by Lia Davis, Milly Taiden, Kerry Adrienne, Vella Day, Andie Devaux
“But what do you mean, it’s not directly your fault?” Amy sat across from Griff. “This was all Evers’s fault, not yours.”
“Eat. Then we can talk.” Griff shoved a forkful of eggs into his mouth.
“But I don’t understand.” Amy picked at her bacon. “He’s the one that tried to hurt me. How could I blame you for anything that he did?”
Griff’s face reddened and he took a sip of orange juice. “He won’t touch you again.”
“You keep saying that, but how can you be sure?”
Griff paused, setting his fork down. “Evers is dead.”
“What?” Oh, my god! “How?”
“The rest of the slide came down on top of him. Crushed him. I’ve already called it in to the authorities.”
“I can’t believe it. I didn’t want him dead! Just far away from me.”
“Good riddance.”
Amy ate her toast in silence. Evers was dead? The thought both pleased and frightened her. What if the police thought she was involved somehow? Or Griff? They’d want to question her. And how awful did it make her to be glad her attacker was dead?
“Toast good?” Griff asked. His plate was almost clean.
“Yes, thank you.” She picked at her eggs with her fork. “Griff, I want to tell you something, and I don’t want you to think I’m crazy…”
“What is it?”
“When I was at the car. In the rain, I mean, maybe I imagined it, but I saw Evers turn into a mountain lion. He took off his clothes and then—well, his body actually changed. That’s not possible, is it?” She watched him for a response. Would he think she was crazy?
Griff sighed and set his fork down.
“I’m serious. That’s what I saw. I know it sounds crazy.”
“I need to tell you something, but I need you to promise me that you’ll listen to everything. Before freaking out.”
“Okay…” She set her fork down. This couldn’t be good.
He wiped his mouth with his napkin then looked into her eyes. She met his gaze for a moment, then looked down. No, this wasn’t going to be good.
“Maybe we should go into the living room to talk.”
“Okay.” Amy drank the last of her orange juice then stood.
Griff looked so serious—more than usual, anyway. She hoped he wasn’t going to ditch her now that she’d decided to be with him. The way her life had been going, that was probably exactly how it was going to happen. And after what she’d asked him, could she blame him? She sounded crazy.
***
Griff rubbed his head. Amy sat across from him on the couch, waiting on what he had to tell her. She’d seen Evers shift. She wasn’t freaking out over it, so maybe learning he was a bear wouldn’t affect her too much.
Maybe.
He glanced around his sparse living room. It could benefit from having some life breathed into it. Would Amy run once he told her the truth?
The fire he’d built earlier in the stone fireplace crackled and jumped, casting yellow and orange reflections across the room.
If only he knew how she’d react to the news.
“So tell me.” Amy crossed her arms.
She looked so tiny wrapped in his robe. One slit from his claws and the robe would be off her. He smiled.
“Is it funny?”
“No, no…” he shook his head. “I’m trying to figure out where to begin.”
“If you’re going to tell me that Evers can change into a mountain lion, I’m not sure there is a place to begin. So just start.”
He took a deep breath. She was his mate. He had to be honest, even if it scared her away. She deserved the truth.
“Do you remember when you saw the bear and the mountain lion fighting at the stream behind the cabin?”
“Yes. It scared me.”
“Well, you know how I told you that I’d fallen on a stick when I showed up at the cabin?” He stared at the fire.
“Yeah.”
“That isn’t exactly how it happened.”
He looked at her right as realization came over her. “You!” she shrieked. “You are that bear! The lion swiped him across the face, and then you had the same injury.” She stood. “Oh my god. How is that possible?” She backed across the room. “What the fuck?”
“Amy, sit down and listen.” He motioned her. “I promise, I won’t hurt you. But I need to explain…”
“Explain how a person turns into an animal? Yeah, I want to hear this. And I thought I was the crazy one.”
“Sit down.” He patted the couch.
