by Ruby Shae
“Because my roots were showing,” she said. It was the truth, but not the reason he’d been waiting for.
“You know that’s not what I’m asking.” He stared at her as if willing her to do his bidding and by God, she wanted to.
“I have to rinse this off. Go fix my door and I’ll be out in a couple minutes.”
He agreed and took off toward the living room.
She closed the bathroom door and turned the lock. She knew it wouldn’t keep him out if he really wanted to join her, but she needed a few minutes of privacy. Rinsing out the hair dye usually resulted in a huge mess, but it was more than that. She needed to process the last few minutes.
Seth had told her to go to his brother is she needed help, but she hadn’t known he’d asked his brother to keep tabs on her. Then, upon his arrival, he’d come to see her and broken in when he thought she was in danger.
He’d known she’d been hiding something from the beginning, yet he hadn’t condemned or tried to force the truth out of her. He’d offered her friendship and a physical release she desperately needed, but could it be more? Could she have been so used to being cast aside, that she tried to push him away needlessly?
He seemed to trust her without the facts and she didn’t think he granted everyone the same curtesy. Had she misjudged him? And if so, why did he have to come into her life now, when she might need to run any minute? She didn’t want to drag him into her hell.
Twenty minutes later, after most of the black had gone down the drain, she padded into her bedroom and stopped when she saw Seth sitting on the edge of the bed. The twin size mattress looked tiny under his colossal frame.
She glanced at the nightstand and noticed the vibrator she’d used earlier. She’d cleaned it, but it never made it back into the drawer. At the time, she didn’t think it was worth the trouble because she’d need it again tonight. She never expected to find Seth in her room and now she wished she’d taken the time to do the extra step.
She couldn’t see his face, but he picked up the toy and held it up as if he’d read her mind.
“This is a little on the small side, isn’t it?”
Yesssss.
In the past it had never really doused all of her need, but she’d been able to get by and make herself orgasm with the mascara shaped toy. After Seth, she couldn’t find release no matter how hard she tried.
When she didn’t answer, he put the toy back on the nightstand and called over his shoulder.
“Get dressed, we need to talk.”
It should have bothered her that he seemed to know she’d cooperate, but she followed his directions and got dressed.
“I’m finished,” she said after hanging her towel in the bathroom and running a brush through her hair.
He stood and faced her.
“I broke the lock and split the wood when I came in. I’ll go into town and pick up a new door tomorrow, but you’ll have to stay with me tonight.”
She wanted too, more than anything, but she didn’t like being told what to do.
“And what if I don’t want to stay with you?”
The way he looked at her, she knew she hadn’t hidden her feelings from him at all.
“If you’d like to be stubborn, then we can both stay at Gage and Kate’s, but I’ll be wherever you are.”
She didn’t want to endanger anyone. She could never expose Kate to the brutal thugs that were chasing her. If she were somehow discovered, they’d kill everyone in their path, pregnant or not, until they found her.
“I can’t stay with any of you. I can’t put anyone else in jeopardy. I’ll stay in a hotel tonight.”
“You hate hotels, and I’m not letting you out of my sight. I can protect you, Ana. From anything.”
“You can’t, Seth. Not from this.”
“Want to bet?” he said with confidence.
If only his words were true. She knew he’d be able to handle himself in a fight, but bullets killed. The men following her killed innocents without remorse. She’d never forgive herself if something happened to him.
“Seth…”
“I know you don’t have any reason to trust me, so let me give you one,” he patted the space on the bed next to him and waited for her to sit. “In a way, I’m hiding something, too.”
Chapter Four
Seth watched Ana survey the room before she hesitantly walked over to the bed and sat down beside him. Her shoulders tensed and she had one foot poised on the ball of her foot, ready to run at any given moment.
Her wary expression made him ache, but he understood. She’d been on the run, and trusting anyone had to be difficult. He was about to add more stress into the mix.
“Have you ever heard of shifters?” he asked.
“You mean like people that can turn into animals?”
“Yeah.”
“Um, sure. I’ve read about them in romance novels and I’ve seen a few in movies.”
“A lot of what you’ve seen or read is false, but you understand the general idea?” he paused and she nodded in agreement. “Good. I’m a shifter, Ana.”
“What?” she automatically scooted away, putting distance between them. He didn’t think she’d done it consciously, but even though he knew it would be difficult to convince her, her flight instinct hurt.
“I can shift into an animal. A bear. It’s the reason I know I can protect you.”
“You’re telling me that you can shift into a bear?” she questioned.
“Yes.”
“For arguments sake, let’s say I believe you.” She didn’t, at least not yet. “The men chasing me have guns, Seth. Bears can still be shot and killed.”
“I can’t. I’ve been alive nearly three hundred years, and in that time I’ve been in a lot of fights. I’ve been shot with bullets, cross bows and flame throwers. I’ve also been stabbed and sliced with swords and knives. I’m immortal, Ana. Nothing can kill me.”
