Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love (Lori) BBW Bear Shifter Romance (Hope Valley BBW Dating App Romance Book 5)

by Ariana Hawkes

  “Logan?” she whispered. The bear walked forward on all four paws, stretched its long muzzle towards her hand, and gave it a lick. She lifted her hand, still trembling a little, and placed it on the bear’s head. Its fur – Logan’s fur – was so soft and luxuriant. Growing more confident, she stroked his ears, and his muzzle, and his cute leathery nose. He turned his head in the direction of the other bears, and she followed his gaze. He gave a little bark, and they stopped rolling around in the dirt, got to their feet, backed up onto their hind legs and raised a paw. They were waving to her. They were all the guys she’d met at the garden party. Not that she could identify them individually, but it was them: Logan’s clan. She waved back at them, and they returned to their tumbles. Logan stepped closer to the door, and nosed it wide open. Slipping past her, he walked into the cabin. Dina followed him hesitantly, and closed the door.

  As she stood and watched, something began to change in his bear’s body. His fur seemed to be disappearing. His head was shrinking, the muzzle shortening. His torso became tighter, more compact, while his limbs lengthened. Then it happened in the blink of an eye: he had human skin, and his muscles rippled; there was the sound of bones cracking, followed by a loud crunch and a kind of whoosh. And he was standing on two feet: a naked man. Dina ran over to Logan and wrapped her arms around him. Her eyes stung with emotion. Logan squeezed her tight, gently rubbing her back.

  “I’m so sorry for scaring you, baby,” he said tenderly.

  “I wasn’t scared,” she whispered. He laughed. “Dina, I could smell it on you. You can’t hide things like that from me, you know!” She looked up at him.

  “I’m sorry. I was so happy to finally see you as a bear; I didn’t want you to think I didn’t like it. I was a little scared at first, but as soon as I understood it was you, it was fine.”

  “Good,” he said, stroking her face. “I felt like this was the only thing missing from our pair bonding. Now we’re complete.” He lifted her chin with his thumb, so she was looking him in the eye. “Dina, I love you,” he said.

  “Oh, Logan, I love you too,” she replied, eyes bright with tears of happiness.

  “You do?” he whispered, as if he could scarcely believe it.

  “I do. My feelings have been growing for you every day, as we’ve been spending all this time together and getting to know each other so well. And now I feel like we’re so closely joined, we could never be parted.”

  “It’s true, baby. We never will be,” he replied, dipping his head, and drawing her into a long, tender kiss.

  After what felt like hours, Logan drew back.

  “God, you must think I’m a disgusting bear,” he said. “I’ve been running around all morning, and here I am, touching you and I haven’t even had a shower!” Dina laughed in delight.

  “You smell great to me,” she said. He smelled earthy and spicy – his usual exciting masculine scent. “But what happened with the fire?”

  “Ah, just some idiot starting a fire by dropping a cigarette butt into a litter bin. We put it out easily. But if it hadn’t been reported to us quickly, it would’ve been a different story,” he said, shaking his head. “Now, I’m going for a shower. Want to join me?”

  “I’d love to!” Dina said, eyes lighting up.

  Chapter Six

  Three months later

  The town hall looked beautiful. The clan had worked so hard at turning it into the perfect space for both humans and shifters to celebrate, and they’d done an amazing job. There was a huge barbecue, and plenty of outside seating for everyone to hang out and relax. There was a jazz band, of course, and a full bar. The sun was shining, the sky was a perfect blue, and a few of the trees were turning to russet gold, signifying that fall wasn’t far off.

  Dina looked around in wonder. As a little girl, she’d thought she’d get married in the town hall, but when she’d grown up, the chances of that happening seemed slimmer and slimmer. And now here she was, being united with the most amazing guy in the world.

