“No,” she said slowly. “My grandmother has been gone for awhile now, and my mother never had the ability. But she passed away a few years ago. Why?”
“I just think if you knew more about your heritage, this might not have happened. You see, an empath isn’t just a psychic ability. It’s a type of witch.”
“A witch?” Natalie recoiled. “I would know if I was a witch.”
“It appears to be a recessive trait in you. When the shifter bit you, your body had to choose between one ability or another. And the recessive trait became a dominate one. It’s a good thing, too. It saved Jackson’s life.”
Shifter’s hated witches. That explained why Jackson didn’t want to stick around. He’d never care for her now.
Once again, she was alone.
“Do I need to stick around?” she asked in a neutral voice. “Is it okay if I leave?”
Gratsky frowned. “I’d like to keep an eye on you for a few more days, if that’s okay. I’ve never been able to examine a witch. It’s with your permission, of course.”
Natalie nodded, but she had no intentions of sticking around. Being near Jackson and not having him would hurt. She already knew that. “I’m going to get you something to eat,” the doctor said kindly. “Any requests?”
“It doesn’t matter,” she said honestly. She didn’t plan on being around to eat it.
He exited the room. When she heard him leave the office, she immediately threw off the sheet on her bed. Stripping the bed gown off, she pulled on the pajamas she was wearing the morning of the attack and slipped out of the building.
At least this time she wasn’t running for her life. That would, at least, make things easier. She could go back to original plan of going to the city and settling down. If she hid the fact that she was a witch, maybe she would blend in with society a bit better.
“Always on the run.”
She froze. Jackson stood under the tree outside the clinic and watched her intently. “I just thought it would be easier,” she muttered. “For everyone.”
“You though it would be easier if you just ran away again? Is it that easy for you to leave me?”
She turned away from him. “Look, I appreciate everything that you’ve done for me. I really do. You saved my life. But things are different now.”
“How?”
She cocked her head. “What do you mean, how? Before I was a human with some psychic abilities. Now I’m a witch. Everyone knows that witches and shifters don’t mix. I know you hate me now.”
“Hate you?” in the blink of an eye, he’d crossed the small clearing and grabbed her wrist. “Why the hell would you say that?”
She pulled out of his grasp. “Are you kidding me? You could barely look at me inside. It’s clear that you can’t stand the sight of me. Why are you fighting me on this?”
He laughed hoarsely and pulled her into his grasp. “I definitely don’t hate you, Natalie. I failed you. I promised that I would keep you safe, and if it weren’t for your witch gene, you’d be a bear shifter. And you’d belong to Paul’s pack. I figured you’d hate me.”
She collapsed against him. It was nice to feel his warmth again. “You didn’t fail me. Every time I was in danger, you found me. I don’t hate you,” she muttered. “I love you. You did save me.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I love you too, Natalie. I have from the moment I felt you enter my building.”
“Even though I’m a witch now?”
“You’ve always been a witch. Just because you’re more powerful now doesn’t change how I feel about you. And it doesn’t change anything about you. I don’t care if you’re a witch, vampire, or otter shifter. I love you. I love everything about you,” he whispered into her ear.
And in that moment, she was happier than she’d ever been in her entire life. Jackson loved her. “What do we do now?”
“You’re going to marry me.” He pulled back and searched her face. “You’re my mate.”
She punched him lightly in the arm. “Aren’t you supposed to ask, first?”
He shook his head. “And give you a chance to say no? Absolutely not. You’re mine.”
“I am yours,” she said with a smile. “But what about your pack?”
“They’ll love you. And no one is going to be upset with a witch by our side. But I have to warn you. I think something big is about to happen. And I’m not sure I want you in the middle of it.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I’m not leaving your side. If you’re going to be in the middle of it, I’m going to be in the middle of it. That’s what marriage is. That’s what love is.”
He wrapped his arms around her, and Natalie suddenly didn’t care about her being a witch or him being a shifter. She didn’t care about their past, and she didn’t care about the future. At that moment, he was a man that she loved. She was the woman that he loved. And life couldn’t be more perfect.
Tamed By The Billionaire Bear
Chapter Fifteen
Micah Gordon ran to clear his head. He ran from his problems, from his obligations, from his own pack in order to feel even the slightest bit of freedom. If anyone could leash a bear, it was his own clan. He’d only been alpha for two months, and already he regretted his decision.
You should have said no. You wanted to say no. Alpha may be in your blood, but it’s not who you are.
He slowed down to a stop and rested on his knees, panting. He’d worked his body to the max, and his legs and sides were killing him. But it didn’t matter how fast or how far he ran. He’d chosen to be the leader, and nothing short of death would release him.
At thirty-five, Micah was the product of generations of alphas and old money. The city pack had an easy alliance with the other shifters and an uneasy alliance with the vampire community, but when his father had died, his pack had given him an ultimatum. Assume his rightful place or leave. And as much as Micah wanted to leave, he couldn’t do that to his mother. She would have been exiled.
