Free Bearing the Midnight Sun (Ice Bear Shifters Book 3) by Sloane Meyers Page B

shoes,” Tyler said.
    Kat lifted the shoes up and found two paper racing bibs with the words “Glacier Point 5K” printed on them. She gave Tyler a questioning look.
    “There’s a 5K in Glacier Point at the end of the summer every year,” Tyler explained. “It’s a fun event, almost a festival of sorts. There’s a runner’s breakfast bar beforehand with bagels and things like that. Then at the finish line, there’s live music and a lunch buffet. Even people who aren’t running come out and have a good time. I want to run it with you. No pressure—no one cares about your race time or who wins or anything like that. I thought it would be a fun way to celebrate your summer of hard work, getting yourself back in shape and getting healthier.”
    “It sounds really fun,” Kat said. “But I don’t think I’ve gotten back into shape at all. I haven’t lost hardly any weight.”
    “Kat, listen to me. It’s not your weight that matters. You’ve built muscles, and you’ve strengthened your lungs. You’ve improved your health dramatically. I’m very proud of you. Stop worrying so much about how many pounds you gain or lose. You’re beautiful. Perfect, really. And you’ve gone from huffing and puffing after a few minutes of running to being able to easily crank out a 5K. Let’s do this to have fun, and celebrate your success. The race is in two weeks, so you still have time to break in your sexy new running shoes.”
    Kat bit her lower lip and grinned. “Okay,” she said. “It does sound fun. And I have worked really hard this summer. Are you serious when you say you’re proud of me?”
    “So serious,” Tyler said, leaning over to kiss her. “You’re amazing, and I have to pinch myself to believe that I’m lucky enough to have you in my life.”
    “I’m the lucky one,” Kat said, returning the kiss. Before she knew it, she and Tyler were tangled up in each other’s arms again, starting round two of their non-sunset fun.

Chapter Ten
    The next morning, Tyler went to talk to his alpha. After mating with Kat, Tyler was more confident than ever that she was his life mate. He was fully bonded to her now, and he wanted to run the idea of Kat being his life mate by Neal. As alpha, Neal had to approve any new clan members. Since becoming a shifter’s life mate automatically made someone a part of the clan, Neal had to approve any potential life mates.
    Tyler wasn’t too worried about getting Neal’s approval. Neal had known that Tyler was deeply interested in Kat, and hadn’t expressed any worries about that. Neal had also relaxed about allowing human mates, thanks to the fact that Ryker and Eric had both already taken a human life mate. Tyler smiled, thinking of his fellow clan members human life mates. Kat was spending time at Kenzie’s cabin at the moment, having lunch with Kenzie and Delaney. The three women seemed to really be hitting it off, and Tyler hoped that Kat would be able to develop a strong, deep friendship with them.
    The smile disappeared from Tyler’s face as he walked into the front door of Neal’s tattoo shop, however. The shop was empty, except for Neal, who was on the phone with an angry look on his face.
    “Kenzie, calm down,” Neal said. “Are you sure they’re Blizzards?”
    There was a pause while Kenzie spoke.
    “Do you have a gun?” Neal asked, his voice strained.
    Another pause.
    “Okay. Just stay down and stay as quiet as you can. I’m on my way over.”
    “What’s going on,” Tyler asked as soon as Neal hung up the phone. He tried to ignore the panic and anger rising in his stomach. All he could think about was that if any of the Blizzards dared to lay a paw on Kat, he would personally tear out the heart of every last one of their clan members.
    “We have to go, now!” Neal said, running toward the door. “Kenzie said there are Blizzards by the cabins.”
    Tyler ran out the front door after Neal, who didn’t even bother to lock up the shop or put a closed