“She's very brave.”
“Yes. Mama was all alone, armed with just an old kitchen knife. Yet she came rushing out, screaming like a banshee to attack the wolf when she saw that the beast had my brother in its jaws. The wolf dropped Hansel and turned its attention to Mama. Mama tried her best to save us, but she was no match for the wolf and my stepmother.”
“That's how Mama Mae got all those scars,” Derek said quietly. “She...really is amazing.”
“She is,” Gretel said with deep love and pride. “She was bleeding all over, her limbs were almost shredded but still she refused to give up. She was fierce and feisty and even managed to scratch my stepmother between the eyes. The wolf was about to finish her off but Hansel grabbed her kitchen knife and plunged it into my stepmother's chest.”
“He killed her,” Derek said with grim satisfaction.
“No, he didn't. He was about to pull the knife out and stab her again when the wolf lunged forward and slammed into him. The wolf shifted to human form and threw my stepmother over his shoulder. Then he grabbed Hansel and said, “Your heart will save her.” I caught Hansel's hand and tried to pull him away, but...”
Gretel hiccuped a wrenching sob. “It's my fault. I let go. The wolf took them both away. I let him take my brother away!”
Derek enveloped her in his arms and rocked her gently. “No, it's not your fault. It's not your fault at all.”
Gretel took a few shuddering breaths and said in a strong voice, “It is my fault. I should have protected my younger brother. I lost him, but I will find him. I swear, Derek. I will find Hansel!”
Derek saw the burning hope and resolve in her eyes and sighed heavily. “How do you know your brother is still alive?”
“I can feel it.” She placed a hand over her heart. “I know, even Mama thinks that I'm just delusional, in denial, punishing myself by clinging to a false hope. But I know, I just know that my brother is alive. Hansel was last seen with a wolf shifter. I think that he's with a wolf pack. And I know that the wolves keep tabs on the rival packs. They want to know the latest political maneuvers and movements in the packs. Someone must have seen or heard about Hansel. A human, living among wolves. He's gotta stand out.”
Derek winced. He honestly didn't think a human boy would survive long among the wolves.
“Hansel is a fighter, a survivor. He won't let himself be killed so easily. My brother is alive,” Gretel hissed fiercely.
“I'll help you look for your brother,” Derek promised. “Please don't go out and bait the wolves on your own, Gretel. You're putting yourself in danger, and I'm sure your brother wouldn't want that.”
Gretel lowered her eyes. “No he wouldn't.”
“I'll ask my brothers to help. Jack is living in Redcape Grove, so he might hear something from the shifters out there. Hans and Whitney have many contacts as well. We'll all help you, Gretel.”
Gretel smiled gratefully. “Thank you. Thank you so much, for believing me. I didn't think you would. I thought you'd tell me to give up the search...”
“You love your brother and Mama Mae very much,” Derek said simply. “They're your family.”
“You...you've helped me so much, Derek,” she whispered. “I don't know...”
Derek put a finger to her lips. “That's what family is for.”
She started. “F-family? You...”
Derek took a deep breath and decided to confess. She had shared her deepest secrets, hopes and fears with him. She had told him everything about her past and opened up her heart and old wounds to him.
He should bare his heart to her as well. He wanted to hide nothing from her. He wanted her to know just how important she was to him.
Derek took her trembling hand in his and said, “You are my mate, Gretel.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Gretel gasped at him. “You...I...”
“Yes.” Derek held her firmly, possessively. “You are my mate, my family, my life. You are mine, and my heart and soul belong to you. I will protect you and yours, Gretel. Forever.”
She stared at him, unable to speak. He wasn't joking or lying. He spoke every word with deep conviction and passion, and he truly, deeply felt for her and cared for her. She could see it in his eyes and feel it in his touch.
“Oh, Derek,” she whispered. “I never thought...I'd ever find someone who would freely and truly give me his heart.” She let out a bitter laugh. “My father didn't give his heart to my stepmother. She took it from him by force. Ripped it clean out of his chest while he slept beside her.”