So he’d stepped up. It wasn’t so much that he hated the idea of being the alpha, but he’d always felt caged in. For as long as he could remember, he’d been groomed for this position, and he was afraid he’d crack under pressure. He was responsible for the actions of his pack. He was responsible for their well-being. He was responsible for upholding the treaties with the other packs and clans.
He was supposed to mate with Bridgette.
A wave of disgust rolled over him. Bridgette was the alpha female. From the day she’d turned fifteen, the pack accepted that she would be Micah’s mate, but he felt nothing for her. She was beautiful and powerful, but she was also egotistical and bitchy. And with her came her younger brother, Travis. Micah felt only waves of hatred emanating from the young man. There was no way he was anchoring himself to that for the rest of his life.
Except that he would have to. Because now his life was subject to pack rules. And the rules were clear.
With a sigh, he turned back around and headed to the warehouse district. G&S Industries was expecting a new shipment today. His great-grandfather had started the business with his second in command years ago. Back then, they simply guided tourists through the dense wooded areas of Woodland and across the river rapids. Today, Micah oversaw hiking, camping, and white water rafting equipment as well as the expert guides. He worked alongside Jackson Steward, his own second-in-command. Sometimes, Micah didn’t privately wonder if Jackson wouldn’t make the better alpha.
At the warehouse, the trucks were already pulling in. Micah glanced at his watch and frowned. They were early, which was great except that he wouldn’t get a chance to shower and change. With a shrug, he jogged over to meet them.
“Not exactly the power suit,” Jackson said with a grin.
“They weren’t supposed to be here for another hour,” Micah said as he clasped Jackson’s hand. Not only were they partners, but they were also best friends. Micah had no idea what he would have done without the man.
“No worries. At least
you’re wearing our gear. But God, you smell. How long have you been out?”
“Ten miles.”
Jackson raised his eyebrows. “Something you want to talk about?”
Micah shook his head. “I’m just trying to keep in shape,” he lied.
It was clear that his friend didn’t believe him, but he knew better than to question the alpha. Instead, he pushed a clipboard into his hands. “You take crates one through four, and I’ll take the rest.”
Micah wiped his sweaty hands on his black shorts and began to systematically go through the contents of the crates. The smell of dust and wood wafted up his nose, and he smiled. They brought with it memories of his own adventures hiking and camping in Woodland, and he longed to return. It had been years since his last vacation, and he was long over due.
“We’re good here,” he said as he straightened. He signed the inventory list and handed it back to the truckers. “Jackson?”
“Everything’s accounted for. Thank you gentlemen.”
They shook hands and nodded to the forklift drivers. “Take them to warehouse B, and let’s get these babies unpacked and registered in the system,” Micah ordered. “I’m going to take a shower.”
Jackson wrinkled his nose. “Thank God.”
Laughing, he turned until he saw one of the crates still open. “Hold up,” he said as he jogged over. He didn’t want to lose anything. Grabbing the top, he attempted to shove it back on. Something sharp cut deep in to the palm of his hand, and he grimaced. Pain shot through his arm, and he felt the bear inside him roar.
“Christ, Micah!” At the site of the blood running down his arm, Jackson moved quickly. “Somebody grab me a clean towel,” he ordered.
“It’s just a cut,” Micah said through clenched teeth. A deep cut.
“Yeah, but it’s going to need stitches. We’ll get it wrapped up and get you to the hospital. It’s closer than the clinic.”
“It’s not really how I wanted to spend my day,” Micah said with a sigh.
Jackson grinned. “Want me to call Bridgette to come over and comfort you?” he joked.
“Do and die,” Micah threatened. His friend knew how he felt about the alpha female.
Someone handed him a towel, and he pressed it to the wound, wrapped his hand, and tied it off. At the very least, it would put him back in his paperwork. And that meant he’d have to stay late tonight.
So he’d have to call off his dinner with Bridgette. And that alone brightened his day.
Chapter Sixteen
Stacey Bronson had been on her feet for ten hours. And she had four more hours to go. She was tired. She was hungry. And she was getting real irritated.
“Stacey?”
She lifted her head from the computer warily as she eyed her co-worker. The other nurse saw her reaction and grimaced. “I’m so sorry, but Dr. Littleston needs you in exam room two.”
Stacey rolled her eyes. “And he couldn’t ask any of the other twelve nurses that were no doubt hanging on his arm?” she grumbled as she put the clipboard down.
“If you went out with him, he’d probably stop requesting you,” the other nurse said with a grin. “After all, once he gets to know you, he’s bound to stop lusting after you.”
“Cute,” Stacey said as she hopped down from her chair. “Real cute.”
Dr. Littleston was easily the hottest doctor in the ER, but he made it a life goal to sleep with as many nurses as possible. And Stacey was fairly certain she was the only one under the age of thirty that hadn’t at least given him a blowjob in the supply closet. All he did all day was make sure he had plenty of time to stare at her ample cleavage. It was disgusting.
She trotted down the hall. Despite her misgivings about the doctor, she tried to treat his summons like she did with any other doctor. Every case that came in was an emergency in the beginning whether it turned out to be true or not. And she would not let her personal feelings about a doctor put a patient in harm’s way.
You can do this. Four more hours, and then you have four whole days off!
