“Give her to me. Maybe my blood will help? And no, I’ve never seen anything like this, but remember, no one’s mated with this species either,” Gourd said, his shirt disappearing as he grabbed another blanket and wrapped it around Hope. He lifted her up and sat on the bed, holding her tight. “I’m sorry, Little Bear. We truly didn’t believe anything this bad would happen. I need you to drink from me. Hope, we’re thinking my blood will dull the pain and quicken the change for you,” Gourd told her, opening a line over his round heart. “Drink, my wife, and come full into our world.”
Her skin was now a light blue. Apparently, she wouldn’t be as dark as they were, indicting how truly special she was. Only individuals with a certain enzyme in their system were a light blue, indicating they had a powerful gift. It would seem their woman was one such individual, and Gourd couldn’t wait to see what her special ability was.
Cold lips on his skin drew his attention down to her as she drank from him. “Talk to me?” she asked. “What is your world like?” The shaking stopped and her breathing evened out as he settled back against the headboard, holding on to her tightly.
“Our world is very different from your Earth, but it is like this planet. Our sun is a dark red, our grass—what we have of it—is blue color. There are no cars or roads, and we live in the skies because our ground shifts constantly. The air is a little like your mile-high city from what I know of it. It would take you a few days to get used to it,” Gourd informed her as he inserted his hand, stopping her from drinking any more. “You’ve had enough. How are you feeling?” Gourd asked, then placed a kiss on the top of her head as Jester came over and brushed her hair away from her face.
“Like I wrestled one of those heliokillers and lost. If you three fuck me over, so help me, you better hide, because after that I’ll gut you all,” she mumbled, curling up on his chest.
“First, we will never leave you. Even if we are disagreeing, we are joined, bonded. We can’t be separated too long without some physical pain. Second, we’re really going to try and stop the swearing, right?” Jester asked, then kissed the top of her head.
“Hey, when I’m in pain, all thought goes out the window. I’m sorry, Gourd, for all three of you?” Hope said, confusing Gourd and Jester.
“Sorry for what, Little Bear?” he asked, noticing she was finally falling asleep.
“Because you can’t leave to go home. I don’t have a home, so it does not matter,” she said, yawning.
“Oh, but you do, Little Bear; in our arms, that is your home. Just as you are our home. We can live anywhere as long as we have you and the children,” he said, rubbing her arm.
“But you have family. I don’t,” she mumbled, stubborn to the end.
“And our families can come visit us. I have a feeling my parents will be showing up in the next few months.” Gourd groaned.
“And ours.” Fand came in with the children as Jester stood and moved out of the way for the children. “They were worried and wanted to say good night to their Mama Bear,” Fand said. He leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek.
Little Sasha crawled on the bed and curled up close to Hope. Hope reached out and placed her hand on the child. “I’m fine, Sasha,” Hope said and at once Gourd knew what her gift was. It was rare, but Hope was a chesture. One who could comfort and distant people from emotional trauma.
Gourd only knew of three on his world, and now this new world had a precious person to help them, but he also knew having this gift meant her mates would have to make sure she didn’t overtax herself.
“Everyone on this planet would be lucky if we allowed her to help after the way they treated her, and you know it’s far from over,” Jester said. “Iceman has informed me his brother and his family are still alive. The threat is still there.”
Gourd looked down at Hope to find her staring up at him. “If dear auntie wants a piece of me, let her come. Baron, Mandy, come give me kisses, then off to bed with all three of you. It’s been a long day for all of us,” Mama Bear said with a growl. Even they could respect the bear inside Hope, knowing that threatening her cubs would be a big mistake.
All three children piled onto the bed, giving Hope hugs and kisses. Gourd was shocked when Sasha and Mandy came to him and gave him hugs and kisses too. Baron went to bed and walked over to Gourd’s side, then crawled up next to him. “I want to be like you. I want all of us to be the same family.”
Hope moved in Gourd’s arms and lifted up on to her hands, looking toward Baron. “Are you sure, Baron? You have time. We’re not going anywhere.”
