by Haley Weir
“I feel the same way.”
“I wasn’t sure if I would ever find my fated mate. I wasn’t even sure fated mates were a real thing, but you’ve changed all of that. You are it for me.”
Ellen feels like her heart is going to implode in her chest. She has wanted to hear him say that. She wants to be ‘it’ for him.
“Do you remember when I told you I thought I was in love once?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I didn’t give you the full story. I thought I was in love and I was irresponsible with my shifting. It happened in front of her and she freaked out. She vanished from my life forever. I was so afraid that history was going to repeat itself.”
“She wasn’t your fated mate,” Ellen says simply.
“You’re really an expert on this already, aren’t you?”
“I know a thing or two, yeah,” Ellen smiles. “What ever happened to that guy that tried to mug me? Did you…” Ellen trails off, not able to say it.
“I didn’t kill him, no. I could’ve. Easily. But no.”
“Oh. Good,” Ellen says.
“But, I can’t guarantee with my lifestyle that things like that won’t happen. There are serious dangers out there, and protecting my family comes before everything. I’ll do what it takes. My bear will do what it takes.”
“I understand,” says Ellen. She knows she’ll have to make some changes in her life with a shifter as her partner, but none of that matters.
“As long as we’re together, I’m happy,” Ellen says. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
“But I’ll always worry about you, and I’ll always be there to protect you. I love you, Ellen.”
Douglas quickly hops out of bed. He scoops Ellen up in his muscular arms. She giggles and squeals in excitement.
With Ellen in his arms, he begins to shout in a singsong voice. “I love you! I love this you!” He runs around to the window and opens it, letting all the sunlight of the morning seep in.
“Do you hear me, world? I love this woman!” he shouts out the window towards the mountains.
Ellen’s laughing at Douglas’s silly romantic antics. For the first time in a long time, Ellen is truly happy.
Chapter 26
Ellen and Douglas walk downstairs hand-in-hand, huge smiles stretched across their faces. When they arrive in the living room, they’re greeted by the whole gang.
“So it looks like we get a happily ever after, huh?” Avery says with a grin.
“Yeah, looks like it,” Douglas agrees, squeezing Ellen’s hand.
“Awesome. We needed another girl around here to balance out the masculinity up in here!” Mikayla squeals with delight.
Ethan stands next to Mikayla and puts her arm around her.
“We should tell them now, right?” Ethan asks Mikayla excitedly.
“I don’t want to steal their thunder!” Mikayla replies.
“Come on, tell us. What’s going?” Douglas asks his brother.
Mikayla extends her hand to show off the shiny diamond that now sits on her ring finger.
“Oh my god!” Avery squeals. “Yes! Yes. This is the best day! Congratulations!”
“Congratulations!” Ellen says. Although she hasn’t known Mikayla or Avery very long, she feels close to them in a special way. They’ve been there for Douglas, for her, and helped bring the pair together when all hope was lost.
“Ellen,” Mikayla starts. “You’re part of this family now and we’re so happy about it.”
“I couldn’t be happier to be here,” replies Ellen, beaming. Not only did she find the love of her life, but now has a whole group of new friends.
“Now that there are no more secrets, we should take her to the headquarters, right?”
“Huh?” asks a confused Ellen.
“We’ll show you,” Mikayla reaches for Ellen’s hand. “Come with us.”
“Actually, you guys go ahead,” Douglas says. “We’ll catch up.”
Blake, Avery, Ethan, and Mikayla all head out of the back door of the house.
“I wanted to ask you something, but I didn’t want to put you on the spot,” Douglas explains.
“What is it?” Ellen wonders if he, too, is going to propose. While it seems rather quick, Ellen knows that she’s going to spend the rest of her life with him. She’s never felt more certain of anything.
“Will you move in with me? I never want to spend another night without you next to me,” Douglas asks.
Ellen’s elated that this is his proposal to her.
“Of course,” she answers, throwing her arms around his neck. “Of course.”
