Thor grinned and threw an arm around Luke's shoulder. “Luke is the newest member of the Black Bears clan! Ethan's going to make the official announcement today.”
Aubrey gaped at him.
“Yep,” Ethan confirmed. “Luke was injected with a huge dose of bear shifter serum. And he survived. He has a remarkably strong constitution. His body didn't reject the serum. He's a full-fledged shifter, so he can shift fully into a bear. He won't be like...”
“Like Michael,” Aubrey said quietly.
“Yes. Michael was given an experimental dose. It wasn't enough to turn him fully bear. Just enough to trigger his predatory instincts and force him to kill. The serum that was injected into Luke contained much purer shifter cells. They weren't mutated, so Luke won't be stuck in a half-bear, half-man form when he shifts. And he will be able to control his shift. He just needs to train under the right mentor. And that's what Thor and I have been doing. Choosing the best mentor for him.”
Aubrey gawked at the Black Bears Alpha. “You're saying...that Luke is now a Black Bear?”
“Yes. We offered him a place in the Black Bears clan, and he finally decided that he'd accept our offer. But he sure took a damn long time to decide.”
“I'm sorry,” Luke stammered. “I thought I was...a monster. I didn't want to put anyone in danger. I don't want to hurt any of your clan members...”
“Hurt us?” Ethan smirked. “Right now, I don't think you're even a match for our youngest she-bear.
When Luke reddened and looked down, Ethan gentled his tone and continued, “But with the right training, you'll be a formidable, valuable member of our clan. Your bear is powerful. You just need to learn to control it.”
Baxter and Dylan sauntered up to the group, elbowing and heckling each other. “So, who's it going to be?” Baxter asked, waggling his brows at Luke. “Me, who's totally fun, or him, who's no fun at all?” Baxter jerked a thumb at Dylan. “You'd want a fun mentor, right Luke?”
Thor and Ethan exchanged an amused look. “I told Luke he has to learn to control his bear. Not unleash it,” Ethan said pointedly to Baxter. He turned to Luke and said, “It's been decided. Dylan will be your mentor.”
Baxter feigned shock and outrage. He gagged and rolled his eyes, swore and stomped his foot. “Fine. Have fun with Mr No-Fun,” he scoffed, then winked at Luke.
Aubrey turned to Thor and punched him in the arm. “Why didn't you tell me?”
“Well, we've only just decided. We went through all the bears in the clan, and it was finally down to Baxter and Dylan, but we still had to...”
“No, I'm not talking about choosing Luke's mentor.” Aubrey made an impatient sound. “Why didn't you tell me you're bringing Luke into the clan?”
“As Ethan said, Luke took a damn long time to decide,” Thor answered straight-faced.
Ethan smiled at Aubrey. “You do know your mate very well. You're right, Aubrey. It was Thor who came to me with the proposal. He spoke up strongly for Luke. He said Luke needed a solid clan behind him, to give him a sense of belonging and purpose. Thor made a very good point. A good bear is a terrible thing to waste.”
Aubrey threw her mate a sidelong glance, and Thor hastened to explain, “I wasn't sure Luke would agree to join the clan. I didn't want to get your hopes up. I know how much you...”
Aubrey silenced him with a long kiss. She drew back and flashed him a wide smile. “This is the happiest day of my life! Oh, I love you so much! And you! And you and you and you...” Aubrey twirled round and pointed at all her clan members.
Cora, Prisha and Caleb and the rest of the clan had come up to welcome Luke in their usual noisy fashion and they called out exuberantly to Aubrey as she danced past them. “We love you too!”
“I love you, I love you...” Dizzy with joy, she spun straight into Thor's waiting arms and giggled as he caught her and swung her around.
Music began to play and the Black Bears cheered and took to the dance floor.
Aubrey danced the first dance with her groom, then with the Black Bears alpha and beta. She hollered to Prisha who was also being accosted by every clan member. Everyone wanted to dance with the two brides.
Aubrey laughed when Dylan cut in and waltzed her smoothly away from Baxter, who was left spluttering in bewilderment in the middle of the dance floor. Dylan twirled her around and she landed up in the arms of...Luke Keller.
Dylan blinked at the sudden loss of his dance partner before bursting into laughter. “You're a fast learner!” he called out.
“I learn from the best!” Luke grinned at his mentor over his shoulder.
“Thank you,” Luke said as he danced with her. “I owe my life to you, and Thor. Thor saved me from that window ledge. You saved me from myself. I would have gone mad, but you stayed by my side and talked to me, encouraged me, advised me during my darkest days. You...”
Aubrey shook her head. “Nobody can save you if you didn't want to be saved. You saved yourself. I'm so proud of you. And I hope you're proud to be a Black Bear.”
“I am.” Luke was about to say more when he glanced over her shoulder. He gave a subtle nod and smiled.
With a formal bow, Luke handed her over to Thor.
Aubrey sighed in contentment as she rested her head on her mate's strong shoulders. She lost count of the number of kisses they shared, and she didn't know how long they danced. It didn't matter.
The music would never fade for her.
She was surrounded by her friends, her clan, and she had her big, strong mate in her arms. She placed her hand over his heart, a heart that belonged completely to her.
She looked around and grinned. People were eating, drinking and dancing, and some were doing all three at once. There was rowdy banter and laughter all around, and she saw Caleb lovingly feeding Prisha a slice of wedding cake.
What a wedding.
What a party.
What a clan.
And it was her wedding, her party, her clan.
Aubrey laughed happily. The Black Bears sure knew how to party.
As she looked up and gazed into Thor's blue and green eyes that were shining with so much love and joy, she knew that her party would never, ever end.
It was, in fact, just beginning.
~ End ~
About the Author
Natalie Kristen is a writer who enjoys mixing the sweet with the spicy, the light with the dark, the possibilities with the unimaginable. She enjoys exploring paranormal and dystopian worlds, deep desires and inspiring romances. She is hopelessly addicted to coffee, chocolate, reading and writing. She loves to hear from readers so please feel free to follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or visit her blog for the latest news and updates.
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Bear's Claim (Bear Heat Book 3) Page 8
