A Beary Christmas

by Ariel Marie

  “Oh, my. It’s beautiful,” she breathed as she came to stand next to him.

  She leaned her head on his strong arm as she gazed upon the cabin and the yard. Even through his jacket, she could feel his muscles. Her bear huffed and sat up. It was as if she could sense Rocco’s bear and wanted to get to him, but she didn’t know how to even initiate a shift. Could she do it if he asked her to go for a walk in the woods as their animals?

  His hand tightened on hers as she smiled up at him. She would make the best out of this date as she could. If it ended suddenly when he found out her secret, so be it. Her eyes lingered on the log cabin that looked like something out of a magazine. It was perfect.

  “Thank you. Come on, I had them prepare it so that it would be warm by the time we got here,” he said, pulling her behind him.

  She gulped as she realized how remote they were. It was just the two of them alone in the middle of the woods, in a private cabin.

  He led her across the small clearing and up the steps of the cabin. They paused on the porch as he pulled a set of keys from his pocket to unlock the sturdy door, and held it open for her.

  “Make yourself comfortable,” he murmured as she walked past him.

  “Thank you.” She smiled as she looked around the room.

  The cabin was an open concept, with a roaring fire in the fireplace that caught her eye. The fire alone kept the cabin warm. She unbuttoned her jacket, and a set of strong hands helped strip her of her coat. She turned her head and her eyes met his dark ones. She gulped as she realized that she was in trouble. There would be no denying any request from the future alpha.

  6

  Rocco had planned to cook Kendra a nice lunch, then take her on a walk through the woods in their bear forms. It would be best for her bear to learn the territory of their clan’s lands. As he helped her remove her coat, he knew that those plans were fast flying out the window. He breathed in deeply, taking in her scent, and knew that he had to have her. From the aroused smell that she gave off, he knew that she was thinking the same.

  He stepped closer to her with a growl as her eyes darkened. He tossed her jacket onto the recliner and took her into his arms. Bending his head down, he captured her lips with his. They were inviting as they opened, allowing his tongue to slip inside.

  She tasted of mint as he took the time to explore her mouth. Her small hands gripped his shirt tight as she pressed close to him. His hand slid down to the small of her waist, resting just above her plump ass. The sight of her in her jeans had him salivating. They showed off her curves just right. He was a large man, and loved a woman with curves. No skinny woman for him. His hand slid down to the curve of her ass and he growled. It fit his large hand perfectly.

  He trailed kisses along the side of her jaw to her neck. He knew that this was getting out of hand quick. He could tell at the party that she was a shy bear, and knew he would have to take his time with her. But right now, his cock was making all the decisions.

  “Kendra, are you sure?” he gasped, loving the taste of her sweet skin.

  “Yes,” she growled, her fingers sliding beneath his sweater and undershirt. She pushed them up, exposing his chest.

  He grabbed the edges and pulled it over his head and tossed them behind him, not caring where they landed. He glanced down and saw a feral look in her eye. His bear could sense hers was near the surface, and rumbled in his chest. He gently helped her out of her shirt, releasing a hiss at the sight of her breasts in her black lace bra.

  Her fingers latched onto his jeans and reached for his belt. He brushed her aside so that he could undo his belt. There was no way he would last long if she took his pants off. He quickly pushed them down and kicked them to the side.

  “Your turn,” he murmured as he reached for her again.

  “You did yours, I’ll do mine,” she announced with a shy smile.

  His breaths came fast as she slowly teased him and slid her jeans down, exposing the small scrap of panties that matched her bra. His cock pushed painfully against his boxer briefs as she stood before him.

  She blew out a nervous breath as she stood before him. He growled and snatched her up, throwing her over his shoulder.

  “Rocco!” she squealed as he carried her over to the bed, no longer able to wait. His cock demanded to be inside of her. He gently tossed her onto the bed, and her body bounced once before she landed in the middle. The sight of her creamy brown skin was a direct contrast to the white down comforter on the bed. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. He wanted to memorize the sight of her.

