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BearTrapped

Page 8

by Jaide Fox


  ***

  Kimber walked into Braeden’s bedroom to dress, coming back out as quickly as she could—not wanting to leave Braeden alone for long. He smiled when she returned, enveloping her in a hug and leading her to the great hearth to warm by the fire. The scent of roasted lamb and root vegetables drifted from the kitchen.

  The patriarch remained standing, while the eldest brothers sat on worn brocade couches, looking guilty and cowed.

  “This is your family?” she asked redundantly, feeling shocked by all that had happened so quickly. She couldn’t quite register the events.

  Braeden nodded. “See now why I warned you about them?”

  She chuckled, dusting dirt off his shoulders. He hadn’t taken the time to change his clothing yet, and seeing him in his bedraggled state made her want to fight his brothers by herself. She supposed they wanted peace though, so she resisted her inclination to fight on his behalf. “I guess so. It’s beginning to make sense why you’d need a winter retreat, if they take it upon themselves to batter you into submission.”

  “We’re a rough bunch, but we love each other,” Melvin said, walking up. “Don’t let Braeden fool you. Welcome to the family, Kimber.”

  “I’m ready for grandbabies, baby bear!” Evette called from the kitchen. Braeden’s cheeks colored.

  Kimber blushed, and it wasn’t from the fire. Braeden wiggled his eyebrows, jerking his head to his father to hint at giving them some privacy. It took exaggerated motions before Melvin took the hint and returned to the couch with his sons.

  “They don’t seem to have trouble with me being a wolf,” she murmured, holding his gaze steadily. The unwieldy giddiness flooded her heart with Braeden holding her in his arms. He released her, looking guilty as Evette bustled through the kitchen doorway, delivering platters of steaming food.

  She glanced their way with an enormous, knowing grin. “Any girl that would come to the rescue of my baby bear is a fine woman in my book. I can’t ask for a better daughter. I’ve always dreamed of having a daughter, and I can’t wait to know you.”

  “Mama, stop eavesdropping and butting in,” Braeden muttered.

  Evette shrugged. “Sorry. I’m excited to see the family extended. I thought you’d all die umated.”

  Braeden reddened, returning his attention to Kimber. “We didn’t—I didn’t want to assume you’d say yes…” he whispered.

  Try as he might, she knew from the silence in the room that they had an audience paying rapt attention to his every word. She smiled as her happiness made her drunk with joy. “What are you trying to say he who does not blush or fear anything?”

  “You don’t make this easy.” He cleared his throat, taking her hands. “I want you as my mate, Kimber. Can you find it in your heart to love a bear?”

  “Only if you can find it in your heart to love a wolf,” she said, beaming.

  Braeden grinned, folding her into his embrace. “Agreed. But only if I can call you Red and make you laugh at the worst possible moments.”

  Kimber tilted her head and kissed his scruffy chin. “I wouldn’t agree unless you continued to amuse me, love.”

  The End

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