Brady’s still holding me, and he says, “She fainted.”
Keith is stark naked and fully human when he reaches her. He sits down and pulls her into his lap, and I think about how she’s going to like waking up to his cock. A laugh escapes me. It’s the kind of laugh you have when you’re so tired you find everything funny. I can’t control it and nearly double over as tears stream down my face.
Brady and Keith have no idea what I think is amusing, but my laughter is contagious, and they both join in. When Sierra opens her eyes, I try to stop and manage to for a moment. Then she notices the naked lap she’s lying in and smiles. I lose it again and crumple to the ground.
When I finally recover, Keith says, “That wasn’t quite the reaction I was expecting.” Brady throws him a pair of shorts, and he grabs them out of the air.
Brady says, “Me either. Jesus, Carly. I didn’t know you knew how to use a gun. What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking why the hell weren’t you doing anything to keep the bear from killing us.” The reality of what just happened settles over me, and the urge to laugh is long gone. I feel anger replace it, and I look at Keith, who’s zipping up his shorts. “What the hell are you?”
Sierra steps in front of him protectively, and I realize my hands are in fists and I’m moving toward them. “Carly, don’t.”
I shake my head. The bear in my dream was real. My blood turns ice cold. “Sierra, he’s a bear. Did you see any of that? He’s a freaking bear that just morphed back to a person.”
I turn on my foot to Brady. “What’s going on here?”
“You watched Keith shift. We’re werebear.”
“What? What the hell is a werebear?” Brady is one too?
Keith answers, “It’s like a werewolf, only we’re bears. We can shift from human form to bear form.”
“Why would you want to do that?” The moment I ask, I regret it. The sad look on Brady’s face tells me I spoke too soon.
“Carly, we didn’t choose it. It’s our heritage.” He holds out a hand for me, but I don’t take it. I step back, and Sierra comes to stand next to me.
She asks, “Do you shift a lot? Like is it something that just happens to you and you have to live with it?”
Keith answers, “Not exactly. When you first start to shift it’s hard to control, but you learn how and get to the point Brady and I are at, which is the ability to shift both ways when we want to.”
A crow flies over us, and the cawing distracts me for a moment. I wonder if the bird is a shifter too.
Brady’s voice is low as he says, “Keith shifted for you so we could explain. The idea was that you would watch him shift and you’d be able to believe it after seeing it with your own eyes. But it didn’t go as planned.”
Keith says, “No shit. Carly almost shot me.”
I say, “Yeah, sorry about that.”
“It’s okay. I probably would have done the same thing. She’s got balls, Brady.”
Brady smiles at me. “That she does.” He steps a little closer.
I ask, “This werebear stuff, is it a family thing? Are there a lot of you?” Brady’s scent wafts toward me, and my skin aches for his touch.
Brady answers me. “We call ourselves a family, but we’re really a clan. Keith and I are distant relatives, not really family.”
I remember Catori, the Native American woman we met in Colorado who helped us believe coming here was our destiny. I also recall Lily, the girl at the motel, who had been called too. She told us Catori said she was destined to save a clan. I nod trying to process it all. Sierra asks, “So we’re here to breed with you guys and have baby werebear, right?”
Keith scratches his head. “I wish you wouldn’t call it breeding. We’ll have babies the way usual people do. Only when they get older they should be able to shift given your heritage.” He steps closer to us too.
Our heritage? I ask, “Hang on, me and Sierra have werebear genes?”
Brady looks at me. “You do.” He holds his hand out again, and this time I take it. Even though I’m not sure I like him right now, I can’t seem to resist. He continues, “The sign could only be seen by descendants of werebears. That’s why we sent it.”
Sierra asks, “So werebear are everywhere?”
Brady answers. “Because we go to regular public schools, sometimes members of the clan fall in love with normal people. We keep our shifting secret from the rest of the world, and once someone leaves us, we don’t let them go back and forth between both worlds.”
I ask, “I’m going to guess there’s a lot of us, right?”
