“You know why,” I snap back, memories of our clan’s darkest days flashing through my mind.
Kade sighs.
“Stop it, both of you.” Jackie’s voice breaks through our argument sharply.
I fall silent immediately. The last thing I want is to upset Jackie, but I have a right to fight for her. Instead of voicing this thought, I snap my jaws shut and listen. My woman, my beautiful queen, holds all the power right now.
Jackie places her hands on her hips, looking around before her eyes land on Kade with a sigh. “Do I have enough time to at least grab my bags? I’d like to take my luggage with me to Wintermoon.”
Kade grins, tension dissolving from her stance. “I’ll get the boat ready. Meet me on the deck in twenty minutes.”
Jackie turns to me, gently placing her hand on my chest. The warmth of her touch seeps through my shirt, calming the beast within. “Calm down, Jabari.”
I smile instinctively. This woman could put out a tornado in a storm with her lovely calming voice.
She turns around, shoulders slumping slightly. “At least I got to get a few bites in before all this chaos. Your food is really good.”
“I will cook for you every night for the rest of my life,” I declare, the words coming out louder than intended, making her giggle.
“You do the most, Jabari.” She shakes her head, but there’s a smile playing on her lips. “Don’t worry, I’m coming with you.” She turns and starts walking away before looking back at me over her shoulder. “Well, are you coming? I’m not carrying all this stuff to the boat by myself.”
I smile and follow her, my eyes drawn to the sway of her hips as she leads the way to her cabin. A primal instinct awakens within me.Mine. All mine.
Just as Jackie steps out of the bar, Kade suddenly appears in front of her, surrounded by a swirling cloud of black smoke. I tense, irritated by the interruption.
“I’m never going to get used to that,” Jackie mutters.
“You will,” Kade assures her.
“Well, what is it now?” Jackie asks, impatience creeping into her voice.
Kade scrunches her eyes at Jackie. “There are a few things you need to know before I leave you alone with your chaotic bear.”
Jackie frowns, her brow furrowing. “Jabari isn’t chaotic.”
Kade snorts. “Well, you weren’t on the tourist island when he threw a human male through a window of the tenth floor of the Wintermoon hotel.”
Jackie gasps, and I’m ready to choke Kade. A growl escapes my throat, but Kade just smirks.
“Now that I have your attention,” Kade continues, “I want you to be mindful of Jabari. If you run into that sleazeball human while you’re packing, I want you to know that you hold a lot of power right now. If things get out of hand... Jabari will listen to you.”
I shift my weight, uncomfortable with how much Kade is revealing.
“But you need to have confidence, hold a sense of authority,” Kade adds. “But then again, I know I don’t have to worry about that with you.” She winks at Jackie.
“Got it,” Jackie says, trying to walk around her, but Kade continues to block her path.
“And one more thing.”
Jackie narrows her eyes. “What is it now?”
“Don’t run from your bear,” Kade warns, her voice dropping to a serious tone. “When a bear shifter’s mate runs, it triggers their primal hunting instincts. The thrill of the chase isirresistible to them. If you run from him, his bear will take complete control, hunting you down, eliminating any perceived threats, and when he catches you...” Kade pauses, looking at me with knowing eyes. “Let’s just say you’ll be reminded exactly who you belong to in ways that might overwhelm you. The predator-prey response is deeply embedded in their nature—it’s something even the most controlled bears struggle to resist.”
Jackie glances at me, and I catch the scent of her arousal in the air. That’s the second time I’ve smelled it. I smile, my body responding instantly. I’m going to make every moment count, bringing her pleasure the first chance I get to breed her.
Breed... The thought of Jackie carrying my cub sends a warmth spreading through me that transcends lust itself. Having her, a woman, a cub, a family—that’s worth more to me than anything in the world right now.
“Get your mind out of the gutter and focus on helping her get her luggage to the emergency boat,” Kade hisses at me, breaking my thoughts.