  She’d made out to her friends that she and Logan had married spontaneously during a weekend away in Vegas. They couldn’t have a legal marriage, because he was a shifter and didn’t have a regular birth certificate. They’d already had a shifter-only ceremony in the forest with the clan. It had been ancient and mysterious, involving complicated rites. Now, they were having a symbolic ceremony with all their friends and family. Dina’s mom had been crying the entire time, and her dad looked like he was going to burst out of pride. Once they’d seen the venue looking so beautiful, Melissa and Kristin had forgiven her for apparently not including them in her wedding. She knew they’d understand once the shifter secret was revealed to them. They were her bridesmaids of course, along with Lauren. They were all wearing mint-green dresses in raw silk, cut in different styles to flatter their figures. Lauren’s dress had been the most challenging to design, as she was almost six months pregnant, and her baby bump was getting big. She was blooming, her skin glowing with health, and she looked deliriously happy.

  Dina stood in a spot where no-one could see her, looking at all the happy guests waiting for the ceremony to begin. Logan came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

  “Are you ready, baby?” he asked, gently rubbing her belly. She wasn’t yet beginning to show, but she could feel the new life inside her, alive and kicking, and growing day by day.

  “I’m more than ready, Logan,” she said. She lifted her chin, and he leaned over her shoulder and kissed her tenderly. He looked so handsome in his gray suit and button-down white shirt. Dina was wearing a stunning white satin dress, and a headdress with a long train.

  As they walked out into the garden together, all eyes turned on them. Dina looked from one friend and family member to another, and her heart almost burst with happiness. They reached the end of a flower-strewn aisle that the clan had created for them, and the girls took their place behind her, lifting up her train.

  Tamika was waiting at the other end of the aisle. Dina and Logan were making out to all the human guests that she was an official wedding celebrant, and she looked the part, in a striking white suit. The jazz band began to play the wedding march, and they walked down the aisle slowly, Dina wanting to savor every single second of it. They stopped in front of Tamika, beneath an arch entwined with passionflowers, just like the one at the garden party.

  Shyly, they spoke their vows to each other, a simpler version of the ones they’d spoken at the shifter ceremony, where they’d promised to be each other’s life-long mate. When they’d each said “I do” – the two little words that completed their union – Logan lifted Dina’s veil and kissed her. Their friends and family broke out into clapping and cheering.

  “Congratulations, darling!” Tamika’s husky English voice boomed, and Dina hugged her. She knew she’d be grateful to her forever for connecting her with Logan. Then she turned to her bridesmaids and hugged them too. She looked from Melissa to Kristin with excitement. Once the shifter ceremony was complete, she was allowed to share the secret with either one of them. She’d been too busy preparing for the human ceremony to have time to do this yet, but once she and Logan returned from their honeymoon in Mexico, it would be top of her list. The only problem was figuring out which one to tell.

  THE END

  Although Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love Dating App Romances can be read in any order, turn the page for the next book in the series.

  Want to Swipe Left for Love again?

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  Want to read more from Ariana?

  Turn the page for more books by Ariana Hawkes, including the other parts of the Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love Dating App Romances.

  Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Kristin


  The second book in the Hope Valley Dating app series

  To the outside world, Kristin Pasternak is a feisty, statuesque, auburn-haired journalist. Only those close to her know that she suffers from PCOS, a condition that has left her unhappy with her body, and scared that she won’t be able to have children.

  When best friends Dina and Lauren introduce her to Shiftr, the secret dating app for curvy girls and shape shifting men, she thinks that none of the guys will want her - especially smoking-hot tiger shifter, Roman, whose profile says that he definitely wants cubs.

  But, according to the app, Kristin and Roman are a 100% match, and when Roman scents Kristin for the first time, he seems to know her body better than she knows it herself.

  Will the sexy tiger be able to convince Kristin to let go of her insecurities and abandon herself to the crazy attraction that sizzles between them?

  Buy it now: US UK

  Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Melissa

  The third book in the Hope Valley Dating app series

  Melissa Ericson has a panic attack as her best friend Lauren is giving birth, but sexy shifter doctor, Harley, is on hand to calm her down. When she later finds out that he’s not only on Shiftr - the secret dating app for curvy girls and gorgeous shape-shifting men - but is also a great match for her, she’s ecstatic.

  But there’s something about Doctor Harley that keeps tugging at Melissa’s mind, and suddenly she’s drawn back into a place she never wanted to think about again.

  The past is so confusing and painful for her, but will the smoking-hot werewolf prove to be her destroyer or her savior?