Derek pressed her to his chest, letting her hear the strong beats of his heart.
“It's yours,” he said with a lopsided smile. “If you want it. But I would very much prefer it if you left it inside my chest, since I need it to, you know, stay alive.”
She laughed despite herself.
“Your parents,” Derek said softly. “I'm sure you saw the genuine love between them.”
Gretel shook her head. “My mother died shortly after Hansel was born. I was four then.”
Derek kissed her on the forehead. “You have Mama Mae. And you have me. And my brothers. And we will find Hansel, and live happily ever after.”
“That sounds nice,” she muttered. “But I don't live in a fairy tale.”
“Well, I'm no Prince Charming. But you're still my princess.”
Gretel stared into Derek's earnest, intense green eyes. She felt so much stronger and calmer with him. On impulse, she leaned forward and kissed him on the corner of his mouth. She saw his eyes widen and darken with heat.
Immediately, Derek grabbed her and kissed her full on the mouth.
Gretel's lips parted with a moan as Derek tangled his fingers in her hair and deepened the kiss. His hungry, relentless kiss sent molten heat hurtling to her core, making her moan and writhe against him. “More...” she whispered, pulling him closer.
Without breaking the kiss, Derek swept her into his arms and carried her up the stairs. Gretel clung to his shoulders, her mind foggy with desire. His kisses were addictive and intoxicating. She didn't want him to stop kissing her, and she wanted more.
Derek pushed into his bedroom and laid her on the king-sized bed. Pinning her hands down on the mattress, Derek bent down to kiss her long and deep on the mouth, before kissing down her throat. He released her hands just long enough to unbutton her blouse and pull the straps of her bra down her shoulders.
He murmured appreciatively as his lips and tongue moved over the swell of her breast to reach her sensitive nipple. Gretel arched her back, wordlessly begging him to take her throbbing, aching nipples into his mouth.
She cried out when he finally pulled her hard, erect nipple into his mouth and began to suckle her furiously. Frantically, she raked her nails down his back. It was bliss and torture. He was giving her the most intense, tormenting pleasure, but she needed more.
“Derek,” she panted, undulating her body mindlessly.
With a growl, his hands moved quickly, impatiently over her body and her clothes were flung to the side of the bed. She was completely naked and exposed to him, but she didn't feel vulnerable. Instead, there was a heady sense of power when she saw the swirling lust in Derek's eyes. He let out a tormented growl and tore his clothes off with his claws. He was almost out of his mind with hunger for her.
When Derek grabbed her, she felt a rush of moisture between her legs. She was so aroused and so ready for him.
She groaned with pleasure as she rubbed wantonly against him. The friction and heat between their bare bodies was sinfully, wonderfully delicious.
“Oh Derek, I want you...” she whispered, straddling him.
She pressed her palms down flat on his chest and raised her hips to position her pussy at the tip of his erect, impressive cock.
She couldn't wait any longer. She had to feel him inside her.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Derek growled at the scent of his mate's fier
ce arousal. Gretel wiggled her hips as she tried to impale herself on his huge cock, but she only managed to push the head of his thick, throbbing cock into her body.
She whimpered and her breathing quickened as she tried to adjust to his size. “Derek...” she panted, her walls squeezing impatiently around his tip.
His eyes almost crossed. She felt so good, and he hadn't even fully penetrated her.
Flipping her onto her back, Derek stretched her arms high above her head as he tasted her lush, sensuous body. He broke away from her mouth to lave down her heaving chest and between the valley of her breasts.
When his teeth scraped across her nipples, she gasped and begged for more. Derek continued suckling her, feeling her grow wetter as he rolled her glistening nipple between his fingers.
Sliding one hand under her knee, he pushed her leg up to spread her wide. He clenched his teeth as he slid very slowly into her hot, tight body.
