The Bear's Reluctant Wolf

by Jenika Snow

  “Get the fuck out of my way, Maverick.” Trace sat up and tensed when he heard the bitch that had ruined his life five years ago, and was clearly still trying to do it. His office door slammed open and banged against the wall. Karla stood in the doorway, her face a mask of irritation. Maverick loomed behind her, his arms crossed over his chest.

  “Sorry, Trace, she—” He looked at Karla and shook his head. Maverick knew everything about what happened with her and Trace. Hell, he had been the one to show up at the right moment all those years ago.

  “It’s all right, Maverick.”

  The lion gave Karla one more withering look before nodding and turning to leave. Karla huffed out and stalked into the office, and slammed the door shut behind her.

  “What do you want, Karla?” He rubbed his eyes, not wanting anything to do with her, but wanting to get this over with because he knew her well enough to know she wouldn’t stop. She had stayed away this long, and she just needed to get the fuck out. “I asked you what the fuck you want.” He glared at her.

  “You won’t answer my calls.”

  “Yeah, I know. An intelligent person would have taken that as a hint that I didn’t want to talk to them.”

  She glared at him and narrowed her eyes. “Yeah, I took the hint, but I think you owe me at least a few minutes of your time. I am the mother of your son.”

  He slammed his hand down on the table. “I don’t owe you one fucking thing, Karla. Yeah, you are the mother of my son, but you did a shitty job at that.”

  “Listen, I didn’t come here to argue. I just wanted to talk. You and Liam keep avoiding me like the plague.”

  “I wonder why that is.” He didn’t phrase it like a question. For a human she had some pretty big balls coming up to him spouting off what he owed her, and getting in his mate’s face. But Karla was a crazy bitch. “Liam is a grown fucking male, and he knows what a worthless mother you are. I don’t blame him for wanting nothing to do with you.”

  “So what, are you saying my own son doesn’t want to see me?”

  Un-fucking-believable. “I’m only going to say this once, and then you’re going to get the fuck out of my life, leave my mate alone, and not contact Liam again.” Her face started to turn red, and she bared her teeth. The crazy bitch. “You’re a shitty mother, were a shitty fucking wife, and a piece of shit human.” Maybe he wouldn’t have been so harsh if she hadn’t done all the fucked up things she had.

  “You’re still the same pompous asshole, Trace. If you would have been a decent mate to me—”

  He slammed his fist into the table again and felt the wood crack and give way, cutting off her from finishing that sentence. “No.” He shook his head slowly. ”Don’t even fucking go there. You and I are not mates. I should have left your ass way before you got pregnant, but I was young and stupid and hard up for easy pussy. Then you got pregnant with my kid, and I was stupid enough to think you might change being a bitch. I was really fucking wrong, and will forever regret what you put Liam through. I thought I loved you, thought we could make things work, but I was just as dumb as you.” She took a step toward him, and he didn’t miss the hope in her eyes. “You are nothing but a betraying bitch, and I was stupid enough that I didn’t do anything about it before you slept with Dale. That was fucked up, Karla. You were fucked up. I regret a lot of shit in my life, you being my wife is one of them, but what I regret more is that I wasn’t a better father to Liam and didn’t kick your sorry ass to the curb long ago.” Her eyes widened, and then that shock morphed into anger.

  “You fucking asshole.” She moved closer until she stood right beside him. She stabbed her finger in his chest, but he refused to move. “I left Sweet Water because I thought it was best to get away after all the shit that happened. I found Jacko, and the two of us have been having fun, but then he just up and left me in this shitty little town.” She smoothed her hand over his heart, and he made himself hold his ground and not flinch away from disgust. “I know you’re angry, but it has been so long, Trace. I also know you did care about me at one time, or you wouldn’t have stayed with me for so long.” She was so fucking wrong, but his rage made it impossible for him to say anything. “I want you, want to try to knit our family back together.” He took a step back and shook his head.

  “You are fucking crazy if you think I want anything to do with you. I found my mate, and every other female is nothing to me. Do you hear me, Karla?” Her mouth parted, and she narrowed her eyes.

  “That girl at the diner? You have to be kidding me. I am the mother of your child, Trace, and if I remember correctly knew exactly what you liked, and how you liked it.” She threw herself at him, slammed her lips on his, and thrust her tongue into her mouth. He was so shocked by her sudden movement that it took him a second to react. He took hold of her arms, and just as he was pushing her away the office door opened. The scent of peaches filled his nose, and he ripped his face away from Karla’s to see Candace stare at him with wide eyes. Karla snorted. “Good, at least the bitch now knows where she stands in your life.” He tossed Karla away, wiped his mouth on the sleeve of his shirt, and made a move to go to his mate, but she held up her hand and shook her head, stopping him. “You can never replace me—”

