Bear Shifters of Alaska: Three Book Bundle

by Jenny Brex

  Lily tried to find her words, but she was afraid her voice would crack. “That’s something else, huh?”

  Denver looked at the woman before him. A virtual stranger. They’d only met recently, and yet he trusted her with an important secret. Dumb. So stupid. If she ran, there was no telling who she’d blab the news too. He didn’t need trouble. He liked things quiet, the way they were. Now this.

  And yet he wanted her more and more each day, each moment that passed. He wanted her for his own. He was smarter than that. He let his cock talk for him. Fucking hormones. He’d been living a solitary life for too long. Lily brought life back to his cabin. How ironic, when it was her near death that she entered with.

  “Lily, can you do me a favor? If you’re freaked out, thinking of leaving, nervous, or whatever you’re feeling, talk to me first. Don’t run away scared. It’s simply a piece of who I am. My bear doesn’t lead. My human mind does.”

  She swallowed hard. “What makes you think… never mind. Fine, it’s a big dose of news to take in, you know? Hello, I’m a bear. Big. Growl. Look at this! I’ve never seen a man turn into an animal before. It’s just…it’s more than scary. I look at you, and I see this amazing person who took me in, healed me, and then my world spins on its axis again. I’m still adjusting to the fact that I’m free from living life as a prisoner of his. And now this. I haven’t known what normal was since I was fourteen. That was ten years ago. I get out of my personal hell, escape, live to talk about it – and then the man that saves me – poof, he’s a bear.”

  “Right,” he said quietly. It wasn’t just that he was a shifter. She’d had ten years of unsettled life, a captive of a monster – more heartache than one woman should have after being torn away from her family. He should have held off. Bad move on his part. “If you want to leave, the door is open. You’re not a prisoner here.”

  She rested her hand on his. “I know. I thank you for that. I don’t know what’s up or what’s down anymore. It’s all been overwhelming.”

  “I hope you choose to stay,” he said.

  Chapter 9

  Lily had lived through her own personal hell. She’d only been out of it for a week’s time and already it felt like a weird memory. She’d spent ten years trapped with him breathing down her neck, making sure she didn’t escape.

  “Will you take me for a walk,” she asked. It was a simple request, yet something that had been banned from her life previously.

  Denver asked if there was anywhere she wanted to go – to the store, to get a phone, to just get out of the house.

  “Oh, a phone would be nice. I appreciate you offering me yours to use, but I wasn’t quite ready. I need call my parents. Guilt’s eating at me; I should have called them by now. I’m nervous to go through it all of the emotions and questions. I keep putting it off.”

  Denver listened attentively. “I understand. You’ve been through a lot. Why don’t we go for a walk around the cabin and see how you feel? I’ve got to tell you, I was pretty impressed that you made it out the door with a shotgun, but I’m grateful you weren’t a better shot!”

  Lily flinched. “Yeah, umm, sorry about that.”

  “Don’t apologize. I was glad to see you trying to defend yourself. That’s important. I’ll show you a couple of moves to boost your confidence as you’re stronger. When you’re up for it, we could go to the market.”

  “Are you afraid of being seen with me?”

  “I’m afraid of spiders. That’s about it.”

  “Wait a minute, a big ole guy like yourself, a bear no less, and you’re afraid of little, weenie spiders?”

  Denver laughed. “Hey now, when you put it that way, it sounds bad. Okay, so as a bear I’d probably eat the spider. As a man, not a big fan.”

  Lily cocked her head to the side. “Are there shifter spiders?”

  “You know, I never thought about it. There could be, but I’m not aware of them. There are some wolf shifters that live a couple of towns over. They move in packs, and are more obvious. Bears, we’re loners. I know a few of the guys because I grew up in the area and knew them from school. Oh, and big cat shifters, too. And there are women shifters just like men shifters. It comes down to your folks. Two shifters and they’re bound to get a shifter. One shifter and one human – it’s a fifty-fifty shot.”