  Buy it now: US UK

  Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Andrea

  The fourth book in the Hope Valley Dating app series

  Ruthlessly ambitious and fixated on a big-city career, Andrea Bianco returns to Hope Valley after nine years of living in New York. She claims she’s on a break from her high-powered job, but old friends Melissa and Kristin just know she’s hiding a big secret from them…

  Meanwhile, sexy, sophisticated lion shifter Magnus Adams has made enough money to never have to work again. The only thing missing from his luxurious life is his mate. Luckily, someone’s told him all about Shiftr – the secret dating app for curvy girls and shifter men – and he comes to Hope Valley hoping to find his match.

  It’s no surprise that Shiftr identifies the two extroverts as being purrfect for each other, but neither of them have dealt with their baggage, and Magnus’s reckless urges soon offend Andrea’s insecure nature, and the wrong type of sparks start to fly.

  Magnus has a cunning plan for making it up to the curvy beauty. But will she be able to forgive him? And if they ever meet again, will Andrea’s secret make her more irresistible to him, or will it be the end of them?

  Buy it now: US UK

  Isabel and The Wolf – A complete, four-part werewolf erotic romance serial

  He’s looking for a mate. She’s looking for a dominant man. When their very different worlds collide, can they find what they need in each other?

  Beautiful, sassy Isabel Alexander has repressed her deepest yearnings for too long. Beneath her strong-willed character lies a secret passion for dominant men. A move to New Mexico finally offers an opportunity to explore her darkest desires. There she finds Peter – hot, dark and a perfect match for her needs. But after a storm ruins their first date plans, she’s confronted by a man as unsettling as he is captivating.

  Peter is a werewolf of ancient Transylvanian lineage. By rights an alpha of the pack, he’s been cast out to find new blood for his perishing line. Scouring the world for suitable mates in vain, he meets strong-spirited Isabel. He was only looking to have a little fun with the human female, but he didn’t bank on falling for her in the process.

  You can find it on Amazon US here and on Amazon UK here.

  Once Bitten Twice Smitten

  A standalone comedy romance featuring one kickass roller derby chick, two scorching-hot Alphas, and the naughty nip that changed their lives forever.

  Aspen Richardson loves playing roller derby: the fun, the exciting games and her teammates – an amazing bunch of curvy, kickass girls. The only thing missing from her life is a man who will love her just the way she is. In the small town she calls home, bullies from the past remain, making her wonder if it’s ever going to happen.

  But, things are about to change in a major way, as the secret Aspen’s parents have been keeping from her comes out: as a small child, she was chased by two wolf pups, and one of them bit and marked her.

  Now on the cusp of her first shift, Aspen is hunted down by cool, laid back Brad, and impetuous, hot-headed Chase, who both desperately hope they’re the fated mate of this deliciously curvy girl. The trouble is, no one knows which of them bit her, least of all Aspen, who finds herself equally drawn to these two super sexy Alphas.

  This is a standalone romance (no cliffhanger), with lots of laughs, scorching ménage sex scenes, and a HEA, of course!

  Buy it now: US UK DE CA AU

  Ravished by the Ice Palace Pack – BBW werewolf erotica

  Delilah, a young werewolf of the Zephirah Pack, has never seen snow before. Her father, the pack’s Alpha, warns her not to wander off by herself during a meeting between the most powerful packs in the region. Full of excitement, she disobeys him and runs off into the woods to play.

  But it’s not long before her father’s fears are realized, and she’s captured by the Ice Palace Pack and taken to their underground territory. Delilah has never been mated before, but it’s the winter solstice, and, before the pack’s annual mating frenzy can begin, a were-female from another pack must be shared between them. Scared by what this might mean, but dazzled by the smoking-hot males, Delilah has a tough choice to make – and one that will bring her more pleasure than she could have imagined.

  Buy it now: US UK DE CA AU

  About Ariana Hawkes

  Ariana loves to write spicy romantic stories with complex, quirky characters, plenty of suspense, and, of course, a whole lot of laughs.

  She graduated in English and Latin Literature. Since then, she’s been writing full time, for both work and pleasure. When she’s not doing that, she loves reading literary fiction, fantasy, romance and erotica, and snuggling with her man and their two huskies.