  “Shut the fuck up, Karla.” Trace pierced his ex with a glare that had her stepping back. His bear rose up, and he knew his eyes had gone all black from the way hers widened. “I fucking told you I wanted nothing to do with your sorry ass. Now get the fuck out of my bar, and out of my goddamn town.” The scent of her anger and fear mixed as one, and although he wouldn’t physically hurt her, he wouldn’t hide the way she had white hot rage flowing through him every time she was in the same vicinity. The scent of wolf filled his nose, and he turned and watched as Candace barely reined in her animal from emerging. “I’d say you better fucking go seeing as my mate seems a bit territorial right now.” All anger aside, he couldn’t help but feel pride and affection that his little wolf had gotten all possessive over him. He might be an alpha bear, always taking control and not putting up with shit, but seeing Candace this way, scenting her affection for him and her need to stake her claim, had his chest puffing out.

  Karla’s deceit was evident, and he wasn’t such a fucking idiot as not to see that the male had left her and she had no one else and nowhere else to go. Hell, he had smelled the stink of her despair and self-pity as soon as he saw her. Using her “love” for Liam was a low blow, and far from how she genuinely felt. “Get the fuck out. This is the last time I will say it.” He let his bear rise up, and the realization that she wouldn’t be getting anything out of him was clear on her face. Candace had since moved inside, and Karla followed the wall and slipped out of the office.

  Trace and Candace stood there, neither speaking nor moving, but the tension and energy high. “I thought I’d come and surprise you.” She moved to the door and softly shut it. “But then the only one that was surprised was me.” She stalked forward, and for the first time in his life he felt like the prey. His mate was furious, that much was clear. Her wolf was right there at the surface, and it turned him the fuck on. “I was pissed to see her all over you.” She stopped a few feet before him, and the scent of peaches and her annoyance mixed together and slammed into his nose. He grew hard, despite the fact he shouldn’t.

  “I know, but I promise she means nothing to me.” She eyed him, and slowly nodded.

  “I know, I can smell your disgust for her, but that doesn’t piss me off any less.” She moved a foot closer, and he stared down at where her breasts rose right above her shirt. “I was seconds away from snapping at her.” He couldn’t help but smile. His mate was a feisty little thing, even if she did come off as shy.

  “I know. But I promise she was no threat to you. I like your possessiveness though, makes a male feel wanted.” He felt like a pussy for saying it, but hell, it was the fucking truth.

  “How would you feel if you caught me and another male in that compromising position?” A deep, low growl
left him, and before he knew what he was doing he had his hand wrapped loosely around her throat and had her turned around and pressed against the wall. He moved closer so that his nose was pressed to her throat, closed his eyes, and breathed in deep.

  “I’d fucking kill them, rip his arms and legs off, and watch as he bled out, all for thinking he could touch you.” He didn’t miss the shiver that worked through her. Taking hold of the collar of her shirt, he wrenched it to the side and bared his mark. Leaning in and licking what was his, he murmured what a good girl she was, what a beautiful mate, and how much he cared for her. He pulled back and stared down at her. “You’re mine, and no one will take you away from me.”

  “What if someone tries to take you away from me?” She sounded so earnest, but her eyes still held fire behind them. Trace slowly shook his head.

  “I’ll tell you this until I don’t have any breath left.” Cupping the side of her throat, he brushed his thumb back and forth along her cheekbone. “I am lost for you. There is no one that can compare to you. My heart beats only for you, and the air I draw in my lungs is only for my mate. Do you understand? Every fucking thing I do is for you.” He had a son that he was proud of, despite all of the shit he pulled, but he was a good kid, and one that didn’t deserve all the bullshit he had witnessed. Looking down at his mate he knew this was it for him. This female before him was what life was about, and he would spend the rest of his proving to her that he wouldn’t fuck it up, and that he was worthy of being her mate.

  Epilogue

  One year later

  “Trace, would you back the hell up. You’re all in my face.” Candace glared at her husband and grew even more irritated that he grinned at her. At least he did take a step back and let her have some breathing room. They had gotten married six months ago, and although they had only been together for half a year before they figured they might as well go through with it. Candace didn’t regret one minute.

  “Baby, you can’t fault your mate for being excited.” She sighed, because he was right. Lately she had been so moody and seemingly on pins and needles, but after trying to conceive since their honeymoon, Candace was starting to get worried that she might be broken. Yeah, she went into heat, which normally was almost like instant pregnancy if a male just looked at a female the wrong way, but after numerous failed attempts, and going to the doctor only to find out that being in heat doesn’t always mean a positive pregnancy, she knew there had to be something wrong with her. So, this was their sixth month really trying, even if Trace liked to say the times in between were for practice, and Candace was nervous as hell.

  “You’re right, and I’m sorry. I am just worried that I’m going to see those two evil little words ‘NOT PREGNANT’ flash across the stick.” Trace came up behind her and wrapped his big arms around her waist.