  “So if you and I…” She blushed at the thought. “I don’t mean… anyhow… right, we’d have a fifty percent chance?”

  “Pretty much, and I hope you do mean it that way,” he answered with a schoolboy grin.

  “I’m still trying to deal with the fact that you’re a bear and staying put. I’ll be honest. A piece of me wanted to run, but then I realized I’d lived with a monster for ten years. A bear should be a piece of cake,” she said with a laugh.

  Denver wrapped his arm around Lily’s waist and pulled her closer. For a moment, time stood still.

  Lily’s breathing slowed. She was locked in a smoldering gaze.

  Denver couldn’t look away. He leaned down closer, reached over and pushed a strand of hair away from her face, then ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “May I?”

  She nodded and parted her lips.

  Denver knew he wouldn’t always be so polite. His primal bear rarely left him in control when it came to nature and needs. Regardless, with circumstances as they were, he knew to be tender. He lowered his head, parted his lips, and gently tasted her lower lip.

  Lily’s back arched as she reached up to him. Their mouths brushed together. A tiny sigh escaped as he pulled her in closer.

  Breathing in, he enjoyed her scent. Denver reached down and shifted him growing cock. His bear wanted out. Not yet, big boy, not yet. Don’t scare the girl.

  Lily broke free and touched her lips. “Wow. I’ve never been kissed like that before.”

  “Never?”

  “You forget he took me at fourteen. There was nothing good about that man, and I detested when he’d touch me.”

  Denver raked his fingers through her hair. “I hope it’s not the last time you’ll be kissed like that.”

  “You know, I’ve never…” she couldn’t finish the sentence.

  Denver arched an eyebrow.

  “Only against my will,” she whispered. “That doesn’t count.”

  Denver squeezed her tight. It crushed him that she’d lived that way. His neck bristled. Denver drew a deep breath and kept control. “Let’s go for that walk. You know you’re safe, right?”

  “Or you’ll turn into that mean old grizzly bear and scare someone away?”

  “Hey, I’m a snuggling grizzly bear for you, remember that. For somebody else, yes, I’ll chomp their ass and chase them out of here. Seriously, though. I will protect you. Always. Never doubt that.”

  She nodded. “I appreciate all you’ve done for me already. I think it’s what kept me here. When you first told me, I really struggled with reality. I’ve accepted it the best I’m able. I guess over time I’ll get used to it, but it’s still kind of weird.”

  “I get that. I grew up with it. My dad was a shifter, so it was all I ever knew. I didn’t realize my mother wasn’t until I was a little older. I thought everybody was.”

  Lily giggled. “Yeah?”

  He shrugged.

  “Oh! I’m wearing one of your shirts again. I don’t have pants. I didn’t even think. It’s been my outfit for the last few days. I can’t go out without pants.”

  “I think mine would be too big for you, but I might have some sweatpants that won’t fall off of you with the elastic.”

  “We can try, but I’ve got pretty curvy hips,” she added.

  “I’ll go into town and get you a couple of things. Then you can choose a few outfits of your own once you’re dressed. They frown on the pant-less visitors,” he teased, “unless of course you’re wearing a dress.”

  She modeled his t-shirt on her. “Almost like a dress.”

  “We can use my laptop to order a few things online, but even Amazon doesn’t deliv
er out to this address. I need to ship it to my post office.”

  “Wow, a computer,” she said quietly. “I haven’t been on one since…well, it’s been a long time.”

  “Let’s check for those sweatpants,” he said.

  “On second thought, can I maybe use your phone? I think I’m ready to call my parents. I’m not sure why right now is the time, but I think instead of a walk, I’d like to do this first. I can still hear my Dad’s voice in my head and see my mother singing on the porch swing.”

  “Nice memories to have,” he said. “Both of my parents are gone. My father died first, my mother not long after.”

  “I’m sorry.” She gasped. “I didn’t even think of it as a possibility. What if…”

  “Shh, don’t upset yourself before it’s necessary. No use in mourning the living, right?”

