The Bear's Seer (The Dragon Ruby Series Book 7)

by Leilani Love

  It wasn't long before the sound of popcorn popping filled the space, and the smell of butter wrapped around her. Sitting in the middle of the couch, she grabbed the blanket on the arm and pulled it over, surrounding herself in Liam’s scent. Her head down, she inhaled deeply and smiled. A small cough made her look up, and she blushed at being caught.

  With a shrug and a shy smile, she confessed, "You smell nice."

  There was no mistaking the way his chest puffed up and his grin widened into a large smile. "Thank you. I prefer the way you smell, though."

  She giggled, ducked her head, and watched him through her lashes. With Liam trying to save his son and her trying to get to her children, this was one of the first moments since her escape that she felt her body relax. Liam grabbed the small black box on the table before sitting next to her and putting the bowl of popcorn on her lap.

  Liam raised the hand holding the box and pushed a button, and the television came on. Again, Emily marveled at how far things had come.

  "Should I ask if you have a movie preference?"

  "I think something light with a happily ever after would be nice."

  "I believe I can find something like that." Liam flipped past pictures before he finally settled on one. "I think you’ll like this one. If not, we can easily change it."

  Emily snuggled deeper into the couch as the movie started. Liam placed his arm behind her on the back of the couch, and the two of them shared the popcorn.

  As the movie played, Emily became more and more aware of the man next to her. Knowing what was to come and the possibility that she may be captured again before seeing her kids gave her pause, but if she didn’t help Liam, he would lose his son forever.

  With the idea of being caught playing in her mind, she couldn’t help but realize that meant she would either never see Liam again…or worse, something bad could happen to him. The idea of him getting hurt caused her to become more aware of him. His thigh pressed against hers. His finger had started to slide up and down the curve of her neck in the softest of caresses.

  Leaning into his touch, she closed her eyes as his fingers slid back up her neck to her ear, teasing her ear lobe. A soft moan escaped her, and she turned her head and kissed the palm of his hand. The couch shifted under her, and his arm slid off the back, bringing her up against his side.

  She should have felt tiny. He was huge compared to her. But she felt safe and sexy.

  Emily kissed his palm one more time before turning her head so she could look at him. Liam was staring at her, and there was no disguising the desire on his face. His pupils were so large, she could barely see the gold of his eyes. Swallowing hard, she couldn't help but glance at his parted lips. Liam broke the silence first, his voice thick. "I want to kiss you."

  Her lips parted, and she nodded, whispering, "Please."

  Liam let out a low grow just before his lips crushed hers with a kiss that made her fingers curl and every thought fly from her head. His tongue invaded her mouth, dueling with her own in a playful battle to tease and taste the other. Liam’s arm wrapped around her, lifting her off the couch and placing her across his lap.

  Emily’s fingers traced up his muscular shoulders and threaded their way into his thick hair. She shivered as he sucked on her tongue, making her lean harder into him. When he released her mouth, she whimpered, missing the connection when his lips worked their way from her lips to her ear.

  "Oh…" She sighed, tugging on his hair as his lips closed over her earlobe and bit down, making her jump.

  His lips curled into a smile against her neck, his tongue teasing the sensitive flesh he’d just bitten. He continued to suck gently on her earlobe before turning his attention to her neck and proceeding to nibble and lick down the column, finally settling on the sensitive spot where her neck and shoulder meet.

  “Liam,” Emily whispered as her head fell back, and he playfully bit a little harder.

  Tilting her head more, giving him better access to her neck, she whimpered. There was a growing need to submit to him, this man she barely knew. Her hips rocked against his hard length, the thin barrier of clothes doing nothing to disguise his desire for her.

  A loud growl pierced the air, and Liam pushed her, so she was arm’s length away. Missing the heat of his body, she watched as his breath came in shallow pants.

