I’m her mate. The man who’ll protect her at all cost. The man who...loves her.
And not just because my bear has claimed her, but because she’s the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. And these past two weeks have been a living hell. She may not want or need me, but even if she denies it, I know she has feelings for me.
But how am I going to convince her that I want her for the right reasons?
My phone has been ringing off the hook since I got the call early this morning about the election results.
I will be the next Bear Council chief.
But I don’t even care right now, because Piper is still not answering my calls. I’ve thought about going back over to the bookstore, finding any excuse to see her, but she made it abundantly clear the last time I was there that she wasn’t ready to see me.
So I pour myself into answering emails and calls, but there’s no joy in it because all I can think about is Piper.
Her smile.
Her laugh.
The way her body melted against mine.
Her scent.
Her taste.
“Shit,” I slam my laptop shut, and stand, beginning to pace with the frustration and tension that has built in my chest since I let her go.
My bear growls inside me, and I know what he wants, for me to take action, to go to her, claim her. I might be an untamed mountain man, but I’m not a savage. I need to think about her feelings. To think about her needs before my own.
There’s a hard knock on the door, and when I don’t answer it right away, the rapping becomes insistent.
Gunner is there when I open it, and he frowns at me as he pushes his way into my house, grumbling under his breath.
“What’s your problem?” I cross my arms and watch him storm into my living room.
“I was going to ask you the same question.” He points a finger at me, and I know whatever it is he’s worked up about is serious, because the man doesn’t usually get this flustered.
“Want to be more specific?”
“Piper...”
“Is she all right?”
“Depends what your definition of all right is.”
My throat constricts. “I saw her a few days ago, she seemed...fine...”
And she’d made it clear that she hadn’t wanted me around.
“She was a mess, Bennett.” He shakes his head at me. “What the hell are you doing?”
“I haven’t done anything.”
“Exactly.” He gives me a pointed stare.
I sigh. “I’m giving her space. Piper doesn’t want or need—”
“I swear to God if you finish that sentence, I may have to punch you. That woman is in love with you and...” He grimaces and looks away.
“And what?”
“Nothing,” he mutters.
Except it isn’t nothing, I can tell he’s hiding something.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“You think you’re doing the right thing by giving her space, but that’s the last thing she needs right now.”
“I lied to her. And she thinks the only reason I was with her was so I could be chief. With the election over, she will soon know that I have no secret agenda, I think it’s best if I just stay away.”
“Addie is right,” he grunts. “Men are idiots.”
I huff out a breath and cross my arms over my chest. “I’m trying to do the right thing.”
“You love her, right?” My brother holds my gaze, and I know he already knows the answer.
“More than I thought possible,” I admit.
He nods. “Then stop torturing yourself and go to her, because...”
“What?” This time there’s a hint of fear in my voice, because I know he’s hiding something.
“I shouldn’t say anything.” His jaw bounces with tension, but one thing Gunner has never been good at is keeping secrets.
“Gunner?” I demand. “Tell me.”
He holds my gaze. “You need to work this shit out between you and Piper, because it’s not just you and her that you need to worry about anymore.”
I’m getting frustrated now. “Stop talking in riddles.”
“You’re going to be a dad, asshole.”
“What?” My arms drop to my side and I’m pretty sure all the air leaves my chest as I process his words.
“Piper is pregnant.”
Holy shit. The fear that those words would have stirred inside of me a couple months ago, is replaced with hope.
I’m going to be a dad.
Gunner and the Chief were right, I need to fight for my mate. I never should have let it end the way it did. I told her she deserved the right thing, and she does - but the right thing is me.
I’ve given Piper enough space. It’s time I go and finally claim my mate.
Chapter 20
Piper
I’m pregnant.
It’s been two days since I took the first of several tests and I’m still not sure I believe it. Kids haven’t ever been on my radar. And I know one hundred percent that they’re the furthest thing from Bennett’s, but six home tests, and a confirmation from the doctor and I know it’s a reality that both of us are going to have to face.
A baby. Bennett’s baby. It’s crazy, wonderful, and scary all at the same time.
I made my friends promise they wouldn’t say anything, but I’m pretty sure Gunner heard our conversation. I just hope that he doesn’t say anything to Bennett, because I don’t want him thinking that I tried to trap him. I need to get my head straight before I have to tell him, figure out what I’m going to do.
“Hey, sweetie,” Harley says, coming into the bookshop and carrying a bag of groceries. “I thought I’d bring you over some herbal teas and lemons. They were the only thing that made my stomach feel better during the first few months—”
“Sshh.” I place a finger to my lips and give a sideways glance toward the kitchen, where my mom is. I still haven’t told her, and I don’t think I will, at least not until I know what I’m going to do.
“Right.” Harley winces, then says softly, “Sorry. But how are you feeling?”
Crappy. But it’s not just the pregnancy symptoms that have me feeling lousy, it’s not seeing Bennett, and remembering how I treated him the other day when he came by.
