by Zoe Chant
Alec leaned close to her, and whispered, "You want to know a secret? It won't just be Saffron's baby around here soon. Tara's pregnant, too."
"How do you know? Did she tell you?"
He shook his head. "I can tell by the way she smells. I could tell with Saffron, too. I'm not sure if it's because I'm the alpha, or if the others can also tell and they're just humoring her 'til she's ready to let them know."
Charmian snorted. "I'll have to keep that in mind. Well, that explains Gannon's poker face when I accidentally let it slip in front of him."
"Of course you knew," Alec sighed.
"Yes, but if Tara hasn't told anyone yet, keep it to yourself." Charmian did a little mental calculating. "Unless, of course, every shifter on the property can smell it, in which case everyone actually does know already. But, at the very least, let her choose the time and place to tell people. She might not want to steal Saffron's moment in the sun, with the new baby and all. There'll be plenty of time."
"All the time in the world," Alec said, pulling her close with an arm around her.
He'd said it before, and it was what she'd been thinking as she watched the sun rise, too. There was no hurry for any of the things they wanted to do.
And maybe Alec was still figuring out how to be the kind of alpha he wanted to be, and maybe she was still figuring out how to let people in, when she'd spent a lifetime being self-sufficient. But that was all right, too. Life itself was a work in progress, and no one was ever quite finished with it.
Alec's arm was warm and comforting around her. It was all right to let herself be taken care of sometimes. She was starting to learn that. And they were both sagging against each other, getting drowsy. If we don't get back to the house soon, we're going to end up falling asleep right here by the river, she thought, amused at the idea.
"Alec," she said.
"Mmmm?"
"What do you think about the idea of putting a river-rock fireplace in the big house?"
"Take out the wood stove, you mean?"
"No, I just mean I like the idea of having a fireplace. That's something I'm going to miss about the house I'm living in now—the only thing, really. We don't have to put it in the living room. We could have a fireplace in the bedroom, say. Lie around naked in front of the fire."
"Hmmm. That's going to be complicated. We'd have to put in a chimney, make sure the floor can take the weight ..."
"But it's possible?"
"Oh, of course it's possible."
"I like the idea of doing something to make the house really feel like mine," she said.
Alec pulled her suddenly into his lap, and his lips closed over hers. She gasped in pleasant surprise before sinking into a long, heated kiss. He pulled away at last, but kept his arms clasped around her, and rested his forehead against hers.
"If you want a fireplace, you can have one. You can have two. You can have one in every room in the house, if you like."
She giggled. "Okay, that might be overkill. But I appreciate the thought."
It was nice here in Alec's arms, but the dank chill by the river was starting to get to her, and she ached with exhaustion. She wriggled free of Alec's lap, though she kept one hand in his, and slid down from the boulder. "Speaking of our house, I'd really like to check out that big bed."
"Hmm, funny you should mention that. I was just thinking something along those lines."
"Mind reader," she teased.
"Only when you're being obvious about it."
"I don't know if that means I should be less obvious, or more."
Hand in hand, they walked across the rocky beach toward the trail leading up to the ranch, with Bucket frisking around their feet.
Walking forward, together, into their new future.
***
A note from Zoe Chant
Thank you for buying my book! I hope you enjoyed it. If you’d like to be alerted by email when I release my next book, please click here to be added to my mailing list. If you'd like to contact me, my email is [email protected]. I love hearing from my readers.
Please consider reviewing Alpha Rancher Bear, even if you only write a line or two. I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative.
Cover art: Bear: © Can Stock Photo Inc. / AnitaE403. Man: © Can Stock Photo Inc. / ligor. Winter road: © Can Stock Photo Inc. / PawelSierakowski.
***
More Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant
Sheriff Bear. (Bears of Pinerock County # 1). A small-town sheriff + a wrongly accused BBW on the run + deadly enemies and dangerous passions = a sizzling forbidden love!
Bad Boy Bear. (Bears of Pinerock County # 2). Biker bear on the open road + BBW runaway-bride hitchhiker + evil motorcycle gang = an unforgettable red-hot road trip!
