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

by Lauren Lively

  “Let’s go check on them. You can have me again later,” she said and smirked.

  “Sorry. I’ve been told the mating fever is fierce. I think it’s even worse since it got interrupted and you were taken.”

  She looped her arm through his and smiled up at him. “I understand. I’ve never felt like this before. We do need to talk though. There are some things that happened. Something I don’t understand.”

  “I know baby. We will.”

  He led her outside and by the time they made it to the infirmary the news had spread and everyone offered their support and asked if she needed anything. Eliana was family now. It was their way. The moment he knew she was his, he knew everyone would accept her. She was one of them now.

  Eden smiled as soon as she saw them. “Thank god he found you.”

  Eliana recoiled from Eden and her eyes widened. “Why do I love her?” she asked in a whisper.

  “That’s Eden. Apparently you have a connection to her through me. What you feel is all of our emotions.”

  “Oh.”

  “She was the one who was able to tell me you were alive. You’d shut me out and I panicked.”

  “How’s the woman I found?” She asked, but by the look of sorrow on Gyyx’s face it wasn’t good.

  Eden sighed. “I’ve healed her body the best I can. She had some nasty bites and such. I don’t know, I don’t think I’m as strong as Ciyrs, and with the baby I don’t have as much energy.” She rubbed her belly smiling.

  Gyyx looked at him pleading. “Please help her.”

  “Just don’t try to rip my arms off when I touch her.”

  “I won’t. I want her to wake up.”

  He kept his hand wrapped around Eliana’s and stood next to Eden. She backed away giving him space, and he took a deep breath before letting go of his mate’s hand. With cautious movements he lowered his hands to the unconscious woman. As soon as his hands made contact an electric shock tore through him. He was thrown back against the wall and landed with a large thump.

  Eliana ran to him and helped him to his feet. “What the hell was that?”

  Gyyx looked at him with wide eyes. “I didn’t touch you I swear.”

  “I know, but she certainly didn’t want me touching her. Eden did you get shocked?”

  “No, but I’m also not as strong as you.”

  Ciyrs rubbed his head and eyed the new stranger. She was certainly alive. They had no idea who she was, how long she was with the Klimnu. He could sense she was human so he knew she wasn’t actually one of their enemies. It was strange. It was almost as if she knew he wasn’t her mate. She didn’t want his touch.

  “Touch her Gyyx,” he said trying to test his theory.

  “What?”

  He sighed. “Work with me here. Touch her.”

  Gyyx ran his finger over the bare skin of her arm. He wasn’t slammed around and in the silence they heard a small gasp. She didn’t wake up, but there was movement behind her closed lids.

  “She knows you. Somehow she knows you’re the one meant to touch her. Now I’m going to touch her again and see what happens.”

  Clenching his jaw he did the same thing Gyyx did and before he finished his move pain tore through his body and he was again thrown back. This time it felt like the electric shock had been powered up a notch. “Holy fucking shit, that hurt.”

  “I think you’re theory is correct, Ciyrs, please stop the pain hurts me too,” said Eden and her face was pale.

  He rushed to her side. “Oh baby doll, I’m sorry. I just wanted to see if this woman was aware. Part of her is.” He pulled her into a hug and froze when he heard a gasp.

  He pulled away from Eden only to turn to see his mate running out of the infirmary. Shit. He winced and ran after her. He couldn’t leave her alone. Not so soon after getting her back, but he had a feeling he was in trouble.

  Chapter 4

  I couldn’t take it. I knew they had a bond, but his cute little pet name for her, and the way they hugged. Something inside of me snapped and I had to get out. Rationally I knew I had nothing to worry about. She was mated to Pyra, and me and Ciyrs’s bond was growing stronger by the hour. I’d never felt this type of jealously before, and I didn’t like it.

  I grew up alone, always being second best. I wouldn’t do it again. I was either his number one or nothing. Too many years of being shoved off had hardened my heart. The part of me that craved love also feared it as much.

