Bearly Magic: (Bear Meets Girl: BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Werebear Romance)

by Catherine Vale

  “Garrison! Please, stop this!” Angela pleaded once more, but Garrison twisted in Cole’s arms, his claws ripping into his shoulder, nearly bringing them both to the ground.

  The bear was now pinned between Raina and Cole, and he knew it. For a moment he stood, eyes rolling wildly in his head, as he looked between the two. Then he stood up on his hind legs, front legs outstretched, and lifted his open mouth to the sky. The sound he made was neither human nor bear, growl nor bellow. It was frightening and desperate, completely mad, and full of rage.

  He dropped to all fours, and swung his huge paws at the two of them, his claws slicing the air. Raina kept her eyes on Garrison, dodging the increasingly erratic swings the bear made, ducking beneath the razor-sharp claws, always moving forward. They closed the distance between them, and the bear, until there was nowhere for him to go.

  Cole made the first final move in grabbing the bear and trying to stop him from slicing at Raina, while she followed his lead, and summoned yet another fire ball. Angela knew what was going to happen, and she turned away.

  Raina aimed at Garrison again, and a blast of fire shot into his back, knocking the bear to the floor. He rolled on the floor, roaring in pain. It ended quickly, but the sounds of the battle hung in the air long after the lights faded in Garrison’s eyes, and he lay, limp on the floor.

  Cole roared, and in the next minute, he was human again. He didn’t care that he was naked. His only thought was helping to free Angela.

  “Raina, help me.”

  The two mages knelt in front of her, working hard to break the spell that kept her bound to the chair, and as Cole’s eyes burned bright violet, and his hands hovered over the cuffs, before too long, the ropes broke, the cuffs unclasped, and she was free once again.

  Cole’s strong arms wrapped around Angela, pulling her against his broad chest, the swell of love rising up to choke her cries, as she sobbed against him. He stroked her hair, holding her tightly against him, never wanting to let go.

  “I loved him so much,” she choked out, her voice cracking on every word. “But the brother I loved was long gone.”

  She pulled back, so she could see the look on Cole’s face. Love and sympathy burned brightly in his eyes, even in the darkness of the room. He placed his hands on her shoulders, his fingers stroking her neck, and when he finally spoke, his words were laced with conviction.

  “We did what we had to do to save the lives of thousands of people.” His grip softened just a bit, a shadow passing over his face, his heart aching, as he looked down at her. “We had no choice.”

  Angela nodded, her eyes gleaming with tears. “I know.”

  Cole leaned toward her, and there was no more talking, as he kissed her sweetly. Angela threw herself into the kiss, gasping against his mouth as he claimed her lips, and left her breathless.

  “Hey, hey. We gotta get out of here, guys.” Raina warned, though a small smile played across her lips, as she watched Cole kiss her best friend. “We have to call into the precinct, get some people on this. They’re going to want to do a full investigation, and bring in anyone that worked with Garrison. Best we get a move on.”

  Cole nodded, and looked back at Angela. “Are you okay?”

  “I will be,” she replied. “It’ll just take some time.”

  “I know,” he replied, before leaning in to kiss her once again, his fiery lips burning with the need to feel her mouth against his, one more time, before they made their way out of the complex. Finally, he pulled away, his expression one of devotion, and gratitude. “You’re one of the strongest women I’ve ever known, and you will get through this. I’m here for you, Angela. Today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life – I’m here for you. If you’ll have me.”

  “You have no choice,” Angela breathed in reply. “I’m yours, Cole. Now, and for always. You aren’t getting away so easily.”

  He smiled down at her, and then he leaned in, and kissed her again, growling against her neck, desire rattling through her body. He raked his fingers through her hair, and kept kissing her, until he forgot everything, except the woman in his arms, who made him feel more alive, and loved, and wanted, than anyone in his entire life.

  “I love you so damn much,” he finally whispered against her lips, desire blazing in his eyes. Raina coughed, reminding them that they really had to go.

  “I love you, too.” Her lips curved into a grin. “Now let’s get out of here.”

  * * *

  Telling her parents that Garrison was gone, was the hardest thing that Angela ever had to do. Her heart felt heavy, as though a thousand bricks lay on her chest, weighing her down. She had blamed herself for his death, and for not having tried to reach out to Garrison long before that fateful day. It saddened her to think that he was so far gone by the time she reached him, that there was no chance of saving him.

  Cole was relentless in telling her that it wasn’t her fault, and that she could have never saved him from himself, when he was intent on destroying everything around him. Angela knew he was right, but it didn’t lift the guilt from her shoulders. Now that she was standing face-to-face with her parents, her eyes glistening and her cheeks stained with tears, she couldn’t hold the emotions back, as she cried in her father’s arms.

  Saul wrapped his arms around his daughter’s shoulders, and despite the tough exterior that he allowed others to see, he too, found himself crying. Genevieve joined them in a tight embrace. They may be a family broken in spirit, and mourning the loss of a boy they had loved with all their hearts, but they were still a family, and they knew that with time, they would get through it together.

  “I’m sorry that he felt so abandoned,” Genevieve sobbed, her voice breaking with every word. “I loved that boy with every beat of my heart.”

  “I know you did Mom,” Angela replied, still wrapped in her parent’s embrace. She wished she could stay there forever, cocooned in a circle of love. Garrison’s death had opened their eyes to the reality that even though you can love someone, sometimes you don’t know what they are going through, and how broken they really are. And it hurt; it hurt more than they ever thought possible.

  Cole stood back, watching the touching scene unfold, as the woman he loved more than life itself, found comfort in the arms of her father and mother. His heart ached for the family, and he wished he could do something – anything – to bring them comfort.