  Emily opened her mouth to ask what she did wrong before closing it again. She knew he found her attractive. The proof had been hard and pressed against her. When Liam’s eyes met hers, they were almost glowing. His nostrils flared and his body shook, his muscles tense like a coiled spring about to snap.

  “If we keep this up, I don’t know if I will have the ability to stop. If that happens, then my son will know there’s no way I’d let you leave my house in the middle of the night because there’ll be no doubt in anyone’s mind I will find you.” Liam’s voice was husky.

  Giving a jerky nod, Emily took a deep breath, trying to calm her body and racing heart. She looked down at her hands and whispered, "I understand."

  She heard Liam sigh before he picked her up and turned her so she was sideways across his lap. "Do you, Emily?” he asked, nuzzling her neck. “Do you know how difficult it is for me not to push all common sense aside, carry you to my bed, and show you exactly why stopping is so hard on me?"

  His words, a promise of what was to come, made her shudder as he bumped against her ass, making her very aware of his still hard cock. Raising her head, she looked into his eyes and shuddered at the hungry way he was watching her. Could it be possible that fate would gift her with not one but two mates in her lifetime? Swallowing hard, she whispered, “Yes.”

  Emily again tried to reach out and see his future. When no image appeared, her heart skipped a beat, and she dared to be hopeful.

  Her emotions soaring, Emily tried to move from his lap, but Liam tightened his hold on her. "Stay still. Just because I can’t make love to you yet doesn't mean I can’t enjoy the feel of your body in my arms and against mine."

  Not trusting herself to speak, she nodded, leaning her head against his shoulder as she looked at the television. Her mind swirled with what all this could mean and a hint of guilt for the mate she lost. She knew he would want her to be happy and move on, but that didn’t stop the sliver of pain she had for never being able to mourn him properly.

  Her mind completely absorbed by her own thoughts, she didn’t realize the movie had ended until he shifted her in his lap. Sitting this close to him, she was able to study the fine lines around his mouth and eyes. That and the shimmer of silver in his hair and beard were the only true signs he was older than his well-toned body would lead anyone to believe.

  "I think it would be best if you take a shower while I make you a hot meal and get some rest. We’ll be close, but just in case they take their sweet time trying to attack you, I want you to be at your best," Liam said, running his fingers over her hair.

  Closing her eyes, she leaned into his touch. "It would be best if I didn't smell like you."

  He let out a growl, making his chest rumble under her as he kissed the top of her head and inhaled deeply. "True. I can smell my desire on you. If my son detects it, he’ll be suspicious."

  With a firm pat on her ass, Liam picked her up and set her on her feet. Blushing, she nodded and headed to his room to shower.

  Emily scrubbed every inch of her body and rinsed off with hot water. After her shower, Liam kept his distance from her. The rest of the night went by in a blur. They had dinner. Dominic went over the map with her one more time, encouraging her to take a nap before night fell.

  Chapter 12

  When something touched her arm, Emily’s eyes sprung open as she jumped.

  "Shhh," Liam whispered, giving her an apologetic look. "Are you sure about this?"

  Sitting up and wiping her face, she kept her voice low. "Yeah, I am. Let’s rescue your son." He gave her a nod, took her hand, and gently squeezed. “I will never be able to thank you enough."

  "
Well, it’s only fair. You did save me first."

  He kept a hold of her hand before letting out a low sigh and releasing it. "Let me sneak back to the room before you leave. Make sure you keep all the living room lights off when you are getting ready. Don’t forget to look back a lot when you first leave. We want him believing you don’t want to be followed. The boys should have already left the bar and will be in their different spots along the route, so we can try to watch you. I will stay here until they text me.”

  She opened her mouth to tell him she remembered when Liam reached out and cupped her cheek. “Promise me you’ll stay safe.”

  Emily nodded and smiled. “I promise.”

  His hand caressed her cheek, and Emily closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. Reaching up, she put her hand over his, turned and kissed his palm, whispering, “We will save Hunter.”

