Saved by a Bear (Legends of Black Salmon Falls Book 2)

by Lauren Lively

  We sat down on the couch and I curled up against his strong, toned body. I laid my head on his chest and smiled when he kissed the top of my head and stroked my hair.

  “So, since Emily is going to be recovering for a while, I thought I might stick around,” I said.

  “I can't tell you how happy it makes me to hear that,” he replied.

  “And maybe, even after she recovers,” I said, feeling butterflies battering the inside of my stomach, “I might want to stick around too.”

  He looked down at me, a look of surprise on his face. “Really?”

  I nodded. “Really,” I said. “I mean, I love what I do and still plan on being a journalist, but I was thinking about how beautiful it is up here and that I can understand why Emily fell in love with the area. It might not be a bad home base.”

  Luca smiled. “You know,” he said. “I was thinking about buying a new house. I found one on a nice piece of land. Surrounded by forest on all sides. A river and a lake on the property. It's peaceful. Serene. A place you can really just enjoy being amongst nature. But I couldn't really justify buying it if it was only for me. Five bedrooms and a guest house seemed like too much for one person, you know?”

  I bit my bottom lip and smiled at him. “I think it sounds like a little slice of heaven.”

  “It is,” he said. “And it would be a bigger slice of heaven if you shared it with me. Emily can live in the guest house if she wishes. But I think having a home – with you – would make me the happiest man on the planet.”

  Putting every ounce of emotion I felt for him behind it, I kissed Luca deeply. And when I pulled back, I smiled at him. No more words seemed necessary. I laid my head back down on his chest and traced the tips of my fingers across his bare skin.

  My sister was safe and although her recovery would be long and arduous, she was going to live. And eventually, she would recover. I was determined that she would once again, be the bright, shining light she used to be. I had the love of a man who was better than I could have ever imagined possible and we were living in a place that really was a slice of heaven.

  As I looked out at the forest that lay beyond the windows in Luca's living room, I reflected on the journey that had brought me there. And far from encountering a nightmare as I thought I would, I actually found the world of my dreams.

  The road ahead might not always be easy, but for the first time in my life, I was truly happy. Content. Satisfied.

  “You know though,” Luca said. “If we're going to live together, we're going to have to do something about your crap taste in music. I don't know that I can listen to that stupid Pina Colada song ever again.”

  I laughed hard and playfully smacked him in the arm. “Shut up.”

  We lay together and laughed, talked, and loved each other until we both fell into a deep, peaceful sleep. And it was the most peaceful sleep I'd ever had – because I knew I was loved.

  THE END

  UORIA (SERIES PREVIEW)

  BOOK 1 – CAPTURED BY SWEET ALIEN

  Chapter 1

  The hairs on my neck stood. It happened every time my boss was near. He gave me the creeps and on more than one occasion I had to politely remind him to keep his filthy hands to himself. Ever since I turned down his advances he made up his mind on giving me the worst cases and projects. I lifted my tired eyes to see him standing in front of my desk with a smirk. I knew that look. It meant he had something planned—and I wasn’t going to like it.

  “Ms. Baines, I have a new assignment for you.”

  Leaning back in my chair I nodded giving him permission to sit in the chair and waited for him to spit it out.

  “You’re going on a trip.”

  “Where to?”

  “Uoria.”

  I gulped. Out of all the places he could have sent me and it was to the planet full of the most temperamental species humans had ever studied. “What for?”

  “We need to learn more about them, what’s in their blood.”

  I gasped. “You know that’s against the rules, Ryan.” Everyone knew that the King and Queen made the rules. They still allowed us to do testing, but never of their blood. And I knew what happened to those who tried getting the blood of a Denynso. They never came back that’s what.

  He shrugged. “You’re sneaky enough and no one pays much attention to you. We need to know what makes them so powerful.”

  His eyes lit up and I shuddered. I knew exactly why he wanted a sample of their blood. It was the same reason every other scientist wanted it, and it was exactly why they had all failed.