Bodyguard Bear. (Protection, Inc. # 1). A BBW witness to a murder + the sexy bear shifter bodyguard sworn to protect her with his life + firefights and fiery passion = one hot thrill ride!
Defender Dragon. (Protection, Inc. # 2). A curvy backpacker who loses a shoe at a ball + a lonely dragon prince facing an arranged marriage to a princess he doesn’t love + magnificent castles and deadly assassins = one thrilling romance!
Protector Panther. (Protection, Inc. # 3). A curvy paramedic who doesn’t know the meaning of fear + a mysterious panther shifter bodyguard with the power to inflict terror + sinister experiments and desperate passion = one heart-pounding romance!
Dancing Bearfoot. A single dad from the city + his daughter's BBW teacher + a surprise snow storm = a steamy story that will melt your heart.
The Billionaire Dragon Shifter's Baby. A curvy social worker in need of a break + a carefree dragon shifter + a baby dragon who needs her father = one hot and heartwarming romance!
A Werewolf’s Valentine. A BBW cat shifter who's turned her back on love + a handsome werewolf stranger who comes to town + a very special Valentine's Day = a hot and heart-warming romance!
The Bear’s Christmas Bride. A BBW who's alone at Christmas + a lonely bear shifter searching for his mate + a crowded house full of relatives = a snowy yet sizzling holiday romance!
Alpha Lion. A frightened but determined BBW + a sexy lion shifter martial artist + a dangerous enemy = one unforgettable romance!
Target: BillionBear. A BBW artist + an amnesiac bear shifter + a mysterious murder plot = an explosive blockbuster romance!
Hollywood Shifters’ Christmas. Three hot Hollywood shifters+ three curvy mates = three holiday romances in one sizzling story!
Guarding His Honey. A BBW in danger + the hot bear shifter who'll do anything to protect her + a dangerous fight with the mafia = one thrilling romance!
Hero Bear. A wounded Marine who lost his bear + a BBW physical therapist with a secret + a small town full of gossips = a hot and healing romance!
In the Billionbear’s Den. A stressed-out BBW in need of a break + a sexy billionaire bear shifter in need of a mate to share his home + the remote woodland house he built himself = one steamy romance!
The Bear With No Name. A BBW park ranger + a sexy bear shifter with amnesia + a town that needs their help = one unforgettable romance!
Bearing Your Soul. A shy BBW who’s been burned by love + a sexy veteran bear shifter + a family code of silence = one sizzling hot romance that defies all odds!
The Billionaire Wolf Needs a Wife. A shy BBW teacher + a sexy billionaire wolf shifter + a mail-order bride company = a white-hot wedding!
Choosing the Billionaire Dragon Shifters. A BBW in a small town + twin dragon shifters in need of a mate to share + the most hotly contested mayoral election Gray's Hollow has ever seen = one sexy story that's a win/win/win!
Hollywood Tiger. An investigator BBW + a hot maverick photojournalist tiger shifter + a sinister Hollywood studio = an explosive blockbuster romance!
Hollywood Dragon. A BBW singer + a billionaire music mogul dragon shifter + shifter battles and sizzling passion = one blockbuster romance!
Country Star Bear. BBW + country star bear sh
ifter + a slippery night in New England = hot nights under the covers!
Honey for the Billionbear. BBW with a broken heart + mysterious billionaire bear shifter + an unexpected storm = one sweet and sexy story!
Loved by the Lion. BBW looking for a family + hot alpha lion shifter protecting his pride + a dangerous stalker = one sweet and steamy story!
Hollywood Bear. A BBW stuntwoman + a movie director bear shifter + Hollywood hijinks = one blockbuster romance!
Beauty and the Billionaire Dragon Shifter. BBW who's new in town + a dragon shifter who's new to being human + a very confused dog named Mouse = one sexy fairy tale romance!
Joining the Jaguar. A BBW doctor with no time for love + a protective alpha jaguar shifter + a kidnapping = one sizzling hot love story.
Bearly There. BBW + billionaire bear shifter + chocolate-drizzled desserts = one lick-your-fingers-good story!
