Mated to the Wilde Bear novel Chapter 24

The sun had already dipped behind the mountains, throwing shadows over the parking lot as Laurel followed Xavier onto the deck at Mack’s. She understood now why no one else bothered to use the deck out here. Only shifters wouldn’t be bothered by the drastic temperature drop when the sun went down. Even in August, it was chilly with the sun gone.

Her hand was in Xavier’s as she walked. She spotted the Wilde crew at their usual table but stalled when she noticed Lucas wasn’t in his seat. He’d moved to the far end, leaving her the empty chair beside his alpha. Her heart panged, and she blinked back an unexpected tear.

“You all right?” Xavier asked in her ear.

“Better than,” she assured him. Who knew it could feel like this to have friends? To be accepted.

Lucas caught her eye. She smiled over at him in thanks as she slid into the chair Xavier held out for her. He ducked his head but not before she caught a returned smile of his own.

“Mr. and Mrs. Alpha have arrived,” Jake announced.

Xavier scowled as he took his seat but squeezed her hand.

“Fucking finally,” Harley muttered before draining his beer. “I’m starving.”

All of them already had a mug set in front of them, including her.

“I ordered you what’s on tap,” Nash said. “If you don’t like it, I’ll drink it.”

“Shit. I already called it,” Jake put in.

Laurel smiled across the table first at Nash and then Jake. “This is great, thanks.” She held her mug up and gulped while the boys looked on with widening eyes.

“Daaamn. Mrs. Alpha can drink,” Jake said in awe.

Laurel emptied the mug and set it down, wiping the corner of her mouth as delicately as she could. She peeked at Xavier, self-conscious now. She’d been parched after their little interlude in his truck but wondered if maybe she should’ve sipped instead.

Xavier blinked, shaking his head as if to clear it. “That was…”