“You are our parents now. I don’t want to be alone again,” he said, pain coming off the small child.
“Oh Baron, they didn’t leave you guys. I’m sure if they knew you were there—” Hope said.
Baron shook his head. “He saw us there, trapped with Mama and Daddy dead, but didn’t do anything. His son wanted to help, pull us out, but his dad wouldn’t let him. They left us. I hate the head of our den,” Baron growled.
Gourd glanced at the girls, who were nodding. “Mama Bear the only one who helped after. He didn’t allow the others to help either. They just ignored us. I don’t want to be part of that family. I want your family,” Mandy said, placing her hand into Fand’s.
One look at Hope and she smiled. “He won’t change his mind. When they say something, they mean it. Plus, don’t be offended, but anything is better than being part of Oliver Tayden’s den.” She shivered.
“You have had contact with this man?” Gourd asked.
“Everyone has,” Hope said. “I’m just surprised he was allowed here. I mean, he’s a mean SOB, but then again, maybe you have to be a killer or something not to be allowed here.” Hope glanced at Baron, holding out her hand to him.
Baron grabbed it without hesitating. “Make us a family, Gourd, Fand, Jester. Join us all.”
Jester and Fand nodded. “Do it. They are ours anyway.” Fand said.
Gourd nodded and pulled Baron into his arms after Hope scooted to his side. “This won’t hurt, I promise,” he said, then covered the boy’s mouth with his and breathed into it, transferring his DNA to Baron as Fand and Jester did the same to the girls.
Baron smiled as Gourd sat him down. “Now I can be a warrior like you three,” Baron said. “But why was it different from how you brought Mama bear over?”
“You amaze me, Baron, and we are proud to have you as a son. To know you were willing to go through the pain to be like us is remarkable. But you are not our mate. Your Mama is now bonded to us like a man is to a woman.”
Hope groaned and glared at him. “He’s a little young to hear about that,” she grumbled and turned her attention to Baron. “No warrior yet, off to bed, all of you.” She scooted down, hugging the pillow, closing her eyes.
Fand and Jester swung the girls up in their arms as Baron headed toward the door, then stopped, looking back at Gourd. “When I’m big, I’m going to challenge him for the den,” Baron said.
“You won’t have to, Baron. I will be doing that honor soon enough,” Gourd said.
Hope giggled next to him. “That is if you can figure out how to walk as a bear. A challenge happens in bear form,” she giggled again and peeked at Jester.
“Don’t remind me,” he grumbled. “Let’s go.”
“Bear form?” Gourd groaned.
“Yep, if you plan to take over the den, you have to be in bear form to challenge him,” Hope smiled.
“You’re enjoying this too much. Go to sleep, Little Bear,” he growled, then kissed her cheek and tucked the blanket around her.
Chapter Six
Hope took a deep breath, knowing instantly the three men who had claimed her as theirs last night were in bed with her. As a matter of fact, she was lying on top of Gourd. She had to admit he had a fine-looking chest, but then again, she never did get to explore any man before, and it looked like she wasn’t going to, by the sound of the noise coming from the hallway.
“Let me guess, our
children don’t sleep in?” Gourd grumbled, running his hands over her bare ass. “I like your chest too, Little Bear, and I will be exploring that soon, I promise, but for right now I do believe we have three hungry children if that loud grumbling sound is coming from them,” he said, earning a snort from Fand as Gourd leaned over and placed a kiss on her cheek.
“I’m hopping in the shower. Don’t forget we have to meet Iceman and the others in the commons,” Jester said, sliding off the bed.
“You really need to stop reading my thoughts,” Hope grumbled and tried to get up, but Gourd held on to her.
“And what would you be doing today?” Gourd asked.
“I’m going to meet with Valda. I don’t trust my aunt or Valda’s father, even though I haven’t met them. I want to do some digging and find out what I can about them. Then I figured I’d take the kids out to check out our new surroundings, since we really didn’t see much of it. Now release me so I can get some clothes on before the kids come running in.” She kissed his chin and patted his chest.
