Free Axman Werebear (Saw Bears Book 5) by T. S. Joyce

settling into ten-ten?”
    Diem stretched her legs out and worried her finger over a wrinkle in her jeans. “It will sound strange, but ten-ten feels like more of a home than my room did at my father’s house. Which doesn’t make a lick of sense because I lived there most of my life.”
    Brooke patted her leg and nodded. “I understand that exactly. When I first came here, ten-ten was my sanctuary after I’d been through something awful. I found myself again in that old trailer. Have you met Nards?”
    “Yes,” Diem said with a giggle. “I fed him a piece of granola bar this morning. I don’t even know if that is what mice eat, but he took it politely and scurried back toward the bedroom.”
    “Oh, gosh, you are much braver than I was. I screamed when I first saw him and just about knocked heads with Tagan.”
    “How did you and Tagan meet?” Diem asked, unable to control her curious words.
    “In ten-ten.”
    Diem nodded. Of course they had. It was becoming clear as creak water that old trailer held magic. “And did it happen fast for you two?”
    Brooke lifted her chin and cast her a knowing look. “Very fast. Our bond happened so quickly it scared me. That seems to be the way of it with these Ashe boys, though, Diem. The same happened to Danielle and Everly and Skyler. If it’s a good pairing, you’ll know almost instantly.”
    Diem didn’t know why, but those words settled something that had been churning in the pit of her stomach since waking up beside Bruiser this morning. So, she wasn’t imagining the intensity of her feelings. This wasn’t just some pathetic attempt for her to connect with another soul out in the universe after being sheltered for so long. Her deep affection for him wasn’t because he’d been the first man to touch her—to kiss her.
    Her bone-deep adoration and respect for Bruiser was real.
    She let off a relieved smile.
    Brooke squeezed her knee, then arched her delicate eyebrows. “You bored yet?”
    “About that. I don’t really know what to do with myself. I know Skyler and Everly work with the rest of the Crew on the landing, and that Danielle works for my father doing environmental research, but I don’t really understand where I’ll fit in. I’ve always handled high volume business decisions for my father and ran the books for him as well, and now it feels like I’ve quit work cold-turkey. How do you do the domestic goddess thing?”
    Brooke huffed a laugh and covered her mouth with the back of her hand. She snorted, then squeezed her eyes closed as if she was really trying to control her laughter. When she was in control of her mental facilities again, Brooke explained. “I’m no domestic goddess. There is a reason the boys never ask me to help when they do community cooking by the bonfire. I burn the devil out of everything. Honestly, Tagan still handles most of the domestic stuff—dishes and cooking. I help with laundry and tidying up the trailer, but that’s about it. I work, just not up on the landing with the rest of the crew.”
    “You do? In town?”
    “No, I’m a painter. In fact, I’m painting a picture of this place right now for you and Bruiser. When it’s done, I want to give it to you for a wedding present. Though I may beg to borrow it in a few months for a show I’m doing up in Boulder.”
    “Oh, my gosh, that is so nice of you! I’m amazed by creatives. I can’t draw a stick figure or even pick a good color of paint for decorating a wall, so the way your minds work just intrigues me.”
    “Well, what do you like to do?”
    “I like numbers. They make sense to me.”
    “Hmm,” Brooke said, the smile falling from her face. “And you don’t think your dad would want you to work for him anymore?”
    “Oh, no. My life, as far as he is concerned, is at its end, as well as my usefulness.”
    “What?” Brooke straightened her spine, and her eyes went wide.
    “I’m supposed to breed with Bruiser and bear his young. My pregnancy won’t