Claimed By The Military Bear: BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance Standalone (Paranormal Shifter Romance, BBW Shifter Romance, WereBear Romance) Read Online Free Page B

fireplace looked fresh and alive. The crackle and pop of fire chewing on wood was calming and allowed her to settle easily in the cushions.
    Something pleasant wafted through the cabin, sparking her mouth to water and her stomach to growl. Pushing her sweat sticky blankets off, Melissa finally stood and moved slowly toward the kitchen.
    The smell became more familiar the closer she moved toward the kitchen, reminding her of chicken soup and warm potatoes. When she peered into the cooking space, she found her savior easily.
    His broad body nearly encompassed the whole area of the stove and sink. Something bubbled and steamed on the stove as he rummaged through a cupboard for seasoning.
    Melissa blinked, watching him with amazement as he moved comfortably through the space. It was almost easy to forget he was a soldier with an entire armory in his living room.
    Eventually, he noticed her presence and when he faced her it was with a genuine look of concern.
    “’Morning,” He said.
    Melissa offered him a half smile, almost too tired to speak.
    “Hello,” she mumbled, lifting a groggy hand to wipe at the sweat on her brow.
    “How long have I been out?”
    “Nearly two whole days.”
    The answer made her balk, her hand suspended over her face in shock.
    “I—what?”
    He nodded at her, leaning back to shift his hips against the edge of the counter.
    “You caught a really bad virus. My guess is the entire ordeal you went through. You kept having nightmares.”
    “Oh,” she mumbled, dropping her hand to fidget with her mother’s ring.
    She felt her stomach fall to her feet when she found it missing. Melissa turned frantic, hands searching everywhere over her stiff clothes to find the missing band.
    “Take it easy,” Barrett said, earning her attention.
    He reached into his pocket before pulling out the silver chain; silver and green ring swinging gently beneath his fingers.
    “I got it off you to make sure you didn’t choke while you slept.”
    Melissa took several steps closer, reaching out desperately to feel the cool silver back into her hands.
    To her surprise, he pulled away, looking down at her with interested blue eyes. “Before I give this back, I need to know something.”
    Nervousness burned in Mel’s stomach, making her hesitate as he stared her down.
    “You said ‘he killed her’ in your sleep. Her being your mother. What’s going on, Melissa?”
    She stiffened beneath his inquiry, feeling her teeth catch her lower lip tightly.
    Barrett glanced down before looking back up, eyebrows furrowing as he read her expression.
    She squirmed beneath his stare, looking away. “My step-father…” She supplied suddenly.
    “He married my mom when I was seven… he abused her for years, abused us both. She died of disease, not long after I turned seventeen. We had been planning to escape him, to disappear. And then she died…” Melissa chanced a glance into Barrett’s silent expression.
    “She wasn’t supposed to have died. She was strong… stronger than anyone. But then one day, she started coughing up blood, and I started noticing that her food wasn’t normal. He’s powerful… he made it so that everyone believed she died of some sickness. But I knew… he threatened to kill me several times. He hurt the only person that gave me hope after her death. He’s powerful, but he’s a gambler. I know it because he’s had people come collect before, but this time…” Melissa looked away and sighed feeling exhausted once again.
    “I heard them talk about selling me, using me to pay off a debt…I couldn’t do it anymore. I had to run… If he finds me, it doesn’t matter who wants me or how much debt he owes, he’ll kill me for escaping. I’ve lived with him for twenty years… I can’t do it again.”
    A silence filled the space and Melissa worried that Barrett wouldn’t believe her, and it filled her with intense dread.
    So many people insulted and ridiculed her, so many people insisted she was