“That’s right, but we only wanted those of you that could be our mates. It’s complicated, but it was sent out to a target group. Each eligible male sent it to a possible mate.” Brady’s finger is rubbing the back of my hand, and his touch sends tingles through me.
Sierra asks, “How many women are going to come?”
Keith is holding her hand when he answers. “We don’t know. You have to be pretty brave and willing to believe in the sign to come, don’t you think?”
Sierra has succumbed to Keith’s charms, and he is now holding her. She says, “Did you not see me faint? I’m not brave, but I am willing to try almost anything.”
Keith pats her hair. “And for that I’m grateful. I can’t imagine life without you.” He nuzzles her neck, and she giggles.
At those words, I look into Brady’s eyes. I know he wants acceptance, and I want to give it to him. But a tiny piece of me can’t believe the bear in my dreams is real. I let him pull me against his chest and melt in his arms. Exhaustion has overtaken me, and his embrace soothes my tired muscles.
He whispers in my ear. “You’re the brave one, and I’m proud of your reaction. You must have come from warriors.”
I snort. “I doubt that.”
“I don’t. We were made for each other, Carly. You were meant to stand by my side.”
I lay my head against his chest and let the soft flannel of his shirt caress my cheek. Catori’s words echo in my mind. “You’ll find a great and powerful love. In return you’ll provide the future.” Brady is my powerful love, and having children with him would help provide the future. But I have a feeling there’s a lot more to this, and I’m afraid to find out.
19
Chapter 6
Carly
The trip to the picnic spot goes by in a blur for me. Sierra asks a million practical questions, like what do werebears do about clothes, while I try to absorb the information. She’s so adaptable to new situations, and I’m envious. I can’t shake the feeling there’s more we don’t know. If I’ve learned anything in my twenty-plus years, it’s to trust my gut. And right now, it’s telling me to be cautious.
The path opens up to a small clearing. A wooden lean-to with a platform is in the middle, and a bare section of earth accommodates a small stone circle created for a fire. A rusty grate sits on top. I imagine roasting hotdogs and marshmallows on a summer evening. I should be hungry, but my stomach is numb.
The early spring grass with daffodils scattered everywhere is beautiful under the blue sky. A camp table and chairs are set up with a cooler and basket nearby. Sierra’s face is beaming with joy, and she says, “Look at all these flowers. They’re gorgeous. Who planted them?”
Keith smiles back as a pleasant scent wafts toward me. “Our mothers did when they were young girls. They wanted to be fairy princesses and convinced a couple boys to help them plant hundreds. Over the years, they’ve multiplied.”
Sierra says, “Did those boys happen to be their mates?”
Brady chuckles. “She’s catching on.”
I’m coming out of my funk and ask, “Does that mean you two have been friends all your life?”
Keith winks at me. “Yup, and boy have I got stories for you.”
While Sierra wanders through the flowers, I sink into one of the collapsible chairs in exhaustion. Brady kneels at my feet and rubs his hands up my thighs. It occurs to me the h
eat I feel coming from Brady isn’t human, but my muscles welcome it just the same.
His voice is low and soothes me. “You need to eat. Should I make you a plate?”
“Yes, thank you.” I lean my head back to feel the warm sun on my face. Ice rustles in the cooler as Brady rummages through it. I’m overwhelmed with all that happened and need to process my feelings. The man I’m falling in love with is part bear. He turns into something big and deadly. And if I have his children, they will too. A shudder passes through me.
The warmth of Brady’s coat comes around my shoulders. I open my eyes to the hulking shadow of him over me. He hands me a mug of hot chocolate and a piece of cheese. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re in shock right now. Eat and drink while I make you a proper sandwich.”
I do without speaking. I’m not in shock. I just need a little time to sort things out, and words are in my way. The cheddar melts on my tongue, and I wash it down with the comforting flavor of chocolate.