“I’m sitting over here.” She sat on the easy chair. “Go on…explain.”
“Well,” Griff began. “Humans aren’t aware of this, but there are animal shifters throughout the world. There used to be more, but the numbers have dwindled. We keep things a secret because humans would trap us, study us, and worse.”
“What kind of shifters?” She narrowed her eyes at him.
“Wolves, bears, lions…”
“I see. And you’re a bear shifter?”
“Yes.” He scooted forward on the couch. “And while we’re on the subject, I should go ahead and tell you the other thing I need to tell you.”
“That isn’t enough of a revelation?” Amy didn’t move.
“No, there’s more.” He steeled himself for rejection. He had to tell her. “You’re my mate.” Thank goodness he wasn’t projecting his thoughts. It was too soon to let her know all the pleasures he wanted to show her.
She blinked, but didn’t move. “What? What do you mean, I’m your mate? What does that mean?”
“It means we’re meant to spend our lives together.” Griff sighed. “We’re meant for each other.”
Amy shook her head then stared into the fire. Griff tried to be patient. Not to push. But he wanted her to understand that she was more to him than just a fated mate. He found joy in her laughter, her love of art, even her pink towels. He wanted to be with her all the time. Protect her. Love her. Make love to her.
But now it was up to her.
“I—I don’t know.” She shrugged. “This is a lot to throw on someone at once. And to be honest, it all sounds a little crazy.”
The fire popped and she jumped.
“Yes, it is. But like I said before, I think you feel our bond, too. Don’t you?” He leaned forward. Would she give him the chance to prove himself? Or had all the information been too much?
“I do feel something.” She moved to sit beside him on the couch. “But I don’t know if it’s forever love or insta-lust. I know I enjoy being around you. I think about you a lot. But the idea of mates is a little heavy. Not to mention the whole bear thing.”
He reached for her, tugging the robe’s belt to pull her closer.
“Let’s see how it goes, then.”
“I guess that makes sense,” she said. “But tell me something…”
“Anything.”
“Why was Evers after me? I mean, why would he want to hurt me? I’m not a shifter or anything. I mean…” She pushed her hair behind her ear. “I’m not a threat.”
“Come here.” He held out his arms. “I’ll explain.”
She cuddled up to him, laying her head on his shoulder.
He shivered at her closeness. If he could wrap his arms around her and stay like this forever, he’d do it. “There’s a mountain lion pack, the Sen Pal, that wants to take over this area of the forest. The area run by my den mates.”
“Bears.”
“Yes. And we aren’t going to let them win. This is our land, and where our den belongs. Besides, the Sen Pal pack is brutal. They raze things that get in their way. And it’s my duty to protect the citizens of Oakwood, plus all the people that come to the forest.”
“Cause you’re a ranger.”
“That, and I care about the people in town. I feel responsible for their safety—at least as far as making sure the forest is safe for them.”
“So Evers was with this mountain lion pack?”
“Yes. We think he was a Scout.” He stroked her hair. God, she smelled divine.
“But he’s dead.” She sat up. “Does that mean…”
He nodded. “Yes. More are coming. And they will try to get to anyone who is close to a bear. Like you. They will come for you.”
He felt her tense in his arms. God, he hated to scare her, but telling her to stay out of the woods hadn’t helped a bit. She kept getting into trouble.
“So what are we going to do?”
“You’re going to stay with me.”
She sat up and looked at him. “What?”
“It’s the only place where I know you’ll be safe.” He ran his fingers along her cheek. “Okay?”
She put her head back on his chest. “I don’t know. I need to think. So much has happened.”
“Yes. How about you stay tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll figure things out. I’ll have time to talk to my den mates and we’ll see what they found out about the Sen Pal.”
“Sounds good.” She yawned.
“Hey, none of that.” He lifted her face. “No sleeping. Not yet.” He pressed his lips to hers.
“I need one more thing, Griff.”
“Anything.”