  He searched her eyes for a moment, some of the tension leaving his face. “I will get you there in time to see your grandchild born.”

  “Grandchildren,” she corrected with a smile. “Both of my children are expecting their firsts.”

  “Grandchildren,” he echoed before tucking a stray hair behind her ear. “Wait ten minutes before leaving.”

  Taking a deep breath, she winked at him. “Go to your room already. Your sons are probably wondering what’s taking me so long.”

  He stepped away, and she watched him leave. She couldn’t help but notice how his shoulders almost filled the doorway and how close his head came to the doorjamb.

  Each second that ticked on the clock in the living room broke the silence. The only thing louder was her heartbeat. She reminded herself she would be home in time to see her grandbabies born. That thought replaying itself in her head as she tried to calm her nerves, she grabbed her tennis shoes and put them on.

  Standing up, she reached for the light jacket Talon had given her and slipped it on. He had washed it earlier and thought it would help seal her escape story if she stole a jacket to keep warm. Closing her eyes, she sent out a silent prayer to her ancestors and the gods above. Please let us save Hunter. Guide us with your light and love.

  Opening her eyes, she turned the door handle and peeked outside. The humming of the streetlight was the only sound as she closed the door with a gentle click behind her. Running her shaking hands on her legs, she quickly went down the steps. Emily knew it was important to play the part of a woman fleeing in the night and hunched her shoulders and kept the hood over her head, hiding her face.

  At a pace too fast to be considered a walk but not quite a jog, she moved down the block, keeping herself away from lights and in the shadows. Every few moments, she made a point to look over her shoulder. When she came to the first landmark, she made the turn as instructed. Based on the directions they repeated over and over to her, Talon should be near and downwind. She didn't know where he would be hiding and fought the urge to look around for him.

  Emily slowed her pace when she figured she was far enough from the house. After what felt like hours, the hairs on the back of her neck began to stand up. A cool breeze wrapped around her. Standing in the middle of the road, she looked around. "Where are you, witch?" A loud pop behind her made her jump and turn. Sparks shot from the lights at the end of the street before they exploded, and glass flew to the ground like tiny sparkling diamonds. "Are you scared? Show yourself."

  The sound of laughter floated on the air as the next two lights shattered and went out. "Brave Emily. Running away again, I see?"

  Standing straighter, Emily looked into the darkness, knowing Aura was hiding in the shadows. "I told you I would see my grandchildren be born."

  "Still holding onto those dreams. I should have killed you a long time ago," Aura said, stepping into the light.

  Aura snapped her fingers and smirked. The sound of nails sliding on the pavement drew Emily’s attention as Hunter in bear form stepped up next to Aura. His lips curved back, his teeth bared as he pawed the ground. The sound, like nails on a chalkboard, sent a shiver down her spine. The hair along the back of Hunter’s neck puffed up, and the foam drooling from his lips was a sure sign that, if they didn’t save him soon, they might never be able to.

  "If you want me dead, why don't you kill me yourself?" Emily taunted, jerking her head toward the bear. "Or are you so weak, you need others to do your dirty work? Release him."

  A sly grin curved Aura’s lip. She held up her hand and snapped her fingers, making a ball of fire appear. "Why would I ever release such a fun plaything?"

  With that, she reached back and tossed the fireball at Emily before growling, "Get her."

  Jumping out of the path of the fireball, Emily rolled away and took off down the street. Running as fast as she could, Emily reached out and used the connection to her children to pull power from the pack. It took all her the strength to push harder. Run faster. The ground shook under her. The clicking of Hunter’s claws on the road grew closer as the bear chased her. She had to lead him away from Aura.

  As she rounded the corner, her world tipped, and her ankle twisted under her. Her hands shot out as she braced herself for the fall. The impact as she hit the ground caused a wave of pain, making her cry out.

  Before she could scramble to her feet, something heavy landed on her back, keeping her in place. Closing her eyes, the weight on her back increased as he leaned forward and his hot breath parted her hair. "Hunter, you have to fight this. Please. Your family is worried about you."

