Pleasant Valley Bears: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Pleasant Valley Shifters)

by Marlie Monroe

  He spotted the car just up ahead as it turned off the main road and hurried to catch up. By the time he turned onto the side street, the car had disappeared from view. He cursed, tension building inside him, and continued forward. The car had to be somewhere ahead. It couldn’t just vanish without a trace.

  Within a mile, the side street went from asphalt to dirt and gravel. The houses grew farther and farther apart. He slowed to a crawl as he passed each driveway and gazed through the trees, looking for the car.

  He’d almost given up hope when he finally caught sight of the vehicle sitting on the side of a rundown, clapboard house. He turned into the driveway and killed the engine. No one came out to investigate—which he found a little odd. His work truck was big and loud, making it kind of hard to miss.

  He got out of the truck and walked over to the car. The little yellow ball on the antenna bobbed in the breeze, laughing at him. The car looked like every other generic midsize car. From the back, he could discern nothing unique. However, as he got closer he noticed two things: a parking permit sticker from the college Zoe had attended was on the upper right side of the windshield, and, more importantly, his mate’s scent surrounded the vehicle, inside and out. He also picked up the scent of another shifter, wild and male. There was no doubt in his mind that this was Zoe’s car. She was there somewhere and she wasn’t alone.

  He tried tracking her scent away from the car, but it only extended a couple of feet from the vehicle. After that, only the smell of the other male lingered on the ground. Frustrated, he stormed up to the front door and knocked. While he waited for someone to answer, he closed his eyes and cocked his head to the side, focusing all his energy on listening. He couldn’t hear much, but he could make out the sound of light footsteps moving away from the door, rather than closer.

  The hell with waiting. He banged on the door again and tried the knob. It twisted easily within his grasp. He shoved the door inward and stepped inside. “Hello. Anyone here? I’m looking for my mate, Zoe Redman.”

  He took a deep breath and picked up Zoe’s unique scent. “Zoe?”

  He heard a rustle and what sounded like two simultaneous bangs on the floor coming from the left side of the house. He headed in that direction, determined to find out what was going on.

  The room he entered was bare save for the ladderback chair in the center of the room that held his mate. Duct tape was wrapped around Zoe’s arms and midsection, securing her to the chair. Another strip of the silver tape covered her mouth. In the matter of a few seconds he catalogued her features: the large bruise on the center of her forehead, the fear in her beautiful, red-rimmed eyes, the tears spilling down her face, and the dried blood caked around her nose.

  He rushed forward to help her. “It’s okay. Everything’s going to be okay.”

  She shook her head and mumbled something through the tape.

  “Hang on.” He worked one edge of the tape loose and held it tight between his thumb and forefinger. “I’m sorry,” he warned her. “This is going to sting.” He yanked hard, ripping the tape off her mouth.

  She gasped. “You have to get out of here. It’s a trap.” Her eyes widened. “Watch out!”

  “Wha—” Something large barreled into his back, knocking him to the floor. The weight of the creature on his back bore down on him, forcing him down flat on the hardwood floor. His chin hit the floor, driving his teeth through his tongue, and blood filled his mouth. The animal on his back made a high-pitched screeching noise and then large, sharp teeth sank into his shoulder.

  The change came over him so fast he didn’t have time to think or fight back. Fur burst through his pores and covered him from head to toe. His nails darkened and extended into deadly claws, while his jaw broke and extended, and his new snout filled with lethal fangs. Bones and muscles snapped, thickened and stretched, reshaping him into a strong and deadly animal hell-bent on fighting back and saving his mate.

  He roared and bucked, throwing the creature off his back. He spun around and rose up on his hind legs, intent on destroying the monster who’d dared to attack him and hurt his mate. A huge mountain gorilla bared his bloody teeth and beat his chest with his huge hands.

  Toby snarled and slashed the air in front of him, daring the bastard to make a move.

  The gorilla grunted and rushed toward him, swinging his formidable fists.