  “Oh, and preferably the blood from their strongest warrior is what you need to get. You’ve heard of him right?”

  Of course I had. Everyone in my line of work had heard of the monstrous Denynso called Pyra. He was one mean son of a bitch and no one wanted near him. Well, besides all the women that vied for a place in his bed. But there was nothing scientific about that.

  “You know I won’t do that.”

  He shrugged. “Then you’re job is as good as gone and so will your reputation. You’ll never work again. Not in this field!” He spun on his heel and looked over his shoulder. “Might as well practice saying, “Do you want fries with that?” because that’s the only work you’ll ever get. You know how much we need this information.”

  “Wait,” I said and sighed. I couldn’t lose my job. It was all I had, my livelihood. I’d have to find a way to convince the leaders to let me have a sample and test it. Maybe fudge the results or something. I would find a way. “I’ll do it!” I prayed I live long enough to explain why I was asking for the one thing they’d refused since we learned of their species.

  His smile widened as if he had won the biggest prize. He knew I wouldn’t be coming back and that was his plan all along. They’d kill me before I got close enough to the warrior, and if I managed to sneak by he’d break my neck with two fingers. I shuddered. This wasn’t going to be a fun vacation. I needed to form a plan and offer the Denynso something they couldn’t resist, but I didn’t have anything—not really. I only hoped I could get them on the off chance that they wouldn’t want me to lose my job. Maybe they’d feel sorry for me, throw me a bone or something. No matter how small it was, I’d take it.

  “Good, I knew you’d see it my way. You need to be ready at four a.m.”

  Then he left me stewing knowing he’d given me an impossible task. If I was going down, I was taking that piece of shit down with me. I smiled evilly. They were an angry species. It shouldn’t be too hard to piss them off and let them know it was all Ryan’s idea.

  After he left me alone, I did what I was best at. I hacked the system and copied the surveillance from my office. Right there I’d be able to prove what was going on to the Denynso, if I could play it. I already knew there wasn’t electricity, but I’d charge my laptop for that purpose alone. Proof my boss was a scumbag and it was his idea to send me there to specifically break their rules. Maybe I’d have a chance to survive my stay there, but coming back home wouldn’t be so great.

  Chapter 2

  I was ready to go and waited for my boss well before four. I hadn’t slept at all. All night I planned how I would handle the situation my boss had put me in. I knew they would be expecting another scientist. I’d have to meet with them before I step foot on their compound. From what I had learned it was a very secure planet. Warriors scoured the land to keep watch over the humans, and be on the lookout for an attack from their enemies.

  I shuddered and thought about what I’d heard about their enemies. There were several horror stories of the attacks on Uoria. The Klimnu were disgusting beasts. Luckily they hadn’t managed to make it to Earth yet or humans would be in big trouble.

  Ryan strolled up to me at four on the dot and smiled handing over my paperwork.

  “Here’s all the stuff you’ll need when you get there. I have you down as routine testing for plant and animal life. You’re there for up to six months. That should be plenty of time to get what I n
eed.” He gave me a look and I didn’t miss the tone.

  I nodded, but inside I was fuming. He was trying to get me killed. I was his competition, and the one that turned his ass down. He didn’t take rejection well, and now I was paying for it. But I was smarter than him and would come up on top.

  “All right, well you know how to get in contact if you need anything, but I’m sure you won’t.”

  I kept my mouth shut because this was all a fucking set up. I couldn’t believe he’d stoop so low, but maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was up for the promotion he wanted. Luckily I’d learned to control my Irish temper. My mother always told me one day it would come in handy to have self-control, and now I was learning.

  Without a word I picked up my bags and boarded the ship. I was nervous as hell. This was the first time I was traveling to another planet, and I wasn’t too sure about it. I wasn’t the type of person who wanted to experience new things. I’d much rather stay in the lab by myself. I felt Ryan’s eyes burning into my back and straightened without turning back. He wouldn’t get a rise out of me. As soon as the metal door clanged closed I let out the breath I’d been holding and muttered, “stupid ass mother fucker.” He would get his.

