How Not To Date a Bear

by Stephanie Burke

  “Damn my stupid hair kink,” she sniffed, trying not to cry.

  But things had gotten complicated real fast. How was she to know that she was a bear? She had no idea why she’d shaved her man. She had no idea he was a bear bear and not just a regular muscle bear down for a good fuck and maybe future friendships. Who knew what could result when you were sexually compatible?

  Oh, yeah, she reminded herself. You find yourself with a bear shifter — a royal bear shifter — and a new family history. And let’s not forget about a war at your doorstep, she thought darkly.

  “And what does being a mate mean anyway?”

  “It means —” She squeaked as the shower door opened and a naked Declan stepped in. “It means that I would never hurt you. That I will always protect you, with my life if need be. It means that you are the one to carry my children, the one to be a balm to my soul while I uplift and protect yours. It means you are the perfect match for me physically, mentally, and spiritually.” He moved in and took her into his arms, ignoring the water that plastered his black hair to his head and ran into those intense green eyes. “It means that you are mine, Gillian. Mine, a gift to me from the heavens, and I will do anything to keep you.”

  Suddenly, she realized, her heart pounding, her blood racing, her soul soaring with his words, suddenly being a mate didn’t sound too bad.

  His mouth slammed into hers, forcing his way inside as he tasted her, demanded her compliance.

  And something deep inside her submitted.

  She gave into the kiss, leaning against his solid mass, pressing herself to him fully.

  “You are mine,” he repeated, his hands going to her waist, lifting her high.

  Her legs wrapped around his body as his hands dropped to her ass, holding her in place. Gillian shuddered at the feel of his hard cock rising to press hot and hard against her stomach.

  She buried her hands in his hair and hung on. This was where she wanted to be. This was perfect. Declan had driven away all the shadows. The fidelity he offered was almost too good to be true. But somehow she knew he was a man of honor, that he would keep his word.

  Her instincts were driving at her, her mind and body yearned for this. She had to keep this man. She did the only thing she could do.

  “Yes,” she breathed, breaking away from the kiss to bury her face in his neck. “Yes, I am yours as you are mine.”

  “Gillian,” he moaned, leaning back against the wall of the shower, allowing the hot water to rush over both of them as he nuzzled her until she lifted her face to his once more. “My own. I am yours.”

  And then he was devouring her again, his tongue dancing in her mouth, caressing hers, playing a game until she chased it back between his teeth.

  Then she found herself melting into his arms as the flavor of him overwhelmed her. This was pure Declan, hot and sweet, and she relished the taste.

  “I hate to interrupt,” Theo called out, making Gillian break from Declan and his hypnotic mouth as she flushed prettily. “But there are some people outside waiting to talk to you, Boss. And they won’t take no for an answer.”

  “The Brown Bears?” Declan snapped.

  “Yes.”

  “Damn them,” Declan snarled, suddenly no longer the demanding lover who held her in his arms moments ago. This Declan, this snarling, glaring man, was a warrior.

  And when he stepped from the shower after giving her one final, incomprehensible look, she knew blood would be shed.

  Chapter Seven

  “I’m going out there.”

  “You will not.”

  Declan glared at his second, wanting nothing more than to break his friend and toss him aside for trying to prevent him from doing what must be done.

  “Boss, you go out there smelling of frustration and Grizzly, they are going to rally the troops and attack if you even twitch. Let me go and explain that this is not a good time.”

  “I am the one responsible for this situation,” Declan gritted out, adjusting his clothing as he tried to move around his second, “and I will be the one to end it.”

  “If you go out there like that, war is assured,” Theo snapped back, his black eyes glinting.

  “And if I stay here, war will start on my mate’s doorstep. And no one wants that.”

  “No one wants more war, Declan. None of us here. That is why all three hundred of us brought our families out here. That is why we follow you. It has nothing to do with your Great Bear status. We willingly lay our lives in your hands because we are as sick of the bloodshed as you are. And that is why I cannot allow this treaty to be destroyed.”

