Bear Shifters: Hunt Collection #1

by Ava Hunt

  He moved slowly as the head of his cock spread her entrance. She arched her neck when he finally slipped inside. He paused for a moment. She put her fingertips on his cheek. “I love you very much.”

  “I love you too, just as much.”

  He pulled out slowly. Abigail could feel the sides of her catch on the irregularities on the surface of his cock. When only the head remained inside, Mark started back in, and Abigail went into a deep thought. A man she barely knew had his cock inside her. He was taking her for his own.

  Her fear stood by her side as she felt him pump into her, teasing her clit with his fingertips as he did so. She helplessly felt herself claimed by the strongest orgasm she’d ever felt. It pummeled her with sensations she wasn’t ready for. Her belly tensed, along with her back. Her legs became tightened knots of muscle. Her toes curled. She couldn’t breathe. Her back arched so strongly that it lifted Mark into the air.

  She gasped again and made a sound that was nothing but a drawn out moan. She came down slowly, in little jerks and starts. When she knew where she was, she realized that Mark was still stiff and bulging, ready to release. She guided it back inside her, ready to feel him come while she looked into those wild eyes; eyes of a beast.

  She lifted her head to watch him plunge again and again. He penetrated her as deeply as he could and stopped. He made very small movements. They looked in each other’s eyes, silently sensing whether he was to stay inside or pull out. He knew he couldn't stay in, he'd known her far too short of time.

  He grunted as he felt his first spurt hit her body. It was as natural and fine as everything else about them.

  He pulled her close to his warm body and rested on her. She held him against her chest and kissed the top of his head as he relaxed and fell asleep near her.

  Chapter Three

  Mark’s time in Abigail’s town quickly came to an end. He wished he could’ve stayed longer, but he was needed back in New York. There was no way he could take more time off and Jacob would never allow it if Mark told him it was because of a girl. His life and friends were all there, waiting on him. He'd find a way to make it work out with Abigail once he had time to think about it.

  He double checked everything, making sure he didn’t leave anything behind when he packed his bag. Tonight was his final night with Abigail. All week he kept praying that she would want to continue their relationship after he left. Tonight, he would learn her answer.

  He grabbed his bag and threw it into the rental car. After the date, he would be on a train back to New York City. He was going to miss the simple way of living. Never before had he been so relaxed. He even found himself calm and attentive at the convention's presentations. He never thought that he would take to the country life. But being with Abigail, though how short their time together was, proved him wrong.

  Mark took his time driving to Abigail’s house, wanting to savor each second they had left together. If Abigail decided she didn’t want to have a long distance relationship, he wouldn’t blame her. He couldn’t ask her to give up going out with any guy in town that would ask her out. He loved her, but he loved her enough to let her go if he had to.

  Abigail was outside her house waiting for Mark. He parked quickly and ran over to her, wrapping his arms around her, holding her close to his body. “I really don’t want tonight to end.”

  Abigail cried against Mark’s shoulder. “I don’t want it to end either. I’m afraid what’s going to happen when you go back home.”

  “I meant what I said to you at the beginning of the week. If you want us to continue being a couple, then we can do it. I know people say these long distances don’t work, but I don’t believe that’s true. I think it depends on the couple. And I already know that our love is so strong that it can overcome any obstacle, even being hundreds of miles apart.”

  “Mark do you really have to leave? I mean can you stay here for another week, that way we can spend more time together?”

  “Believe me, I thought of that already. But then my partner called and said they need me back at work tomorrow. I basically don’t even get time to relax after I return home tonight before going into the office. I would much rather stay here.” Mark was telling the truth. He grew to like the town of Hampton so much that he wanted to stay there and not go back home. But he knew that was a lost cause.

  Abigail didn’t want to let go of Mark. She especially didn't want to have to say goodnight to him when the evening was over. She never told a man she loved them unless she was absolutely sure she felt that way. And with Mark she did. Why did he have to go back to New York? In the end, she couldn’t blame him for going back home. He wasn’t used to small town life. If she had the opportunity, she would move to New York City. She belonged in the big city where she could disappear in the crowd.

  Mark didn’t want to break apart, but he wanted to begin their last date. His train was leaving at ten that night and it was already seven. “Babe, not that I don’t enjoy being like this with you. But I think we should go out to have that goodbye dinner. There's something else that we need to discuss.”

  Abigail nodded as she pulled away. “Yes, you’re right. I don’t want our last night together to be spent with me crying.” She wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry, it shouldn’t be a sad day, but it is.”

  “Of course it is. I don’t want to say goodbye to you either.” Mark held Abigail’s hand as they walked to the car. Opening the passenger’s door, he helped her in before going over to the driver’s side. He didn’t want to go too far away since he had to drive to the train station after dropping Abigail home. He drove to the first restaurant they ate at together. It was a full circle from their first date to their last.

