by April Zyon
“Eat your dinner, Alaska. You’ve had a long day and you’re starting to babble. That’s pretty much the cue to get you fed, run through a hot bath, and tucked into bed for the night. Honestly, I can’t believe you’re even still up and moving, but let’s not test your limits.” Picking up his own burger, he took a huge bite.
She ate along with him, enjoying the way that he spoke to her, and when he reached out and grabbed her hand she was even happier. “I like you. I just wanted you to know that.” She more than liked him but that was neither here nor there. He was her forever and she knew it.
“I like you, too, sweetheart.” Then he stole a fry, eating it with a grin while she stared at him in disbelief. “I really like your fries, too, much better than mine.” He made to snatch another one but Ali was watching for it and covered the package before he got there, earning a pout from him.
“Oh, you are a naughty bear, one that I’m going to have to seriously look out for,” she said with a smirk. “Although if you really want my fries I will give them to you.” She reached out and grabbed for his. “And take yours instead.”
He snatched up hers and began to munch on them. “I can live with that. Like I said, yours are better.” Leaning in, he pressed a kiss to her lips and smiled against her mouth.
“I trust you,” she said, becoming serious. And oddly enough she did. She trusted every single part of being with him. “I just hope that you trust me, too. I’m a witch and when we bond, you will see every single memory that I have. You will know everything that I know. It’s something that is unique to witches.” A part of her soul would be given to him as well as every single memory, worry, and fear she had in her life from the moment she was born.
“That sounds incredibly intimate, Alaska.” Stroking his hand up and down her back, Harley watched her. “I do trust you, and we have time to learn about one another. I can’t wait to learn everything there is to know about you.”
She smiled at him and nodded. “It is incredibly intimate and each time we connect with making love you will see my desires as well. You’ll know what I want and what I need when we make love,” she told him and noticed she was rubbing her pinky against his hand, needing to touch him.
Leaning his head back, he pulled her in closer and wrapped his arm around her. “It’s like a guidebook to making you completely insane. That could come in handy. Does it work the same way for you? I mean, will you pick things up from me like I will you or is that a strictly outgoing process?”
“No, just you with me. I know nothing about bear matings, so I don’t know what will happen when we bond. I also know that witches can only get pregnant under the new moon. Literally. As in outside making love. It’s part of the magic inside of us. From what my aunt told me, it’s because we are descended from the long-dead fae and we need the new moon to be able to procreate. I know how odd that sounds, but there it is.”
“Good to know. Interesting, and specific, form of birth control. As to bear matings, I know next to nothing. Apparently it’s all instinctive. At least, that’s what my father told me during an extremely awkward discussion of the birds and bees. It was only made worse by my mother’s running commentary and laughter in the background.”
Alaska laughed. “I bet.”
“I need to call my mother, speaking of. She’ll insist on coming over to meet you. Don’t worry, she’s a marshmallow—unless you break my heart, and then Dad has nothing on her.”
“I don’t intend on breaking your heart. You mean too much to me. But your mom, I don’t know how I will handle that. You won’t leave me alone with her until you know I’m comfortable, right?”
“You’ll be fine with Mom. She’s human. Be truthful, open, and don’t try to bullshit her. She has a built-in lie detector, or that’s what we always assumed. The woman knew everything and knew when we were pulling her leg. If we’re lucky, maybe she’ll bake while she’s here.”
“I’m a baker, too,” she reminded him with a laugh. “And thankfully she’s human. Humans, I can deal with. Heck, most don’t even know that I’m a witch. My new coven here takes great pains to keep ourselves under the radar. I wonder how the person who tried to take me knew I was a witch.”
“Power gives off a certain zing that tickles the nose. Humans don’t recognize it because they aren’t sensitive in the sniffer department to pick it up, but the majority of shifters are. We have to be close, like on top of you close, to pick it up, so most wouldn’t know unless they’ve been sniffing your hair. And I’d better damn well be the only one with his nose anywhere near you, little witch.”
“You will be.” Aww, he was jealous, how cute. At least she wasn’t the only one who was jealous. She munched at a fry as she mused that aloud. “Well, hopefully they won’t come back. If they do they will have a great big pissed off bear to deal with, won’t they?”
“Damn straight they will. And I hope they show themselves. I’d rather deal with them sooner than later, and I hate knowing they are out there. They could hurt you or anyone from your coven at any time. And no one messes with my woman or any of her people and gets away with it.”
She leaned over and kissed his cheek, then went back to eating. “I just hope there won’t be anything else like what happened in December with that pack that tried to take over the Falls.” She saw his look and snorted. “Harley, honey, I’m a witch and while I might be completely left out of the loop when it comes to shifters and the politics of this town, I still know what’s happening in it. I’m happy that you guys knew what they were and were ready for them, though.”
“It didn’t feel right, so we looked into it. We’d do the same with any group that wanted to move in here en masse. The humans don’t have the same protections we do, so we have to look out for them more than we would any other individual living here. Shifters may have founded the town but everyone is welcome here as long as they aren’t bringing war with them.”
“I hate that I might be the reason that people are harmed,” she admitted with a sigh and ate another fry. “Thank you for being on my side. It’s more than just because we’re mates, though, isn’t it?”