“I wanna see your bear.”
“Tomorrow?”
“No, now. Please. For any of this to make sense, I need to know it’s all true.”
“Okay, give me three minutes, then look out the door. I’ll be in the yard.”
“Why not here?”
Griff took a deep breath. “I’m a bit shy of how I look when changing.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Okay…”
“Three minutes.”
He walked out onto the porch and then into the yard. The night sky, sprinkled with a zillion stars, domed over the cabin, and the dark woods surrounded the clearing. He moved quickly, shedding his clothes and focusing on his bear.
He growled, pawing at the air as his body morphed and changed. Shifting didn’t hurt, but the sensation was like no other he’d ever felt.
Bigger. Stronger. He sliced at the air with his claws.
His bear breath came in small puffs in the cold night air, and he peered at the cabin. Silhouetted against the window, stood Amy.
Chapter Eight
Amy stretched out on the feather duvet Griff had spread in front of the fire. She still wore his robe, but her hair had dried, and tiredness weighted her movements. He really is a bear. Oddly, the thought didn’t terrify her.
Griff is a bear.
“I’ll toss your clothes in the dryer in a little while,” Griff said. “When the washer is done. You’ll have clean clothes tomorrow. Tonight—you don’t need them.”
“Thank you.” Amy blushed at the thought of Griff handling her underwear. But all her clothes were muddy and had needed to be washed. Otherwise, she’d be wearing his robe until she went back to her cabin. If I go back.
Griff settled on the duvet beside her. “I didn’t scare you? When I shifted?”
“No.”
“I’m so glad. I was worried.”
“It feels right.” He wants me to stay here with him. She didn’t know which was scarier—staying with Griff or being alone in the cabin with mountain lions hunting her. Him being a bear wasn’t even on the radar. If anything, his protective nature was charming. Maybe she really was crazy, but she was falling in love with a bear.
“It’s warm.” Griff pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it to the floor. “Aren’t you hot in that robe?”
I am now. “You trying to tell me something?” She stared at Griff’s chest—muscled and thick—not like a gym rat, but like someone who did a lot of heavy lifting and manual labor. A patch of dark hair grew up high, and a heavy trail of hair snaked from his bellybutton into the top of his jeans. She wouldn’t get lost on that trail.
Griff smiled and she turned away, her face heating.
“Don’t be shy,” he said. “It’s all for you.”
Amy turned to him. The whole evening had been leading up to this. Her and Griff. Why was she balking now? Maybe the whole day had really been a dream—shifters and mudslides and bears and now Griff. No. She deserved this. She wanted him right now, and right now was all that mattered.
She ran her fingers over his abdomen, the skin soft and pliable. His flesh quivered, but she continued stroking, stopping at his waistband.
“Go ahead.” He lay back to give her access.
She tracked over the top of his jeans and down the zipper, tracing the prominent bulge contained there. She wasn’t sure whose breath intake was stronger.
Hers or his.
He took her hand and placed it flat over his cock. She felt it surge as it hardened more. When she didn’t move, he pressed her hand firmly against him and lifted his hips, pushing into her hand. “Feels so good.”
She nodded. Brave now, she bent to kiss his bulge. The groan that escaped him made her bolder, and she slipped the zipper down. He grunted, then slid his jeans and boxers off.
Amy sat back on her heels. His thick cock stuck out from a dense patch of coarse hair. She took a deep breath and moved closer, kissing his upper thighs gently as she made her way to his cock. She gave the head a quick flick of her tongue.
He moaned. “Oh god, yes.”
She wrapped her fingers around his girth and slipped the head into her mouth, swirling her tongue over the sensitive underside. He held her head and tried to pump into her mouth. She slid up and down, letting him hit the back of her throat while she gently squeezed his balls.
He thrusts became stronger and she worked harder to take him all in.
He pulled back. “Stop,” he said, breath ragged. “My turn.”
She scooted away.
