by Jenika Snow
I felt him place the tip of his cock at my entrance once more and I bit my lip. And then he was sliding into me in one smooth, fluid motion.
I gasped.
“Yes,” I whispered.
Damon thrust in and out of me slowly, but as the seconds moved by, I felt him picking up his speed, his intensity consuming me. He growled and held on to my hips in a bruising hold. Yes. I wanted his marks on me.
“Watch. Look.”
I looked down the length of my body, where I could see the heavy weight of his balls swinging as he thrust in and out of me. A silent cry left me, and I closed my eyes as pleasure washed through me.
He groaned, and my pleasure increased. “Mine,” he grunted out.
Damon held on to my hips so tight the pain had me gasping and my eyes widening. He buried himself deep inside me, stretching me, having me feel every damn thick inch of his dick.
“Fuck,” he roared out, and I felt the hard jets of his cum fill me. “Rue,” he roared again and had his mouth at my throat. I felt him pierce my throat, the pain mixing with pleasure.
He filled me with his seed until all I could feel, smell, and hear was Damon, was his bear claiming me.
It was long moments later when he pulled his mouth away and breathed out harshly. “This is just the beginning.”
I nodded, knowing that was the truth.
He covered my back with his chest, his breath coming out in hard pants. That warm, humid feeling covered my flesh, calming me. My arms shook as I held myself up, the pleasure consuming me. When Damon pulled out of me, I couldn’t help but collapse onto the mattress. It was only a second later when Damon was lying beside me, his arm over my waist, his hand sliding down between my thighs. He gathered the cum that slipped out of me, and pushed it back into my body.
“My cum belongs in you, Rue.” He moved his hand from between my legs and pulled me in close to him once more. Our skin was sweaty, damp from fucking, his cum filling my body, my pussy sore in the best of ways. I’d never felt more content than I did in that moment.
“Rue. Christ, baby. My female,” he said huskily against the side of my throat.
This warm feeling consumed me when he kissed the top of my head. I closed my eyes and sighed. He pulled the blankets over us, and I leaned closer, snuggling in and loving the heat that came from Damon.
I inhaled deeply, taking his scent into my lungs, and couldn’t help but smile. I felt safe, protected in Damon’s arms. This had never been my world, but God it was now. It felt like I was always meant to be here. With him.
This all felt right, and I didn’t want to let that go.
I wouldn’t.
Chapter Eleven
Rue
I felt a little intimidated and very anxious as I stood in Damon’s living room and greeted each of his brothers and their mates. There were only five brothers, so it should’ve been easy enough for me to remember their names, but I felt like everything that was said was going in one ear and out the other, my nervousness so pronounced my hands were actually shaking.
And then I felt Damon wrap his arm around my waist, pulling me in close, giving me that support I needed. I tipped my head back and looked into his face, seeing he already watched me, a smile spread across his lips, his warm brown eyes showing me without words that he loved me more than anything else.
Although this mating had been fast and hectic, unexpected, it felt so right. It felt like this was exactly where I was supposed to be, wrapped up in his arms and meeting his family. And later today, he’d be formally introduced to mine.
After introductions were made, with genuine happiness from Damon’s brothers and their mates in welcoming me, we all started preparing dinner. It was like a family affair, all of us working together.
Mena and Cason were making the dessert, Maddix and Allison were preparing the homemade apple cider, and Ainsley and Asher were finishing off the fresh bread with honey spread. Bethany and Zakari were having a loving, teasing argument on how much butter to put in a specific recipe. And then there was Oli and India working on setting the table, Oli whispering things in India’s ear that had her blushing.
All I could do was stand back with a glass of warmed apple cider Allison had given me and smile, feeling like I already belonged in this family unit. And the children… God, the children were adorable and sweet, kind and rambunctious. I could see the brothers in each of them, little snippets of their personality coming out.
I hadn’t come from a big family, no siblings, only one aunt and uncle on either side, and the fact that I felt like I had an instant family with these bear shifters and their mates had this perpetual grin spread across my face.
I took a sip of the cider, the liquid warm and spicy, with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon dancing across my tongue. I looked over at Allison and said, “Delicious.” She grinned and tipped her glass in my direction before taking a long drink.
I felt strong, big arms wrap around my waist, pulling me back toward an equally powerful chest. I instantly smelled Damon, the scent of the wilderness that surrounded us mixed with the spicy aroma that was all him.
“Missed you.”
I grinned at his words and turned my head to look up at him. “You just had me an hour ago,” I whispered so only he could hear. My cheeks felt hot as I blushed, remembering how he’d pinned me to the wall in the home we shared and fucked me until I came three times.
He slipped his hand down to cover my belly, his mouth by my ear. “When should we tell them about the little one inside you?”
I felt my face get hotter, pleasure and happiness filling me.