  I ran faster than I ever had before, and when I came to a rock that looked over a huge lake I sat down. The sun glistened on the water and it sparkled. It was beautiful, and I found myself falling in love with the land even more.

  I felt a presence and tensed. It was Pyra—last time I saw him I was kidnapped. I opened my mouth to scream, but there was something real about him. I eyed him weary ready to defend myself.

  “It’s really you right?”

  “Yes, I’m so sorry that you were kidnapped. I hate that it was my face they stole. Those fuckers are going to pay—one day. As soon as we can figure out how to get the upper hand.”

  His temper, yep it was certainly Pyra. “They feed off of your temper.”

  “How do you know?”

  “The one who took me, he told me. He also said they need the king. Something about his power is important to their kind. But you guys are good. Those nasty pricks haven’t been able to get to him.”

  Pyra paced. “They will not take my father. I’ll kill them all first.” He eyed me curiously. “So why are you out here alone after you just got back?”

  I shook my head feeling stupid. He was right. I shouldn’t have been running off alone. Tears spilled before I could stop them. “Their bond, how do you deal with it?”

  He nodded in understanding and sat on the ground. “Ah, the bond between my mate and yours. It sucks, I won’t lie. They have a connection that is unbreakable, and it’s annoying as shit. No matter how much I love my brother, I don’t like that he knows things I don’t, or before I do. Eden keeps us in line. It’s not easy, but I promise you’ll adjust. It’s just something you live with for the other. You love Ciyrs?”

  I nodded.

  “Then you love Eden?”

  “Apparently so, meeting her was strange. I’d never had such feelings for a woman before. It was quite off putting especially because I didn’t understand it. He said they had a bond, but I didn’t realize it would affect me too. I guess I’m just jealous and scared all at once.”

  “It will get better with time. Soon it will be like a bee buzzing in your ear. You swat it away, but it keeps coming back for more until eventually you just ignore it and let it buzz in your ear. I’ll admit I’ve destroyed a lot of things dealing with it.”

  “Maybe I need to. No offense against your mate, but I don’t feel comfortable with it at all. I don’t want to be second. I’ve spent my whole life that way. Always the second choice. Always the second in line. I promised myself to be first even if I had to spend my life alone to achieve it.”

  “You’ll always be first baby.” I hadn’t heard Ciyrs and I cringed knowing he’d heard my little break down.

  I didn’t turn towards him, and I smiled down at Pyra when he patted my leg before leaving us alone.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t think to explain things better. I also shouldn’t have put my hands on her in front of you. Not this soon after fully completing the bond again. I just—it’s so hard to explain.”

  “I understand,” I said, but I didn’t. Maybe one day I would, but until then I wouldn’t ever be okay with his emotions for her. “I feel your love for her. It’s not something I’m okay with, but I suppose I don’t have a choice. No matter how much I want you to myself, it will never happen.”

  I stood and faced him but I couldn’t meet his eye. Seemed fate hated me just as I always thought.

  “It’s not even like that, sweetheart. I love her like a sister. Denynso are close by nature anyways. We love strong, but the love I feel for her is certainly
different than the love I feel for you. You’re always going to be my number one, but she will always be important to me.”

  I nodded. It wasn’t rational, but I wanted to be alone, away from them all. I wouldn’t lie, I felt like throwing a tantrum like a child, but I was almost 30, I was an adult, even if I didn’t want to be at the moment. “Please take me somewhere so I can be alone.”

  He sighed and tried to grab my hand. I yanked it back and did my best to ignore the hurt.

  “I can’t, not right now okay. Please I just need to find a way to deal with this in my own way.”

  He nodded and walked in front of me keeping his pace slow. I felt the tension and I felt how upset he was, but I couldn’t do anything about it when I couldn’t even deal with myself. “It’s not your fault I know. It’s going to take some adjusting.” I kept my voice low, but I knew he heard me. He didn’t turn around or respond, and I felt my heartbreak. It was my own damn fault. I’d hurt him, but things inside of me were different now. After being locked away in a cage I realized something. I deserved to have everything I ever wanted. All the loathing and self-hate that was ingrained into me my whole life suddenly hadn’t mattered.

