Valda bumped her arm, holding Thorne. “I hate to say it, but you are amazing. When your mom named you Hope, she pegged it right. You have given us all so much hope. The love shining from you…” Valda shook her head. “I’m glad we are family and I’m honored to call you my friend,” she said as tears filled Hope’s eyes and a lump formed in her throat as she plopped down in one of the chairs Gourd had indicated earlier.
“You just had to go and get all mushy,” Hope growled, wiping away two tears that had rolled down her cheeks. She looked at the four children around her. “How do you guys feel about growing our family?”
“We’re going to have our own den?” Baron asked, smiling.
Gourd, Jester and Fand groaned. “We’re so going to need more lessons,” Jester mumbled.
All the children laughed, and little Sasha had Hope’s heart filling with pride as she went up to Jester and lifted her arms, wanting to be held.
Jester leaned down and scooped up the little bear. “Not to worry, Daddy Jester, you are already better than the other leader. You love us no matter what,” she said.
Chapter Fifteen
Gourd stood behind Hope, never so proud of his woman than he was right there and then. Yes, her gift had brought all of them together. Every teen at the orphan home now had a family, and they had taken in all four bear cubs, including the two teens.
Each one of the cubs came over and hugged him, acknowledging him as the alpha of their little group. He glanced toward where Luca had been escorted to meet with the doctors. Gourd had high hopes for them and was looking forward to having Luca in his life again.
He smiled seeing, Grand and Seth split up, like they were searching for something or someone, who happened be seated in the middle of about 100 children.
Tara laughed at something a child said and continued her story about planet Soars. This was the children’s first lesson on the different galaxies around them.
Oliver Tayden’s growl and shout from the far end of the commons had them all stopping and staring toward the sound.
“You dare start another den in my area? We fight now!” he demanded, just as Leaguer appeared at his side.
“Does this idiot not realize that he can be sent back to Earth with one word from Hope?” Leaguer growled. “I mean, even my idiot brother isn’t this stupid.”
Hope shook her head, laughing. “He is so going to get you. Please step away from us.” Hope’s gaze met Gourd’s. “Are you ready? I’m sorry, I have a feeling word got to him about us taking the cubs in.”
Gourd placed a kiss on Hope’s cheek. “You did what comes natural: loving people. Now it’s my turn to protect our family.” Gourd said, moving toward the man, but he wasn’t alone. Remi, Dominic, Nikola, Owen, Bo and Clayton followed. Gourd stopped and stared at the men behind him.
“You are part of our family now and head of your house, and we stand at your back, guarding it as it should be,” Remi growled, staring behind Gourd at Oliver.
Oliver’s men stood with him, waiting. “Thank you,” Gourd said, turning toward Oliver. “Move, bear. We will not fight here in front of the children,” he growled.
“What’s wrong, afraid they’ll see you lose?” Oliver smirked, turning and moving down the tunnel that led outside.
“I really wish I would have eaten his fat ass when I had a chance,” King Landon growled behind him. “But then again, he might have given me heartburn.”
Oliver glanced over his shoulder and Gourd could see the worry on his face. “Don’t worry about him, but I ask you this now. When this is over, do you wish to remain here or go back to Earth?” Gourd asked Oliver as his Luca appeared next to him.
“Really, you give this weasel a choice? You have gone soft, dear brother. I say you dump them in the middle of Plazetour and let the Tuzzs have fun playing with them before they eat them,” Luca said loud enough for Oliver and his men to hear. “I mean they are stupid. Don’t they know if something happens to you, it happens to Hope too? That all will be lost here on the planet and you. Even risking yourself for them.”
“Enough, Luca. We will do the honorable thing here…until someone crosses the line, then I’ll deal with them all,” Gourd said, stepping outside and scanning around. Sure enough, half of Oliver’s den were there. “Let it be known that after this fight, you will move your homes back down into the main compound. I will not have women and children at risk until we have secured this place. Owen and his men will show you were to go. I will give you one week to get settled before we will hold a meeting,” Gourd announced so that everyone in the woods heard him.
