Mate Match Series by Ciera Knox

Nadia. I've spent years chasing the stories no one else will touch—it's in my blood. But this investigation leads straight into the heart of Cupid's Ridge's most dangerous secrets, and suddenly I'm the one being hunted. When a brooding bear shifter becomes my reluctant protector, I expect gruff silence and professional distance. What I don't expect is the electricity that sparks every time he touches me, or the way my heart races when those amber eyes soften—just for a moment... moreNadia. I've spent years chasing the stories no one else will touch—it's in my blood. But this investigation leads straight into the heart of Cupid's Ridge's most dangerous secrets, and suddenly I'm the one being hunted. When a brooding bear shifter becomes my reluctant protector, I expect gruff silence and professional distance. What I don't expect is the electricity that sparks every time he touches me, or the way my heart races when those amber eyes soften—just for a moment. He's all walls and warning signs, but something tells me the man beneath the ice is worth fighting for. Cal. I've spent three years burying myself in duty, keeping everyone at arm's length. It's safer that way—for them. Then Nadia storms into my life, all fire and determination, chasing a conspiracy that puts a target on her back. My bear recognizes her mate. But I've forgotten how to let anyone in, and she deserves better than a man still haunted by his past. She's fearless, relentless, and slowly melting defenses I thought were permanent. As the danger escalates and the traitor closes in, I'm faced with an impossible keep her safe from a distance, or finally let myself feel something again—even if it terrifies me. Will the magic of fate be enough to melt the ice around his heart? Or will the rising shadows tear them apart before love has a chance to ignite? Join Nadia and Cal in this steamy Valentine's short story as they discover that even the coldest hearts can thaw—and that some truths are worth risking everything for! less

Wren. I've traveled across territories carrying a prophecy no one wants to hear. The old clans sent me to warn the Council about an ancient evil waking—but the moment I arrive, I'm more distracted by the brooding bear shifter guarding the archives than the apocalypse I came to prevent. Jasper has spent fifteen years hiding in the shadows, protecting secrets that could destroy everything. He's gruff, guarded, and determined to keep me at arm's length... moreWren. I've traveled across territories carrying a prophecy no one wants to hear. The old clans sent me to warn the Council about an ancient evil waking—but the moment I arrive, I'm more distracted by the brooding bear shifter guarding the archives than the apocalypse I came to prevent. Jasper has spent fifteen years hiding in the shadows, protecting secrets that could destroy everything. He's gruff, guarded, and determined to keep me at arm's length. But my bear recognized him the moment our eyes met, and I've never been good at walking away from someone who needs saving—even if he doesn't know it yet. Jasper. I've kept my head down, catalogued dangerous truths, and trusted no one for fifteen years. The last person I let in was murdered for what he knew, and I won't make that mistake again. Then Wren crashes into my carefully controlled world with ancient warnings and a smile that makes my bear wake up for the first time in years. She sees past my walls like they're made of glass. She makes me want things I buried long ago. But the secrets I guard could get her killed—and the enemy hunting us is older and darker than either of us imagined. To protect her, I'll have to do the one thing I swore I'd never step into the light. Will the truth set them free? Or will the shadows swallow them both before love has a chance to bloom? Join Jasper and Wren in this steamy Valentine's short story as they discover that some secrets are meant to be shared—and that the bravest thing a hidden heart can do is let someone in! less

Idris. I'm the rock everyone leans on—the steady hand, the leader who buries his grief to carry everyone else's burdens. I lost my mate in the last war, and I buried my heart with her. My story ended long ago. But when Maren storms into my war room with sharp eyes and sharper tactics, and my bear—dormant for three decades—wakes up roaring. She's human. She's relentless. She sees through every wall I've built. The final battle is coming, and I should be focused on survival... moreIdris. I'm the rock everyone leans on—the steady hand, the leader who buries his grief to carry everyone else's burdens. I lost my mate in the last war, and I buried my heart with her. My story ended long ago. But when Maren storms into my war room with sharp eyes and sharper tactics, and my bear—dormant for three decades—wakes up roaring. She's human. She's relentless. She sees through every wall I've built. The final battle is coming, and I should be focused on survival. Instead, I'm falling for a woman who makes me remember why living matters. Maren. I've spent twenty years advising on wars that aren't publicly acknowledged. I'm the strategist they call when the enemy doesn't play by human rules. So I'm sent to Cupid's Ridge to prepare for the final battle against an ancient evil, and I expect tactics and fortifications—not a grizzled bear shifter Council leader who makes my carefully ordered world tilt sideways. Idris is infuriating, immovable, and convinced his chance at love died thirty years ago. But I didn't become the best in my field by accepting impossible odds. He thinks he's too old, too broken. I think he's worth fighting for. Will two old soldiers find love on the eve of war? Or will duty demand one final sacrifice? Join Idris and Maren in this steamy Valentine's short story as they discover that it's never too late for love—and that some foundations are meant to be shaken! less