“Oh no, you don’t.” His gaze had darkened with arousal and he licked his lips. “My turn,” he repeated.
She giggled and tried to move, but he grabbed her by the ankles. He held her with one hand as the other ran up under the robe and over her bare pussy. She flinched as pleasure zinged through her.
“Oh.” It had been so long. She tried to scoot away.
“Be still.” He rose over her, untying the robe in one motion. “Off.”
She sat up and slipped the robe off her shoulders. By the time it had dropped to the duvet, he had her flat on her back and his face between her legs.
Little moans escaped unbidden as Griff nibbled his way up her thighs. She tried to close her legs but he held her open. Vulnerable. When his wet mouth closed over her clit, she came apart, her legs falling open and her head back, inhibition forgotten.
“Mmm.” He paused his caresses. “So fucking good.” He licked her clit then tongued it hard. “Mine.”
She wanted to agree with him, but she couldn’t find her voice. He slipped one finger inside, then two, and began pumping them in and out, hitting all the right spots. She pulled his head closer and he rewarded her with hard licks and nips.
She wasn’t sure she felt the orgasm building as everything felt so good, but when it slammed into her, she arched her back and cried out as he finger fucked her into her oblivion.
***
Griff tried to hold back the urge to claim Amy. Her orgasm had about been his undoing. He counted his breaths, trying to give her time to recover. And to pace himself. His dick ached so bad it felt good.
“Oh my god, that was amazing.” She sprawled across the duvet, legs and pussy shimmering with wetness in the firelight. Open and ready for him.
“We’re not done.” He stood. “I’m going to put a log on the fire, then I’ve got some wood just for you.”
Amy snickered. “Really? Did you really say that?”
“Hey, no sarcasm,” Griff said. “Only orgasm.”
She rolled her eyes and he stepped over her, aware of the show he was putting on for her as his dick bobbed over her.
He chucked
two large logs on the fire. “That should last a while.”
Amy propped up onto her elbows, and he dropped to the floor beside her, putting one leg across hers.
“You have a condom?” she asked.
“Don’t need one. I can’t get human diseases. Unless you aren’t…”
“I’m on the pill.”
Griff smiled and he was sure his dick was smiling, too. Nothing like a bare dick. As nature intended. “Good.” He leaned in and kissed her. She felt so small under him. He squeezed one breast then the other. He’d have plenty of playtime with them later. Right now, he needed to be inside his mate. The drive to claim her had intensified and become more important than his own pleasure.
He looked down at her beneath him. Her eyes had glazed over, and her lips were swollen. Beautiful. He’d never tire of her. Mate. Mine.
“Ready?” he whispered.
She nodded and he positioned himself. It took every ounce of willpower he had to be gentle. He didn’t want to scare her with the force of his passion. Breathe. She lifted up to meet his advance, and he closed his eyes and pushed in.
Fucking your mate was supposed to be the greatest pleasure on earth, and now Griff believed it. He’d never felt so alive, so in touch with the here and now. He glided in and out, trying to time his thrusts with Amy’s groans. Her pussy held him tight, and he lowered his lips to her shoulder. So warm. So good. When her moans changed from intermittent to near constant, he pushed deeper and harder. Tension built in his balls, and he thought he would burst from the pressure. She cried out and he came hard, nipping at her shoulder and claiming her as his, always.
***
He watched her sleep, her eyelashes fluttering as she dreamed. Hopefully, she dreamed about him and their future. The fire had burned down to barely a flicker, and the sky outside was on the cusp of dawn, rosy as a fresh camellia blossom. He’d not been able to sleep a bit, not even after another marathon sex session. His heart filled with love for his mate, even more than before. Sure, they had things to work out, like where she’d live. And how many cubs they’d have, though he suspected it was too soon for that conversation.
The Sen Pal were still out there. The fight for control of the forest would be long and bloody, but he’d make sure his mate was safe through it all. He stroked her hair.