“You presume much for someone who isn’t going to win.” Oliver spun around and face him as he ripped his shirt off.
“I presume nothing. I know I’m going to beat you,” Gourd said striping out of his shirt. “Let’s get this done,” Gourd growled, shifting and running at the same time, shocking the old man as he did the same thing.
But the grizzly bear was no match for the pissed-off polar bear as Gourd swiped his paw across, Oliver’s face knocking him back. The black bear growled and shook his head, but wasn’t ready to give up yet as they both circled each other.
Oliver charged right, swinging his paw up and going for Gourd’s neck at the same time, but Gourd blocked him, taking a bite on the paw and a few scratches on his side.
“Pay attention, he leads with his right, and if you’ll notice, he has a weak spot on his left hind leg,” Trent, the bear who had trained him, said.
Gourd snorted, but listened to the advice and went for ’liver’s bad leg, toppling him as he snapped the man’s hind leg and added his own scratch marks down Oliver’s back before jumping back.
Oliver sat there panting in pain for a few seconds before he shifted back to human form and nodded. “You have won.” Oliver glanced back into the woods. “I’d like to go back to Earth. I don’t belong here. It does not feel right.”
The man’s second ran out of the woods. “What are you doing? You’re giving up that fast!” he growled.
“Shut up, Alan. Now. You were always a whiner. I will take my wife home with me.” Oliver looked behind him as an older woman came out of the woods to join him.
Shifting and clothing himself, Gourd went over to Oliver and his wife and knelt beside the man. He placed his hand over the broken leg, fixing it. “You have a long life to live, but you need to adjust your thinking. Just because someone looks weak does not mean they are. They will need men on Earth to help rebuild it and to protect the women who are there. I think you will do fine there. Do you wish to take that with you too?” Gourd pointed to Alan, and Oliver laughed.
“No, he’s all yours now.” Oliver flexed his leg. “Thank you. I have a lot to think about.” He stood with the help of his wife as Nikola came over.
“I can have a few of my men take you back to Earth. Let’s get your belongings and I’ll speak with Grant about where it is best for you to go.”
Gourd stood, nodding to Nikola as he stared out at the woods, where others slowly came out. “You heard what I said earlier. Now go,” he growled at them. “Get your belongings and find a home for your family.” He turned his focus on two women who stepped forward, smiling at him.
“I have no need for any other women. Mine is inside with my children, so don’t offer again. I am not like a normal bear, but I will tell you this: things are going to change. Women and children will be protected. If I find a male harming them, I won’t hesitate to kill him. Ignoring your neighbor will not go in my den, and if you don’t like it, go find our own way,” Gourd said, looking down to see Hope standing next to him, her hand in his.
“You’re bleeding,” she growled. “Didn’t I say not to get hurt?” she grumbled.
“Did you? I don’t recall, but what are you doing out here?” Gourd growled and scooped her up, then turned around and went inside with his woman.
She smiled at him. “Did you think I was going to sit in there when I knew the floozies would come crawling out of the
woods? I don’t think so. I have five—five—babies inside me, and I’ll be damn if anyone is going to paw her way into what is mine,” she growled and looked over his shoulder.
“And do tell, what did you think you were going to do, Mama Bear, because you are in no condition to tumble around.” Gourd leaned down and kissed her nose.
“It’s early and I’m fine. I can take those bimbos. Remember, I fought the real monsters; those women are nothing compared to them,” Hope said loud enough to make sure everyone heard.
“You do have a vicious one there. Sort of like my woman.” Luca grinned down at her.
Hope smiled up at him. “Only when it comes to family and friends.” She cocked her head to the side. “You’re going to stay.” She rested her head on Gourd’s chest. “That’s good.”
Gourd snorted. “If you will excuse us, it’s time to claim my lady.”
Luca laughed as they disappeared, then reappeared in their home.