I look over to see what Sierra is doing. She’s sitting on Keith’s lap, and they’re feeding each other grapes. I’ve never seen her happier, and for a moment I long for that kind of love. But then I realize I can have it. It’s at my fingertips, and all I have to do is grab it and hold on.
Brady sits next to me and hands me a plate with a chicken salad sandwich, chips, pickles, and fruit. He seems to understand my need for quiet and doesn’t speak. I put a grape in my mouth, and sweet juice explodes when I bite it. I’m suddenly ravenous and eat with purpose.
When I’m done, I set the plate down and sigh. My energy is returning, but I could easily take a nap. Except for the fact I’m trying to sort out what I do now.
Brady gets on his knees before me the way he did in his office. Only he doesn’t pull me against him. He’s letting me decide how close I want to be.
“Carly, I know this is a lot to take in. When you’re ready, you can ask me anything.”
I trace my finger along the strong line of his jaw, and a hint of stubble catches at my skin. “There’s more, isn’t there?”
Brady nods. “We’re not the only clan of werebear around here. With our numbers dwindling, we’re in danger of losing our status. Currently, the Le Roux Clan rules the Northeast Kingdom. I like to think we do so in fairness, but other clans want to take over.”
I recall Brady’s words. You must have come from warriors. I ask, “How old is your youngest member?”
“Twenty-five.”
Brady and Keith have to be close to that age. Even if I had a baby in the next year, that’s a huge gap between generations. I’m beginning to understand the danger of not having an army of young fighters. In fifteen years, their warriors would be either early teens or in their forties.
“Do the other clans know your women are barren and that you don’t have any children?”
A gentle breeze blows through Brady’s hair, and a strand falls on his forehead. A tiny flash of something not human passes through his eyes. His brow furrows for a second when he says, “They do.”
I take his face in my hands, and his scent speaks to my awareness. I listen. In that moment, I know I can’t leave Brady. In a strange way my body hums with the idea of making the clan strong again. It’s as if it’s my purpose in life. Not even tattooing called me this way.
I don’t bother speaking and let my kiss tell him I’ll stay. I pour my heart and soul into it, and while it’s sexual, it’s sensual too. I’m giving Brady a piece of me as a promise that I’ll be his forever. As if he knows, he devours me like a man starving.
When we break away I say, “I want to know everything. Maybe not today but soon.”
“You will. I plan for you to be my equal, and we’ll lead this clan together.”
His words surprise me. “You’re the clan leader?” Good God, what have I gotten myself into?
“Yes, I’m the alpha. Like my father was before me and his before him.”
“Is my heritage strong enough for you? To have your children so they can carry on the legacy?”
Brady smiles. “You wouldn’t be my mate if it weren’t.”
The word mate drives right into me, and my core twinges in desire. My nipples harden as lust courses through my veins. Every cell in my body is craving him. “I want to be with you. I’m ready.”
He pulls me tight against his body, and I feel his desire press into my belly. He grabs my arm and brings my wrist to his mouth. Staring into my eyes, he licks the tattoo, and it sends white heat to my core. I tremble when he does it again, and a low moan escapes my lips. He might as well be licking my sex because it’s bringing me to the brink.
The reality of where we are makes me look for Sierra and Keith. I see them huddled together on the platform of the lean-to and decide to let myself feel with minimal restraint. I suspect we’re the last things on their minds.
I’m close to a climax. “Brady, I’m going to need so much more.”
“Carly, you’ll get it. But not now, just take this. Let me give it to you.” He lets out a low growl, and the sound roars through me as he suckles my wrist. My body spasms uncontrollably as I shatter in his arms.
When I recover I’m spent, but my desire is still smoldering. Brady has moved me into his lap, and my cheek is against his chest. His heart is beating quickly, and I think he’s feeling the same way I do. I say, “I knew that wasn’t going to be enough. Can we get out of here?”
“Sure, but let’s stop by the bed and breakfast and check you out. You belong with me.”