  “What is it?” she asked, sitting up on her elbows.

  “Nothing.” He shook his head as he knelt between her open legs. He gazed down into her eyes and reached up to brush her hair from her face. “You’re so beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” she murmured. He gently nipped her plump bottom lip, unable to resist taking a taste of her. He wanted to take his time and taste every facet of her, starting with her plump breasts that were calling to him. She gasped as he undid the clasp in the front of her bra, freeing her mounds.

  He took her brown nipple into his mouth, and his tongue played with her beaded nub. Her hands grasped his head as he continued to pay attention to her flesh.

  “Rocco,” she moaned, causing his cock to push hard against the mattress. He trailed his tongue to the other perfect mound. He was pleased with how well her ample breasts filled his large hands. The strong scent of her arousal filled the air, and he knew that he would find her ready for him.

  He moved down farther, leaving a trail of kisses as he made his way to her center. She lifted her hips up as he slid her small scrap of panties off. Spreading her legs wide, settled in-between them, bringing her slick pussy to eye level. He breathed deep and loved the smell. He spread her plump lips and found them to be drenched with her desire.

  “Can I have a taste?” he asked, knowing that he was teasing her. He trailed a finger along the side of her slit.

  “Yes,” she muttered, her head turning side from side. “You can have the whole damn honeypot!”

  He barked out a laugh as he dipped a finger into her slick channel and brought it to his lips, taking a taste of her.

  Sweet, like honey.

  “Thank you,” he murmured as he slid her lips open, revealing her tiny nub. He dipped his tongue into her, taking a long lick. His bear growled, loving the taste of their mate.

  Her body shuddered as he began to work her clit with his tongue. She was becoming his favorite flavor. He couldn’t get enough of the taste of her as he pushed two fingers deep inside of her to stretch her. She was tiny, and he would need to make sure that she would be able to handle his girth.

  Rocco began to suck harder on her sensitive nub, wanting to bring her to completion first. He was a generous lover, and wanted to make sure she reached her peak first. He pumped his fingers into her as her hips began to move in rhythm with his hand. His tongue flicked her nub, unmercifully. He could feel her body stiffen as he thrust his fingers deep and sucked hard on her clit.

  She screamed, muttering his name repeatedly. Her legs clamped down on him as he continued his assault through her climax. A pleasing sensation filled his chest that it was him who brought her to the brink of such an orgasm. He climbed back over her and stared down at her. Her dark hair was in an array on the bed, looking like a dark cloud. Her eyes remained closed as she tried to get her breathing under control.

  His cock hung heavy between his legs, needing her. As if sensing his gaze, she opened her eyes. A smile spread across her face as their eyes met.

  “Are you all right?” he asked softly.

  “I’ve never came that hard before,” she whispered, embarrassed.

  “Really?”

  “Well, there’s only been one other person, and he really didn’t…you know. Take care of me like you did.” She reached up and ran her finger along his bottom lip.

  “He was an idiot,” he cursed. A woman as fine as her should be
cherished. Rocco knew that he would forever cherish her and put her needs before his, as a mate should. He pushed down the jealousy of someone being with her before him, but he would rejoice that they messed up, and now he had the chance to do something that no one else had done.

  “I don’t want to think of anything else,” she murmured. Her small fingers slid along his cock. He released a growl as her fingertips paused at the head. Her eyes flew to his. “Oh, my. Are you going to fit? You’re so—”

  “I’ll go slow.” He laughed at the look on her face.

  She nodded, looking at him with wide eyes. He could see the trust in them. He knew that as her mate, he would fit her perfectly. As shifters, he knew that they would be safe. They didn’t carry diseases, and she wasn’t fertile right now. If she had been, his bear would have taken control of their lovemaking with the intent to procreate with their mate. But today, they were safe.