“We need to talk, Little Bear. You will not expose yourself to the enemy like you did yesterday,” Gourd growled, and she swore his eyes lit up. “This is not a game. I don’t care what anyone says, you are our mate. You will not put yourself in danger like that again,” he said and slapped her ass hard, shocking the crap out of her.
Hope tried to get away from him, but he held her down.
“Hold still. Look at me, Hope,” Gourd ordered.
“You have no right to do this, or order me around,” Hope growled, lifting her head, her bear close to the surface.
“We have every right. You are our heart, our life. I understand you have had to fight for your life since you were a child, but that will end now. You have three warriors who would lay their lives down for you. I will not ask, Hope. If you pull something like you did yesterday, I swear I will lock you up for a week in our bedroom.”
Hope couldn’t help it, she busted out laughing. “In our bedroom for a week? Now that might be interesting.” She slid her arms up and ran her hands through his hair. “I understand you are mad, and I get it. But I had no choice. No one could know, not even the other females, for it to work. Believe me, I won’t do something like that again—well except for the children and you guys. Oh, and other children. They have to be protected.”
Jester laughed behind them. “She’ll be adding to that list as she adds friends.” He grabbed a handful of her hair and titled her head back. “Not to worry, one of us will be with you always.” Jester’s mouth covered hers and he wasn’t gentle, sliding his tongue in, catching hers and cornering it.
He tasted sweetly of mint as he claimed her mouth. He then broke the kiss and nipped her nose. “I’ll be with you this morning, Little Bear.”
She smiled. “Oh good, we can teach you how to walk in your bear form,” Her giggle turned into a full-blown laugh at his expression.
“Hopeless.” Gourd lifted her, set her to his side and got off the bed, stopping all laughter.
“Damn… Oops, sorry, but wow,” Hope said, eyeing his body. He had no hair except on his head, and the cutest tight ass. His cock was impressive, especially to someone like her who hadn’t seen a real one. Compared to the pictures she’d seen in the magazines, her man was well endowed and thick.
“Stop it, the children are waiting for us,” Gourd moaned and headed into the bathroom as Fand came out a towel wrapped around him.
She shook her head and jumped off the bed, feeling pretty good. “Okay, enough gawking at hot men. We need to feed children…” Hope frowned. “Do we need to, you know…drink blood? We can eat meat and such, right?” she asked. “Because if I can’t eat my fish, I’m going to have a fit.” She pouted, looking at Fand, who handed her some clothes, smiling.
“You can eat whatever you like, but you will also have to feed at least once every few days. The children will be fine till they reach maturity. Then they will start feeding too.”
“Good, but who do I feed from?” She wrinkled her nose, looking at the clothes Fand had handed her. “Um, where are my undergarments?”
“You don’t’ need them,” Fand said.
“Un, yes I do. Do you know how rough it is to wear jeans when you’re not wearing underwear? Talk about tender down there. Believe me, I tried, thinking it would be easier, but nope, couldn’t do it.” Hope held out her hand.
“Well that won’t be a problem. That isn’t jeans,” Fand said.
She shook her head, smiling as she remembered that her mates could make things appear. Did she have this gift now? Facing away from everyone, Hope visualize her favorite outfit, the jeans that got ruined last year, and the black corset top that made her feel sexy and gave her plenty of places to hide her weapons.
Opening her eyes, she smiled, very proud of herself. Even her hair was back in a braid the way she liked it.
“Little Bear,” Gourd said in a sigh as he left the bathroom. “You are stunning. I especially love this top.” He ran his fingers over the swell of her breasts, staring at her, not releasing her gaze. “We were hoping you would do us the honor of wearing our family’s colors, since today is your first day as our mate-wife,” he said. “You should always be in silky things, pretty things, like this top, which we will include in your wardrobe.” He cupped her cheek as he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss between the swell of her breasts. “I think I could spend hours just worshiping these two precious globes.”