She kept chanting it as she pulled the curtain aside in exam room two. It was empty save for the handsome doctor.
“Stacey!” he beamed at her. “I’m so happy you hustled down here.”
Cautiously, Stacey stepped into the room. “What can I do for you, doctor?” she said as she struggled to keep her disgust out of her voice. Stay professional and maybe one day, he’ll do the same.
“I’m not sure this table has been sanitized. I heard the last patient here had more than a few accidents. Could you wipe it down for me?”
In other words, he wanted her to bend over so he could stare at her cleavage. Fighting the urge to roll her eyes, she grabbed the sanitizer spray and a clean rag. She could stay on this side and have him stare at her cleavage, or she could move to the other side and have his stare at her ass.
With one hand holding her top close to her chest, she sprayed the table down and started wiping. Satisfied that the table was clean and that she hadn’t given him a show, she straightened. “Will there be anything else?”
“You’re so efficient. I think you’re the only nurse here I haven’t really gotten to know. Have dinner with me, Stacey. I’d like to speak with you about your career here.”
Sure he did. She already felt the shivers of disgust roll down her spin. What a pig.
Stacey was by no means a virgin, but men hadn’t exactly taken priority. She’d grown up in a poor household, and when she’d lost both her parents in high school, she realized that their pitiful insurance money wouldn’t take her far. So she threw herself into her work and immediately started making plans for nursing school. Now that she was four years out, she worked every minute she could to pay off her loans and get her life back on track.
Men asked her out, and occasionally, she dated. It was never serious, but even she needed to blow off a little steam every now and then. But never would she stoop to sleeping with a man just to climb a little higher on the ladder.
“I’m just finishing up a fourteen hour shift, so I’ll probably just crash tonight,” she said as she turned her back.
“It doesn’t have to be tonight. I know you have four days off coming up,” he said. His voice wrapped around her like a straightjacket, and she shuddered.
Before she could voice a professional response, another nurse poked her head in the door. “Dr. Littleston? Nurse Bronson? We need someone to stitch up exam room six.”
“Dr. Pashnell can take care of it,” Littleston said smoothly. “And I’m sure there is another nurse available.”
“Dr. Pashnell is still in exam seven, and he has two more patients to see after that.”
“Is he bleeding to death?” Littleston snapped, and Stacey rolled her eyes. She turned her head and smiled at him.
“We don’t have anything going on. I’ll be happy to help out,” Stacey said encouragingly.
Forced into it, Littleston nodded. “Fine. But I still want you to….”
“I’ll grab the supplies while you examine the patient,” she said hurriedly. “I’ll meet you there.” She skipped out the room before he had a chance to ask her out again.
Safely away from him, she exhaled loudly. It was getting harder and harder not to threaten him with HR. The truth was that she’d only been working at the hospital for a year, and she really didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize her position. This was the best paying job she’d ever had.
Grabbing the supplies that she needed, she hustled down to exam room six. As she swung open the curtain, she tried not to gasp.
Lord, have mercy.
Seated on the table was the most gorgeous man she had ever seen. Even though he wasn’t standing, she estimated that he had to be least six feet tall. Probably more. He had dark disheveled hair that was cropped close to the top of his ears and the most beautiful crystal blue eyes. Her mouth parted just slightly as she stared at them. They were mesmerizing. His face was long with a strong, narrow chin and scruff
that ran from his chin up to those beautiful lips. Suddenly, all she could do was imagine herself kissing those lips.
And that body. He had an athlete’s body. She could see the sinewy muscles that ran down his arms, and he had a strong torso that strained against the white fabric of his shirt. God. Was there anything sexier than a built man in a white t-shirt? A tan muscular man?
“Nurse?”
The sound of Dr. Littleston’s grating voice broke her out of her daydream. She hurried forward with the supplies. The patient’s eyes followed her every step of the way, and she could swear that she saw his pupils dilate. Was he attracted to her? Of course, he’d just been given a local anesthetic, and he was just getting over the pain. He was reacting to that and not to her.
She gave him what she hoped was a warm and pleasant smile, but her heart was racing. Never before had she had such a reaction to a man. Her hands were almost shaking when she touched him. Opening his fingers, she tried to force his hand still while the doctor prepped him.
Thankfully, the patient was holding his hand still on his own, but she didn’t let go. She avoided his gaze, but she could feel electrical currents at the touch. Everything about this man was electrifying.
The doctor prattled on, obviously not recognizing the shift in the room, and when Stacey tentatively raised her gaze, she saw the patient staring at her. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
He knew. Not only did he know the effect that he had on her, but also he was enjoying it. She narrowed her eyes. It only made him smile bigger.
“All right, I think I’m finished here. Nurse Bronson will finish you up, and the front desk will take care of you,” Dr. Littleston said as he straightened. He bowed out of the room, and Stacey fumbled with the gauze.
She cleared her throat. This was ridiculous. She was a professional. “Because it’s a minor cut, the stitches should dissolve in the next week or so. Still, try to keep it covered and dry until then. Any strenuous activity might tear them, and then you’ll have to come back, so be careful.”
The Billionaire Bear Shifters Page 10
