Simply Bears: A Ten Book Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance Collection

by Simply Shifters

  Any person who might be tempted to make an escape was essentially a prisoner, and being reminded of this fact suddenly and completely rankled me.

  I looked Grant dead in his sky-blue eyes. "No insurance for property damage?"

  The comment had come out of my mouth before I'd even fully thought about it. I really did have a bit of a problem with speaking exactly what was on my mind at times before fully thinking it through. Gray and Estelle had both mentioned this on different occasions. But, like the last time I'd made a snappy comment, Grant didn't really have much of a reaction. He certainly didn't make any move to hit me.

  He simply made a faintest of scoffing noises and then gestured to the interior of the truck again. "Please get in."

  Somewhat to my surprise, I did, without any further comment. I hadn't forgotten that I had to resign myself to living with these bear shifters and being mated to one of them, and I'd have to do both those things with minimal resistance and fuss if I wanted to have any kind of a bearable life. And after my two snappy comments, I didn't want to push my luck.

  Grant climbed into the driver's side seat to my left and shut the door, and Adrian got in on my other side and did the same. Then, after we'd all fastened our seat belts, Grant started the truck, and we were off, bound for Sun Creek.

  I realized instantly that the trip was going to be a torturous one. Some sort of similar heavenly, masculine scents were emanating from Grant and Adrian, and being that I was sitting so close to them both, I couldn't help but breathe their scents into my nostrils. I supposed I could have breathed through my mouth. But I didn't want to look like an uncouth person with my mouth hanging open. Or, at least, that's what I told myself.

  Grant's scent was something clean and woodsy, with faint hints of leather and musk. It certainly wasn't anything overpowering, yet it was something that practically shouted pure masculinity at the same time.

  Adrian's scent was close to being identical, though I thought I detected a hint of a citrus note and something else, something undefinable, in his scent. At any rate, it was just as heavenly as Grant's. They were both undeniably masculine and potent.

  I'd always had kind of a thing about scent. A good, masculine scent had always attracted me to a man and had the ability to get me a bit turned on fairly quickly. A decent masculine scent had been part of the reason I'd begun dating my first and only serious boyfriend about a year previously.

  It had been part of what made me decide to sleep with him after a while. Though, not surprisingly, being that he was a wolf shifter born and bred in Stony Rapids, he'd been a cold, emotionless lover. He'd seemed to take his satisfaction almost mechanically, not even seeming to care in the least if I received any satisfaction as well. We hadn't dated long.

  After the breakup, I'd become more and more aware that I had certain needs and appetites as a woman that were not being met, and never had been met. These needs and appetites only seemed to steadily increase, no matter how hard I tried to keep my mind from them. Experiencing release from my own touch did little good. In fact, sometimes it seemed to only make things worse. It only made me more and more aware that what I truly desired was to be touched by a virile, potent, passionate man. One who might be attentive to my pleasure and satisfaction, not just his own.

  My lack of satisfaction was on my mind a little bit right then, in the truck with Grant and Adrian on either side of me, with their intoxicating, masculine scents emanating from their long, hard bodies. While we bumped down the dirt track, I wished that one of them would open a window, to get some fresh, non-tempting-smelling air in the truck.

  I began to feel as if I were really experiencing a form of torture. The fact that their long, muscular thighs were only inches away from my own, which I observed during a few quick glances downward, wasn't helping matters.

  Soon I got my wish for a bit of fresh air. Not long after Grant turned off the dirt track and onto a paved road, the cab began to get just slightly warm from the sun's now-bright rays, and Adrian rolled his window down half way. I breathed in deeply, relieved. I had no intention of getting turned on by the heavenly scents emanating from the two bear shifters. Even if I was to be mated to one of them.

  No one spoke during the hour or so-long trip, not until we neared Sun Creek. Which I only knew because Adrian glanced at me, saying we were almost there.

  Then he looked at me with his green eyes twinkling just a bit, but his expression somehow sober and sincere at the same time. "I really am sorry about the whole lap-sitting thing back there. I really didn't mean to offend you, if I did. And in fact, to make it up to you, I'll even offer to sit on your lap for the rest of the drive. We'll roll in to Sun Creek, and all our people will see me sitting right on your lap, like a young woman myself. See, I'm willing to humiliate myself just to say I'm sorry, and maybe just make you smile a bit. In the back of the truck, might even be a pink dress or something I could throw on; I don't know. I might even be willing to twirl a pink parasol while I'm wearing it if it might please you."

  A laugh burst out of my mouth before I could help it. The thought of the tall, muscular, deep-voiced bear shifter beside me sitting on my lap in a pink dress, twirling a parasol, had been more than I could take. However, I immediately stifled the laugh, wiped any traces of a smile from my face, and turned my gaze forward, away from Adrian's handsome face.

  He didn't respond at first. But after a few moments, he spoke in a quiet voice. "Just as I thought. That little hint of a smile made your face and your eyes even more beautiful, and your laugh is a sound that reminds one of something like the sound of silver bells ringing or crystal chimes."