  I fought to take my life back, and this was just another step. If he knew me he’d understand. One day I’d tell him. Until then things were going to be tense.

  He led me to the huge house I had started in and the queen opened the door. She smiled at him but then her smile fell when she saw the distance between us. My face was streaked with tears.

  “Oh my dears, what’s wrong?”

  Ciyrs went rigid. “Can she stay with you guys for a while? She needs some time.” His tone was low and controlled, but I heard the catch.

  “Time? For what?”

  “She realized the depth of the bond between me and Eden. She’s struggling.” Then he ran away. There was no goodbye or anything. He didn’t even look at me.

  The tears came in a flood and I fell to the ground sobbing. I felt the queen’s arm around me as she lifted me from the ground. “Oh my dear, Shh. It will be okay. One day you’ll understand. Eden isn’t a threat to your bond. She’s your sister.”

  I nodded as she led me inside. “I know that, but it’s hard. He doesn’t understand what my life was like. People like me weren’t loved. We were chosen when what the person wanted wasn’t available. My past is haunting me.”

  Before I knew it I was sitting at a table with food in front of me.

  “Eat, and talk. I’m here to listen.”

  And I did. For the first time in my life I talked about all the things I held locked up inside. All the things that haunted my dreams. All the things that made me who I was. She listened patiently asking questions here and there, but mostly she listened. I’d never talked about any of this. By the time I had finished eating, a heavy weight had been lifted off of my shoulder. I was free from all the demons of my past.

  Chapter 5

  Ciyrs sat on the porch only feeling slightly guilty for eavesdropping. He didn’t get it. He felt her shut down completely. When she pulled back from his touch, he nearly fell apart. She’d been gone for a week, and that whole time he went crazy. He just got her back, and already she was pushing him away.

  Now though after hearing her story he understood. The bond with Eden was strong, but for his mate he would do anything. If he needed to put some space between them he would. But he wouldn’t leave Eliana alone again. She needed him to show her that she was important. He could do that.

  Wiping away the tears he stood and took a deep breath before going inside. She seemed to know he was there because her body tensed. He saw her back go rigid.

  “I’m so sorry baby,” he said and then he knelt beside her chair.

  “It’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have run and I should have talked to you, it’s just hard.” She wiped her eyes. “I’m guessing you heard.”

  “You’re nuts if you thought I was actually going to leave you alone. We’re stubborn.”

  The queen laughed. “That we are. It’s in our nature to love and stay close to one another. We’re one giant family. One you’re now a part of. Get used to everyone being in your business now dear.” Then she nodded at Ciyrs and left them alone.

  As soon as they were alone, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her close. “Please stop being angry with me. I can’t control my bond, but I’ll do whatever it takes to prove to you that I’m utterly in love with you—only.”

  “I know that, and I’m sorry I acted like a spoiled child. It’s just really hard knowing you have such a close bond with another woman. I’ve never been this jealous in my life. I don’t like what it does to me.”

  “It’s understandable. Now can we go back because I really want to figure out how to get that damn woman to wake up? I have a feeling Gyyx is going to be the next one of us to fall apart if we don’t figure out what’s wrong.”

  “I sort of had an idea about that, so let’s go.”

  “What idea?”

  “You’ll hear it when the others do. It’s my own theory.”

  He nodded and stood bringing her to her feet. “Well let’s go see if we can figure out if you’re right or not.”

  “Then we can go home right?”

  “Home?”

  She nodded. “Anywhere with you is home.”

  He smiled and picked up his pace to get back to the infirmary. When they went inside Eden nodded. She’d felt everything between them, and understood. When she came over to Elaina she pulled her hand from mine and laid it on her heart. “I love Ciyrs and I love you, but not the way I love Pyra. You never have to worry. There isn’t anything between us.”