  “Abigail, I know you’re upset. I am too. But we need to try to make this date as enjoyable as we can.”

  “I’ll try,” she forced a smile. “My nights are going to be lonely once you leave.”

  “I know they’re going to be hard for me to get through too. But I promise you, I will keep in touch. I don’t want a day to pass by that we won’t talk to each other. I have to hear your voice. I’ll call you everyday.”

  “Mark, don’t make promises you don’t intend to keep. Guys always say they’ll call, but in the end they never do.”

  “I’m not like every guy Abigail. When I make a promise, I intend to keep it. Now you can believe me or not, it’s your choice. But I swear I will always make time to call.”

  And then, eventually, I promise to tell you about my secret. Being a bear shifter. I wanted to tonight, but I can't find the words. I've never revealed it to any woman, but with you, I want to share everything.

  *****

  A couple of months had passed and Abigail tried her best to get on with her life. The night Mark left to go back home, a part of her heart was taken away. Mark became a part of her and now that part was missing. She wasn’t the happy Abigail everyone in town knew and they picked up on her sadness.

  At the diner, the customers missed the Abigail they grew to know and love. That smile that brightened their days when they walked in was no longer present. Abigail walked around the diner like a zombie the first few weeks. Took orders, delivered the food, and then handed the customers their check. No more was there friendly conversations she had with customers. Even now after she got back to her routine, the town was missing the old Abigail.

  “Abigail, can I talk to you for a moment?” Oscar came out to the dining area.

  Abigail took her apron off and followed her manager into the office. “Is something the matter?”

  “That’s what I wanted to ask you actually. Is everything alright? You don’t seem to be yourself lately and you have all of us worried. Did something happen with your family? You know you can tell me anything.”

  If there was one thing she loved about her job, it was how personal she could get with Oscar. He was always there to listen to Abigail when she had troubles. “You remember how I was dating that man who was part of that group who came in that time
for the convention?”

  “Of course I remember. You were so happy when you two were dating. What happened? Did he break up with you? I knew he would do something like that once he left to go back home.”

  “No Oscar, that isn’t it. Or at least I don’t think so. Actually...I don’t know what there is between us anymore. I haven’t heard from him in awhile.”

  “You mean he hasn’t called you since he went back? I thought he said he was going to keep in touch with you.”

  “I know, I'm just sulking."

  “Abigail how you’re acting is nothing compared to how some of these waitresses have been when they’re mad at a boyfriend or husband. The customers think you’re having a bad day, and everyone’s entitled to have those. Some are suspecting you broke up with Mark. Everyone thought you were meant to be that happy.”

  “Thank you Oscar, I thought we were the perfect couple. You know what gets me. When he first went back home, he called me every single day. But that only lasted a month. Then, just like that the phone calls stopped. He even emailed me once or twice but that was it. I don’t know what to do Oscar. I mean I really loved this guy. For the first time in my life, I was in love.”

  Oscar smiled. He was old enough to be Abigail’s father and at time he treated her like a daughter. “Sweetie, I never once doubted your love for Mark. I saw the look in your eyes on those days he would stop by here to surprise you. I do think you need to find out what has become of your relationship. Have you tried to call him?”

  “I have,” Abigail nodded. “But it always goes straight to voicemail. Oscar, I don’t know what to do. I really thought he loved me. He said he wouldn’t be able to go through the day without hearing my voice. Now it’s been two months since we last talked. And the last time we did talk, he said he’d call me the next day. I waited until three in the morning for his call but got nothing. What is wrong with me?”

  “You’re in love. There’s nothing wrong with you. If you didn’t care about him, then you wouldn’t have waited all night for his call. But I do think you need to get in touch with him and find out where he stands on your relationship. Because if he doesn’t want to be with you anymore, then he needs to tell you.”

  Oscar was right, Abigail had to take action and quick. Maybe she could save what was left of their relationship before she lost Mark for good. “Oscar, I have vacation time from work right?”

  “Considering you’ve never taken any vacations since you started working for me, you have plenty of vacation time. You planning on taking a trip?”

  “I have an idea, but I don’t want to say anything until I make sure I can make it happen.”

  Oscar saw the spark come back in Abigail. “You’re going to go to New York to see him?”

  “That’s my plan, but I want to make sure I have enough money to get out there. I’ll let you know tomorrow when I come into work.”

  “Abigail, why don’t you take the rest of the day off. Don’t worry, I’ll still pay you for the whole shift. But I see what you’ve been going through and now I know why you haven’t been yourself. Get everything done with your trip to New York.”

  “Oscar, no. I could never leave you without anyone to take my shift. I can finish my shift for the night and then get everything done for the trip this week. And remember, that’s only if I can afford to fly out.”