  She nodded. “You’re right.”

  Denver dug out the pair of sweatpants he’d mentioned, then handed Lily his phone. “We don’t get amazing signal, but if you go over to the kitchen window, you should have luck there.”

  “Thank you. Thank you for everything.”

  Would she want to rush home to her parents? And if so, would he ever see her again?

  Chapter 10

  Lily cradled the phone between her hands. What would she tell them? How would they handle the news that their daughter who’d been missing for ten years was still alive? How would she explain that she didn’t call them immediately? There were no easy answers. Her entire existence during the last decade had been spent with a monster. She didn’t know what was up or down at this point.

  In just the short span of time that she’d been free the amount of growth she’d accomplished was astounding. She owed that to Denver. He kept her safe and healed her heart and soul. She knew she wasn’t finished working through her emotions and would have years of struggling in front of her.

  How long had her parents looked for her? When was the search called off? Had she been declared missing or dead? Lily hesitantly dialed the number of her childhood home and waited. The phone rang three times and then a familiar voice answered. Lily choked up on hearing her mother’s voice. She tried to get words out but tears came instead.

  “Hello?” The woman waited for an answer and then tried again, “Hello? Is anybody there?”

  Lily forced herself to speak but it came out as a whisper. “Mom?”

  There was no response, only silence.

  “Who is this?” Her mother’s voice was tense and laced with anxiety.

  Lily gripped the phone tightly. She held fast as if the phone would get away and the moment would end. “Mom, it’s Lily.”

  A small gasp slipped out of the woman’s lips. “No.”

  “It’s me. I finally escaped.”

  The woman sat in disbelief. “How do I know this is you?”

  “Pookie. Pookie was our cat. Do you remember when Ian tried to paint him with nail polish?” Lily had no idea why that memory popped into her head. It was the first thing she could think of. She was in a world of pain at her mother’s disbelief and yet completely understood. She remained calm and waited for her mother to digest what she’d said.

  “Oh my gosh, Lily,” her mother whispered. “Is that really you? Where are you? We searched for so many years, I didn’t know if you were alive or dead. The police said the case went cold, and with no new leads there was nothing they could do. Our entire world crashed to the ground the day that you left us.”

  “Left you? I guess that’s the polite way to say it. Abducted, kidnapped, jerked away from my family at a highway rest stop, that’s how I remember it. It took me years just to learn where I was. I’ve been living in a cabin in a remote area of Alaska, and was kept away from people. I’ve been locked in, unable to leave. Living was the wrong choice of words. I’ve been dead inside for a long time, but I’m finally breathing.”

  “Oh sweetheart, I didn’t mean it that way. We did everything in our power to track you down. Ten years, I can’t believe ten years has passed. I’ve missed you every single day. Where are you? Tell me and I’ll come get you.”

  Lily wasn’t sure what to say. “Denver took me in. He found me broken and left for dead on the forest floor. When I tried to leave, the man who kidnapped me caught me. It wasn’t pretty. He beat me pretty badly. Denver, Mom, Denver saved my life. Anyway, I’m staying with him right now while I finish healing. He’s the reason I have a thread of sanity at the moment.”

  “Oh, Lily I’m so sorry. Oh, baby.” She was broken up on hearing the details. “We’ll get you the finest doctors and make sure you’re healthy. I don’t think staying with a stranger is the right place to be after everything you’ve gone through. Tell me where you are and I’ll come for you.”

  “I know you won’t understand this, but I’m not ready to see you. Soon, I promise. Very soon. I’m still digesting the fact that I’m free, everything I’ve been through, and I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. Don’t worry, I’m safe here. Denver is a good man.” Okay, so maybe he was part bear, a shifter who split his time between his man form and his bear form, but he was a good being.

  Lily’s mother held her voice as steady as possible. She still couldn’t hide the tears or the trembling in her voice. “I understand. Please don’t take long. I’ve missed you so much. And your father would’ve been so happy to know that you’re alive. I think he gave up hope at the end.”