  Angela turned, beckoning him over, and he walked over to her, as she moved from her parents into the arms of a man that had shown her more love than she could have ever hoped for. This man, once mistrusting and skeptical of any kindness shown to him, had opened his heart and mind to her in a way she had never expected, but was grateful for.

  There was no doubt that Cole was now much more than her friend and lover; he was part of her family, and if he had his way, it would be official before too long. From the first moment he laid eyes on the gorgeous were-bear, he knew that she was special, and a woman he would never forget. In the very beginning, that thought had terrified him – the idea that he could fall so hard for a woman, that she would have him at her mercy. But now, as Angela curled into his arms, and he ran his fingers through that coppery hair that he loved so much, he was no longer fearful of having his heart wide open. With a woman like her, there was no other way to love, and he was willing to go the distance, and to give her everything she needed – and deserved.

  “I’m ready to go,” she whispered into his chest, as he squeezed her tightly. “Please, take me home.”

  Cole took a step back so he could look down at her. What he saw in her expression filled him with grief, and he wiped away a tear that was spilling down her cheek. He hugged her once again, pulling her in, and never wanting to let her go. In that moment, he knew one thing above all else: he would fight to protect, love and honor this woman, for the rest of his life.

  Epilogue

  Two months later.

  “Well, look what the cat dragged in.” Cole grinned, looking up from the d
ining room table, where he was setting out what looked like a massive feast. “Isn’t that how the saying goes?” he said, arching a brow. “I get those human phrases mixed up sometimes.”

  Angela laughed, taking in the apron he wore over his navy blue t-shirt, and fitted jeans. He looked absolutely gorgeous, and at that very moment, with the careful way he was setting the table for his woman, and lighting a row of candles, somehow he looked even sexier.

  “I think ‘what the bear dragged in’ might be more fitting, don’t you?” She replied, hanging up her jacket, and closing the door behind her.

  Cole quickly crossed the room, pulling her into his arms. He smelled of sweet honey, mixed with dark oak, and she breathed him in, the scent intoxicating.

  “How did it go?” He pulled back just a little, and the look on his face was one of concern.

  Angela looked up at him, keeping her hands on his arms. “It was a good day. The Order of Protection completed their investigation.”

  When he cocked an eyebrow, and squinted his eyes, as if to tell her that he knew there was more to it than that, she shook her head and smiled. “I’m okay. I promise.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, and looked up at him. This half bear, half mage, was the love of her life, there was no doubt about it. She had never felt so loved, and so cared for, in all of her life. She only hoped she could show him just how much he meant to her, in return.

  As if reading her mind, he leaned in, his lips finding hers, the kiss soft and gentle. As she reached up, and ran her fingers through his soft hair, the kiss deepened, and she found herself lost in his warmth, and scent of him, the heat searing into her body.

  He growled against her mouth, lips moving over hers, then slid his tongue slowly into her mouth. For a moment, she felt the sharp edge of his teeth, grazing over her lips. She wanted to feel that again and again, the hard sharpness—the possessive way he kissed her, the feel of his tongue, teasing against hers.

  Slowly he pulled back, his lips lingering on hers for a last, long moment. He looked into her eyes, and then those lips were against her ear; his breath warm on her skin, his fingers sliding around to the back of her head, playing with her coppery hair, sliding lower.

  “So...” She drew a slow breath, looking past him at the flickers of candlelight from the dining room table. “What’s for dinner?” Her words came out in a throaty whisper.

  Cole glanced at the table, and then to the hallway that led to their bedroom, and then back at her. When their eyes met, it was clear that, at that moment, neither cared about the food. It could wait.

  She smiled, and lost herself in him, let her hand move to his face, touching his cheek, feeling the rough stubble on his jawline. Her hand strayed lower, to his neck. And she felt the steady beat of his heart under her fingers. Strong...and steady.

  His lips moved from hers to the hollow beneath her ear. “I say we start with dessert.”

  The words were whispered against her skin, but they rang through her head. Behind her closed eyes, images played out. Wild images of the two of them, images that excited her. His lips moved lower, and she tipped her head to the side. The tip of his tongue traced a trail of fire over her skin, and something thudded deep inside her, low, and a little moan escaped her.

  “You read my mind, baby.” She replied, the breath from her lips ruffling the hair behind his ear. He kissed her neck, and she shivered, the sensation of his mouth against her skin, sending a thrill up her spine. She drew in a breath. That something thudded again, stronger this time, echoing into the very core of her. Her stomach muscles clenched, her hips moving slightly, the muscles on the inside of her thighs, clenching. In response, as if feeling everything she did, he grabbed her hand and led her down the hall to the bedroom, heat blazing in his eyes.

  Angela laughed, letting him lead the way. She’d follow this man to hell and back, she’d follow him to bed, and as he pulled her onto the bed and kissed her lips, and nuzzled the nape of her neck, there was no question that she would follow him anywhere.

  About The Author

  Catherine Vale, a Canadian romance author, has been writing fiction for as long as she can remember, but it wasn't until she wrote her very first paranormal romance story that she found herself hooked on the wild side of powerful shifters and dominant alpha men (of the furry kind!).

  Catherine writes sci-fi, and paranormal romance for readers who are willing to take a walk on the wild side of love. Her stories always include powerful alpha males, curvy gals, and a happily-ever-after. Girls with curves and guys with growl. What more could you want?

  Do you want to know when there's a new release? Special offers, giveaways, free books and more! Find out more at http://www.CatherineVale.com, and subscribe to her newsletter to receive notifications whenever a new book is released!

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  Other Books by Catherine Vale

  Shades of Dragon

  Bite of Darkness

  Broken Moon

  Kiss of Fire

  Darkest Days series

  Tigers Tango

  The Wolves Next Door

  On The Prowl

  To Catch a Cheetah

  Burn, Baby, Burn

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