“Great, because we already have a house.”.
“What?!” asks a bewildered Ellen. How could Douglas have found them a house already? How could he have known they would end up together?
“Well, full disclosure, I’ve had this house for a while. It’s my house. It’s a few miles down the road, you’ve probably driven past it several times. I lived there on my own for a while, but after I lost my job and started to spiral, Blake was kind enough to offer me a bedroom in his house so everyone could watch over me. To lock me up, make sure I don’t destroy the town. You know, the usual,” Douglas explains. “But it’s always just felt like a house. It was just four walls and a roof without you. If you say yes, then it can finally be a home.”
Ellen can’t control her tears. “Yes,” is all she can manage to say.
“Are you sure?” says Douglas, putting his arm on her lower back. She nods. He traces his finger lightly up and down her back, sending a chill down her spine. Sexual tension builds, and they both feel it.
“Aren’t they waiting for us?” Ellen whispers, her face close to his.
“I guess we’ll have to be quick,” shrugs Douglas, pressing his lips to hers. For a moment, Ellen feels like she’s floating again. They kiss passionately, tongues swirling and massaging. Douglas bites Ellen’s lip and she presses her body closer to his. She feels his rock hard abs against her, and hurriedly takes off his shirt. She flings it across the room. Ellen runs her hands all over his chest and muscular back, in awe of how his body feels like it was sculpted from marble. She’s kissing his shoulder blades and neck. In response, Douglas maps her body with his hands. He finds her waist and grabs her ass, cupping and squeezing hard. He lifts her off the ground slightly, and she laughs excitedly through the kisses. She can tell he wants to spank her and feel the reverberation of her ass in his hands.
“Do it,” she breathes into his ear. “Make it hurt a little.”
She feels his pants stiffen further at her commanding tone. He uses one hand to run his fingers through her hair and the other to spank her, the slap quick and sharp. Ellen feels overcome with sexual energy. She pulls down her pants as Douglas presses her into a wall, kissing her like it’s their last few minutes on earth. Ellen unzips his pants and his entire body is throbbing with desire. She slides her hand down, grasping his cock just firmly enough and rubbing up and down, up and down, rhythmically moving to a beat that plays in her head. He lets out a moan. Ellen is in full control. She grabs his arm and pulls him towards the couch.
Laying back, she pulls off her shirt and spreads her legs, displaying her perfect body for Douglas.
“Come here,” she says flirtatiously. He knows what he needs to do next. He bends down, putting his head between her thighs. He traces her clit with his tongue, and goes to work pleasuring her masterfully. Ellen grows wetter and wetter as the euphoric sensation takes over.
“Yes, yes, yes,” she coos approvingly between deep breaths. “Keep doing that,” she says before letting out a breathy moan. She can’t control the sounds she releases as Douglas feasts upon her.
“More!” she demands. Her ability to take full sexual control is making Douglas harder than he has been in years. He has never played the more submissive role during sex, and he is loving it.
He moves one hand up her body, traveling up her soft tummy until he reaches her breast. With one hand he
massages her nipples. Finally, he uses his free hand to enter her and rub her until she can’t take it anymore.
Ellen’s back begins to arch and her legs begin to quiver. Her vision is blurry, and her mind in ecstasy.
“I’m so close,” Ellen moans. “Yes, yes. Keep going. Ah, right there. Yes!” she shrieks as she experiences the most glorious orgasm of her life.
After a few minutes, they sit up and lean against each other, catching their breath and soaking up the bliss.
“We can do that every night now,” Douglas says with a grin.
“Forever,” Ellen confirms. “They’re probably wondering where we are. We should go meet them, right?”
“Right,” Douglas agrees, standing up to gather clothes strewn all over the room.
When Ellen stands up, she’s still a little weak in the knees and grabs Douglas for support as they head outside.
Chapter 27
Ellen and Douglas walk through the woods holding hands, together again.
“Where are we?” asks Ellen, looking around with intense curiosity.