  Undeterred, the bear lunged forward and swiped his claws across the animal’s midsection, sinking his nails into the soft meat of his stomach. The gorilla screamed and backpedaled, but the bear dropped onto all fours and followed, intent on his kill. He cornered the gorilla and attacked, sinking his teeth into the target’s throat. One mighty shake of his head and the gorilla’s throat ripped open. The gorilla collapsed, his hot and salty life fluid spraying the bear’s face.

  Satisfied that his opponent was no longer a threat, Toby released the gorilla and backed up. He allowed the bear to snort and chuff in success and then compelled his animal instincts down and forced the transition from beast to man. Unlike the shift from man to beast, the changeover this time around was sluggish and painful. The adrenaline rush from earlier was gone, replaced with exhaustion and concern for Zoe. The minute he was more human than beast, he hurried to his mate’s side and started working on setting her free. “Hang on, baby. I’m going to get you out of here.”

  “Oh God, Toby. You’re hurt. It looks like he took a chunk out of your shoulder.”

  “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me.” He concentrated on the fingers of his right hand, willing his claws to spring forth, and then used them to carefully cut through the clinging tape piece by piece until she was free. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded against his chest. “My face hurts and I have one hell of a headache, but I’ll be all right.

  “Thank fuck.” He glanced back over his shoulder at the dead shifter and noticed the huge pegboard on the opposite wall. It was filled with snapshots of Zoe, odd bits of paper, and random items, like hair bows and old straws. The largest thing on the board was a soft black sweater hanging from a hook to the right. The second largest was an eight by ten inch photo of him which was pinned to the center of the board. His eyes were scratched out and a large red X was drawn over his face. “Who the hell is this man and what did he want with you?”

  “I don’t know. Everything happened so fast. One minute I was alone in my classroom and the next I was being screamed at and attacked. The man’s name is Geoff Batiste and he works as a janitor at the school. Until today, he’s always been friendly. He just barged into the classroom and started yelling and making accusations. He kept saying I belonged to him and that I would understand everything just as soon as he killed you.”

  “Jesus.” Toby hugged her tighter. “I’m just glad you’re all right.”

  “How did you know where to find me?”

  “I got lucky. I was on my way into town and spotted your car. Since I knew you were supposed to be at work, I turned around and followed you. I’m damn glad I did. I don’t want to think about what might have happened otherwise.”

  “Me neither,” she said. “I’ve never felt as relieved or as scared as I did when you came storming through the door. I couldn’t believe that you were real, that you came for me.”

  “Always.” He pulled back just enough to allow him to make eye contact with her. “I will always come for you. I’ll protect you with my every breath. Until my last breath, if necessary.”

  “I love you.” She cupped his face and leaned up to kiss him.

  He returned the kiss carefully, keeping it light and short because of her injuries. “I love you, too.”

  Zoe wiped her eyes with shaky hands. “What do we do now?”

  He rubbed his palms over her shoulders and upper arms. “Now we call 911, get some medics here to make sure you’re really okay, and let the police sort out the rest.”

  * * * *

  Later that night, Toby crawled into
bed beside Zoe and sent a silent thank you out to the universe for making sure his mate was safe and sound and right where she belonged. Other than some deep, nasty bruises, Zoe had been cleared by the medics. The police had taken their statements and released them. Although Zoe was frightened over the possible repercussions from Geoff Batiste’s death, he felt confident the matter would be dropped since it was a clear case of self-defense. No matter what happened, he didn’t regret defending his mate.

  He spooned her from behind and wrapped his arm around her, snuggling up tight against her. He breathed her in, comforted by her scent, and kissed the nape of her neck.

  She sighed and wiggled her bottom back against him, eliminating the scant inches between them.

  Toby bit down hard on the inside of his cheek in the hopes of stifling the erection trying to spring up thanks to the feel of her warm, soft curves.

  She moved again, pushing back harder against his groin.

  Toby groaned. Now was not the time to think about making love. She needed him to be there for her, to comfort and support her. “You better watch that squirming or you’re going to get more than you bargained for.”

  She turned over and faced him. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe that’s the outcome I want?” She reached down and cupped him through his sleep pants.

  Toby’s body reacted despite his reservations. “There’s nothing I’d love more than to strip you down and make love to you right here and now, but are you really sure you’re up for anything physical tonight?”