Those words should scare the hell out of me, but they don’t. This is what I’m supposed to do, and for the first time in my life, I’m sure of it.
20
Chapter 7
Carly
Brady calls out to Keith, “You guys almost ready to go?”
Keith and Sierra get up from their prone position under the lean-to, and I smirk as they arrange their clothing. When Sierra gets to us, I elbow her. “I’m moving into Brady’s,” I tell her.
Sierra smiles. “I’m moving into Keith’s.”
Keith wraps his arm around Sierra’s shoulders. “I can drop you ladies off, and when you’re ready, Sierra, you can come home with me.”
Brady has the cooler and the basket in his arms and says to me, “I assume you’ll drive your car over to my house?”
The metal of a chair clunks as I fold it up. “Yes.”
Keith gathers the furniture and leads us to his Jeep. When we get to it, I turn and scan the area one last time before leaving. It really is beautiful, and I imagine little girls running around through the daffodils playing fairy princess. I’m grinning when I turn to Brady.
“What’s the smile for?” He tucks some of my hair behind my ear.
“I’m happy.”
This makes his smile bigger, and he scoops me up as he says, “That makes two of us.”
I squeal, and he sets me down by the car. Sierra has already gotten in the back, and I scramble in next to her. The leather of the seat has heated up and is warm under my thighs. The odor of cut pine is present, and I guess that’s a constant in Keith’s life.
On the way to Brady’s office, the guys entertain us with stories of their childhood. It sounds as if they spent a lot time practicing their fighting skills, and I smile at the difference between boys and girls.
When I’m finally in my Subaru driving to Brady’s, I take the time to process all that’s happened in the past two days. It feels as if it was weeks ago that we drove to the Bear Mountain Tree Farm retail store instead of just yesterday.
The sun is low in the sky now, and the temperature is dropping. As I drive up Brady’s road in daylight, I go slowly to take in the beauty of his home. The large building exudes power and safety when I notice the decorative wrought-iron grates over the windows. The gate is open, but I stop so I can look at the design. I’m moving into this house!
The engine of my car roars when I step on the gas to continue on up the hill. I notice a wraparound porch on both levels and
imagine the heavy doors I see on the second level must be so one can step out of a bedroom to the deck. My mind flashes to sitting out on it with champagne and a naked Brady. I chuckle to myself over my fantasy.
I’m not sure where to park when I arrive so I stop behind Brady’s truck and leave my keys in the ignition. Brady comes out of the garage as my door groans open. “I’m thinking about building an extension to make room for two more cars in the garage and maybe a playroom over them.”
My heart beats a little faster at his plan for our unborn children. How on earth did I mentally get here so quickly? “Aren’t you a little ahead of yourself, Mr. Le Roux?”
“True, I think we should probably plan for a wedding before babies, right?”
A flush rises to my face, and Brady lifts my chin with his finger. “We don’t have to take things any further tonight. You can have all the time you need to get comfortable with being my mate.”
I shake my head. “I don’t need time, Brady. I know this is where I should be, and being your mate is what I’m supposed to do. I’ve never felt so sure of anything in my whole life.”
“Well, then can we do a little something to make my sister happy?” The sly smile on his face makes me tingle in anticipation.
“Sure, what?”
Brady grabs my hand and leads me around to the back of the house. A garden is beginning to show signs of life, and he brings me to a fountain in the middle. “Marry me.”
“What?” Water trickles in the fountain, and I block out the sound to focus on Brady’s words.
“Let’s have an informal wedding based on promises to each other. Annie made me swear I wouldn’t sleep with you until you were sure you wanted to be my mate.” He winks at me. “It also means we can make babies tonight.” He’s inches from me, and I can’t help but inhale his intoxicating scent.
“So it won’t be official?” I don’t resist the urge to place my hand on his chest, and flannel is soft under my fingers.
He takes it and places it over his heart. “Not yet, but for me it will be the same thing. You’re my mate, and I would rather die than be without you.”
Summer Shifter Nights Page 66