  Suddenly a bit warm, even with the window down and letting a mild September breeze waft through the truck, I didn't respond. I didn't know exactly what kind of game Adrian was playing, but I wasn't going to fall for it. I wasn't going to fall for any game being played by a bear shifter. No matter how charming or complimentary that bear shifter was being. No matter how sincere he seemed. I knew that good acting skills often went hand-in-hand with cunning.

  However, as if my mind were working against me, I suddenly wondered if it were actually possible that Adrian had nothing at all to do with the murderous attack on Gray and Estelle. I wondered if it were possible that maybe he hadn't even known about the attack until after, or if he had known, maybe he'd been against it. Maybe he was somewhat like Gray had been with the wolves. Just a tiny bit softer. Just a tiny bit above them morally. I wondered and I hoped.

  I didn't allow myself to wonder and hope for long, though. I couldn't. Something about it felt too dangerous, in a way I could not articulate, even to myself. I just knew that I shouldn't be allowing myself to have any thoughts about the bears that weren't thoughts about them being murderers. So, I forced myself to turn my focus to the town we were now entering. Though town might have not been quite the right word.

  The terms town and city were used pretty much interchangeably for all settlements post-Freeze, though the grandness of this settlement, the bears' settlement, almost demanded it be called a city. The same as Ashcrest usually was.

  Sprawled out on a very wide clearing with forestland on all sides, the city of Sun Creek was larger and more impressive than I'd thought it would be. It was definitely a far cry from the dilapidated buildings and crumbling houses of Stony Rapids. Hundreds of sturdy-looking one- and two-story log cabin homes flanked a downtown area of tall, red brick buildings. A massive bronze sculpture of a roaring bear on hind legs towered over one corner of a cobblestone-paved town square, while a stone fountain, sunlight making its flowing water glint gold, gurgled in the center of the square. Dozens of shiny cars and trucks cruised down the smooth, well-maintained, paved city streets.

  People walked and rode bicycles down sidewalks lined with large planters of yellow mums. They whipped their heads around and looked at the truck with looks that I could only interpret as ones of awe, respect, and admiration. Probably looks they typically gave their chief and leader, Grant, I imagined.<
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  People back in Stony Creek often gave Malachi, our alpha, the same sorts of looks. The people on the sidewalks seemed to be trying to peer into the truck, maybe trying to catch a glimpse at Grant through the lightly tinted windows. Or maybe a glimpse of the woman he might be mated with.

  The place was definitely a city, though still rustic and homey at the same time. It had some sophistication and wealth, yet warmth as well. It was not at all the type of place I'd thought my adoptive parents' killers would live. I'd somehow imagined all the bear shifters and their families would live in caves with dirt floors, and the town square was where bears would fight each other bloody, just for entertainment.

  Adrian glanced over at me. "Welcome home."

  I stiffened, resolute not to play into whatever game he was playing, and didn't answer. He looked at me, though I wasn't sure what kind of a look it was. I didn't look back at him. Grant gave me a quick glance, but I didn't look at him, either. I could only see his handsome, strong-jawed face in my peripheral vision. Same with Adrian.

  I couldn't see their long, muscular thighs, either, of course, just inches away from my own; I could just kind of sense them. Just kind of feel them. Which made me more than a bit uncomfortable. Made me wish there were much more space in the truck. Made me wish there were miles more space. Enough so that I could no longer catch the faintest hint of the heavenly masculine scents emanating from Grant and Adrian. Emanating from their lean, powerful bodies and chiseled chests.

  After driving through the city, we arrived at a cabin settlement kind of set apart from the city, more toward the woods. A little cabin-city-within-a-cabin-city. Though these weren't just any log cabins. These weren't like the ones surrounding the downtown area of the city in different neighborhoods. Though they all had exteriors made from split logs, these cabins were more like mansions, at least in size.

  There were nine of them in total. Eight smaller, though still enormous, cabins ringed a massive three-story cabin that was about ten times the size of the town inn back in Stony Rapids, which was pretty large itself. To the side of all the cabins was a long, single-story structure flanked by tall evergreen trees.

  While we rolled down a long paved drive leading to the cabins, Adrian glanced at me, his dark hair glinting in the sun. "Home sweet home. The three-story cabin is the family home, where all members of the Black family live. And, just in case you were wondering, those members include us three brothers, Samuel's two sons, our Aunt Milly, or, Mil as we usually just call her, Mil's grown daughter, and Mil's almost-grown son. Members of our household staff have living quarters on the ground floor; each grown family member has his or her own apartment-type quarters within the house. And then, still several apartment-type quarters are left empty for guests."

  I certainly hadn't been raised in luxury and broad expanse. The house that Estelle, Gray, and I had lived in had been small to the point that a bed and dresser had barely fit into my bedroom. The three of us shared a bathroom so tiny you could barely turn around in it. The house was drafty and the furnace was always breaking, as was the washing machine. Estelle and I often had to do the wash by hand in a big metal tub. The prospect of living in a palatial residence with "household staff" kind of boggled my mind. Forcing myself not to gawk, I stared at the mansion of a cabin while Adrian continued.

