by V. Vaughn
Loved by the Bear - Part 6
V. Vaughn
Sugarloaf Press
Copyright © 2018 by V. Vaughn
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Cover by Ravven
Editing by Jodi Henley and Angie Ramey
Contents
About This Book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
More from V. Vaughn
About the Author
About This Book
Josie realizes getting Max to chose her as his true mate isn’t going to be easy. In order to stay alive, she needs a backup plan, but it requires she sacrifice the closest friend she has.
Audrey and Max grow suspicious of Madison, too, but the new werebear got more than the ability to shift into a bear when she was changed. She’s able to see visions from the past, and the disturbing one she’s seen of Josie puts her on a mission to find the truth.
One
Josie
“You punched Max?” Reese snickers.
I’m not so amused. It wasn’t one of my finer moments, and I’m blaming my reaction to Max’s refusal to kiss me goodnight on my bear side. Or on my impatience to finally become a werebear and get on with my mission. Our chemistry is off the charts, and the way he couldn’t stop touching me on our date made me sure Max wanted to sleep with me. I was on board with that plan for more than the physical pleasure. I thought I’d have my chance to make him bite me. But he refused, saying he couldn’t do that to Audrey, and something in me snapped.
I glare at Reese for laughing at me. “I’ve got some pent-up energy.” To be honest, my reaction shocked the hell out of me. I’ve never felt such intense jealousy before, and I hate that I lost control. I didn’t expect my animal side to be so powerful, and I know I’d better get a handle on it because once I’m changed its bound to be worse. Something Reese understands. I say, “I’m the kind of person who needs to move. You know?”
The huge warrior nods at me. “You need a run.”
“Tell me about it.” I swing my arm out in my dorm-size room where I’m being detained by the Le Roux clan. “Not exactly the space for it here.”
“I can take you to the gym. There’s a treadmill.”
I narrow my eyes at Reese. “You’d let me run?” I suspect that’s not exactly on the list of things they let prisoners do here. “What’s the catch?”
He moves into my space, making me have to look up at him, but I refuse to step back. He says, “Tell me why you punched an alpha.”
Is Reese jealous that I went out on a date with Max tonight? For some reason the warrior has a thing for me, and it’s not because of how I look. I’m too thin for werebear men. But whatever the reason, I think it’s wise for me to stay on his good side. “Fine. He acted like we were going to hook up tonight but then turned me down when I invited him in.”
“No means no around these parts.” He glares at me, even though I think he’s pleased I didn’t sleep with Max.
I let out a frustrated sigh. “I didn’t attack the guy. He kissed me first, but—” I shake my head because I don’t want to discuss the fact that I was rejected because of the alpha next door and it was pure jealousy that led to my actions.
“Put your running clothes on.” Reese turns his back to me.
Since I’m too wired to sleep and will take any chance to get out of my room, I quickly change into workout clothes. As our feet pad lightly on the carpeted floor of the hallway, I ask, “Why are you doing this for me?”
He glances at me. “I get the need to move.”
I suppose he does, considering the fact his body is a study of just how big muscles can get with training. “I appreciate this,” I say as we enter the gym on the main floor of the building. We walk over to a pair of treadmills, and I get on one and begin pushing buttons.
I’m surprised when Reese gets on the treadmill next to me. He says, “Start at six miles an hour to warm up.”
I chuckle as the belt begins to speed up to the rate I chose. “I think I know how to run on a treadmill.”
He lets out a low growl as a warning, and I roll my eyes. “Are you kidding me right now?”
His feet pound on his treadmill as he jogs next to me, and he flashes me a smile that shows off his bear fangs. My stomach lurches both from fear and a spike of adrenaline that’s about desire. I hate that Reese makes me— my bear—tremble with anticipation of his dominance. I’m beginning to think the Eradicators might have been right about how a werebear can be controlled by their animal side.
I punch the keypad on my treadmill back down to six miles an hour and run at a comfortable pace next to Reese, and I recall the way I felt when my jealousy of Audrey filled me. I wonder if it’s my bear waking up and if Madison began to feel intense emotions once she found Trent, her true mate. I remember how giddy in love she was, and I find it hard to picture my nice-girl roommate in a jealous rage.
But her life doesn’t depend on becoming a werebear the way mine does. Sweat trickles down my back as I begin to heat up, but I’m not winded, and I glance over at Reese to see he’s running easily, too. He may be a wall of muscle, but he’s obviously in aerobic shape as well. There will be no outrunning him. The fact is I’m not ever leaving here if Max doesn’t choose me, and it occurs to me that’s what really pissed me off. I need him in order to stay alive.
“Move to seven,” Reese says, and our machines beep when we push buttons to up the speed.
