I stop just at the edge of the tree line. I wanted to get closer, but my instincts and the quick, effective lecture Cecilia had given me, had me stopping just inside his personal territory.

Looking around I finally spot him, high up on one of the constructed platforms he had around. He looked relaxed and so god damn adorable. His cute black ears, black nose and black rimmed eyes standing out against his white head. He was bigger than I expected. You expect pandas to be small because they are so adorable, but he was a large bear, bigger than Cecilia’s wolf at least. Not nearly as large as me but I’m a Grizzly, not many are as big as we are.

It takes me a moment to realize he is staring down at me. He doesn’t move but watches me closely. Moving slowly and carefully, I set the bag in my mouth down and take a cautious step forward.

He barks.

Alright, clearly that’s a no.

Maybe human form would be better, less intimidating.

Shifting out of my bear form I can feel his eyes on me. I can’t tell if he’s staring because he likes the view or because he’s cautious of me. Either way I take my time and keep my movements slow.

I reach into the bag I brought, it had my jeans and all of his things in it. I gently pull out my jeans and pull them on commando.

Grabbing the bag, I raise my hands up in front of my chest where he can see them clearly and I step forward slowly. When he doesn’t move or make a sound, I continue moving towards him. He lets me get to around 5 feet away before he growls, and I instantly stop.

“Hello Jing.” I don’t lower my hands and his fluffy head tilts to the side. “It is Jing, right? Cecilia and Carson told me how to find you. I… um… brought your clothes and stuff. I figured you’d need them, and I was going to go for a run in the wood anyways. So… um… I figured I could do you a favor… and… I was hoping… Maybe… you know…”

He huffed, interrupting my rambling.

I’m sure he’s laughing at me and I can’t really blame him. I’m typically much smoother than this. In fact, I’m quite charming, at least that’s what I’ve been told. But something about this huge panda silently staring at me has turned me into a rambling, incoherent, nervous wreck.

“I was hoping we could…. Ya know… talk. I’m Magnus, by the way, Magnus Bruin.”

Slowly Jing started to move, his eyes on me nearly the entire time. He slides down the trunk of the tree he was in and walks over to me. He grabs the bag in his jaws very gently and continues to stare at me. We’re just staring at each other and I’m getting more confused. By the sounds and huffs coming from Jing, he is irritated with me.

It only lasts about a minute, a minute that felt like an awkward eternity before he rolls his eyes and walks away into the trees.

Goddess, I’m off my game.

I though meeting my mate would be easier than this.

Guess not.

I was chewing on my bottom lip, trying to decide what to do, when he reappears from the woods. He’s wearing just his jeans, carrying the bag in one hand and running the other through his hair. I try not to get distracted by his very fit frame. He is clearly active and has the lean muscles to prove it. I have to rip my eyes away from his 6 pack and the V-line disappearing into his jeans.

He drops the bag on the ground and grabs a branch of the tree he was just in. He pulls himself onto the branch he grabbed and lays down in a pose that reminds me of a big cat.

Those chocolate eyes watch me as I shift from side to side, worrying at my lower lip. I don’t know how to interact with him yet and I don’t want to scare him off again.

“Do I make you nervous Mister Bruin?”

I snort lightly, “Honestly?”

“That is preferred. I find dishonesty in interpersonal communications just leads us in circles, distracts from our goals and wastes time. It is also highly rude and disrespectful.”

Damn, his formal way of speaking did not match with his current relaxed posture. I also find it oddly sexy; he is clearly very smart and that really turns me on.

“Then yes. You make me nervous. I want to get close to you, to develop the Mate bond but I’m worried you’ll run away again.”

He sighs, heavily. I think he expelled every ounce of air from his body.

“It is not my intention to unnerve you Mister Bruin. It has been an overwhelming few hours.” He climbs back off the tree and walks towards me, his chocolate eyes locked onto my own. “You took me by surprise, and I panicked. I apologize for running from you, but my life is about to become overly complex and it feels unfair to you. I’ll be very candid Mister Bruin. I do know you; your reputation has even reached someone as socially distant as myself. I doubt you want to be tied down.”

Okay, that stings.

It was the politest burn to my person I’ve ever received or even heard.

Reaching out I brush my knuckles across his cheek and my breath catches at the sparks that tingle down my arm, even at the brief contact.

“What’s not fair to me, is you deciding what I want for my life off of what you have heard from other people.” I grab his hand, intertwining our fingers and holding them up to our eye level, “I don’t take this lightly Gorgeous. You are my Mate. My destiny. So, unless you plan on rejecting me, I want into that complex life of yours. Let me help shoulder whatever burdens you have. Let me be here for you.”

That would have been a smooth speech, if I hadn’t started blushing like a teenage virgin when I grabbed his hand. It felt like my face was on fire. Damn my pale, freckled complexion.

Jing was looking at our entangled hands, his expression the same unreadable mask it has been since the moment I saw him. Remind me never to play poker against him, unless it’s strip poker, that could be interesting.

It feels like an eternity before he speaks again, bringing those beautiful eyes back up to mine.

“We need a drink. Know any bars?”