Once more this gorgeous blue man had her body humming like her favorite car, the 1967 Shelby GT500. Yes, Hope knew all three of her men would be able to tune her body into a nice purr. She cleared her throat. “Fine, but I will be making changes in the clothes, because I don’t go anywhere without my weapons.” She couldn’t help it. Standing on her tippy toes, Hope kissed Gourd’s lips. “Clothe me, my handsome blue man, but know we’re not married, or bonded according to my people,” she teased, but put a note of seriousness in her tone. Because in all reality, Hope was not mated or married to any of her men.
“Hmm, then we will have to rectify that very soon.” Gourd stepped back, his gaze traveling from her feet, which were in soft flat shoes, all the way up her body. It stopped at certain areas a little longer than others, as if he knew he was once more making her body purr. “I knew you would be stunning in the clothes we gave you. Jester, Fand?” Gourd questioned.
She didn’t move as Fand slid in behind her, reaching around and cupping her breasts while nibbling on her neck. “I knew she would look like the princess she is. Too bad we don’t have time to explore her as we wish.” Fand grabbed her nipples and pinched them.
“Fand,” she gasped, grabbing his arms before her legs gave out.
“I can smell her. And I for one can’t wait to taste her,” Jester said before placing a kiss on her cheek. “But we have three little cubs heading our way.”
The men stepped away from her and she swayed a few seconds before lifting her gaze up to meet Gourd’s. “That wasn’t fair. Now I’m all…” Her face heated and Gourd smiled.
She shook her head and turned around, getting a feel for her new clothes. “Wow, it’s sort of like a belly dancer/s outfit.” She glanced behind her, looking at her round ass and nodded. “Easy to move in, but I’ll have to tie the skirt up if I’m going to fight. I can still strap my knife to my thigh, but my main weapon is going to be a problem.” She smiled. “Oh, I forgot. I can call my weapons to me when I need them. This is so cool.”
Hope leaned up and kissed Gourd on the cheek. “Thank you,” she said as all three of her babies ran in.
“Look at how dark I am. Just like they are,” Baron said, lifting up his arm and smiling with pride.
“I’m like you, Mama Bear. Both Mandy and I are,” Sasha said, sliding her little hand into Hope’s.
Gourd laughed. “Well it looks as if our family is truly special. Three gifted women to one family was unheard of on our world.” Gourd reached down and lifted Mandy up in his arms.
“What is this gifted stuff? What gift do I have?” Hope asked. “You mean being able to do things like you do?”
Mandy hugged Gourd, placing a kiss on his cheek. “And what gifts do we have too?”
“Your gifts won’t appear till you are older. Hope, you have the gift of compassion to ease someone’s pain and distance them from it. As you did last night,” Gourd explained. “Now, what would you three bears like for breakfast?”
“Honey waffles, bacon, orange juice,” Baron said and licked his lips as his stomach grumbled, causing everyone to laugh. “Lots of honey too.” He nodded, smiling up at Gourd.
Her little boy was actually relaxing, being a child, just like he should have always been, but he’d spent so long trying to take care of them. Hope ruffled his hair. “Lots of honey, now that does sound good, but with raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries.”
“I want honey too,” Sasha said.
Hope smiled down at her. “How about some sausage links and waffles to go with that honey?” she asked as they went down the hall toward the main area of their home. Hope had to admit even the light tan wall was perfect, just the color she would have picked. Even the furniture in the main sitting area was big for her men, but comfortable to sit in from what she could see.
As she came around the corner, Hope saw a large wood table, big enough to hold at least 12 people. “Stunning,” she said. “Everything is just what I would have chosen. I’d like to do a run of the area above to see the damage that was done, even though I know the ship is healing the damaged parts. I know most of us were down here, but from what Valda was telling me, a few stayed up top.” Hope sat at the table and piles of steaming food appeared on it.
“Damn, this is nice. I sure can get used to this, but I do like to cook.” She glanced back and saw everything she would need for that: a stove, fridge and all the top-notch appliances Hope had dreamed of having in her home.
She looked up at Gourd as he placed Mandy in a seat next to Sasha. “Do we know if we lost anyone?” Hope stared at all the berries she had listed off, her mouth watering as she waited for everyone to take their seat.
Finding Hope: Book Ten of the Running in Fear Series Page 5