  “Candace, it’ll happen. Don’t worry, baby. Your stress can’t help things, okay?” She shook her head, because he was right, which seemed to be more times than not. He might still be her prickly biker polar bear, but he had more common sense and rationalization than what was good for his ego.

  “I know.” She exhaled, rested her head back on his chest, and closed her eyes. She had only peed on the stick less than a minute ago, but it seemed like forever. “I just really want this.” He gave her a gentle squeeze right before he turned her around so she faced him. Taking the stick out of her hand and setting it on the bathroom counter, he cupped her cheeks and looked into her eyes.

  “Baby, it will happen. Maybe it won’t be today, but we will get a little one in your arms. That I fucking promise you.” Her heart hiccupped at his words, and she couldn’t help but smile.

  “I love you so much, even if you still get on my nerves with your growly gruffness.” He flashed her another panty-dropping grin, lowered his face to hers, and kissed her so deeply and thoroughly that she was lost to only him and what he was doing.

  “You like when I’m all growly.” He made that deep noise that had her insides melting, and she sighed against his lips.

  “Maybe, but don’t let it go to your head since it’s already too big.”

  He chuckled. “I can’t help it if I’m big.” His sexual innuendo was followed up by him pressing his erection into her. She had to give him credit. He was the master of distraction.

  She couldn’t help but laugh, but she pushed him away, her heart pounding as she looked over to the counter. She couldn’t see what it said given the way the stick was positioned, and so she moved closer. It was when she stood right over it, looking down at the reading that she felt the tears start to build in her eyes. Soon they were overflowing, and she covered her face with her hands and let the body shaking sobs wrack her. Trace pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her neck, breathing deeply.

  “It’s okay, Candace. I will give you a baby if it’s the last thing I do.” She cried harder, soaking his t-shirt, not knowing what to say. When she was composed enough that she could pull away and look into his face, she was surprised to see how much pain he had in his expression. He hurt because he thought she hurt, but she could sense that it wasn’t just that. Trace wanted a baby, too. Liam might be wild, but he was a good boy, and grown. He brushed her tears away with his thumbs and tried to smile, but his pain was evident.

  “Trace.”

  He leaned down and kissed her softly. “Yeah, baby?” He pulled back but only enough so that he could look into her eyes.

  “It’s positive.” He blinked a few times, pulled back from her to stand at his full height, and then blinked some more.

  “It’s positive?” He said the words slowly, as if trying to form them properly. She nodded, and didn’t hold in her smile. Her tears had been ones of happiness, and of seeing that one huge word that meant so much to her. She turned and grabbed the stick, and held it up so “PREGNANT” was facing him. He blinked again and again, and then his smile grew into one that was as big and wide as hers. He took her into his arms, ran the tip of his nose up her throat in the way he loved to do, and growled low and deep, and more possessively than ever before. “My mate is carrying my baby.” She was far too early along to know if the baby would take after her or Trace as a shifter, but none of that mattered. Nothing mattered aside from the fact she was carrying her mate’s baby, and was going to be a mother.

  “We’re going to have a baby, Trace.”

  He pulled back and planted a deep, long kiss right on her lips. “I love you so much, baby.” Before she could respond he dropped to his knees and kissed her belly. “I hope you’re a little girl that takes after your beautiful momma.” He lifted her shirt and kissed her belly over and over again, and finally stood to wrap his arms around her and bring her into the warmth of his chest. “If you thought I was protective before, you haven’t seen anything yet.”

  All she could do was smile and let the warmth of having the man she loved wrapped around her encompass every part of her body. A very happy and comfortable and quiet stillness surrounded them, and Candace let it wash through her. The last year might have had some pretty intense things, but all the negativity didn’t matter compared to this one moment. The last they heard Karla had left Sweet Water, and was currently living with some human male. She called Liam once she had reached Brockton, a city about ten hours from Sweet Water. She had apologized for being a shitty mother, but then again she had been drunk when she made that call to her son, so her words and emotions were empty. That had been a month ago, and they hadn’t heard from her since. Good riddance. Over the past year she had grown closer to Liam. He had moved out once Candace and Trace had made their relationship official and had let the mating do its thing, but he did come by every once in a while for visits. It was nice having him around, and even though he and Trace were too much alike for their own good and butted heads more times than not, she felt the love father and son had for each other. But there were times when she looked into Liam’s face, one that looked so much like Trace’s it startled her, and wondered if he truly was okay. He hi
d his emotions very well, just like his father, but she could sense a wildness inside of him. It was like an itch, and she often wondered if it was because he was missing his other half, the one that could be complete by finding his mate.

  She and Trace may fight, and he may get on her nerves on a daily basis with his possessive attitude, but he loved her more than anything else, and there was nothing else in the world that she could ask for in life other than the male that cared for her, and the baby growing inside of her.

  The End

  www.jenikasnow.com

  Other Books by Jenika Snow:

  www.evernightpublishing.com/pages/Jenika-Snow.html

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  Evernight Publishing

  www.evernightpublishing.com