  “It is my responsibility to protect the people!” Declan argued, his voice rising in his frustration.

  “And it is my responsibility to protect you and all that you hold dear.”

  “Then let me do my job!” he roared, his green eyes going black as the bear within him made its presence known.

  Before Theo could make a response, the rising sounds of a ruckus filled the tension-charged air.

  Declan pivoted from the kitchen in time to see the front door swing open and his mate race outside, anger pouring off her like a sentient thing.

  *

  “Mate is not such a bad thing,” Gillian muttered to herself as she hurriedly dressed in comfortable jeans and a warm sweatshirt. “I won’t have to worry about fidelity.”

  She pulled her damp hair back into a loose bun as she tried to still her fear.

  Of Declan and that cute little Teddy, she had no fear of at all. It was strange, but she felt protective more than anything else toward the powerful bear shifter. She wanted to mother him a little and maybe do his hair. That ponytail of his didn’t look comfortable or complement his handsome features.

  What scared her was the growing noise outside.

  And it was not like she could call the constables. She could hear in her mind’s eye how that conversation would go.

  Excuse me, Constable Reinds? There is a shifter war brewing on my front yard. Can you maybe send some Mounties my way? I am afraid there will be bloodshed.

  Oh, the Shifter Act, the one that says we will stay out of their business so long as they are compelled to stay out of ours? Well, I am a citizen and… Why my front? You see I have old shifter blood running through my veins… What’s that you say? That makes me a shifter by law and this crap is none of your business so long as citizens don’t get hurt?

  But I pay my taxes and… Oh. I have to appeal to the highest shifter authority? He’s out on my front porch about to take on some Brown Bears… What do you mean you’ll bring the popcorn? Hello? Hello?

  As it stood now, the local law would do nothing but set up a barricade to prevent anyone from wandering into the battle zone and sit back to watch the carnage… and maybe place bets.

  The same law that protected the shifters in the human world protected the humans from being involved in theirs. Shifters could not join the armed forces or law enforcement services to protect all from the accusation of collusion. Shifters had their own form of government, therefore they could not serve in any human political office and vice versa. It was a keep your business to yourself kind of treaty, and it worked because both sides agreed to it. And her calling in to report a gang-style war would only add fuel to the fire brewing outside.

  And Declan — he’d devolved into this cold quiet that unnerved the hell out of her. He retreated from their shower, and without another word to her, dressed and pulled Teddy downstairs.

  She was rushing now to get down there and see if there was anything she could do. She quickly picked up on the implications of her having Great Grizzly blood and being mated to a Polar Bear from a Great house. That alone would bring the bears out in full force.

  And the thought of that had her going to stare out her window to see what had Teddy so angry.

  What she saw made her thank God that she didn’t have any neighbors for miles around. It looked like the cast of The Godfather was amassing on her front yard, standing ar
ound in her very expensive flowerbeds, parking their cars on her lawn, and messing up her home.

  She was growing more furious by the second.

  By what right did they have to come to her home and mess with her things?

  She could see some other people too, people who made her feel protective, people who were placing themselves in a position to defend her land. She liked these people, the vibes they gave off. They made her feel safe, like when she first met Declan. Her instincts were screaming at her to protect these people.

  It was the other people, the strange men in suits who were invading her land that made her furious. And then one climbed out of a car, surrounded by at least four other big, tall men. This jackass must be the leader, she mused. But when he opened his mouth and began to spew trash, her anger turned into righteous fury.

  “Declan!” He threw back his head and bellowed. “You hide out here, ignoring our hospitality, making us wage war while you get a piece of ass?”

  It was the piece of ass comment that made her flip. Who the hell did he think he was? He preened as his men began laughing and catcalling, screaming out insults and calling her everything but a child of God.

  Before she could get her mind to catch up with her instincts, she was down the stairs and out the door.