“Of course. I would have helped you no matter what. That you are my mate makes it all very personal.” He stole a fry from the package she held in her lap and munched on it slowly. “I’m hopeful we’ll figure out who is after you before anyone else gets harmed. But it might be a good idea to warn your coven here that there’s someone out there that knows how to neutralize a witch and all about your attack, too.”
“Already done.”
“Good,” he told her once she’d finished eating. “Now, how about we go upstairs and get you into that bath. It even has jets. Once you’re settled in I’ll clean up down here and then come join you.”
“Oh, jets,” she said with a grin. “How can I turn that down? And thank you for cleaning up down here. I appreciate that.” She cleaned all the time, so to be able to have a moment where she didn’t have to clean was bliss. “All right, take me up to what will be our bedroom.”
Scooping her up in his arms, he surged up from the chair and headed for the stairs. Harley took them two at a time. At the top, he turned to the right and walked through the double doors sitting open. The room they’d entered was huge, dominated by a massive bed and surrounded by windows except for the internal walls. He went straight to another door that opened into the bathroom, with more windows and one hell of a view into the trees. Setting her on her feet, he touched a control on the pad by the door and the windows went frosted. “Complete privacy,” he said with a smile. “I’ll pull the drapes in the bedroom instead of turning the windows opaque. Keep the room nice and dark while we’re sleeping.”
She looked around the room and sighed. “I love it. I know I told you that, but I love it. I love the whole house. It suits you and it suits me, too. It’s for both of us.”
“The bonus is, everything is remotely controlled. The windows, the drapes, and pretty much everything else around here. Get in the
tub. I’ll be back in a few minutes, and I’ll even remember to bring your suitcase upstairs.” Cupping her face, he pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “I won’t be long.”
“Good.” She licked her lips and gave him one last lingering look before she started the bath and the jets. This was the first night of the rest of their lives and oddly enough she couldn’t be happier. No matter what she had gone through today, she was happier than she could ever recall being and that told her everything she needed to know, that this was exactly right. He was it for her.
Chapter Five
After a short conversation, that morning with Jagger, his alpha and boss at the shop, Harley was on temporary leave. Until the threat against Alaska was found and eliminated it made sense for him to stick close to her side. Beyond the fact she was his mate, he was worried about her and her coven. Jagger got that. The Kodiak alpha had a mate all his own that was giving him gray hairs.
Which meant bright and early the next morning he was at Alaska’s shop with her. Not helping her with baking, because despite his grandmother’s best efforts he couldn’t bake. He could cook enough to survive by himself but that was about it. Any of that fancy shit he left to the professionals like Alaska.
Nope, he was there to keep an eye on her, no hardship there, and make sure she didn’t have any trouble throughout the day. It allowed him to drink coffee and watch her do her thing while staying out of her way. He had to admit it was relaxing watching her roll out the dough, beat on it, and generally dominate the kitchen. She reminded him a lot of his grandmother in that way. The smells alone… Holy shit, he was in heaven. And yes, he was probably drooling.
After a while, she kicked him out of the kitchen and he wandered to the front of the shop to take a seat at one of the tables. A half hour later, when she started to sashay her way out toward him—no other way to describe the way she was walking toward him—he noticed she had a plate in her hands but he couldn’t see what was on it. When she sat down on his lap he was a little surprised but rolled with it. She set the plate down on the table and smiled up at him. “I thought maybe you’d like something to eat, so I made you a Reuben.” That surprised him and it must have shown on his face. “I had one of the deli guys bring me what I needed for the sandwich to the back door so I could surprise you. Are you hungry?” She petted him, actually ran her hand up and down his chest, which made him ache for her to move it just a bit lower.
“I am hungry, and the sandwich will dull the hunger but definitely not quench it fully.” Wrapping a hand around her neck, he pulled her in for a kiss. When she went soft against him, he lifted his head. “There is only one thing that can truly satisfy the hunger deep inside. But that will have to wait, at least for the time being.”
“Yes, that it will.” They hadn’t even had sex yet. They hadn’t bonded and it was something his bear was letting him know about. “Now, eat. I need to go and pull the raisin bread from the oven before it gets anymore burnt.”
He sniffed the air and shook his head. “It’s fine,” he told her. Picking up a half, he took a bite. “Oh my God, this is good.”
“I’m glad you like it. I always worry about doing something new to me. Maybe I should add sandwiches to the menu. What do you think?”
Moaning out an approval around his latest mouthful, he nodded, then threw in a thumbs-up in case she had any doubts. He was in taste bud heaven right now. Swallowing, he licked his lips enthusiastically. “Do it for the lunch hour. I think it would be a huge hit. If this is anything to go by, baby, you’ll have a booming business. You could even offer catering services to the businesses around here. Do up sandwich trays to be delivered. Hell, I’ll even help you out whenever I can, and believe you me the shop will be one of your first customers.”
“I think I’ll start with the sandwiches at lunch first and then if people want to order them, I’ll let them. I don’t want to take on too much at once. Maybe I’ll make some homemade chips to go with it. I do have a deep fryer in the kitchen.”