“You know most bears would have claimed me in bear form in front of everyone out there?” Hope said as her clothes disappeared while he laid her down on their bed.
“I’m not most bears, though, am I?” he asked, removing his clothes and staring down at his mate. “Spread your legs wider. Open yourself for me.” He took a deep breath, catching her sweet scent as he crawled between her legs onto the bed. “Beautiful,” he growled before running his tongue over her sensitive lips. “Mine.”
“Gourd?” Hope questioned, looking down at him.
“Reach up and grab on to the ropes, Hope, and don’t let go or I’ll secure you. I plan to feast here for a while.” Her little whimper was music to his ears as he settled between her thighs, kissing and licking her soft skin. “I’m going to taste you, Hope,” he warned before nicking her with his fang and sucking in her warm blood. The combination of her blood, pleasure and wetness was an addictive taste that only he and his partners would enjoy.
After taking only a few drops of her blood, Gourd licked the little nick, healing it before turning his full attention on her pleasure. How far would his Little Bear allow him to push her? Gourd looked up and watched as a strap wrapped around her waist, securing her to the bed. Her hands were now fully secure also, and Hope lifted her head as she realized what was going on. Her eyes were big and round, questioning.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
Letting out the breath she had been holding, Hope laid her head back down. “I trust you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t let you three tie me up like a turkey.” She glanced down at him, smiling.
“Well, sweet Hope, I’m going to see how stuffed and wet I can get you,” Gourd said, smiling, sliding two of his fingers into her pussy and coating them with juices before sliding them down to her ass. Yes, his woman was going to be very stuffed.
“On our world we to have many, many different toys we use,” Gourd said, calling on a metcar. This would give her pleasure and give him pleasure as well when he was buried inside her pussy. The toy was rough around the edges, and Gourd removed his fingers and slid the thin thing into her ass, knowing it wouldn’t be thin for long.
Gourd kissed the sides of her thighs before kneeling before her and slowly inching his cock into her, holding her legs open. They shook in his hands as her eyes were closed and head thrown back.
“Look at me, Little Bear. Eyes on me. Show me your passion and don’t you dare hold it all back. I want to hear you screaming,” Gourd said, leaning down over her as his cock slid into her.
He placed his hands beside her head, holding her still and staring into her eyes as he thrust in and out of her, feeling the metcar’s rough edges through the small membrane in Hope’s body. “Do you know through all my travels, I have seen nothing more beautiful than you under me, your body flush from our loving? I don’t think I will ever get enough of you, my Little Bear,” he growled, releasing the straps on her arms and stomach. “Hold on to me, Little Bear. I want to feel those claws of yours.”
“Gourd?” she whispered a few seconds later as the toy grew bigger inside her and the skin around his cock got tighter and tighter.
“Stay with me, Little Bear. We’re going to fly through the skies together without a ship,” he promised, going to give her a ride of her life. But they weren’t there just yet. “Connect we me, Hope. Inside your head you can feel me. Let me in.”
At the same time, she allowed him in, the metcar started to vibrate and move inside her.
Her claws dug into him, the bear close to the surface as Gourd took his Little Bear through the stars, showing her beauty around them. Her legs clamped around his waist as he covered her mouth with his, eating her scream while their bodies took them on a magical ride that neither of them would forget.
Chapter Sixteen
Hope couldn’t help but look over at Gourd as he helped their older children with a project. If she hadn’t been pregnant before, she sure would be now from their loving earlier. The places he had shown her, the beauty of the stars and his world had been spectacular. Both of them had needed showers after the most intense, wet orgasm of her life. But Hope had a feeling that her men were just beginning to show her the things they knew. The toy, or organism, he had introduced her to made Hope realize she was so inexperienced when came to sex.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Valda asked next to her as if sensing her worry, which also had Hope’s mates looking toward her.
“You ever feel like you’re a child compared to your men? I mean, most of our males have experienced so much more than we have. How do we know they are the right ones? What if…?”