But that’s what I do - push men away. But Bennett Koleman isn’t just any man. He’s my mate. And the father of my unborn baby.
And I was wrong. I do want him. And even though it pains me to admit it, I need him.
“Did you hear about Bennett?” Harley asks, placing the bag on the table. “They announced last night that he’s going to be chief.”
“But I thought he had to be married?”
She shrugs. “I guess they made an exception.”
“Oh.” I wrap my arms around myself, not knowing how to feel because it seems he never needed me in the first place. “That’s...good.”
“I thought so, but by the looks of it you’re not quite as convinced.”
Mom comes into the living room and sees the items Harley brought over. “What’s this about?” she asks, frowning.
“Just some—”
But Mom has the box of organic tea labeled clearly. Pregnancy Tea. No way to tiptoe with that.
“What in the world?” Mom exclaims, looking between Harley and me.
“It’s mine,” Harley says, snatching the tea back. “I was gonna make myself some. It’s delicious.” She smiles tightly, and Mom narrows her eyes.
“You sure that’s the whole story?” Mom asks.
Harley bites her lip, looking at me.
Groaning, I throw up my hands. “Okay, fine. I’m pregnant, Mom. Congratulations, you’re going to be a grandmother.”
Mom is shocked - something that rarely happens - and she flings her arms around me. “My baby girl is going to be a mother!”
“Looks like it,” I say with a sigh. “In seven and a half months our lives will never be the same.”
&nb
sp; Harley twists her lips. “You sound defeated.”
“It’s not how I imagined my life to go is all.”
“What does Bennett think?” Mom asks, setting a kettle of water on the stove top. We follow her into the kitchen.
“I haven’t told him.”
“What?” Mom turns to me, shocked. “How long have you known?”
“A few days.”
“Well, he has to know, goodness child. What is wrong with you?’
Harley nods. “That’s what I was trying to tell her.”
“I’ll tell him, it’s just hard considering we aren’t together.” I twist my hair on top of my head, then let it fall.
Mom pulls out mugs for tea and sets tea bags in each one. “Piper, you have always been so bright, but you’ve turned downright foolish since you moved to Alaska.”
I scoff, getting ready for the typical tirade from my mother. “Thanks a lot, Mom.”
“I mean it. You’ve lost all reason. Fake engagements and all this fighting. It isn’t like you.”
“Me? Mom, I faked the engagement so you wouldn’t badger me about being single.”
“So this is all my fault?” Mom pours the boiling water into our mugs.
“You’ve always focused on whether or not I was dating, not whether or not I was happy.”
Mom bats me away with her hand. “I just wanted you to be happy.”
“Being single doesn’t mean I’m unhappy! I’m not you. What if what I want is to be an independent woman?” I don’t know why I am arguing with her - I know it isn’t fair. But I can’t seem to help myself. Deep down I know this conversation has been brewing for years.
Mom doesn’t seem to take offense to this. “I see, so you don’t think I’m independent? Is that what this is about?”
Harley pats both of our backs. “I’m just gonna let you guys talk. I’ll be in the bookshop.”
We’re sitting on kitchen bar stools, the steaming tea in front of us, and years of emotion between us.
“I’ve pushed men away ever since Dad left us,” I tell her, a wave of vulnerability sweeping over me. “I have trust issues, and those aren’t your fault, those are mine.”
“I know, Piper. What he did changed us both, but in different ways.”
“What do you mean?”
“Before he left, before you were even born, your dad and me, we were in love. I experienced that head-over-heels rush. And after he left, I missed it. Craved it. I’ve spent how many years trying to recreate it?”
“You really loved Dad?”
“So much. And then he started drinking, and it changed him. But before that Oh, Lordy, Piper. We had some good years.”
“Is that why you’ve been married three times in the last decade? Are you trying to recreate what you once had?”
Mom sets her hand on mine. “I know it’s not the most flattering characteristic in a mother. But I just” —she dabs her eyes— “I fall hard and fast. I like being in love, it feels good to go to bed with someone. To have someone to make memories with. And yes, there have been some partners over the years who weren’t long-term marriage material,” she says, giving me a sidelong smile. “But I won’t die with regrets, Piper. I know I’m a lot to handle - and I know I drive you crazy - but I go all in. It’s our one life, Piper. I’m living it to its fullest.”
I brush the falling tears away. All these years I’ve judged my mom, turns out she was the one with her life figured out. She may have had ups and downs, but she is being herself, no holding back.
Me? I’m scared to take a risk, to find Bennett and tell him that I love him.
“What’s holding you back, Piper? From having the life you want?”
I swallow, wiping away the tears. “I’ve never had a broken heart before Bennett. And I’m scared. I’m scared I’m going to tell him that I want him, and him alone and that he won’t choose me.”
“Piper, broken hearts aren’t the worst thing in the world. Take it from your old mother. Having your heart broken doesn’t mean your life is over, it just means you’ve lived.”
“I love you, Mom,” I say wrapping my arms around her.