  “Okay,” she breathed as he began to push the head of his cock into her. Sweat formed on his forehead at the feel of her slick tightness gripping him. He pushed forward, deep into her tight channel, then paused to allow her to get acclimated to the size of him.

  “You okay?” he asked, placing a chaste kiss on her lips. The feel of her wrapped around him was like a homecoming. He fit perfectly, just like he knew he would. She was made for him.

  “Oh, God. Yes,” she groaned, shifting her hips and locking her hands at the base of his neck.

  “Good. Hold on tight.”

  7

  Rocco stretched his arms wide as cold air gently blew across his naked flesh. His eyes jerked open as he realized the bed next to him was empty, and the temperature of the room had dropped substantially. He looked around the cabin and the alarms in the back of his mind began to blare. The cabin looked as if it had been ransacked.

  “What the hell?” he growled as he stood from the bed, not caring that he was still naked. The couches had been tossed on their sides. The dining table was broken in half, and chairs were strewn across the room. He knew that he was a hard sleeper thanks to his bear, but how the hell did he sleep through this?

  Anger mounted in his chest as he strode toward the open front door, and he paused. Claw marks lined the wall and doorjamb. He ran a hand along the deep marks that were clawed into the wood. His bear roared with the thought that someone came into the cabin and snatched Kendra. He strode out onto the porch, following the trail of destruction on the cabin’s floors. This bear would be a dead one as soon as Rocco got his hands on him.

  A trail of paw prints were imprinted into the snow, leading away from the cabin. A growl could be heard off in the distance. Rocco took off running into the woods, ignoring the cold air on his skin. It was pointless to put on clothes, knowing that he was two seconds from shifting in order to get his mate back. He would fight to the death to keep Kendra safe.

  His breaths came fast as he rushed through the woods, toward the sound of a bear’s growls. If one hair was harmed on his mate’s head, this bear would be sorry that he ever stepped foot on Brink property. Rocco burst through a clearing and came to a direct halt.

  One small brown bear sat at the base of a tree, letting loose a string of growls. His eyes scanned the area and found no signs of any other bear.

  A female.

  Her familiar eyes were full of panic as she tried to stand, and fell back to the ground, as if first learning how to walk on all fours.

  “Kendra?”

  “Rocco” she tried to scream, but it came out in a stream of growls. Her heart slammed against her chest as she looked around the clearing. She tried standing, but her new bear legs trembled. Her bear, finally free, was trying to get used to being loose.

  When Kendra had woken from her sex induced coma earlier, her stomach had begun to cramp. Thinking she needed to go to the bathroom, she had been embarrassed to think that after a day filled with lovemaking, that she would have to rush to the lavatory with an explosive bowel movement, but instead, the moment she stood from the bed and took a few steps, she fell to the floor in agony.

  Her body flailed on the floor as she went through the shift. Once complete, she freaked out. She was no longer in charge of her body. Her bear, finally free, trashed the cabin, trying to get out. She finally crashed through the front door and clumsily took off into the woods.

  Now, here she stood, in front of naked Rocco like a bumbling fool, not sure how to be a bear. Thankfully, her bear recognized him. She tried again to stand on all fours, and this time, she did it without falling to the ground.

  “It’s okay,” he announced in a calm voice.

  Her bear let loose a warning growl and stood in front of him.

  “Don’t growl at him” she snapped at her bear. Was she crazy? Why couldn’t she control her bear? Was this how it was for all newly shifting bears? Her bear had been hidden since she was five years old. It was like learning all over after a first shift.

  “Kendra, I know you can hear me. It’s going to be okay,” Rocco said as he raised a warning hand and took a step toward her.

  Okay? How was it going to be okay? Her bear was on the edge, and he was calmly walking toward her.

  She tried to pull back on her bear, but she wasn’t listening to Kendra. She didn’t want her bear to lunge for him. She could feel her wanting to assert herself, but Kendra was demanding to let her human form forward.