  “Who the fuck are you calling a piece of ass?”

  *

  “Damn it, woman!” Declan was out on her heels before the door had a chance to swing close.

  “Who the fuck are you calling a piece of ass, you ill-groomed bastard?”

  Declan reached out to push her behind him, but not before he got a really good look at his enraged mate.

  Anger was a good look on her.

  Her eyes were bright, glittering orbs, her squared human teeth were bared and impressive, her chest was heaving, and both fists were clenched in rage.

  How could he not see how bear she was in her reactions? He must have been blinded by that perfect ass. And her scent — he had no idea why, but now that he could no longer smell her heat it was rich with bear undertones. His mate was perfection.

  Now he only had to keep her safe and run off the Brown Bears, all the while keeping the treaty that would allow his people to settle here.

  Piece of cake.

  “So.” Davis, the Clan Leader of the Brown Bears snickered. “To get you out here to talk to me, all I had to do is insult your bitch.”

  “You do not speak of my mate!” Declan roared, baring his distinctively non-human teeth even as he shoved her farther behind him. Theo appeared and gently gripped her upper arms, keeping her in place.

  “Bitch?” she shrieked. “I’ll show you how much of a bitch I am, you weak bastard!”

  “I think you should leave,” Declan roared again. “I will meet with you when I can, Davis. You have no right to make demands on my time.”

  “I have rights when the Grizzlies are making noise and you won’t even pull your dick out of her long enough to answer my summons.” He whipped off his glasses, exposing black eyes that were narrowed in suspicion. “You bring me nothing but grief.”

  “Our treaty is all but done save for the signatures.” Declan took a step off of the porch and moved toward the Brown Bears. As if choreographed, four of his people fell into formation behind him. “You have no reason to call for me, unless you no longer want to honor the pact you yourself laid down.”

  “The Grizzlies —”

  “Are your fucking problem!” Declan bellowed. Then, moving so fast he was a blur, he plowed his fight right into Davis’ face.

  The shocked leader of the Brown Bears stumbled back into his men, his eyes showing how much he had underestimated his foe. His men surrounded them, the sound of growling and tearing clothing as some of them shifted loud in the air.

  “And if you ever fucking speak to my mate like that again, Davis, I will tear your tongue from your mouth and shove it up your ass.”

  “Mate? Really?” Davis sniffed as he stood up under his own power, throwing out one arm to stop his men from advancing.

  “I am not in the habit of lying,” Declan snarled. “And I am not in the habit of hiding behind a woman.”

  “The problem with The Grizzlies —”

  “Is your problem,” Declan snapped. “You created your shit. You will not get me and my people involved.”

  “There are rumors, Declan. Rumors about you making your own treaty with the Grizzlies. Sandwiched between two such forces, my people will not survive.”

  “Not my business what you choose to believe.”

  “And if you shift into true form, you know that I can scent the truth of the matter for myself.”

  “And my second’s word and shift was not good enough for you?”

  “You could be plotting things your people don’t even know,” the Brown Bear growled.

  “Do I look like I’m stuck in a mafia book to you?” Declan sneered. “I don’t believe that in this day and age you would play into that shit.”

  “And you are Russian, Declan, no matter how Anglicized your speech. Your people know no other way than war and bloodshed.”

  “And I told you I left this behind when I came here.”

  “So shift!” Davis demanded. “Shift and all of this will be over.”

  “I — I can’t,” Declan grumbled, shuddering as he felt frustration fill him.

  “Can’t or won’t?”

  “I won’t because I can’t,” he snapped, stepping back as the Browns began to circle around him.

  “Then this is war.”

  Before Declan could retreat further, Davis shifted in an explosion of torn material and lurched for his throat.

  Declan pivoted, spinning to the side and barely avoiding Davis’ lunge. The large Brown Bear threw his head back and roared, his people shifting and going on the attack.