  Hunter snapped his mouth. The spray from the foam around his lips landed on her face, causing her to close her eyes tighter and shudder. "Please."

  A loud growl echoed, and she looked over her shoulder just in time to see the bear jerk his head in the direction the sound was coming from. Hunter moved so she was under his body, between his front and back legs, as he bared his teeth and let out a growl so loud, she had to cover her ears.

  Emily knew better than to move. The bear in front of her pawed at the ground and huffed. When he started to approach, Hunter moved and stood up on his hind legs. Taking a chance, she scrambled away from the front of him and hid behind a car parked in the alley.

  With a huff, he landed on his feet. His eyes focused on her, and he lowered his head and began to run at her. The other bear charged, hitting him so hard, the car next to her shook.

  A hand on her back caused her to jump. Dominic was behind her, his gaze fixed on the scene before them. "Why is he foaming at the mouth? What’s wrong with him?"

  Talon appeared next to them, his mouth hanging open. "I can’t believe he’s fighting Dad."

  Emily shook her head. "He's not himself. You need to help him."

  "Take her back to the truck. Dad parked around the corner," Dominic commanded as he stood and started to approach the fight. She gasped as he shifted, his clothes ripping in the process. When he landed, he let out a large growl before circling around Liam and Hunter, who were standing on their hind legs.

  Talon placed his hand on her back. “We need to go get the truck and bring it closer so it’s ready for them."

  Emily looked over her shoulder as he led her away. The last thing she saw was Hunter sinking his teeth into Liam’s neck just before Dominic jumped into the fray.

  Chapter 13

  Liam let out a roar as Hunter’s teeth managed to cut through his thick fur. Before he could break the skin, Liam threw his weight forward, causing them both to fall to the ground. For the first time, the streetlight shone on his son’s face. His eyes were almost completely black. The thick foam around his mouth made him look ravenous. His fur was a dull shade of copper.

  Putting his head down, Liam let out a small sound of sympathy as he backed up. With a loud growl, Hunter rolled from his back and pawed the ground, ready to charge.

  Before he could, a flash of brown fur jumped from behind him and landed on Hunter’s back, pinning him to the ground.

  Despite the fact that Dominic was larger than Hunter, he struggled to hold him down. Hunter managed to get his pa
ws back under him, and with a strong show of force, he stood up so fast, Dominic stumbled and rolled off him.

  The two would need to coordinate, and even then, Liam did not know how they were going to get Hunter tied down and into the back of the truck without hurting him. And after that, would Emily be able to save him?

  Liam attacked first, concentrating above the waist. Dominic, knowing what he was doing, went for the bottom half and the legs. Liam, not wanting to hurt Hunter, maneuvered behind him and sunk his teeth into his neck to keep him still. As a parent, when they did this to the kids, they would go limp and do as commanded. In this state, Hunter bucked under him, trying to shake him loose.

  When Dominic knocked Hunter’s legs out from under him, Liam sank his teeth deeper, and the two of them held Hunter down. Before he could wonder what they would do next, movement at the corner of his eye caught his attention.

  "You need to stay back. If he breaks free, any of them could accidently hurt you," Talon said as he tried to grab Emily’s arm.

  With a quick shrug, she pulled her arm free. Liam’s growl was low, mostly muffled by his son’s fur. Talon ran his fingers through his hair before again trying to grab Emily and hold her back.

  Liam narrowed his eyes when she easily managed to sidestep his son. He watched as Emily stepped up to them and ran her fingers along Hunter’s fur.

  "Sleep. It's time to rest," Emily whispered.

  Hunter struggled under Liam as Emily ran her fingers from his snout up to between his ears. She stood so close, Hunter snapped his teeth, trying to bite her, making Liam tighten his hold.

  "Hunter, it’s time to sleep. Close your eyes and let go."