Fand placed his hand on her shoulder, leaning down and nipping her ear.
“Never, doubt yourself. We enjoy teaching you new things, watching the excitement in your gaze as you enjoy what we do to you. Each of us has sought knowledge over the years so when we did finally meet our mate, she could explore all that we had learned.” Fand kissed the side of her cheek.
“But that seems a little one-sided.” She looked up at him and he smiled.
“You give us plenty.”
Both of them glanced up, hearing a growl to their right.
“Oh good, I didn’t miss anything,” Hope said as Grant stepped up to Tara, who was speaking with Mrs. Whitefields.
Tara winked at her before glancing at the frustrated wolf. “Can I help you?” she asked, looking all-innocent. “I don’t believe I know you.”
“Oh, she understood,” Jaycee said, coming over to take a seat near her.
Grant looked at them, then at Tara. “Why do I get the feeling I’m being played here?” he asked as his brother came to Grant’s side.
“Because you are. Tara, you should know better. If this man or men are yours, tell them,” Birdie said, frowning at her.
“Why…?”
Hope placed her hand on Jaycee. “No, I got this,” Hope said. “Tara, please ignore Birdie, she’s not herself. And Grant, Seth, every lady needs to be courted, even in times as hard as these. Coming up and just saying, ‘You are my mate,’ is just tacky and rude,” Hope said, standing and stretching. “Tara, why don’t you and your men go help the children get ready for bed. It’s late and we have one more movie they can watch while they settle down. You three can talk while getting the little ones settled.”
Grant growled. “We don’t have time for this.” He glared at her, then at Tara and, that pissed Hope off worse than Birdie’s comment.
Stepping in front of Grant, Hope growled, “Listen here, almighty alpha, I don’t care what you have to do, you will not be snippy with Tara.”
“Sorry about that, Grant. Each of our females are a little emotional being pregnant,” Gourd said, placing Hope out of the way.
“Ohhh, you did not just say that,” Jaycee growled, moving next to Hope.
“You know something? I think it’s time the men learn to deal with all the children. We have other things to discuss. Come, ladies, let’s take our emotional selves out of here.” Hope was so mad that she transported them outside fully cl
othed.
Hope took a deep breath, looking up at the stars, which were so different than what she was used to. “Sorry I brought you all out here. I know we’ll get in trouble. I can send you back,” she offered.
“If you do, I’ll bite you,” Suzanne said, smoke coming out of her nose. “Let’s walk. Maybe that will blow off some of this steam.”
All seven of nine of them followed the path heading off into the woods, going nowhere, but needing the peacefulness of the outside.
After a few minutes Jaycee stopped. “I’m surprised they aren’t out here stopping us.”
“They’re here. Look around. But maybe they realized, or we can hope they realized, what fuckups they are,” Suzanne said. “I mean really, was I just blowing smoke out of my ass for nothing?” she yelled, letting a little stream of fire hit one of the dragons above them in the ass. “I swear if we weren’t stuck here, I’d go back to Earth and get lost. I’m so damn tired of this crap. We’re either hormonal or we need sex. I’m sorry, Tara, that you have to see this, but maybe you can learn from us.” Suzanne sighed.
“You see, on Earth guys used to court the woman. They took them on dates to things like movies or a carnival. I’ll never forget the one date I had.” Shelly sighed. “We went to a carnival and on rides where the man would just hold you, or hell, just hold your hand while you walked down the boardwalk. We shared a hot fudge sundae.”
“My Ben had courting down. He gave me a different kind of flower every time he came to pick me up. He’d open doors, let me wear his coat when it got too cold, and I’ll never forget when a kid rushed by us at the mall one night. The kid was so excited he bumped into me and I would have fallen flat on my butt, but Ben was there steadying me until I got my feet, then he went after the little twerp.”
Marsha smiled. “He caught the kid and made him come back and apologize, but when we found out that his parents had left child at the mall and taken off…”
Finding Hope: Book Ten of the Running in Fear Series Page 15