Bear West. BBW city girl + bear shifter cowboy + a mail-order bride company = one Wild West romance that's truly WILD!
Kodiak Moment. Workaholic wildlife photographer + loner bear shifter + Alaskan wilderness = one warming and sensual story.
Healing Her Wolf. A curious vet + a wounded werewolf + some tender loving care = one sexy, sizzling story!
A Pair of Bears. One lonely cat shifter + two sizzling hot bears who want to share + a whole lot of action (in and out of bed) = one wild and sexy adventure!
The Billionaire Dragon Shifter’s Mate. A BBW in search of adventure + a dragon shifter in search of a mate + a mishap on a mountainside = one sparkling and sexy story!
Bear Watching. BBW park ranger + bear shifter smokejumper + a lonely fire-watcher's post = one red-hot fire between the sheets!
Wild Flight. A BBW burned by love + a hot eagle shifter who's ready to dare + wild passion on a stormy night = a love that was meant to be!
Wolf Home. Sexy werewolf with pack problems + hot new werewolf seeking a home + arranged marriage = one sweet and sexy story!
The Hawk and her LumBEARjack. BBW hawk shifter + lonely bear shifter lumberjack + ice storm = one red-hot weekend!
Undercover Alpha. BBW + hot werewolf bodyguard + undercover action (and action under the covers) = one unforgettably sexy story!
Bear Down. BBW biologist + bear shifter pilot + huddling for warmth in the wilderness = one blazing-hot story!
Bought by the Billionbear. BBW + billionaire bear shifter + bachelorette auction = one broiling-hot story!
And many more!
If you love Zoe Chant, you’ll also love these books
Laura’s Wolf, by Lia Silver. Werewolf Marine Roy Farrell, scarred in body and mind, thinks he has no future. Curvy con artist Laura Kaplan, running from danger and her own guilt, is desperate to escape her past. But together, they have all that they need to heal. A full-length novel.
Prisoner, by Lia Silver. Werewolf Marine DJ Torres is a born rebel. Genetically engineered assassin Echo was created to be a weapon. When DJ is captured by the agency that made Echo, the two misfits find that they fit together perfectly. A full-length novel.
Partner, by Lia Silver. DJ and Echo’s relationship grows stronger under fire… until they are confronted by a terrible choice. A full-length novel.
Mated to the Meerkat, by Lia Silver. Jasmine Jones, a curvy tabloid reporter, meets her match in notorious paparazzi and secret meerkat Chance Marcotte. A romantic comedy novelette.
Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, by Lauren Esker. Curvy farm girl Julie Capshaw was warned away from the wolf shifters next door, but Damon Wolfe is the motorcycle-riding, smoking hot alpha of her dreams. Can the big bad wolf and his sheep shifter find their own happy ending? A full-length novel.
Handcuffed to the Bear, by Lauren Esker. A bear-shifter ex-mercenary and a curvy lynx shifter searching for her best friend's killer are handcuffed together and hunted in the wilderness. Can they learn to rely on each other before their pasts, and their pursuers, catch up with them?
Guard Wolf, by Lauren Esker. Avery is a lone werewolf with no pack; Nicole is a social worker trying to put her life back together. When he comes to her door with a box of orphan werewolf puppies and danger in pursuit, can two lonely people find the family they've been missing?
The Christmas Tree Bear, by Rosie Lynne. Bear shifter Willis Barnett meets his fated match in Charlotte Caldwell when she hopes to earn extra money as Santa Helper’s on Willis’ family farm turned Christmas Tree Town for the holidays. A romantic comedy novella.
The Strength of the Pack, by Jorrie Spencer. Seth Kolski, a werewolf, hides his heritage and passes for normal. Until he meets Jamie.
Taming the Beast, by Honey Dover. Beauty is a paranormal investigator hired to deal with a man cursed to become a monstrous beast. Helping him recover his humanity will change her life.
Claimed by the Wolf, by Candi Jackson. Zenobia Jones ends up pregnant after a night with a billionaire—and lands herself in a war between werewolf packs. A full-length novel.