Once he was buried to the hilt inside her, he stilled completely and gazed into her eyes. He could feel her channel rippling around his shaft, and it took all his self-control not to thrust hard and fast into his mate. He wanted to take her, claim her and make her his.
“You feel amazing,” she whispered, wrapping her legs around his hips.
Derek kissed her tenderly, and began to rock into her. She made small, yipping sounds of pleasure as her body moved in time with his. They fitted together so beautifully, so perfectly.
Derek growled possessively as he pushed them both closer and closer to the edge. Gretel was his mate, his female. She would know only his body from now on. He would be the only male who would hear her moans and cries of pleasure. There would be no other female for him now that he'd found her.
Derek surged deeper into her sweet, luscious body. The sound of their flesh slapping together and the musky scent of sex filled his bedroom. The intoxicating, erotic sound and scent of mating pulled his bear right to the surface. He knew his eyes had turned feral, but Gretel didn't seem afraid. Instead, she cupped his face in both hands and stared right at his beast.
There was love, acceptance and pride in her eyes. She knew what her mate was, and she accepted both the bear and the man completely. She threw her head back and bared her throat for him. It was an act of submission and trust.
Derek grabbed her and pounded into her. He roared his claim as his body jerked and shuddered with the force of his release. Gretel bit into his shoulder to muffle her scream as she climaxed forcefully and suddenly.
Derek turned his head to press his lips against the base of her neck. With a growl, he bit her possessively to mark her as his. She was his girl, his heart, his life. She would never walk alone ever again.
Murmuring into her hair, Derek held Gretel in his arms for a long time. She was sobbing quietly, but she managed to give him a beautiful, watery smile.
“I've never felt so connected, so close to a man before,” she whispered.
Rubbing his hand up and down her back, Derek hugged her and said, “You are a part of me, Gretel. Forever. I want to share a life with you, and I want to share everything with you. I want to share your joys, your fears, your sorrow, your pain. And I want to share many, many happy moments and memories with you.”
Gretel wiped her eyes and swallowed. “I...I don't know what to say...”
“Say yes. Be with me, Gretel,” he whispered, gazing deep into her eyes.
Her breath caught. Her smile grew big and bright, as she threw herself into his arms. “Oh! Yes, Derek. Yes!”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Gretel and Mama bustled around The Gingerbread House. It was a slow, quiet afternoon, and they kept themselves busy by wiping down the counter and rearranging the displays. That large, beautiful gingerbread house was still in the window, and many passers-by stopped to gawk at it.
It really was a work of art, but Gretel knew that she would have to take it down soon. They would just display it for the whole of Hansel's birthday month, and then it would be dumped in the trash.
Mama was in good spirits. The doctor had just told them this morning that her cancer was in remission, and all signs were good. Derek had been with them when the doctor told them the news, and he had whopped and spun Mama round and round. She had giggled and told him to put her down in her sternest voice.
“Ask Derek to come over for dinner tonight,” Mama said as she put out a fresh batch of cookies. “We'll close early and go home to prepare a huge, grand dinner.”
“Ooh, I haven't had your famous fried chicken in a while,” Gretel hinted.
Mama chuckled. “Well, the doctor told me to refrain from deep fried and oily foods while I was having my treatment. But now...” Mama rubbed her hands with glee. “I'm gonna eat whatever I want!”
“Yay!” Gretel did a happy dance and kissed Mama on the cheek. “I'll call Derek and tell him right now!”
But before she could grab her phone, the door of the bakery opened and a tall woman walked in.
The hairs on Gretel's neck stood on end and tingled. She instinctively shoved Mama behind her and stepped forward.
“Good afternoon, welcome to The Gingerbread House,” she said automatically, keeping her eyes warily on the woman.
The woman had her back to her and appeared to be staring at the gingerbread house in the display window. She was wearing a long flowing black dress and a stylish hat. Her face was hidden behind large, black shades.
