Kodiak Moment: Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance by Zoe Chant

The snow drifted down from the steel-grey sky, coating the ground and speckling the trunks of the tall, strong trees. His thick fur covered with the melting remains of the large flakes, the Kodiak bear stepped from the tree line and made his slow and stately way towards the edge of the lake.
    He was large, his fur a deep, rich brown. He moved with confidence, with power, and with the sure certainty that he was the master of his territory. Between one step and another, the bear shape blurred, hazed in a white shroud that had nothing to do with the snow.
    James Masters stepped from the blur, absently dusting some of the powered snow from his broad shoulders. He took a deep breath, the last fading remnants of the bear’s senses enjoying the crisp, cool air. The ache that always accompanied his shifts was fading as quickly as it had come.
    He had needed that peace and tranquility. There was something soothing about becoming the bear, of losing his self in the uncomplicated thoughts of his other half. When his humanity got too much for him, the bear was always waiting.
    And he had needed it. He had moved deliberately out to the wilderness to be on his own, to be away from everyone else. His cabin on the edge of the lake was peaceful and quiet, just as he liked it. When he had moved in, he had barely paid attention to the other cottage, fifty yards further down the shingle shore. It was empty, and that was all that he cared to know about it.
    But the courtesy call from the sheriff in the town had irritated him. Dan Winters was a good guy, and he knew how much James valued his privacy.
    The cabin next door to him that he had thought abandoned had been rented. He would have company in his pleasant isolation.
    He was nearly to his cabin, when he heard the crunch of tires moving slowly over the layers of snow. Driven by curiosity, and a desire to see who was invading his territory, he took the final few steps to his cabin, and turned to lean on the porch railing to watch.
    A black car was making its slow way down the rutted track, suspension bouncing and headlights gleaming. The driver was a cautious one, taking their time in the bad conditions.
    Finally though, the car pulled up outside the cabin, and the lights turned off as the engine noise died. The driver’s side door opened, and despite himself, James leaned forward.
    For a moment, the car hid his new companion, but then she stepped around the side of the car. James drew in a deep breath, and held it.
    Her hair was the color of the autumnal leaves, a deep, rich, warm red. It flowed, long and loose down her back, already starting to dampen with the falling snow. She was tall, and well curved, filling out her jeans and blouse in a way that made his mouth go dry. He knew that her eyes were the color of pale periwinkles, and would be surrounded by laugh lines.
    She stretched, reaching her arms out above her head, arching her spine, unconscious of her audience. James tightened his grip on the porch railing, and felt the wood start to splinter.
    He wanted her, his body and soul yearned for her, and his inner bear demanded that he step over there, and claim her as his mate.
    Splinters from the rail dug into his palms, pin pricks of pain nipping at his mind through the fog of his desire. He gritted his teeth, and mentally slammed the door on the demanding inner bear, turning away physically from the arousing sight.
    His mate. The one and only person in this world that he could love, mind, body and soul. Sure, he could have one-night stands, relationships, even marriage, but they wouldn’t be as deep, as intense, as rich as they would be with his mate. After he had long given up on ever finding her, there she was. After he had told himself that he didn’t mind being alone, there she was. His true love. The one for him.
     
    ***
     
    Nessa Morrison flinched as something slammed near her, disturbing the solitude. She was sore and tired from the long drive and wanted nothing more than to