The Right Bear's Arms, by Nora Eli. After a sizzling one night stand with bear shifter Jake, curvy Katie realizes her perfect man is everything she's tried to avoid. If they can both stop running from their pasts, they may find a destined future together.
Discovering the Dragon, by Sofia Stone. When reporter Chloe Martin investigates Lancaster Gold, she finds herself tangled up with the oldest son—Isaac Lancaster, billionaire dragon shifter.
And keep reading for a special sneak preview …
If you enjoy Zoe Chant …
you may also enjoy Lauren Esker
Keep reading for a preview of Lauren’s full-length paranormal romance, Handcuffed to the Bear, first in the Shifter Agents series.
A bear-shifter ex-mercenary and a curvy lynx shifter searching for her best friend's killer are handcuffed together and hunted in the wilderness. Can they learn to rely on each other before their pasts, and their pursuers, catch up with them?
Chapter One
Casey's first thought was, How did rocks get in my bed?
Her second thought was that maybe the rocks were actually in her head.
Okay, I'm never drinking anything Billy mixes for me again. Her boss's favorite bartender had a heavy hand with the alcohol.
Although ... she'd only had one drink. That she remembered.
The annual company mixer for Lion's Share Software, the tech firm she worked for, was held each year on a cruise ship off the coast of Washington. This was the first time Casey had been invited, after working her way up from a lowly mailroom employee to nothing less than the administrative assistant for Roger Fallon, the head of the company himself, in just two years.
All the high-level employees were shifters of one kind or another. It should have been an opportunity for Casey to spend two days among her own kind, making professional connections and sipping expensive drinks. They would be sailing up Puget Sound, around the scenic San Juan Islands, and then back to Seattle by lunchtime the following day.
At this point, though, all she remembered clearly was sailing out of Seattle. Billy had opened up the bar, and everyone was mingling out on the deck. She'd had a drink ... or possibly two ...
Shit, did I get roofied? What the hell happened to me?
She was slowly becoming aware that not all of her physical misery was because of a hangover. She was nauseated and trembling, but some of the shivering was because it was actually quite cold and damp. Those really were rocks pressing into her backside.
Her .... very naked backside.
Startled, and even more worried, Casey peeled her eyes open. It was dim, but not the flat darkness of a room with the doors and windows closed. She was outside somewhere. As her senses came slowly back online, she began to register the myriad little smells and sounds of a forest at night. Leaves rustled overhead; tiny things skittered in the darkness. She could smell wet leaf mold and the acrid tang where a fox had marked its territory. Since she was in her human form, her senses weren't much sharper than a non-shifter's, but she could feel the lynx instincts
inside her stirring lazily at the proximity of small prey. Her awareness of her lynx side was fuzzy, though, muffled by the lingering vestiges of whatever the hell had happened to her.
And she really was naked. Rocks and wet leaves pressed into uncomfortable parts of her anatomy. Had she been—? Her mind shied away from even asking the question. She didn't feel terribly uncomfortable in the way that a person might if they were—if they'd been—
Raped, she thought. Don't dance around it. You're naked in the woods and the last thing you remember is having a drink at a party. The implications are obvious.
But she really didn't feel like she'd had sex anytime recently, forcible or otherwise. Mostly she just felt achy and miserable and like she might throw up if she sat up too suddenly.
And also naked. Very naked.
Casey started to raise a hand to investigate her physical condition, and was brought up short by a sharp jingling, like a heavy bracelet, and a tug on her wrist.
Wow, okay, that was twelve shades of not good. She was chained to something. It was too dark to see what it was. A log?
Casey gritted her teeth and sat up. Her stomach heaved, but once the initial wave of dizziness passed, she felt better now that she was vertical. At least, it made her feel a little more in control of the situation.
The in-control feeling went away fast when she discovered that she wasn't chained to a log, she was handcuffed to a dead guy.
"Oh Jesus," she whispered.
She gave the cuffs an experimental little tug. They were locked around her left wrist and Dead Guy's right one. He was a very large man, lying facedown in the damp dead leaves of the forest floor with his head twisted to the side, away from her. And he was naked too.
What. How. Why?