  “Was? What do you mean?” She stiffened.

  “Lily, I’m so sorry. Your father passed away last year from a heart attack.”

  Lily froze. Her entire body went rigid on hearing the news. A heart attack? He was too young. He should still be alive. There was a point where she realized she would never see her parents again, but with her freedom her reality changed. Her anger raged at Abe. It was yet another thing he’d stolen from her. She’d never see her father again.

  “Ian? Where’s Ian?” Lily finally asked.

  “He’s up at college. He’s studying at Penn State. I’m so lonely. I miss my family. I never thought I’d see you again. And this house, it’s so big and empty. Please come home to me.”

  She mumbled like a child. “Okay, Mom.”

  Chapter 11

  When Lily hung up the phone, Denver was standing by her side. The look on her face had gone from hopeful to confused. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder and waited for her to speak.

  “My father died last year. I’ll never see him again.” Her eyes welled with tears. “He’s gone.”

  Denver pulled her into his arms and held her close. He knew what it was like to lose a parent and the shock of it all. But this on top of her other burdens could cause her to crack. He tenderly kissed her forehead. Denver chose his words carefully. “Lily, you’re welcome to stay as long as you want. I understand if you need to go home. I won’t pressure on you to stick around. I have no claims to you, but hope once you’ve gone home, you’ll consider returning to me.”

  Lily tipped her chin up so she could look into his eyes. “I don’t want to leave you. I feel safe here. I don’t want to go home. Does that make me a horrible person? I thought if I was ever free that home would be the only place I’d want to be. And yet now, I’m not so sure about that. You could come with me. We could go back together, just for a short stay.”

  “Lily, I’m not allowed to fly. When we’re born, if we’re shifters, they add us to a registry. The government knows who I am, what I am, and small enclosed spaces in the sky apparently are off-limits. It makes no sense to me because I can control what part of me I reveal. But the government seems to think they know better. Bear shifters and other large breeds such as wolves and big cats have been banned from flying commercial airlines for the past 30 years. I believe there was an incident that started it all, but regardless this bear can’t fly. And no bush plane is going to fly me clear across the country.”

  “That’s ludicrous!” Lily backed out of his hold. She turned and walked to the bedroom. “I need to lie down. Will you join me
?”

  Denver followed behind her. He wanted nothing more than hold her and keep her to himself. A selfish as it was, he was grateful she wanted him by her side. But she needed to go home, see her family if she was going to move forward emotionally.

  In the short time she’d been with him he’d grown fond of the girl. Protective. He didn’t see himself as somebody that wanted to be tied down, in a committed relationship, or wanting a family. Never before had somebody touched his heart in the way that Lily did. Maybe it was what she’d been through. Maybe it’s what he did for her. None of it mattered. All he knew was that Lily Scott belonged in his arms.

  The bed gently squeaked as Lily climbed under the covers. The comforter was a well-worn assortment of quilted fabric pieces in no particular pattern. It seemed homemade and well loved. She tucked her arm up under her head and propped up on her elbow.

  Denver kicked off his shoes and climbed onto the bed. He turned to face Lily. “Are you okay?”

  “For now,” she answered.

  Denver wrapped his arm around her waist. He couldn’t help but let his hand slide down and rest on her curvy, plump hip. He loved the shape of her body and his bear’s primal side was itching for a taste of her sweet, sweet skin.

  Lily bit her bottom lip and gazed into Denver’s eyes. He was handsome, strong, and proved he was willing to do anything for her. She’d never been in a regular relationship, but if she were, he was the kind of man she’d want. She leaned in and parted her lips.

  Denver moved closer. He swept his tongue over her lip and then explored her mouth.

  She wanted to wrap around him but was under the covers. Afraid of losing the moment she stayed where she was. His mouth was warm, his lips tender, and he tasted amazing. It was like she couldn’t get enough of him, like she’d never kissed anybody before, well it’s not like she really had. She didn’t have a lot of experience to go by.