  "The eight two-story cabins surrounding the family home are where our council members and their families live. The long, single-story structure to the side is where our council meetings are held. Back in town, there are shops and stores, and various other businesses. On the west side of town is our manufacturing center with all its different industrial buildings. To the west of that, about a mile through the forestland, is where our orchards and dairies are, and our farmland.

  We have several restaurants in town and a family-run bar called The Black Den. On the east side of town, a hospital, medical center, and a laboratory, all of them equipped with the same state-of-the-art technology found in Ashcrest, if you've heard tales of it. The most advanced technology in the world right now." Looking over at me, he paused. "Sun Creek basically has everything you could ever need. I hope you'll be quite happy here."

  As I'd been doing all morning, I didn't respond. I didn't even look at him or nod. I had to admit, grudgingly, that I was impressed by Sun Creek. But I was certain I could never be quite happy living among murderers.

  We'd arrived at the enormous three-story cabin, and Grant parked in front. The three of us in the cab of the truck got out, and Samuel jumped out of the bed. Grant grabbed my things, though they were quickly taken from him by a slim young man in what appeared to be some sort of a uniform of black boots and black pants and shirt. He'd scurried out of the house the moment Grant had parked the truck.

  Grant dipped his head in a nod at the young man. "Thank you, Edward. Please take them up to the largest guest apartment suite on the third floor."

  Edward scurried back toward the house. He seemed to be some sort of butler, though there was even another butler-type man at the front door, holding it open. This man was much older, with silvery hair, and he was dressed much more formally, in black dress pants and crisp white shirt.

  While Grant, Adrian, Samuel, and I passed, he dipped his head, his gaze on Grant.

  "Chief."

  Grant gave him a single nod in return.

  The house, or mansion, or whatever it was, was on the inside just like it was on the outside. Grand, yet cozy and rustic at the same time. Like the town itself. The walls were paneled with long planks of polished hardwood, the color of it not light, but not dark either. It was maybe something like a warm, honey-toned medium brown. The hardwood flooring was the same shade, though the wood was partially covered by long, patterned rugs in jewel-like colors of deep green, navy blue, and dark burgundy. Brass lamps on shining wooden stands gleamed in sunlight streaming in through open windows.

  Adrian said Aunt Mil was usually in the kitchen preparing Sunday brunch around this time, and that we'd go meet her. "Most of the time, the household staff cooks, but Sunday brunch is one thing she likes to make herself."

  I said alright, quietly, but nothing else.

  Grant, Adrian, and Samuel led me through the spacious foyer, down a hallway, and into a large open room that appeared to be something like a combination kitchen, informal dining area, and living room. It struck me as maybe somewhat unusual to have all those different areas in one room, but for some reason, everything just seemed to fit. Beyond the kitchen counter tops was a long wooden table big enough for at least a dozen people, and beyond that, a wide, open area with several couches and overstuffed chairs upholstered in the same rich jewel tones as the rugs all throughout the house.

  The room also had a small bar area as well. Adjacent to the dining area, a half-dozen cushioned bar stools sat in front of a polished bar with hundreds of glass bottles of varying sizes on shelves behind it.

  When we entered this large, multi-purpose room, Adrian turned to me and spoke. "This is kind of the 'family everything room,' for lack of a way to describe it. This is where we all spend time together. No staff, just us. Every week for Sunday brunch, sometimes for Sunday dinner, too, and then maybe once or twice for dinner during the week."

  Just then, across the room, a woman holding a clear glass pitcher popped up from behind the bar. "Well, hello. You all arrived sooner than I expected. I was just about to make a pitcher of Bloody Marys. Come have a seat, all of you."

  She appeared to be in her early fifties and had dark curly hair, shoulder length, the top half of it pinned back from her face. Her dark brown eyes looked directly at me, even while she addressed everyone. Her expression didn't exactly strike me as one of friendliness, though it wasn't one of coldness, either. It was just neutral somehow.

  I followed Grant, Adrian, and Samuel over to the bar, and Grant introduced me to Aunt Mil.

  She set down her pitcher and extended a hand over the bar to me, her expression still neutral. "Pleasure."

  I didn't want t
o shake her hand. With her being a human woman and not a bear shifter, I knew she'd likely had nothing to do with the attack on Gray and Estelle, though she was still a member of a bear shifter family. I knew it was possible that she might have had something to do with the planning of the attack.

  However, I knew civility was the order of the day. It was necessary. Aunt Mil was waiting for a response.

  So, after a long moment, I extended my hand over the bar and gave hers a quick shake and a small dip of the head. I wasn't going to say it was a pleasure to meet her, because it wasn't. It was just something to endure.

  She eyed me for just the same amount of time as I'd hesitated, with something like the very faintest hint of a grin curving her mouth. Or maybe it was a smirk. I couldn't tell. But it was quickly gone, and she spoke again.

  "So, this is our bar in the living room. Might seem strange, but with the way these three brothers drink whiskey sometimes, we actually need one."