Everfree

I’ve been a waitress since I was fifteen. Living on my own wasn’t a choice, but when my parents died, I didn’t have anyone else. I was forced to grow up quickly and become self-sufficient. I made ends meet by working at the local diner and taking online classes from the nearby college. I was holding onto hope that I’d find my mate one day. So when I caught the eye of the hot quarterback from the college, I knew it could only mean trouble. It was all too obvious to me that Calum wasn’t my mate, not that he’d take the hint.

He showed up as I was getting off work one night, and wasn’t human anymore. I fled. I didn’t know what else to do. Forced to leave my friends and home behind, I headed East. While on the run, I heard a rumor that Chicago had opened its borders to unaligned shifters. I needed to get there before Calum could steal me away. I knew deep in my gut that if he caught me, I’d never escape.

What I didn’t expect was to meet him almost as soon as I got to Chicago. This absolute jerk was my mate and he’d been assigned as my bodyguard. The Alphas gave me their assurances that he’s a battle-tested warrior. This isn’t the seventeen-hundreds, and I’m not a damsel in distress. I have fur and fangs and claws, and I know how to use them. All I need is a little help.

Branum

Peace and quiet. All I wanted was some damn peace and quiet. Winter wasn’t an active time for me. I was a bear through and through, and it was time for hibernation. I spent all fall getting my cave exactly how I wanted it so I could enjoy my winter in peace. That all fell through when my Alphas dropped her in my lap. Of course, they’d ask me to protect her. I put the special in special forces. As an ursine in the Auxiliary, I was an unstoppable force against my enemies.

None of my training could prepare me for this curvy little woman’s ability to drop me to my knees. My monster of a bear wanted her to see him as cute and cuddly, but knowing she was in danger kept him in a state of rage. My mate’s name may be beautiful, but she won’t ever be free of me. Now that she’s been in my home, she’s mine to keep. She’d figure it out eventually.