  “I know,” she whispered. “It’s just tough, try being in our shoes sometime though. I understand what Pyra feels.”

  Eden’s eyes flared. “I understand that, but every time you hurt him, you hurt me. I feel it all. I feel your distrust and that hurts me.”

  Eliana pulled her hand back. “I’m sorry, but where I come from trust is earned. No offense.”

  “Fair enough,” Eden said and walked away.

  Ciyrs felt her emotions brewing and took a deep breath. She was upset that Eliana didn’t automatically trust her word. She wasn’t used to it.

  He led her over to where the woman and Gyyx were. “She has an idea.”

  Gyyx looked at her with such pleading hope. “I’m all ears. I’m willing to do anything.”

  “Good because this might come off as a little strange.” She ran her hand over Gyyx’s hand that was wrapped around the woman’s. “She knows you. There is something that allows her subconscious to enjoy your touch. We all witnessed what happened. I can touch her, and she is calm, probably because I’m not only a woman, but I’m the one who found her. She was awake when we met.” She fidgeted. “You’re her mate right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then do to her what you would do if she were awake.”

  His eyes widened. “You mean?”

  Eliana blushed. “Yes, if anything can save her, it’s the intimate touch of her mate. I think if you were to give her an orgasm, well let’s just say it may save her life. The sooner she wakes up the better.”

  Gyyx didn’t look convinced. “I don’t think it would be appropriate to touch my mate when she isn’t aware.”

  Eden stepped up. “Pyra did. Remember? It was his touch that brought me out of whatever happened. Remember I healed him after.”

  “Yeah but you were also in the midst of turning Eden, this is different. She’s been tortured, what if they’ve—hell I can’t even say it.” Gyyx was tortured.

  Eliana smiled. “Normally I’d agree with you. I’ve been on the streets for a lot of my life. You don’t just touch an unconscious woman, but this is different. I’m not saying have sex with her. Just touch her. I’m sure you know how to make a woman climax.”

  “Well yeah.”

  Ciyrs liked her idea. It would let them know. “I think she’s right. She’s already proven to like your touch.
Just don’t go overboard, and be sure to keep your balls safe when she wakes up freaking out because you’re touching her. Have an explanation ready.”

  Eliana elbowed him. “She’ll certainly be surprised. But obviously she senses you and is fine. She’s probably aware and we don’t even know it. She might understand everything we’re saying right now.”

  Gyyx ran his hand over her stomach. They watched as her eyes fluttered.

  “See she wants your touch. Why don’t you take her into a private area? We’ll leave you alone.”

  Ciyrs was amazed. All it took was the smallest intimate touch and the woman reacted. Not enough to wake up, but enough to let them know she was in there somewhere. She was the key to finding out how to get rid of the Klimnu for good. By the looks of it, she had been with them for a while and he had a feeling she’d have a score to settle. The sooner she woke up the better it was for everyone. Not just Gyyx, who looked as tortured as he had before finding Eliana.

  Chapter 6

  I tugged on Ciyrs’s hand. “Let’s leave them alone. I know I’m right. I want to go home.”

  She loved his smile, and his face lit up when she said home. “Okay baby.” Then he turned to his friend. “I’ll be back to check on her later.”

  “We’re going to be fine,” Gyyx replied. “Now take your woman home.”

  When they stepped out onto the grass he scooped me up in his arms and ran. My giggle echoed through the wind.

  When he put me on my feet I had my own idea. I wanted to do something for him. Something I had never done before. All the time he searched for me, and then all the crap with my stupid emotions. I spun and ran to the bedroom knowing he’d follow. I slid out of my pants when he walked in the room. When he would have touched me I shook my head and held out my hand stopping him in place.

  I stood naked and smiled. “Strip.”

  He raised a brow but there was no hesitance in following my order.

  I watched him strip and licked my lips. He was gorgeous and his muscles enticed me. I wanted to lick him everywhere, and that’s what I was going to do. I was going to take care of him. When he stood naked I pointed to the bed. “Lay down, on your back.”