  “We aren’t busy today, so it’ll be fine if you left. And don’t waste another moment on getting to Mark. The longer you wait, the more you lose the chance of finding out if you’re still meant to be together.”

  Abigail hugged Oscar before leaving. It was great having a boss who understood. She got in her car and rushed home. She looked at her tips that she left in a bank on her dresser. She tried to never use her tips, wanting them to add up for something big. At the time when she started the job, she never knew what she was saving up for. Now everything was falling into place. She was going to fly out to New York City. For the first time, she was leaving her familiar country setting and going to the big city. She was pleased with how much she’d been able to save in tips. Added to what she had in her bank account from her paychecks, she should be able to get a plane ticket as well as a hotel cheap enough to stay in for a few nights.

  Abigail was able to get a flight to New York later that week. Unfortunately, she couldn’t find a hotel that was cheap enough for her to stay a long period of time. But if it meant seeing Mark, even a few days would pleased her. When she went into work the next day, Oscar was happy that she was finally stepping out of her comfort zone and going after what she wanted. Abigail was not going to lose the love of her life because of distance.

  Chapter Four

  Mark raged inside his office, door closed and phone off the hook. His bear had seen fit to smash a bookcase in the process and embed a shred of oak in his bicep.

  As he shifted back to human form, he went to his cabinet to withdraw gauze and wrap the wound. Sighing deeply, he reflected over the past few weeks.

  The first week or so was fine, he'd managed to text Abigail and tell her how he missed her. Then all hell seemed to break loose there at the company; employees quit, the stockmarket took a dive, and decisions were made in split seconds on crucial topics. He was literally living at the office the past few weeks, not having time to call or text her during hours that were appropriate. Many nights he didn't stop until 3 am, all to get up and start again at 6. He didn't want his restless nights to end up being the cause of her sleepless nights.

  ****

  Abigail couldn’t believe the courage that raged inside spurned by her love of Mark. She had never traveled on her own and now here she was on a plane heading to New York City. She sat nervously as she looked out the window. In a few hours, the plane would land and she’d be in a strange city with no idea where to look for Mark. But she didn't let that hinder her, she'd find a way to see him even if it meant going online and searching for the names of businesses associated with him.

  The plane landed and she got a cab into Manhattan. It didn’t take long for Abigail to find out where Mark’s office was located after getting the address off the Web. The cab driver knew exactly where to drop her off when she mentioned Mark’s name. She paid the driver and stepped out, observing the building. She knew Mark had money, but she never imagined he was this rich. She took a deep breath, what was she thinking flying all the way out here unannounced. What if Mark didn’t want to see her? There had to be a reason he hadn’t called in all these months. This was a mistake. But he had nowhere to go, her plane home wouldn’t be until the end of the weekend. She had to take a chance, the biggest she ever made in her life.

  Abigail walked into the enormous lobby. It was full of business people, it reminded Abigail of how the diner looked the day she met Mark. Looking around, she couldn’t spot Mark. Of course he wouldn’t be out here with anyone else. He’d be in his office doing his work. She shook her head with how she wasn’t thinking straight. She walked over to the receptionist’s desk.

  “Yes? May I help you?” Abigail squinted to see that the receptionist’s name was Maria.

  “Yes, you could. Maria is it? Hi. I’m Abigail Yates. I’m here to see Mr. Mark Conklin.”

  Maria eyed Abigail suspiciously. She didn’t look like she was here for business. “You’re here to see Mr. Conklin?”

  Abigail smiled. Now she was getting somewhere. “Yes I am. Is he in today?”

  “I’m sorry Miss but I don’t have you on any list for interviews today. And if it’s for the assistant job, it’s already been filled.”

  “I’m not here for a job. I’m just here to speak to Mark. I came to surprise him so he doesn’t know that I’m here.”

  “Look, I don’t know who you think you are, but first of all you’re not being professionally by coming in here and calling Mr. Conklin by his first name. No one here does that. Second of all, he is a very busy man. He doesn’t have time for people to come in off the streets who claim that they know him.”

  “But I do
know him. He was with me when he was in town for the convention a few months back. I’m sure if you just give him my name he’ll know right away who you’re talking about.”

  “And I already told you, Mr. Conklin is very busy. He has meetings scheduled all throughout the day and unless you’re one of those appointments, I cannot let you into see him.” Maria was beginning to lose her patience.

  “I’m sure he’s going to have to take a break at some point. Wouldn't you be able to leave him a message or something. Just let him know that I’m here.”

  Abigail was beginning to lose hope. She should’ve planned this out much better. How did she expect to just drop in at Mark’s office and get in to see him? Of course he was busy, he was the CEO of this company. But she didn’t come all the way over here to be turned away. “Please I’m begging you. I need to see Mark. If you’d just tell him that it’s me I’m sure he’ll come down to see me.”