I welcome the need to push harder as I fight the fear trying to pour ice into my veins. The way Max kissed me, and the way I felt when he kissed me, he had to have felt that too. I was so sure I’d have him in my bed and that it wouldn’t be hard to get him to bite me once things really heated up. But the man has a will of steel, and now I’m not sure how I’m going to make him mine.
“Eight,” Reese calls out, and I ramp up my speed more. I’m breathing heavy now, and my legs are burning as I sprint. I run as if the monster under the bed is chasing me. It should feel normal by now, because ever since I was thrown in jail for a crime I didn’t commit, one I’m sure the Eradicators orchestrated to get me in their clutches, I’ve been running from evil. I’d thought this mission to infiltrate the clans of the Northeast Kingdom was my way out of the Eradicators, but now I fear I’m running for my life.
Two
Max
The moon is almost full tonight, but it doesn’t compete with the two lights I’m standing between. One is over the door to the dormitory where Josie is staying, and the other is from a window in the kitchen of the Le Roux home where I know Audrey is awake and wondering if I’m sleeping with Josie tonight. I glance at the dormitory I just left and wonder if Josie thinks I left her for Audrey. The lights are like beacons calling my bear, as if each is trying to lure me to my true mate. The trouble is I don’t know which true mate to choose.
I’m more confused than ever about my decision. The medallion I wear is warm in my fingers as I fondle it, hoping for guidance. Just before my mother died, she infused a piece of her soul into mine in order to combine our magic, making me a very powerful witch. The process also causes me to have visions, which I now realize are meant to guide me toward saving the werebear race.
&nb
sp; The pendant I’m holding is one of the two talismans she gave my father and me so that she could soothe our grief and offer guidance when she was gone. It’s been a comfort over the years, but the sensations have faded over time, as if she was letting me go gently. I gaze up at the moon, thinking about my mother with the hope she’ll communicate with me. Mom, what do I do? A vision right now would be helpful.
I know the attempt to contact my mother is futile, and I’m afraid my visions are over. I’m where I was destined to be, and now it’s up to me to figure out how to save werebear from extinction. I turn to my logic to help me sort through the information I have. I recall the prophecy the diner waitress in Colorado told me, which was to think with my head and not my dick. Not helpful, since my cock would choose both mates.
I sigh, thinking about the way my date with Josie ended tonight. The woman was trembling with sexual need, and so was I, the way we’re destined to feel when with our true mate. But I couldn’t live with myself if I’d acted on it, and it took drawing on my humanity for strength. Josie’s anger helped. When she punched me as hard as she could in my stomach, calling me a few choice names for leading her on, I imagined Audrey’s rage if I had followed through with my bear’s physical intentions. A little stomach pain is nothing compared to the havoc Audrey’s powerful magic could cause.
Spending time with Josie was supposed to help me choose the right mate, but our date went well. She’s an intense, smart woman with a fierceness about her that tells me she’d be a good warrior as well as a good match for an alpha. And she’s got a hell of a punch. I rub my stomach, recalling her force even though the pain I experienced is gone now.
Something about what she told me tonight is bothering me. She mentioned that her roommate is a half werebear too, and that the girl had met her true mate. Considering that half werebear are rare, it’s nearly impossible that two would end up in a dorm room together. I can’t put my finger on it, but I sense it’s not a coincidence, and I wonder if the Eradicators had a hand in making it happen.
I jerk a little when my pendant vibrates the slightest bit in my fingers. At least I think it did, because the movement was quickly there and gone. I shake my head at myself. It could be wishful thinking that made me feel a sign, but either way, I plan to investigate Josie’s roommate, and going inside to talk to Audrey is the first step.
Taking a long slow breath, I walk toward the Le Roux home where I’m staying, and I blow it out slowly before opening the door to the mudroom at the back of the house. Just as I suspected, Audrey is in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in her hands.
“I didn’t sleep with her,” I say to ease Audrey’s mind.
She nods. “Did it go well?”
I avoid her gaze as I make my way over to the coffee pot to pour myself a cup. She deserves my honesty. “Unfortunately, it did. I’m no closer to a decision, but I did learn something interesting.” A chair creaks as I sit across from Audrey. “Seems Josie’s roommate is a half and found her true mate.”
“Huh. I think I know about this girl unless there are more half werebear hanging around, which I doubt. Her name is Madison. She’s going to be a Robichaux. Well, she already is, I guess, since her change was scheduled to happen tonight.”
It makes sense Audrey would know about Madison since she’s in line to be the Robichaux alpha. “Don’t you find it strange she and Josie ended up roommates?”
“I do.” Audrey frowns. “I didn’t know about the Josie connection until now. That seems like too much of a coincidence.”
“I agree. What do you know about Madison?”
“I’ve never met her, but my grandmother says she’s sweet, a bit naive, but knew what she was deciding.” Audrey lets out a dry chuckle. “True-mate love gets them every time.”
I nod. While the ultimate form of unconditional love should be a blessing, right now, to both of us, it seems like a curse.