  The very human pilot chuckled. Apparently I spoke a little louder than I thought. Oh well. Everyone knew how I felt about Ryan so it wouldn’t be a surprise that I’d be cursing him. They also knew I had a temper and I held a grudge like no other. I glared at the man and he shrugged before getting ready to take off.

  The ship shook and my stomach dropped. Leaning back in my seat I held my breath and closed my eyes. My hands gripped the arm rests and I clenched my teeth as I was lifted into the air at an unknown speed. My stomach rose back up into my throat and I nearly lost what little I had eaten. As soon as the ship leveled some I was able to relax but the speed hadn’t slowed and I kept my eyes shut hoping the medication I had taken would kick in soon knocking my ass out.

  * * * *

  I woke up to the pilot shaking me. I swung my fist and smiled when I heard the satisfying crunch of the bone in his nose breaking. I didn’t like being touched especially without permission.

  “Shit!” he shrieked. “What the hell, I was only waking you up. I’ve been trying for nearly an hour. These warriors are starting to get antsy.”

  I shot up and grimaced. “Sorry,” I replied sheepishly. Now I felt bad. “Sorry about your nose.”

  “It fucking hurts. No wonder everyone is scared of you.” His eyes watered and he’d lifted his shirt to catch the blood.

  I smirked. “Yeah, well next time refrain from touching me. Use a blow horn if you have to, but keep your damn hands to yourself.”

  He nodded and winced. “You got it, but please get the hell of my ship.”

  I stood and stretched knowing I’d just slept for probably five days. My body wasn’t ready to stand and I wobbled but caught myself before I fell. “Give me five.”

  He didn’t respond so I took it as an okay and paced the small area while the rest of my body woke up. I needed to be alert when I met the King and Queen. My insides fluttered like butterflies. I wasn’t the biggest socialite and meeting people, human or not, wasn’t my thing. After the given five minutes I walked behind the pilot and laid a hand on his shoulder. He jumped and looked at me in fear.

  “Thank you for the ride, and again, I’m sorry about your nose.”

  He nodded curtly. The bleeding had stopped but his right eye was almost swollen shut. “I’ll remember the blow horn next time.”

  I chuckled. At least he was able to find humor in getting his ass kicked by a woman.

  I stepped off of the ship and gasped. It was so familiar, yet not. Everything was so alive. The grass waved in wind, and the sky was almost violet with pinks and oranges. It was breathtaking. I stood taking in the surroundings. The ship rumbled to life vibrating the ground. I didn’t even bother looking back. I was stuck here for the next six months. Life was about to get a whole hell of a lot more interesting.

  My view was blocked by the largest body I had ever seen. Even I felt tiny to the beast in front of me, and instinctively I balled my hands into fists. I had to be in front of the warrior everyone spoke about.

  “You’re the new one?” he asked in a gruff voice that vibrated along my skin. The sound shot right through my body.

  I gulped and looked up, and then up some more before nodding. “Yes, I’m Eden Baines.”

  He smirked down at me. “Come, you must meet the King and Queen.” His voice was a bit tenser, and I wondered why. Must have been that temper I had heard about.

  Chapter 3

  Pyra wanted to roar. The moment she spoke, something inside of him came to life. A heat so intense filled him he was barely able to hold back his gasp. It wasn’t acceptable. This measly human was not his mate. She was tiny. There was no way she’d be able to handle all seven feet, and three inches of him.

  He wasn’t ready to be shackled down by the all-consuming love he’d feel for her. His body already was going through the change, and they hadn’t even touched. He had this feeling for days. He was edgier than normal, though for him that wasn’t saying much. He flew off the handle more than once and fought five of his brethren. Now he understood why.

  He stalked to the main house, not looking back. He couldn’t look at her, not yet. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep his hands to himself if he really saw her. From what he’d seen she was perfect. Fairly tall for a human woman, pale skin, fiery red hair, that he knew would match the glint in her bright green eyes. He noticed every tiny freckle that dusted her skin. He hadn’t missed the slight gap between her two front teeth when she spoke. He also didn’t miss the way she averted her eyes or didn’t offer her hand like most of the others did. She didn’t want to be there, he could tell right off.

