Free A Spark to Bear (Fire Bear Shifters Book 2) by Sloane Meyers Page A

lifemate.”
    “It’s funny that you say ‘mated’ instead of ‘had sex,’” Riley said.
    “I know. It’s a bear thing,” Hunter said. He looked back up at the sky again, and Riley followed suit. It didn’t make sense to her that someone could be bonded for life just because they had sex, but she did feel pretty amazing after her little river romp with Hunter. The last few days had brought a lot of interesting changes to her life.
    “I still can’t believe you’re a bear,” she said.
    “I still can’t believe you didn’t run away screaming into the woods,” Hunter said.
    “What woods? Everything out here is burnt to a crisp. I wouldn’t have anywhere to hide. And I’m pretty sure I can’t outrun a bear.”
    Hunter chuckled.
    “Seriously, though. I obviously wasn’t expecting you to be part bear, but after getting over the initial shock of it, I actually think it’s kind of cool.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes, really.”
    “I’ve never had a human say that to me before,” Hunter said, his voice cracking. “I’ve been called all kinds of awful names, and had people try to drive me out of civilized society. I fought in the army to protect this country, and now I’m fighting wildfires to save people and property. In spite of everything good I’ve done, though, so many people can’t seem to see past the fact that I happen to have a bear living inside of me.”
    Riley looked over at Hunter in surprise. It seemed strange to hear so much emotion in the voice of such a big, tough man, but Hunter didn’t try to hide his feelings.
    “I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with so much crap. People suck sometimes,” Riley said. The words sounded hollow, but she didn’t know what else to say.
    “Well, I have to warn you, bear shifters can be judgmental sometimes, too. I’m not sure how my clan is going to react when I show up with a human claiming to have found my lifemate.”
    “So, does that mean you want me to come back with you?” Riley asked. She hadn’t been sure what the next step would be, after they finally got out of this barren wasteland that used to be a forest.
    Hunter grinned at Riley. “Of course. We’re bonded now. You can’t just walk out of my life like there’s nothing special between us.”
    Riley grinned. “I’m looking forward to getting to spend time with you somewhere besides a scorched forest.”
    “I am too,” Hunter said. “Although, you have to agree that the river’s not too shabby.”
    “Not too shabby at all,” Riley agreed, giving Hunter a wink.
    Hunter sat up. “You know what is shabby, though? Eating Spam and Gatorade for dinner again. I can’t wait to eat a real meal with you.”
    “Soon enough,” Riley said. “And when we get back to civilization, I’ll even bake you a dessert. Your mind will be blown.”
    “My mind’s already been blown,” Hunter said, leaning over to give Riley a kiss. “But I’m not going to say no to dessert. Now come on, let’s go feast on some Spam and Gatorade.”

Chapter Eight
    The next day, Hunter and Riley woke early again to finish the last leg of their hike out of the forest. After about an hour of hiking, the charred remains of tree trunks started giving way to actual forest. By nine a.m., the trees had become lush and green again, offering a welcome shelter from the hot sun. Just before ten, the pair arrived at the visitor center of the state park, and found a truck waiting to transport them out of the forest. Hunter was greeted as a hero by the driver of the truck, but he tried to brush off the man’s praise as politely as possible. He hadn’t been trying to be a hero when he rescued Riley. He’d only been acting on gut instinct.
    Hunter fell silent as the truck pulled out onto the main road. Riley tried to start up a conversation a few times, but after he gave her several one word answers, she fell silent as well. Hunter’s mind was spinning with worry, making it hard to concentrate. He wasn’t sure how