“You’ll see,” he says. They come upon a building, nearly hidden by trees. It’s cabin-like, much like Blake’s home, but this place seems more like an office or a hotel. They open the door to find Ethan, Blake, Mikayla, Avery, and a man that Ellen doesn’t recognize.
“Xander!” Douglas eagerly greets the stranger.
“Douglas, old pal. Good to see you,” Xander says excitedly.
Avery stands up to interject herself into the conversation.
“Xander, Ellen. Ellen, Xander,” she introduces the two.
Ellen is a bit overwhelmed. Where is she? Who is Xander? Is he a shifter too?
“Nice to meet you, Ellen. I’ve heard only wonderful things,” Xander greets her. Ellen is surprised to find out he knows about her at all.
“Nice to meet you, too,” Ellen shakes his hand.
“Xander has been a part of this family for awhile now,” Douglas explains. “He used to be Blake’s full time butler.”
“I really hate that word,” Xander groans. Blake laughs.
“Yeah, maybe caretaker is the better word,” Blake adds. “He was there for me as a friend and a trusted confidant before Avery came into my life.”
“I spend a lot of time here,” Xander adds. “This is our pack’s headquarters. We set up here to give shelter to all shifters, especially young ones who are still learning how to control their bears. We have bedrooms, showers, and food. It’s a place that’s both safe and secret.”
“There are some people who want to hurt shifters,” says Ethan, for Ellen’s benefit. “They think we’re a threat. What they don’t know is how much we protect them.”
Ellen looks around, taking it all in. There are bookshelves stocked with encyclopedias about all things supernatural. Rows and rows of shelves are lined with books regarding shifters- bears, wolves, even dragons.
“This is amazing,” says Ellen as she reaches for a book. She remembers being a little girl, hiding under the covers to stay up past her bedtime to get lost in stories. She thought they were fantasy. Now, she learns it’s reality. Her reality.
“That’s a good one,” Xander comments on her selection.
“Wait, wait,” bosses Mikayla. “Books later! Let’s eat.”
“Right,” says Xander, disappearing into the kitchen, returning moments later with trays of food and carafes of wine.
“Wait, is he a butler or not?” Ellen quietly asks Douglas.
“He’s a little bit of everything. Just someone we can trust, someone who takes care of us. He keeps his eyes and ears open for any signs of a threat.”
“A threat?” Ellen worries.
“It’s a part of this life that I was nervous to share with you,” Douglas explains. “But I know you can handle it. There are hunters out there who would like to see our kind extinct. It’s scary, but we have a lot of precautions. There hasn’t been a run-in for years.”
“I had no idea,” Ellen says. “I’ll keep you safe. Forever. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere,” she assures Douglas, taking his hand.
“Hey, you two. It’s a family dinner. Come dig in,” Mikayla shouts from the table.
Ellen and Douglas take their seats and enjoy the first of many family dinners to come. Douglas slips his hand under the table onto Ellen’s thigh.
“I love you,” he whispers into her ear.
“I love you, too,” says Ellen. “Forever.”
THE END
Bolt Castle Bear
Chapter 1
Just as it does every day, Jenna’s alarm goes off at 6 a.m., and she wakes up without hitting snooze. She puts on her running clothes, laces up her favorite sneakers, and heads out into the dewy spring morning to begin her daily run through town. She’s always liked physical activity. When she was just a girl, she played every sport available to her and was incredible at all of them. From soccer to basketball to softball and the unofficial co-ed football club that she was a part of in high school, Jenna always found herself at peace when she was on the field or the court. Now, she no longer plays sports but finds her mind is clearest and her body most alert if she remains physically active.
As she loops around the winding streets of the Pennsylvania suburbs, she tries to keep her mind focused on her breathing and pacing, but is distracted by thoughts she can’t seem to run far enough away from. It’s been three months since she lost her beloved grandmother to cancer, and Jenna hasn’t been quite the same.