He hated the way her face paled when he talked about being attacked, but he could see the underlying doubt in her eyes.
“Don’t get me wrong, I don’t just stand there and wait for stuff to happen. I may heal quickly, but getting injured still hurts. I always have to fight back, but even if I lose, I will always recover.”
“But you can’t die?” she asked, unimpressed. She still didn’t believe him.
“No.”
“Okay, thanks for all of your help,” she stood and backed away, “but, I think it’s time for you to leave.”
He stood to face her and she blanched. Instead of the trust he’d hoped for, she feared him.
“You don’t have to be afraid. It doesn’t matter which form I’m in, I’m always aware of my surroundings. I’m always coherent. There’s never a time when I don’t know exactly what’s going on, or who I’m with.”
“Right,” she nodded. “Of course, that makes sense.”
“You don’t believe me,” he stated.
“I’m sorry, but no. I don’t. I’d like you to leave now.”
He admired her determination. If he attacked her, his size alone ensured she’d never be able to defend herself, but she held her ground. Her strength and ability to keep a level head while on the run was impressive. That, combined with her calm ability to handle a seemingly crazy person, filled him with pride.
She definitely had what it took to be the mate of an alpha. His brother might be in charge of their growing clan, but all bear shifters were alphas.
“I’m not leaving you. I said I would protect you and I meant it.”
“Fine. Then I’ll leave,” she turned and ran into the living room. He’d placed a small bookcase in front of the door to help keep it closed while they talked and he could hear her trying to move the stubborn piece of furniture. He’d shouldered the weight easily, but she’d never be able to move it on her own.
He called on his bear and shifted, then slowly lumbered into the living room and sat on his hind legs. When she was about to start pulling books off the shelves,
he voiced a hello in the form of a low bear grunt.
She froze and slowly turned in his direction. The book she held fell to the floor and she plastered her back against the wall beside the bookcase.
He didn’t move. He knew she needed to come to him on her own.
“What the...? How…?” she scanned the room, as if looking for his human form. “Seth?”
He nodded once, but otherwise remained still.
“You’re a bear?” she whispered.
He nodded again.
“There’s a bear in my living room…,” she whispered again, as if in awe.
They both remained unmoving, and stared at each other for several minutes.
Seth laid his furry head on the floor and waited for her to come to terms with seeing an eight hundred pound grizzly bear lounging in her living room.
Once she made up her mind, she inched away from the wall and took a tentative step toward him. He followed her with his eyes, but otherwise didn’t move. She continued her slow trek across the living room until she stood two feet away.
“You know who I am?” she questioned.
He sat up slowly and nodded his head again.
“Can I touch you?”
He bowed and she gently pet his head. A purr-like growl rumbled from deep inside and she used it to her advantage. She stroked his head, scratched his ears and smoothed her hands down his back. She sat down on the floor next to him and studied his paws. Not including the claws, they were the size of dinner plates, but she didn’t shirk away.
“Your teeth?”
He pulled his lips back and exposed his canines.
“Whoa.”
She moved away from his mouth and ran her hand over his top coat again. When she threaded her fingers in his undercoat, he purred again and shifted.
The shift happened in an instant, but it caught her off guard and she backed away. He used her surprise to his advantage and covered her body with his, gently guiding her to the floor. He’d always been grateful his clothes followed him in and out of the shift, except this time. He wanted to feel her skin against his without any barriers.
He straddled her thighs, held her hands above her head, and kissed her fiercely on the mouth. She didn’t hold back and met every stroke of his tongue with one of her own. She wiggled her legs beneath him, trying to align her body with his, but he wouldn’t budge.
He pulled away and stared down at her. They were both breathing hard and he watched the rise and fall of her breasts, wanting to taste her again.
They would have time for that later. Things still needed to be said.
“I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.”
“I know,” he gave her another quick kiss. “Don’t worry, I forgive you,” he winked.
He pulled away and got to his feet. When he reached out a hand to help her up, she took it without hesitation. He motioned for her to lead the way to the couch.
“Let’s sit down. I have more stuff to tell you.”
All fear and apprehension left her body and he could only sense her curiosity. It was a good start, especially for what he had to tell her next. Her acceptance made it easier to say the words.
“Once a bear shifter finds his mate, they mate for life. The bear will mark his chosen mate during sex, and though she won’t turn into a bear, she’ll gain immortality.”
“During sex?”
“Yes, unprotected sex. The combination of the bite, plus orgasm, creates the mate mark. When the process is complete, the mark is invisible except to other shifters. They can see the mark and smell who the person belongs to.”
“How come you’ve never found a mate? Or have you?”
“I have.”
Her face fell and she dropped her head to stare at her hands. He lifted her chin with his finger.
“You know how long I’ve been alive. Finding a mate, someone you want by your side for eternity, is difficult. There are so many factors involved, but once you find her, you know. You’re my mate, Ana.”