  She did well to keep up with him. She kept space between them, and it was only her heavy breathing that let him know that his pace was too fast. His mind automatically went to helping his mate and he slowed—too much because she slammed right into him and flew back from the force of hitting him.

  She yelped and skidded on the soft grass. “Hey fucker,” she yelled.

  He spun around surprised by the vulgar word coming from her sweet looking lips.

  “You nearly killed me!” She stood and wiped her hands on her jeans. Her face was flushed from anger. When she realized all the warriors nearby stopped and she turned brighter and looked at the ground nibbling her lip.

  Pyra wanted to brush her hair from her face, wanted to suck that lip, but instead he bowed his head. “I apologize.”

  She glared up at him as if she thought he wasn’t serious, but she nodded and started walking again. He turned back around and turned to the path to the Great House.

  He could hear the loud thump of her heart but kept his eyes forward. She was a spitfire, but now she was embarrassed. He could sense it. “You know, you sound much like us when we get pissed. You have a formidable temper.” he called over his shoulder.

  “So I’ve heard,” she grumbled and he chuckled.

  “Here that’s normal, don’t feel embarrassed by your outburst. My brothers were all just surprised to see a human act like us so much.”

  “I usually have better control.”

  “I doubt it. I think you react without thinking 90 percent of the time.”

  “If that was the case I’d have lost my job the first time my boss touched my ass. So no, I think I’m good with control.”

  He liked her snarky attitude, but what she said pissed him the hell off. He spun and again she ran into him apparently not paying attention and this time before she flew back he gripped her shoulders and held her up. She gasped and looked at him with wide eyes. She felt it too. The touch of the mate, he closed his eyes and bit his lips trying to gain control. All it took was the one touch and he wanted to throw her on the ground and ravage her until she knew who she belonged to. He rubbed his thumbs in circles on each shoulder and then the pain hit
.

  The little woman brought her knee up a second time when the first wasn’t enough. She kneed him hard and shoved him back. Dammit she was tough. He buckled over and groaned. When he lifted his eyes he knew there was fire in them because she backed away fearfully.

  “That fuckin’ hurt!”

  “Well don’t touch me asshole!”

  Oh yes, she was his. As much as his nuts hurt, his dick was still harder. Her hands were fisted in defense and her chest heaved. More strands of her hair fell from the tie and surrounded her face. Her pouty lips puckered up and her nose scrunched adorably.

  When he could stand normally again, because he wasn’t lying, it had hurt like a bitch. She was one tough human. “You are amazing,” he breathed.

  She froze and he could see her body shaking in rage. Someone had hurt her because she learned very quickly that she did not like to be touched.

  She stood tall and waited, for what he wasn’t sure, but he knew she wasn’t going to be easy. His mate would challenge him. He smiled thinking his life just got a hell of a lot more interesting. “I won’t touch you, but this time I was trying to keep you from getting hurt.”

  She glared. “Fine, but let’s get a move on please. I need to talk to your King and Queen.”

  “Very well.” He wasn’t happy that she didn’t seem to like him; not even a little bit. He was the type that grew on others over time. Yeah that was it. He led the way and met his parents. They’d heard the commotion and were about to send his brothers for him. He shook his head.

  “It’s okay she doesn’t like being touched.” He told them with a shrug. She was behind him so she didn’t see the look that passed between him and his parents. His father smirked and his mother, though leery, smiled wide. That was all they needed to know, and no harm would come of her. Ever.

  She stood beside him after she had composed herself and gasped. His parents made an impression. Father with his foot tall Mohawk, much like his own with his pure orange eyes signifying his mating. He was even taller than Pyra at seven and a half feet tall. He had jagged scars from the battles he had survived. They were a badge of honor for their kind. His mother had knee length white hair and her eyes were also orange but lighter. She was tall, thin, and at nearly seven feet her frame was willowy.