  “I’m fine.” She grabbed his waistband and tugged it down. “Lift your hips.”

  He did as asked and then finished removing his pants. Zoe rolled onto her back, shimmied her panties down her legs, and then rose up on her knees and pulled her sleep shirt over her head. She slung one leg over him and straddled him like a cowgirl on a mission.

  The sight of her sitting atop him, so gorgeous and determined, stole his breath. Everything about her turned him on and made him love her, from her beautiful face and mind, to the long blonde hair cascading down her back, and the heavy thrust of her rose-tipped breasts. He wouldn’t change a single thing about her. She was perfect and all his. He reached for her and settled his hands on her hips. “I’m all yours—heart, body, and soul—if you want me.”

  “I do,” she said without hesitation. She leaned over him, dragging her nipples over his chest. “I want your body. I want your heart. And I want your bite. Claim me tonight. Make me yours.”

  He moved his hands from her hips to her back, running his palms over miles of bare, supple skin, and tugged her down closer. With her lips inches from his own, he said, “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Make no mistake, you’re already mine. The bite is just a formality.”

  She looked him square in the eyes. “Prove it.”

  “Gladly.” Holding her securely, he surged up and flipped them over. Once on top, he centered himself between her luscious thighs and drove into her in one long, hard thrust. He squeezed his eyes shut against the pleasure of her slick heat surrounding him. When he opened them again, he found her gazing up at him, her lips parted and wet. The depth of emotion in her eyes spoke volumes and stoked the embers of his desire into a raging inferno of need. This was about more than two bodies coming together, more than lovers forming a connection. They were securing a bond to last a lifetime.

  “Toby!” She arched her back, pressing closer, and wound her legs around his waist.

  Opening his eyes, he gazed down at her and started moving. He thrust into her over and over again, driving them both higher. She clung to him, her nails digging into his back and shoulders, and rocked her hips upward into every stroke.

  He sped up his pace, going a little faster, and Zoe matched his enthusiasm. They worked together in a greedy cadence, building the friction and heat between them. There would be time for slow and easy later. For now, it was all he could do to maintain control over the wild animal clawing to break free and claim his mate.

  Her breath hitched and then she threw her head back against the pillow and moaned. “Oh. Oh. Toby...” She drew his name out like a benediction as she came, the walls of her channel clenching around him.

  She tilted her head to the side, baring her throat for him. His pulse raced as he gazed down at her. He knew exactly what she wanted and the bear was eager to fulfill her wishes.

  He groaned, edging nearer and nearer to orgasm with every thrust. He could barely think, barely breathe. He rumbled low in his throat, pleased, knowing that he’d satisfied his mate.

  As his control faltered, his teeth elongated and sharpened. The need to mark and claim overwhelmed him. Unable to resist, he leaned in closer and struck fast, sinking his teeth into the soft, meaty flesh between her neck and shoulder.

  The metallic burst of her blood spilling over his tongue was all it took to send him hurtling over the edge. He came and came, spilling into her over and over again until he feared his entire body was trying to turn itself inside out.

  Her gentle touch soothed him. The feel of her palms running over his shoulders and biceps brought him back down to earth. He kissed the small wound he left on her and then moved over to kiss her tempting lips. “Are you okay? The bite didn’t hurt too much, did it?”

  “I’m not gonna lie; it stung like hell. I’m all right though.”

  “Good.” Unable to resist, he kissed her softly again.

  She gazed up at him curiously. “Do you feel it?”

  Knowing what she meant, he closed his eyes and concentrated on the newly formed bond between them. Her emotions were quiet, almost muted, but he could sense exhaustion and satisfaction. He opened his eyes and nodded. “I do. I feel you.”

  Her smile lit up her face. “Almost as soon as you bit me, I could feel what you were feeling. It’s amazing.”

  A pure rush of love for her swelled inside him. “You’re amazing.”

  She gave a happy, contented sigh. “You’re not so bad yourself. So, I guess you’re stuck with me now, huh?”

  “Forever.” As he leaned down to kiss her again, he realized he’d never been happier about something in his life.

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  About Marlie Monroe

  Marlie Monroe lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and two pampered pooches. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found daydreaming about the characters in her next book.