“It’s so early.”
He hummed and kissed the shell of my ear. “They’ll be able to scent you’re pregnant before too long, mate.”
I knew this, but I liked just us knowing. I hadn’t known Damon would be able to smell me being pregnant before I even knew, but apparently a shifter could smell their mate carrying their young before any other shifter even suspected.
“You’re right,” he said low and against my ear. “I like having this little secret between us, at least for the time being. But the truth is, I also like the idea of everyone knowing you’re carrying my baby.” He kissed my temple.
I leaned back and sipped my cider, enjoying watching everyone interacting so naturally, so lovingly. This was what I’d always wanted.
This was what we both deserved.
Epilogue
Damon
Five years later
I stoked the fire and stared at the flames. The scent of the meal we just had lingered in the air, filling the cabin. My mate had fed me well, cooked the buck I’d gotten for us earlier this week and made a delicious stew out of some of the meat, as well as homemade peach cobbler. My female was one hell of a cook.
I looked over my shoulder at the couch where Rue sat, a book in her lap and a blanket thrown over her feet. I loved watching her read, loved knowing she was in her element when she got lost in her books.
She was gorgeous when she was like that.
The years had gone by in a blur of wonderful, happy memories. I protected what was mine, making sure Rue and our children were safe and cared for above all else. They were the reason I lived now, the reason I did… everything.
I looked down at my mate, pushed her long hair off her face, and felt my chest tighten at the emotions that filled me every time I looked at her. My mate. My better half. My everything.
She was the mother of my son, of my daughter that was growing in her belly. She was the reason I breathed every day. Pushing down my bear, because the bastard wanted her more and more each day, I slid my hand under the blanket and placed my hand over her swollen belly. She was due with our little girl in a month, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.
I felt our baby girl kick.
Rue ran her hand over my bicep, and for long seconds we just lay there in silence. “You ready for another one?” she asked softly.
“Mate, I’ve never been
readier for all of this. I love you.”
“I love you too.” She rose up and kissed me back.
I rubbed my hand over her belly for several long minutes. “Although it’ll be hard to keep the little fuckers away from her when she’s older. I’m gonna want to keep her under lock and key.”
Rue started chuckling. “Yeah, figured you would be like that. So protective.” She snuggled in closer to me.
I felt my daughter kick again and knew I’d protect what was mine at all costs.
Every day, I loved Rue more. She was my mate, my wife, the very reason I breathed. I’d die for her. I’d kill for her.
“Are you happy?” I asked her this constantly, wanting to hear her say it. It pleased me.
“You make me so happy, happier than I could have ever dreamed of, mate.”
Fuck, I loved hearing her call me her mate.
“Are you happy?” she asked softly.
“You make me happy, Rue. You and our family. Our life.”
She leaned forward and pressed her lips to mine. “I love you, Damon.” I groaned as her lips brushed along mine. “I love you so much.”
I cupped the back of her head and pulled her an inch closer. For long seconds, I just kissed her, pleased when she melted against me. “You’re my life, baby girl.”
She sighed, and it was that small sound, that little act, that had pleasure filling me.
I moved my hand to the side of her throat so I covered the mark I’d given her during our first mating. Rue was my female, my mate.
Mine.
I ran my thumb along the mark on her neck. I fucking loved looking at it, loved knowing I gave it to her… that she was mine.
I pulled her closer and just held her, loving how soft and warm she was, how pliant she was in my arms. She was mine forever, and nothing would take that away. It had been years since I’d found her, claimed her as a proper mate did, and every day I fell in love with her, connected with her more than the last.
She was my mate, the mother of my young, and the female I was meant to be with from the day I was born. I felt that consume every part of me.
“Momma.”
The sound of Ayden had Rue and me sitting up.
She held her arms out to our son. “Come here, sweetheart. Come lay next to Momma.”
I pulled the blanket down and smiled as he ran up to our big bed and climbed up, his little body struggling a second before he finally got on top.
Ayden snuggled between us and I pulled the blanket over us, kissing him on top of the head then leaning in and kissing Rue on the lips softly.
I stared at Rue and listened to her softly hum to Ayden, lulling him to sleep.
These lives were my world, and nothing and no one would ever change that.
I drifted off to sleep with my family beside me, my hand on Rue’s belly and the world at my feet. This was what it meant to truly survive, to really be happy and live.
I hadn’t known what that was, felt what it was like until she’d come into my word, until we had our little family.
She made me who I was.
And I was never letting go.
The End.
Book 6.5: A BEARy Grizzly Holiday
A BEARy GRIZZLY HOLIDAY (Bear Clan, 6.5)
By Jenika Snow
www.JenikaSnow.com
[email protected]
Copyright © December 2019 by Jenika Snow
First E-book Publication: December 2019
Editor: Kayla Robichaux
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: The unauthorized reproduction, transmission, or distribution of any part of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
This literary work is fiction. Any name, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.