Jenna increases her speed, hoping if she moves fast enough she’ll be able to outrun the demons haunting her. Maybe if she runs fast enough, she’ll be able to avoid the painful reality of life without her grandmother. Jenna’s relationship with Grandma Jean was incredibly special. She was Jenna’s only family. With no siblings and parents that died in a tragic car wreck when Jenna was just an infant, it’s only ever been Grandma Jean and Jenna.
Jenna keeps running, her leg muscles burning and begging her to slow down, but Jenna sweats through it. She’s strong because she has always had to be. With only her grandmother to help her navigate the world, she had to grow up fast. Beyond her nontraditional upbringing, Jenna’s life is unique. Jenna’s greatest secret, only shared with Grandma Jean, is that she’s a bear shifter.
She comes from a long line of shifters, including Grandma Jean herself. Grandma Jean spent her whole life learning to control her bear. It’s her wisdom and strength that always motivated Jenna to stay focused and balanced. Jenna, as a relatively young shifter, is still learning how to coexist with her inner beast. IShe longs to share her secret with others, but knows better than to out herself as a shifter. Her kind aren’t exactly the most highly revered members of society. Many people don’t even acknowledge that shifters are more than myth, and when they do, they usually speak of them with malice. But Jenna is certain there are more people like her out there. She longs for a family or a community that she can feel a part of.
As Jenna circles back to her block, her phone pings. She stops to catch her breath and check her notification. It’s an e-mail she’s been waiting for.
Hi Jenna,
I’m glad you’ve reached out to me about my work. I’ve been researching shifters for almost a year now, as you know from my blog. My book will be coming out as soon as I can get all the information I need. I’m sure you can imagine I’ve gotten a lot of emails from a lot of people claiming to be shifters, but I don’t want to dismiss anyone, especially as I continue to research for my book. If you’re in the Upstate New York area, we could meet for coffee and talk in person.
Regards,
Chris
Jenna wipes the sweat from her brow and heads into her home. Walking into the house without Grandma Jean waiting to greet her makes Jenna feel like she’s walking into a shell of a home, like a display at the furniture store. Grandma Jean was the heart and soul of their home. Jenna passes by a framed photograph of the two of them having a picnic back when Jenna was maybe 13 or 14. She
remembers what Grandma Jean told her that day, something that would stick with her forever.
“Jenna, my fierce girl. There is so much this world has to offer you. Don’t be afraid to seek it out,” Grandma Jean said.
With her grandmother’s words echoing in her mind, Jenna begins to pack a bag and head to upstate New York, determined to find answers about who she is.
Chapter 2
Jenna gets off the Greyhound at the Blue Ridge stop. She is dropped off in a quaint town that looks like a destination for the rich and retired. The mountains, trees, and small shops make her feel like she’s stepped into a Norman Rockwell painting. With just her backpack and the clothes she’s wearing, she enters a town foreign to her, hoping to find answers. Jenna is desperate to feel less alone in the world, and she’s counting on Chris to be able to connect her with other shifters.
She strolls through town looking for Point Peak Cafe, the coffee shop where she agreed to meet Chris. Her only plan so far is to show up. She doesn’t know where she’s staying when the sun goes down, but figures she’ll find a place to camp out in the woods if need be. She knows she’ll shift, and wants to be as far from civilization as possible. The dense trees of the deep forest will provide the best shelter.
When she arrives at Point Peak Cafe, she sees Chris waiting for her at a table. She knows it’s him from the picture on his blog. He is a smaller guy, a little nerdy looking with glasses. He’s not ugly, but definitely not her type. Jenna shakes her head for even judging his looks at all. Who is she to cast judgement? She is at the lowest point in her life yet, a lonely vagabond on a soul search. She reminds herself that it will all be worth it. Like Grandma Jean would tell her, she can’t be afraid.
“Chris?” she says, approaching the table cautiously. She wants to make a good impression. He could be her connection to other shifters, if they’re out there.
“Jenna?” he says, examining her through his thick rimmed glasses.