  Before Declan could give an order, his own people shifted as well, lunging for the Brown Bears that dared attack them.

  There was brown fur and white fur flying as Declan and Davis circled each other.

  Davis drew his teeth back and snarled, his muzzle jutting forward as he prepared to lunge again. But before he could, there was a high-pitched scream and a blur of pink sweatshirt and long, damp, brown hair leaped on the Brown Bear’s back.

  “You stay the fuck away from him!”

  And then Declan was lunging for his mate, trying to rip her from Davis’ back. He turned to see Theo engaged in battle with three bears. His second had shifted form and was struggling to hold them back. In an instant, Declan understood that his second had shifted in order to protect Gillian, and that his mate had taken advantage of his inattention.

  “You will not hurt one hair on his head!” she was screeching, ripping out handfuls of brown fur. “And get off my property!”

  Davis rose high on his hind legs and tossed Gillian from his person. He glared at her, sniffing and roaring, “Grizzly!”

  She squealed as she went flying, and Declan lunged to catch his mate.

  He barely made it, but a fast dive had him catching her in his arms instead of letting her slam into the side of a truck.

  “Collusion!” Davis was now bellowing, lumbering toward them on two legs.

  There was only one thing to do. Shoving Gillian behind him, he rose to his feet and shifted. In a flash, where human Declan once stood loomed a huge, angry, bald, ash-gray polar bear.

  All fighting came to a stop. Even Davis stopped his forward lunge and stared, mouth hanging open in shock.

  And then the laughter began.

  Bears were rolling over the snow-covered lawn. Bears were leaning against the trucks. Bears were falling over in the destroyed flowerbeds. Brown Bears and Polar Bears were leaning on each other. And they were all choking on their hysterical laughter.

  Even his own people were hard-pressed to not laugh, especially when he rose up on two legs and slammed his hands on his hips. The puffballs at his wrists seemed to be extremely laugh-worthy.

  He turned his head to glar
e at Gillian, who sheepishly shrugged, her own face looking as if she were about to break down and join the laughing bears.

  Enough was enough.

  Gathering his power, Declan flashed his natural energy, his inner strength flowing around him like a huge, white aura that stunned all of the bears in histrionics into silence.

  This was the power of a Great Bear, the power to manifest their inner strength into an outward, visible and dangerous presence.

  As he stood there, he sent this aura out, circling and snapping at all the bears present, making his own Polar Bears drop to their knees in obeisance while the Brown Bears slunk backwards, afraid of the powerful aura that surrounded them.

  “The Grizzly!” Davis snapped, keeping his distance from the silver-white aura that so frightened his people, but needing answers all the same. “She is one of them.”

  “She is not a shifter,” Declan’s bear voice was a deep grumble, “though it is in her blood.”

  “She has no abilities?” Davis tilted his head to the side, and the look on his face would have been funny if their situation had not been so dire.

  “None. She is descended from a lost branch of the Great Grizzly house. She has no claim to any Bear Clan other than what she can claim as my mate.”

  Davis sniffed the air tentatively, reading the truth in his statement. “And the deal with the Grizzlies?”

  “There is no deal!” Declan roared. “There never was.”

  Slowly, Davis shifted back into his human form, not bothered by his nudity as he tilted his head to the side again. “I smell the truth.”

  “Because I do not lie!” Declan snapped. “I have too much honor.”

  Seeing their leader change, the Brown Bears began to slowly shift back to their human guise until the yard was filled with naked and vulnerable Brown Bears.

  “And you could not change because of —” He waved at his denuded body. “Your Great Clan did this to you for leaving?”

  “No.” He sighed, bringing one bear paw up to cover his face as he shook his head, a very human thing for such a huge animal to do. “She decided to give me a trim in the night.”

  Davis’ eyes widened and he stared at Gillian, his mouth hanging open before he collected himself enough to ask, “And she is still alive? She must be one powerful sexual partner.”