“Maybe—” Audrey stops herself and offers me a sad smile.
“What were you going to say?”
“Maybe Josie is your true mate and was drawn here because Madison is a danger. Or maybe they both were sent here by the Eradicators to infiltrate the Northeast clans.” She chuckles. “Trust me. I know how crazy that sounds, which is why I stopped myself from saying it.”
I want to reach my hand out to Audrey and tell her that nothing she says to me is crazy. That she’s been on my mind all night and is the reason I couldn’t be with Josie. But all those words would do is make it harder for her later if I end up choosing Josie. “Exploring every option is not crazy. It’s smart, and that’s what a good alpha does. Besides, I don’t think your theory is out of the realm of possibilities. Let’s talk this through.”
“Okay. We know the Eradicators understand true-mate love and that our bite will turn a half into a werebear. They also know the only way a half can become a werebear is if they are bitten.”
“And that we will accept them into the clan if they find a true mate.” I lift my cup of coffee and take a sip.
“Which is not that hard to do, especially around here where there are four different clans in the area. But true mates love each other so much they can’t kill each other.”
“As far as we know, but has it been tested?” I frown. “I suppose it’s possible. But the reason would have to be pretty compelling, like—”
“Like if you had a family member whom they were holding hostage.”
I think about the fact that Audrey’s brother is being held in some magical prison, either as a hostage or for safekeeping. I ask, “Could you kill me to keep Connell alive?”
Audrey’s face pales, and she gulps before answering. “I don’t know.”
“Ah, but what if you believed I was innately evil, a disgusting abomination of nature that should be destroyed?”
She nods, knowing that is how the human group sees werebear.
“So the Eradicators find two halves and brainwash them into believing they have evil lurking inside. They convince these two women the only way for redemption is to help destroy the beings that created them. Send them on a suicide mission?”
“Maybe. Or at least make them spies.”
“In which case, we can’t let Madison or Josie know we’re the least bit suspicious,” I say.
“Darn it,” Audrey jokes. “I was hoping for some good old interrogation torture for Josie.”
I smile, but it fades quickly when I realize something. “She already knows your clan is suspicious, so I think that means I need to find out more about Josie. Ask her a million questions that won’t seem like prying since it’s what true mates do while they’re getting to know each other.” A sense of relief fills me when I realize that also means I can delay my decision.
“Yes.” Audrey’s gaze is serious, as if she’s in alpha mode and able to put aside her feelings. “And I should probably befriend the newest Robichaux clan member.”
“That would be wise,” I say as I shift into alpha mode too. I have a feeling I’m going to need to stay in that alpha headspace, because spending more time with Josie means denying my bear’s desire to claim his mate, as well as mine.
Three
Madison
I’m sure it was transforming my human body into my werebear form that had me so exhausted last night that I managed to sleep after my disturbing dream. But I woke this morning just as worried about Josie and who she may be as I was last night. Thankfully, the fact I shifted in my sleep and Trent was easily able to talk me back to human form means I don’t have to worry about controlling my shift, because I have much bigger problems.
I can’t shake the feeling that seeing Josie being trained to use a gun by two horrible men in my subconscious last night was something important I was being shown. I sit up and lean over to shake Trent’s arm.
“Umm,” he mumbles before opening his eyes with a cocky grin curling up his lips. “Morning sex?”
He reaches up for me, but I pull back. “No. We’ve got to figure out what to do about Josie
.”
He sighs but sits up to lean against the headboard. His scent accosts my nose, making my insides tremble with desire, and my bear wants what Trent just offered. I scold it like a child before he asks, “Are you sure it wasn’t just a dream?”
“Positive, Trent. It was so real. Like I was there. I’ve never had a dream like that before.”
“You’ve never been a werebear before.”
“Fair. But the feeling I have about my vision makes me sure it’s real. I believe what I saw did happen.”
His brow furrows. “Okay. Let’s say it did. Josie was trained by mean guys to use a gun. It explains why she’s so tough, but it’s a stretch to think she’s an Eradicator, Madison.”
I shake my head. I wish I could make Trent see what I saw and feel the dread that is sitting in my stomach like a lead ball. “I don’t know how to describe how I know it was real.” I take a moment to figure out how to convince him. “Think about the way she kicked down your door when she thought you were attacking me at the frat party.”
He nods. “It was impressive. The girl has some skills.”
“Exactly. And remember how she had the Kershaw Cryo knife? It’s designed for killing. Like she’s an assassin or something.”
He chuckles, but my glare makes Trent’s expression turn serious. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to laugh, but don’t you think it’s a stretch that an assassin just happens to end up as your roommate at a college in the middle of Nowhere, Maine?”
“Seems to me that since there are four clans living here and one not too far away in Canada, there would be a very good reason for the Eradicators to send an assassin. Maybe she’s here to take out all the alphas or something.”
