Scottish Werebear: A Second Chance: A BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance (Scottish Werebears Book 6) Read Online Free PDF Page B

a ghost from his past.
    Charlotte McAllister blinked a few times, but maintained eye contact from the moment he'd noticed her. Those bright, intelligent eyes seemed to bore right into him, uncovering his deepest, most secret desires.
    "Yes," he responded, more out of reflex than anything else.
    It was unmistakably her, though there was something different that didn't match up with his old memories. Something in the way she looked at him had changed. Her eyes were colder, more guarded now than they used to be.
    Of course, you idiot. You shared a kiss and abandoned her. Of course she's going to be different now, so many years later.
    "Your presence here has been leaked to the media. They're all waiting outside," Charlotte nodded towards the main entrance halfway across the hall they currently found themselves in.
    Henry cleared his throat and shot James a concerned look. "Friend of yours?"
    He turned to face Charlotte and continued. "Anyway, we're not opposed to speaking with the media, but we prefer to do it on our terms. Now is not the time."
    "Well, I can show you another way out, then you can avoid them." Charlotte smiled at Henry briefly, then continued to stare at James.
    It had occurred to James that going public himself could have unforeseen consequences. But he'd had no way to predict a reunion with the one person from his past who could have changed his entire life. At the time, it seemed like the right thing to do. But as soon as he found out that his own sister had taken a human mate... He'd often worried that he'd made a huge mistake.
    "Fancy seeing you here," James mumbled.
    Charlotte frowned, then turned on her heel and started walking. "This way if you want to avoid the craziness outside."
    Henry, Gail and Eric didn't waste time and left James behind scratching the back of his head. Was this a coincidence? He wasn't sure he believed in coincidences when it came to relationships.
    He forced himself into motion and caught up with the rest of his group just as they entered a small corridor that veered left from the main hall. There they passed by the cloakroom and bathroom facilities, before ending up at a doorway to the outside world flanked by two guards who barely took notice of their departure.
    Outside, the wind had picked up, but there was no sign of much activity - press or otherwise.
    "Which way to the car?" Gail asked.
    Eric took a moment to look around, before seemingly finding his bearings.
    "Thank you very much, miss ..." Henry offered Charlotte his hand, who shook it without hesitation or fear.
    "McAllister. Charlie McAllister," Charlotte said.
    Clearly she knew who they were. But if the events of last night had made any sort of impression on her, she wasn't showing it.
    "Yes, thanks," Gail said with a smile.
    Eric had already wandered off to find the car, leaving just James to say goodbye to her.
    Only... he didn't really want to.
    He never expected to see her again, not after what had happened between them when they were only teenagers. Back then he had felt forced to leave her behind, but for what? Those uncertainties and concerns were the exact thing the New Alliance aimed to destroy.
    Now, as he found himself once again looking into those endless blue eyes of hers, he wondered how things might have turned out, had he made a different choice back then.
    "How about you guys go ahead," James mumbled.
    Gail cocked her head to the side as she looked at him.
    Henry frowned. "Are you sure?"
    "I'll catch up with you at the house later," James added.
    Henry opened his mouth to say something else, but didn't. Instead he exchanged a look with Gail and his expression softened.
    The New Alliance counted a number of mated couples among its ranks, still the whole non-verbal communication trick they all seemed to know never ceased to amaze James.
    "Very well. I'll hear from you. We have a lot to prepare for." Henry nodded at James and offered Gail his arm. They didn't look back as they walked off in the same