“I love you too, sweetheart,” she says, holding me tight. “And Piper, I think it might be worth finding out if someone else loves you too.”
I nod, knowing she’s right. I exhale loudly, steeling myself for the conversation of my life. “YOLO, right?”
Mom laughs. “I think kids stopped saying that five years ago, Piper.”
“You were always way hipper than me.”
She smiles. “Well, I gotta keep up with the slang, I want to be the cool Granny.”
I laugh. “I love you, Mom. And I’m sorry for being so foolish, as you put it.”
“Piper, love isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being yourself, flaws and all. And being accepted because of them.”
Grinning I say, “I never realized you had so much advice to offer on love.”
Mom clucks her tongue teasingly. “You just never thought to ask.”
“From now on, I will. Promise.”
I leave the apartment, waving to Harley as I go. “I’m going to find Bennett, I need to be honest with him.”
Her eyes are wide and she’s barely containing her smile.
“What is it?”
“He’s here.”
“Here where?”
“Outside.” She points out the window and I gasp in surprise.
There is Bennett.
With a stroller. A baby sling across his chest. A diaper bag over his shoulder.
And a smile on his face that is more hopeful than I have ever seen in my life.
He knows. Gunnar must have told him and I’m not upset, I’m flooded with relief. With joy. With so much love in my heart, I’m scared it might burst.
I push out the front door, wanting to leap in his arms. My heart beats hard at the realization that he is here.
For me.
I want to cover his perfect bearded face in kisses, I want him to know that this is what I want. Him. Us. Forever.
Before I get a chance to, he is on one knee.
“I don’t want to just be your baby-daddy, Piper Bancroft. I want to be your husband, your partner, your mate. Marry me and make me the happiest chief Bear Valley has ever known.”
“I love you, Bennett Koleman.”
“Is that a yes?”
Tears glistening my cheeks and I see the other Kolemans are here, with their mates, and their mother right beside them.
“Yes,” I say. “I will marry you.”
Chapter 21
Bennett
“It looks like every bear in North America showed up for this.” My brother Gunner says, coming into the room where I’m getting dressed and preparing for the inauguration that will officially make me chief.
“There are a lot of people out there,” Piper says, following behind him and stringing her hands together nervously. She adjusts my tie and smooths my collar. Looking down at my bride calms my nerves.
“Hey,” I say, taking her in my arms, and kissing her cheek. “If you don’t want to go out there with me you don’t have to.”
“No.” She chews on her bottom lip. “I want to be by your side.”
“I want you there too, wife.” I nuzzle her ear, relishing saying the word. We made it official three days ago. Just a small ceremony with our friends and family, and the bear council.
It’s what Piper wanted. I would have given her the biggest wedding Bear Valley had ever seen, even bigger than Kate and Weston’s, if she’d wanted it, but she’d said, “All I want is to be your wife, Bennett.”
My wife.
It’s still surreal.
Gunner clears his throat. “I’d tell you two to get a room, but there’s a room full of people waiting for you.”
“Right.” I smirk at him, then kiss Piper one more time, and whisper, “But wait until you see the suite I have for us after this.”
“I can’t wait.” She beams up at
me.
With the inauguration and all the responsibilities with the council, we haven’t had as much alone time as I’d like, but I have asked for a week off after today for a short honeymoon.
Time for just the two of us.
But right now, responsibility calls. I take Piper’s hand as we walk out onto the stage, and are greeted by a round of applause. The ceremony is long, tedious, but bearable with Piper beside me. Even if it is difficult to concentrate in the words being spoken knowing in less than an hour, I’ll have her upstairs in the presidential suite I got, her clothes strewn across the floor, and my hands all over those sweet curves.
“Bennett Koleman, our new chief,” I hear Victor say from the stage, and another round of applause echoes through the room.
I take the microphone from the man, and glance around, seeing familiar faces. My brothers and their mates are here, my mom, and members from each of the clans. Even the grizzly leader and a couple of his men are here. I don’t expect trouble from them today, but I hold his gaze an extra second to let him know I’ll be watching.
The grizzlies will never stop vying for power, or for Bear Valley, but I hope that I’ll be able to bring a semblance of peace among our two clans. God knows this valley has seen enough bloodshed for generations to come. Everyone, even most of the Grizzlies, agreed that Piper’s kidnapping crossed lines. Abby lost her husband Cristoff, but she lost more than that - she is now exiled from all bear communities worldwide.
“I want to thank the council for their votes,” I say, then clear my throat, and start into the twenty-minute speech that Piper helped me write.
The room erupts in laughter at a short joke I tell, and I smirk at my mate who told me that it wasn’t funny and I should delete it. Piper rolls her eyes, but her smile never falters, and I see the pride in her expression as she watches me.
After the speeches are over and I shake practically every hand in the room, I place my arm around Piper’s waist and tug her to me. “I always thought this would be the biggest day of my life.”
Untamed Fiance (Mountain Men of Bear Valley Book 4) Page 9
