Free Bought by the Billionbear: BBW Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance by Zoe Chant Page B

Owen’s bear. She has good taste. Bid on her!
    Owen frowned. The poor woman was still staring at the floor. She obviously didn’t want to be there. Would he be doing her any favors if he bid on her? But if he didn’t, someone else would. She’d have to go on a date with someone.
    Owen raised his hand. He had no intention of forcing her into something she didn’t want, but he could catch her afterward and inform her that she didn’t have to go on a date with him if she didn’t want to— he’d donate the money regardless. Though he hoped that she just had stage fright, and would want to go out with him once she was away from the stage and the crowd.
    “One thousand dollars,” Owen called.
    At that, Raina looked up. Her hair fell away from her face, and the bright lights shone on it. She was just as beautiful as he’d imagined, with huge, golden-brown eyes like dark honey. From across the room, those lovely eyes met his.
    A shock of recognition jolted Owen.
    She’s the one.
    His entire being sang with the knowledge that the woman onstage was his mate. Every atom of him yearned for her, like they were magnets pulling each other together. That exquisite, perfect, sexy woman onstage was meant for him, like he was meant for her. After all those years of hoping and waiting, he’d finally found her.
    It was like he’d been struck by lightning. His blood fizzed like shaken beer. He was hot all over. And he had the biggest hard-on he’d had in his entire life.
    “Going… going…” The auctioneer cleared his throat. “Mr. Maguire, are you sure you want to let the lovely Miss Williams go to the gentleman on your right?”
    Owen blinked. The man sitting next to him also had his hand up. He must have bid while Owen had been lost in the perfect happiness of finding his mate.
    Owen’s lips curled in a snarl. He had no idea how much that man had bid, but he wasn’t letting any other man win a date with his mate. He’d grind his rival into the dust.
    “Fifty thousand dollars,” Owen called.
    Raina’s lovely brown eyes widened, and her sweet lips parted in shock. Owen smiled. His mate’s worth couldn’t be valued in money, of course, but he wanted her to know that he’d spare nothing to be with her.
    The man sitting next to him glared, then raised his hand. “Sixty thousand.”
    “Seventy!” Owen said instantly.
    The auctioneer looked delighted. Raina looked stunned.
    “Well, well,” said the auctioneer, rubbing his hands together. “For the benefit of those in the audience who don’t know them by sight, I’ll introduce our eager bidders. The gentleman who just bid seventy thousand dollars for one night with our bachelorette is Owen Maguire, the young CEO of OwenTech. Our other bidder is Austin Stroud III, the senior partner of Stroud, Stroud, and Stroud. Mr. Stroud, are you going to bid?”
    Owen had heard of Stroud, Stroud, and Stroud. It was a very successful law firm that specialized in defending mega-corporations from charges of illegal chemical dumping. As a bear shifter, Owen hated it when forests were recklessly destroyed by companies trying to save a few dollars. He had to tamp down his rage at the thought of Austin Stroud daring to try to get his hands on Owen’s destined mate.
    Stroud coolly raised his hand. He wasn’t looking at Raina, but rather at Owen as he said, “One hundred thousand dollars.”
    Raina’s eyes darted to Stroud, frightened. Then she gave a pleading glance at Owen, as if she was hoping he’d save her. Owen tried to convey reassurance as he met her gaze. Of course he’d save her! He was her mate.
    “Five hundred thousand dollars,” Owen called. That should crush Stroud. No way would a man who defended polluting corporations be willing to give that much to feed the homeless— not even for a date with Raina, who was worth that and so much more.
    Owen could actually hear the tiny grinding sound as Stroud gritted his teeth.
    Ha! Owen thought.
    “Going once…” said the