“Keep it simple, little witch. All you need for a side with a good Reuben like you just fed me is a big ass pickle. Most sandwiches would be complemented by a pickle, if you think about it. The chips would take up a lot of time, and you’d end up with fryer grease smell messing up the aromas already in here luring folks to their gluten doom.”
“This is very true. I don’t use the fryer, except the rare times that I make funnel cakes for a couple of the ladies that live in town and are pregnant and crave them.” She snorted at that, and he could only guess at the things that pregnant women wanted. “Okay, then that’s what I’ll do. Just the sandwiches and big ole pickles on the side.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “I really do need to get back to the kitchen, love. I have to check the rolls, the bread that’s in the oven, and I need to double check that I have enough vanilla for the cupcakes that I’m sending the kids at the school since I couldn’t make them muffins.”
Spotting a familiar individual coming up the sidewalk, he nodded. “Go right ahead. I will be sitting here enjoying the food.” He gave her a smile and a light smack on her glorious ass, then watched her walk away. Tearing his attention from her, he frowned when he saw a fellow Kodiak stop on the sidewalk outside the shop. He was soon joined by a couple more. This was not good. Alaska was accepting of him, being they were fated, but she would not be happy to know there were more bears gathering en masse. Yes they had been in and out before but not in a gathering like now. Most of the bears in town tended to avoid her shop. Maybe he could cut the bears off at the pass and she’d never know they were or had been there. With a snort he rolled his eyes. He couldn’t be that lucky.
He watched his fellow friends enter the shop and kept looking from them to the kitchen door and back again. Getting up from his chair, he went over to them. “Keep your voices down. Alaska isn’t overly fond of bears and I’d rather she not be upset. You upset her and I’ll rip your throats out,” he said with a pleasant smile. Okay, maybe not so pleasant given the looks on their faces and the fact they all took a step back.
“Don’t worry, she won’t know we are bears. Witches don’t generally know that we’re around,” one of the men told him as he settled at the table. “Damn, that sandwich looks good. Think I can get one? And before you ask, Jagger asked us to check up on you.”
“Most witches might not, but my mate is pretty sensitive. She might pick it up. I’ll ask about the sandwiches, but you stay out here and be on your best behavior.” Harley was ignoring the part about Jagger checking up on him on purpose. He didn’t even want to know why the alpha wanted to check on him. Instead he headed into the kitchen and looked to Alaska. “We have a request for three more sandwiches. Buggers spotted mine and wanted to know if they can get one, too.”
“Really? That’s great, right?” She moved to look out into the little space she had for tables and chairs. He knew it the second she realized they were bears. He heard her heart rate increase, could practically feel her panic. “Who are they? Are they friends?” Her words were rushed and came out in a much higher tone than she typically spoke in.
Slipping an arm around her, he pulled her in close to his side. “They are bears, and they are friends. They’re the same as I am. Pack mates.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Slow your breathing, Alaska. They won’t hurt you. They came because Jagger sent them looking for me. That alpha of ours is a nosy busybody, to say the least.”
He felt her relaxing and nodding against his shoulder. “Okay. I have this now.” She looked back out into the dining area once more and took a deep breath. “I need to get used to them. I need to be able to learn to deal with them because they are your friends, your family. I have to be able to get over my own fears. So, will you take me and introduce me, please?”
“Are you sure?” He was stunned that she wanted to take that step already. At her nod, he gave her another squeeze. “You are amazing. A better mate could not have been chosen for me. I promise, they don’t bite. And if they get rowdy I will
kick their asses out and forever deny them sandwiches made from your delicious breads.” The last he said loud enough the others were sure to hear.
Her lips curved into a smile that warmed his heart. “I trust you,” she told him. “I would like to meet them. I want to get to know them now before it’s too late. I would rather learn how to like them now than to be forced into a position where I have to do it. Does that make sense? Besides, there are only three of them and I know that you can totally take them if you wanted to.”
He wasn’t so sure, but he’d definitely do his damnedest if he had to. For her, though, he said, “Absolutely. Now let’s go meet them before you get back to work.” Shifting his hold, he guided her out to the table and angled their position to make sure he was that little bit closer to his friends than she was. “Alaska Ceridwen, this is Gavin Durante, Jorge Mann, and Philip Trent. Boys, this is Alaska, my mate.” Tacking on that last bit likely hadn’t been necessary, but the bear inside wanted the lines to be clear to his sleuth mates. A dare for them to try crossing it and seeing what they ended up with.
Alaska was snuggled up tightly against his side and she nodded at each one. “Hello, it’s very nice to meet you. I hope that you don’t mind if I don’t leave Harley’s side or shake your hands. No offense or anything but I’m really terrified of bears,” she told the men honestly, which Harley had to appreciate. She just put things out there like they were, something he loved about her.
The men at the table looked at him, then back at her. Jorge was the one to speak up. “No worries, Miss Ceridwen. We’ve heard in the past we take a little getting used to. Especially the likes of Gavin here. He’s so grumpy and snarly looking all the time, we can’t really blame you.” The table jumped and Jorge threw a nasty look across it to Gavin, who sat there with a benign expression on his face.