“What?” her eyes welled up with tears and for the first time, he realized she thought he was telling her about another woman. “I can’t be your mate, Seth.”
“Why not?”
“Because, I’m not perfect, like you, and I’m in danger. Even if you can’t die, I don’t want you hurt because of me.”
“First of all, you are perfect for me. Second, whether or not you agree to be my mate, you’re mine. I will protect you, no matter what.”
“But, there are so many other women who are thin, tiny and beautiful. Many of them would make you a worthy mate.”
“But I don’t want anyone like that. I’m a big man, sweetheart. I want someone beautiful, with curves, who can take a pounding and beg for more. You’re all those things and you’re the only one for me.”
“Really?” she whispered. “You want me? Forever?”
“For eternity.”
She hugged him tight and let some of the tears fall, but not enough to soak his shirt this time. He let her hold on as long as she needed. When she finally pulled away, he grabbed her hand and laced their fingers together.
“I think it’s your turn now. Let’s start with the easiest part. What’s your real name, sweetheart?”
***
Ana gripped his hand and wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her t-shirt. More than anything, she wanted to tell him. Aside from the fact that she hated the name Ana, she trusted Seth and wanted him to know everything about her, and that included her name.
The fear of being pursued still held her in its grasp, but he’d trusted her with something monumental and she wanted to do the same. She wanted to accept his proposal and spend the rest of her life with him. She couldn’t do that until she shared her secrets, and let him carry some of the burden.
Exposing herself still scared her, but she was tired of running. She wanted a life, and Seth had guided her to the path. All she had to do was take the first step.
“Darcy. My real name is Darcy Smith.”
More tears filled her eyes when he squeezed her hand.
“I like Darcy much better than Ana.”
“So do I,” she laughed, and a single tear rolled down her cheek.
He waited patiently while she wiped her face again and gathered her thoughts. There was no urgency, no pressure and she knew he’d let her take all night if she needed to.
She didn’t. It was time.
“I lived in southern California my whole life until about two months ago. I was a secretary in a huge law firm located in downtown, and like many nights, I worked late. I rode the elevator down to the carport at nearly eight o’clock, and when I got to my floor, I was surprised to find the security guard absent from his post,” she took a deep breath.
“I should have waited for him to return, but I was tired and I wanted to get home.”
Seth nodded his understanding and she continued.
“When I spotted my car, I also saw three men hovering over another on the ground. One of the men held a gun to his head, and another was yelling something about money. I couldn’t get in my car without being seen, so I dropped down on the ground between the cars and tried to hide. When they pulled the trigger, I let out a tiny sound and alerted them to my presence. They scanned the parking lot and when they spotted me, I ran.”
“Luckily we were on the street level and when I ran out onto the sidewalk, they let me go. The police station was three blocks away, so I ran there and reported what I saw.”
“They never found the men?”
“They didn’t even try. They acted as if I were crazy, spouting off stories about men being murdered and sent me on my way. I requested a police escort to my car, and when we arrived, the fire department said that several cars had been set on fire, mine included. I imagine that’s how they hid the body.”
“You’re probably right,” he agreed.
“Because they had something new to investigate, the police officer refused to escort me home and instead hailed down a cab and pr
actically threw me in the backseat. When I got home, my place had been ransacked. The only way the shooters could have known my address, or which car had been mine, is if they had professional help. Someone in the police department had to have leaked my information. I knew then that I’d never be safe if I stayed.”
“What did you do next?”
“I packed a spare change of clothes, grabbed some personal documents and mementoes, and ran. I stayed in a pay by the hour hotel that night and the next morning, I withdrew the money out of my savings and hit the road. I travelled as far east as Texas, but after seeing the same two men sniffing around for the third time, I headed north. When I reached Montana, I eluded them for a week, headed north and then backtracked south again. When they didn’t find me, I bypassed everything and came here. Bear Mountain was my last resort before Canada.”
“I’m glad.” When she whipped her head up, he laughed. “Not about what happened to you, obviously, but that you stopped here. If you hadn’t, I might not have ever found you. Come here.”
He pulled her into his lap and cradled her like he would a small child. Weeks of pent up tension and exhaustion left her body and sleep threatened to take hold. It felt so good to finally be able to tell someone about her ordeal. She closed her eyes and relaxed in the strength of his hold.
“Thank you for trusting me. Rest now, sweetheart. Everything will be okay now, you’ll see,” he said and kissed her forehead.
She smiled and everything except the two of them faded away.
A few hours later, Darcy woke in the darkness.
They were still on the couch, but Seth had removed the back cushions, and they laid side by side. She was pushed up against the back of the couch, and the equivalent of a human blanket covered her. He lay on the outside, but caged her in with his body.
She should have felt threatened, smothered, or at least stiff because she literally couldn’t move, but she didn’t. Instead she felt warm, content and safe. The only other time she’d felt safe over the last few months had been the last time she’d slept in his arms. He didn’t look comfortable, though.
“Seth,” she whispered.