  “Mate” her bear growled at her.

  Kendra’s eyes flew to Rocco, and now understood what her bear was doing. She recognized Rocco as their mate.

  “Come to me,” Rocco called to her bear. His steady eyes were locked on Kendra.

  Her legs slowly took a step toward him. Her bear sniffed the air as she took another step.

  “It’s all right, baby. Come to me,” he murmured.

  She could feel her heart rate slowly decrease as she did as he commanded. She pushed her snout into his hand and closed her eyes. She could feel her chest rumble from her bear being calmed down by their mate.

  “Good girl. You’re a beauty,” he whispered as he rubbed his fingers through the fur on top of her head. Her bear almost purred from the feel of his hands on her. “Now, I just need Kendra to come forward. Shift.” The single word held such power. Maybe it was the alpha power in him, but Kendra could feel her body tremble as the shift began. The fur began to pull back and her bones reverted back to her human form.

  Rocco caught her as her body folded, keeping her from falling to the ground. She released a cry as she felt his warm body encircle hers. He slowly lowered them to the ground, then the tears began to flow from her eyes as he held her. A deep cry that she had held back for years spilled over. He pulled her close as she cried.

  “It’s okay. Let it out,” he murmured against her head, continuing to hold her against his firm chest. She sniffed and pulled back to look into his eyes.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Was this your first time shifting?”

  She nodded her head in embarrassment. She tried to look down, but he hooked a finger beneath her chin and brought her eyes back to his.

  “The first time since I was five years old,” she admitted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

  “How can that be?” His eyes held concern as he looked down at her.

  “It’s a long story.” She blew out a deep breath, creating a small cloud from the cold. Even sitting with him in the middle of the woods, naked, she didn’t feel any of the cold air. His body was like a furnace and provided warmth for her.

  “Let’s go back to the cabin, and I want you to tell me everything.”

  8

  Kendra cringed as they sat before the alpha and his mate. After she told Rocco the whole story about her witnessing her parent’s murder as a young bear, and being unable to shift since, he was sure that she needed to speak with his parents. Now here they were, interrupting their family Christmas dinner so that she could repeat her sob story to the alpha.

  “Then I was adopted by a wonderful couple, and here I am.
” She blew out a deep breath as she sat back on the couch. Rocco pulled her close to him. The feel of him calmed her and her bear.

  Anders and Free glanced at each other before they turned to her. They sat across from her and Rocco on another couch in their family study. She waited for them to speak, and it was Free who spoke first.

  “My dear, the reason I asked you the other day where you grew up was because a long time ago, friends of ours were brutally murdered and we never knew what happened to their little girl,” Free announced.

  Kendra’s heart slammed against her chest at the announcement. She glanced at Rocco before turning back to the Brinks’.

  “Is Sexton your adopted parents last name?” Anders asked.

  Kendra shook her head slowly. It was the one thing that her adoptive parents wanted her to keep from her biological parents. They didn’t want to erase her parents from her life, and insisted that even though they raised her as theirs, and loved her more than life itself, they thought she should keep her birth name.

  “Were your parents Lou and Heidi Sexton?” Free asked softly.

  Kendra flew from the couch in a panic. She ran a shaky hand through her hair before turning back to the Brinks’. Tears flooded her eyes at the mention of her parents’ names.

  She nodded her head as the tears fell. Flashes of the last time she hugged her parents before going to bed came to mind.

  They had been watching a movie late at night and it was her bedtime. She had insisted that she was a big girl, and could put herself to bed. She remembered their large smiles as they settled on the couch. Her father had winked at her as he drew her mom under his arm. She gave both of them a big hug and kiss before running up to her room.

  A loud shout had awoken her some time later. She could remember slowly getting out of bed, confused at the loud noises coming from downstairs. She walked down the hall to the sounds of loud screams and peaked over the bannister, and found the massacre below.