Gretel heard the woman mutter quickly under her breath and her blood froze. She recognized the incantation for a spell.
Without warning, all the glass windows of the bakery darkened and there was an ominous click. Gretel recognized the sound of the door locking.
The temperature dropped and shadows began to flow across the walls. The shadows stretched and twisted into the shapes of trees, tall grasses and strange animals. The darkness crept closer, closing in on them.
Gretel made a strangled sound at the back of her throat. She felt as though they were back in that dark, dangerous forest and they were standing in the clearing in a shaft of moonlight.
“Stop it,” Gretel whispered. “Who are you?”
The woman turned around slowly and removed her shades. Gretel inhaled sharply when she saw the jagged scar between her eyes.
“Whilda.” Her stepmother. “I...I thought...” Gretel stuttered, her eyes showing too much white.
“You thought I was dead,” Whilda smirked and pulled the collar of her dress down to reveal an ugly scar in her chest. “Your brother gave me this. But he didn't kill me.”
“Where is my brother?” Gretel said tightly. “Where is Hansel?”
“He should be in hell,” Whilda spat. “I should have killed him when I had the chance!”
“So he's alive,” Gretel whispered.
Whilda pointed a long nail at Mama and snarled, “You. It's all because of you. You ruined everything. Every day, when I look in the mirror, I see this.” She tapped at the scar between her eyes. “And I remember you.”
Mama balled her fists and said, “Too bad I missed. I was aiming for your eye.”
Whilda advanced towards Mama, but Gretel stood between them with her arms outstretched. “Stay away from her!”
“I will have my revenge today.” Whilda's lips curved in a cold smile. “I've been in hiding, but I've been searching for you. You will pay, for what you did!”
“Hiding? Who are you hiding from, Whilda?” Gretel taunted as her hands silently reached for the pair of metal tongs. Mama was gripping a pastry fork behind her back. “Who is after the great witch Whilda, I wonder?”
Whilda's eyes flashed with pure hate and rage, and Gretel heard Whilda hiss a name.
“Hansel!”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Gretel's pulse quickened as she pressed forward, “Hansel? You mentioned Hansel! Please, please tell me where he is. You know where he is, don't you?” she cried, desperate for news of her brother.
“Of course I kn
ow where he is. I have to make sure he doesn't know where I am.” She laughed mirthlessly.
“What do you mean? What happened to Hansel? You took my brother. The wolf took Hansel away, and...” The words tumbled incoherently out of Gretel. She hated Whilda with every fiber of her being and she would gladly stab the tongs right through her black, murderous heart but she needed to find out where her brother was. And Whilda might be the only one who could tell her.
“Yes, Alphonso took us back to his pack. He was going to kill Hansel but that brat wrenched the knife out of my chest and used it to fight Alphonso. No one expected a human boy to win against an alpha wolf. Alphonso let his guard down, and Hansel inflicted a fatal injury. Alphonso retreated. He carried me on his back and escaped from the pack.”
“He ran from his own pack?” Gretel muttered, frowning.
“It wasn't his pack any more. Your brother defeated him, so he was the new Alpha of the pack. The wolves listened to him, and Hansel ordered his wolves to hunt us down,” Whilda said, her voice quivering with fury. “He was just a small human boy, and I made the mistake of underestimating him. So did Alphonso. He never thought a skinny human boy with a kitchen knife would be his downfall.”
“So Alphonso saved you,” Gretel mumbled in amazement and disgust. Despite his injuries, Alphonso hadn't left his lover behind. He had carried Whilda for miles on his back and gotten her to safety.
Whilda let out a strange laugh. “Yes. He saved me. He gave me his heart.”
Gretel staggered back in horror. She understood immediately what Whilda had done.
“You...you took his heart. To save yourself.” Gretel gasped.
“It was the only way. I was near death. I needed a fresh heart to keep death at bay.”
Gretel and the Bear Page 4