Please respect the author and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials that would violate the author’s rights.
A BEARy Grizzly Holiday
Zakari
“I’m about to rip my fur out if I have to try to put another ball on the biggest fucking tree Zakari could find in the woods,” Maddix said with a growl in his voice.
“What, you wanted some puny-ass tree to have a big bear family gathering?” I replied with a snap in my voice.
Maddix looked over his shoulder and bared his teeth, but it was all in good fun, all loving banter. I knew my brother better than anyone.
The sound of children laughing filled the great room, the smell of the fire and its crackling lending to the ambiance. I searched the room for Bethany, feeling every possessive side of me rise up until I found her, until I was sated at the knowledge that she was just feet from me.
I could see her in the kitchen, working her magic, making that delicious hot chocolate she was so very proud of. Hell, I was proud of her for everything she did. She was truly the light of my life. Her and our children.
They were my world, and I thanked whoever was listening for making me the luckiest fucking bastard that I got to spend another holiday with them.
Oli
“Would you guys quit bitching and come try these?” India called out from the kitchen, and instantly my bear rose up.
I was right by my mate, covering her growing baby bump with my big hand, kissing the side of her neck. God, she smelled so fucking good.
Another little one growing inside her. Fuck, I was the luckiest bastard in the whole damn world.
I followed India’s gaze to where Mena and Allison were on the floor in the great room with a board game between them and the children, keeping them occupied.
“They are so good with them,” India said softly with a smile in her voice.
Ainsley and Rue were on the other side of the room with the rest of the kids, making homemade stockings.
Maddix
I couldn’t keep my gaze off my mate, at the way she looked by the firelight.
Allison.
Even thinking her name turned me on, had my bear rising up fiercely. All these years later and I still felt like I’d just found her, just felt that pull of the mating.
I scanned the room, finding it hard to take my eyes off my female but taking a visual count of everyone.
Bethany was making hot chocolate for everyone, Zakari hovering by her like usual. Bethany’s recipe was the best, with homemade whipped cream and a hint of cinnamon.
“Damn, look at this cookie spread,” I heard Cason say just as he reached out to grab one of the pieces of meat on the charcuterie board Rue made up and brought over.
“Dude, go wash your fucking hands,” I hollered out and saw everyone glance over at me, the room growing quiet. I felt sheepish. “Sorry, I’ll watch my language,” I added, addressing each female who scowled at me.
“Little ears, Maddix,” Allison said, although I saw the way her lips twitched in amusement.
“Yeah, watch your fucking words around the kids.” Oli was the one to say then kissed the side of his mate’s throat.
Everyone started laughing.
Although every single one of the bear-shifting brothers was possessive to the nth degree, I always thought Oli was by far the most intense, with the way he always touched her… always growled at anyone who came close to her.
Hell, he put the P in proprietary.
Asher
I tracked my mate’s movements across the room, feeling my blood rushed through my veins, my heart racing.
Ainsley.
God, she worked me up and didn’t even fully know it. Or maybe she did.
Ainsley walked into the kitchen and grabbed glasses out of the cupboard, pouring some of that homemade hot chocolate Bethany prepared into each glass, setting them on a tray, and walking around the room, handing out a mug to everyone. And the entire time, I watched her… stalked her movements.
&n
bsp; She went back and filled smaller glasses for the children, dolloping extra whipped cream on each one, because she knew how much they liked the sweetness.
What I liked was how fucking sweet she was… on my tongue when she came for me.
Mena walked up to one of the punch bowls sitting on the long banquet tables and scooped out some of the creamy eggnog. I continued to look around the room, seeing all the children, brothers and sisters, cousins, all playing with each other, doing crafts and activities, their laughter filling the great room.
God, I loved this time of year.
“Let’s start decorating the tree,” Ainsley said, and I heard myself growl at the soft pitch of her voice.
I loved the sound.
And I didn’t stop myself from going over to her. She looked over her shoulder just as I was a foot from her, the smile growing on her face. I pushed the fall of her hair off her shoulder and kissed the side of her neck, right where her mating mark was located. I felt her shiver and made a noise in the back of my throat of pleasure, of satisfaction that I affected her.
I found myself moving her back toward the wall, away from everyone, where we could have a modicum of privacy. I used my body to block her in, to show her I only had eyes for her. There was no doubting this wicked grin on my face.
When I leaned in and kissed her, she let me be gentle, easy, but pulled back before I could really take it further.
“Not here,” she said breathlessly. “You save that for the bedroom later, mate.”
I growled in pleasure, but also in disappointment, because I wanted to be with my mate right now.
She tipped her head back and I followed her gaze. I saw the mistletoe hanging above us.
