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too much for my human to handle, but my bear manages to pick up the slack, and I say, “I love you too, Jared. And with you by my side, I know I can do this.”

7
    O nce I made my decision to become a werebear, the first thing I did was quit my job, and then when Jax got home, he helped Jared and me get my car. Fortunately I live in a small town where nobody seemed to care enough to impound my vehicle or steal my things. Jared told me he thinks the hunter might have been acting on his own since there are no signs of them searching the house he and Jax rent.
    I glance around their living room as I wonder where I’ll set up to paint. Since I’m Jared’s true mate and not safe alone, it makes sense for me to move in. And because I don’t have a job, I can’t afford rent any longer.
    Jared left on an errand, and Jax is in the kitchen. Pans rattle as he searches in the cupboard, and I ask, “Want help with dinner?”
    “No. I’m good.”
    I wander over and say, “I’m sorry I’m invading your space like this. It’s got to be weird for you.”
    “Not really. I’d have no trouble doing the same to Jared if I found my true mate.”
    A cutting board thuds on the counter before me, and Jax hands me a knife. He turns to the fridge to pull out red and orange peppers, and when he hands them to me, he says, “Dice. So are you nervous about the change?”
    “Yes. I’m not a big fan of pain.”
    He chuckles. “Most of us aren’t. When are you going to do it?”
    “I don’t know.” The knife handle is hard in my hand when I grip it tight. My stomach flips as I think about the process Jared described. Once he bites me, I’ll feel an intense burning. I’ll be restrained so that when my claws come out, I don’t hurt myself, and I can’t shake the image of a feral version of me losing control. I say, “Jared said it might be best if we had Olivia to help me, and she’ll be home sometime tonight.”
    My chop is a steady tap that increases in speed as I cut a pepper, and I think about my best friend. I’m glad I have her to talk to. Jax reaches over and stops my hand from moving. I glance up at him as he says, “Jared and I won’t let anything bad happen to you, Courtney. You’re like my sister now, and the Veilleux clan looks out for its own.”
    “Thanks.” I smile at him as I recall the way he teases Jared and how easily I get along with my mate’s brother. “I appreciate it.”
    Jax nods toward the door and says, “Jared’s home.” He waggles his eyebrows and adds, “From the sex shop.”
    “What?” My cheeks burn with embarrassment.
    Jax says, “You need to be restrained, and he wanted the cuffs to be comfortable.”
    “Oh.” I drop my head to focus on the peppers. Something I’m going to have to get over is my modesty. Jared told me that they usually get naked before shifting and that it’s quite common to strip down in front of others.
    I turn to the door when Jared enters and decide to make the best of my situation. I say, “I hear you got me a present.”
    A paper bag rustles as my mate tosses it to me, and I squeal before I bat it away. I give him a sheepish grin, and I squat down to pick it up as I say, “Hand-eye coordination was never my thing.”
    I peer into the bag to discover four leather cuffs. One is smooth in my hand as I pull it out. The inside is lined with a thick fur-like material, and it’s soft to the touch. “Nice,” I say.
    Jax grabs the bag from me and takes one out too. “Very nice. I might have to borrow these.”
    I shake my head at him as I tease back, “Some girl is going to love tying you up.”
    Jax winks at me as he tosses the cuffs my way. This time I manage to trap the bag against my body with my arm. He says, “I’m going to have so much fun with you living here.”
    I roll my eyes at him before turning to Jared. “I texted Olivia to call me tonight when she’s free. We could do this as early as tomorrow.”
    “Is that what you want?” He steps