing the way Kenzie reacted to discovering that Ryker was a bear has reminded me that not all humans automatically hate us. So I’m giving you all the go ahead to find a human mate, if that’s what you want. Hopefully, we can rebuild our numbers slowly through some new cubs. Just make sure you run your potential mate by me first, so we can be sure she’s someone who will not expose our clan’s secrets to the town.”
    Ryker’s face was not the only one registering happiness at Neal’s announcement. All of the bears had been struggling with loneliness. Bears weren’t meant to live alone, with no mate and no cubs to love. The relieved expressions of his bears weren’t lost on Neal.
    “I’m sorry that I took such a hard stance before. I realize now that this was the wrong approach. Just know that I did it for our clan’s safety. I have always only had your best interests in mind. And, Ryker, because I already know you’re going to ask, Kenzie is an acceptable mate. Just take it easy on her. She’s been through quite a bit in the last day.”
    Ryker nodded, but he was already halfway across town in his mind, planning how to convince Kenzie to be with him. He knew if he could just persuade her to give him a chance, they could be so happy together. For the first time since the poisoning tragedy had struck his clan, Ryker felt a tiny glimmer of hope stirring within him. If he could make Kenzie his mate, then life might actually feel worth the living again. He would go to her tonight. He wasn’t going to waste any more time away from her.
     
    * * *
     
    Kenzie wrapped up her work for the day and closed down the small clinic. She should have been exhausted, given everything she had experienced in the span of the last day, but she felt strangely energized. Maybe her emotions were still riding high from the thrill of saving Ryker. Or, maybe, she was actually a little bit thrilled to realize that shifters existed beyond the pages of storybooks. Whatever the reason, Kenzie was feeling too pumped to just go home and reheat leftovers for dinner. She decided to go to Northwinds Pub and have a few beers. She at least deserved a couple drinks. She slid into her usual barstool and nodded her head when the bartender asked if she wanted the usual. She should really branch out and try one of the other three beers this place had on tap, but the White Moose Ale was so good. Besides, she’d had enough interesting experiences for the time being. Better to stick with her tried and true favorite.
    When the bartender slid her drink across to her, Kenzie asked him if she could also have a burger and fries. He nodded, and ten minutes later Kenzie was indulging in some good old fashioned comfort food. Halfway through her meal, the bell over the door jingled as Ryker walked in. Kenzie didn’t react as he walked over and took the barstool next to her, then ordered a White Moose Ale. She stuck another fry in her mouth and chewed slowly, waiting for him to say something.
    “How are you?” he asked. Kenzie knew the question was meant as more than just a social nicety. Ryker really did want to know how she was. He wanted to know how she was dealing with the fact that she had just discovered that humans who turned into bears actually did exist.
    “Fine,” Kenzie said. She couldn’t really muster up a better explanation than that. She was doing okay, considering. And, after the initial shock of seeing a human transform into a bear right in front of her, she was actually pretty alright with the idea of it. What she wasn’t alright with was the way her heart started beating faster every time Ryker came near her. His muscular figure was sending her into an