Swipe Right: Paranormal Mating Bundle

by DJ Bryce

  “Yeah, she’s here doing a trial run,” I explained, then turned to my friend and added, “I still think you should check it out.”

  Bane sighed, then shrugged.

  “You know, maybe it wouldn’t hurt. I’ll never meet anyone like Sarah again, but it would be good for Sloane to have a mom.”

  Sloane was Bane’s daughter. Sarah, his mate, had died during childbirth five years ago, and Bane had been raising Sloane alone ever since. With the help of his pack, of course. Still, I’d encouraged him to try the app out, to see if he could find someone, not just to be a mother to Sloane, but for him as well.

  I knew my friend had been lonely over the years, and even if the app didn’t gain him an actual mate, at least it could help him find a wife.

  “Just check it out. You can see who’s out there and can always do a trial to make sure the woman you find is a good fit.”

  Bane nodded absently, still looking at Tori.

  I cleared my throat and Bane shot me a sheepish look.

  “Sorry.”

  “I get it,” I replied, then tried to turn the focus off of my intended mate. “What’s new with you?”

  “Just stopped by to pick up my schedule for the week. I’ve got a big group going out on Saturday.”

  “Cool, I’m sure they’ll be pleased.”

  “Hey, Mal, could I get one of these?” Tori asked, bounding over.

  Her enthusiasm and guileless nature was refreshing, and I wished I could kiss her right there in the middle of the store.

  “You can get anything you want, Tori,” I answered, then, when I noticed her looking expectantly at Bane, added, “This is my friend, Bane. He’s one of our guides.”

  “Hi, Bane, I’m Tori, lovely to meet you,” Victoria said with a brilliant grin, holding out her hand in greeting.

  Rather than shaking it, Bane bent his head and kissed the back.

  I let out a low growl of displeasure.

  Bane chuckled and lifted his head to grin at Tori.

  “The pleasure is all mine. See you later, Mal,” he said, then turned and strode away.

  “Everything okay?” Tori asked nervously.

  I stepped in closer to her, no longer caring that we were in the middle of my store.

  I reached out and grasped the back of her head, then lowered mine until my lips were a breath away from hers. She stared up at me, eyes wide, lips parted in anticipation.

  “When I said I wasn’t jealous of Kai, I wasn’t lying,” I informed her, my voice low. “That doesn’t apply to anyone else, apparently. Now, don’t worry, you didn’t do anything wrong, but I think I need to give everyone a little message.”

  Before Tori could respond, I brushed my lips against hers briefly, before deepening the kiss and losing myself in her.

  By the time we parted, we were both breathing heavily.

  “What’s the message?” Victoria asked, her eyes fluttering back open.

  “That you’re ours.”

  Tori

  When we got back home later that afternoon, Mal’s kiss was still on my mind.

  It was different than anything else we’d share. More insistent, arrogant… hotter.

  He definitely hadn’t appreciated Bane looking at me, or kissing my hand, and I kind of loved that he hadn’t been afraid to show it. It was a different side of Mal, one that I didn’t know existed, but found I really liked.

  It had been cool seeing the business they’d built, and it was exciting to think I could be working there alongside them. Not in a big role or anything, but even working the register or putting out stock would be fun.

  “Thanks again for the clothes, you didn’t have to get so much,” I said as I headed to my room to put my goodies away.

  I’d just wanted to get a light jacket, because the evenings were getting chilly and I didn’t have one, but Mal had insisted that I got everything that I needed to get me through the next few weeks, and possibly, longer.

  So, I had jeans, leggings, long sleeved shirts, a sweater, the jacket, and some boots.

  “I’ll be right back to see those cookbooks. I’m making dinner,” I called out, then ran up the stairs, eager to get back down and get started.

  Once I had everything either in drawers or hanging in the closet, I jogged back down the stairs and into the kitchen.

  “Ready,” I said excitedly.

  Mal looked up from his phone and chuckled.

  “You’re really jazzed about cooking.”

  I nodded.

  “Okay, let me show you my lair,” Mal said and I followed him to one of two doors at the backside of the kitchen.

  One, I knew was the pantry, while I’d assumed the other was a linen or cleaning supply closet. But, when he opened the door, it was to reveal a room that was twice the size of the pantry, with shelves lining the walls.

  I stepped inside and looked around, my mouth wide open with surprise and I took in the shelves stacked floor to ceiling with cookbooks.

  “Holy cow,” I exclaimed. “Kai really did buy you every cookbook ever published.”

  Mal chuckled and said, “He really hated those YouTube videos.”

  “Wow,” I murmured, stopping in front of the first shelf and perusing the books. “Is there already something pulled out for dinner?”

  “Chicken.”

  “Perfect,” I said, then started opening books and checking to see what recipes were offered.

  “I’ll leave you to it,” Mal said.

  I nodded absently, intent on what I was doing, and Mal left the room.

  I was having way too much fun going through the books and finally realized that time was getting away from me, so I needed to decide and get started. With a mental promise to myself that I’d be back to go through the rest of the books, I took a Mexican inspired cookbook off of the shelf and took it into the kitchen.

  Thirty minutes later, I was putting together chicken enchiladas and getting them ready to go in the oven. I checked the pantry and found a can of refried beans and some rice to accompany them, then decided to throw together a homemade salsa as well.

  “Do you have the stuff to make margaritas?” I asked Mal when he came wandering in as I was scooping salsa into a bowl.

  “Sure do,” he replied. “Want me to make some?”

  “Yes, please,” I answered with a grin, then got out a bag of tortilla chips. “Here you go, an appetizer to hold you guys over while the rest is cooking.”

  Mal came up behind me and put his arms around my waist.

  I leaned back, into his warmth, then tilted my head to the side when his mouth hit my neck, to give him better access.

  Tingles hit my belly as he nuzzled me in that sensitive spot.

  “Everything smells delicious,” his said softly in my ear.

  “Thanks, I hope it tastes good too,” I replied, eager to do something nice for him and Kai.

  “I’m sure it will.”

  Mal dropped one more kiss where my neck and shoulder met and let me go.

  “I’ll get those drinks started, then take this out to Kai.”

  Once he was done, he left a margarita on the counter next to me, then grabbed the chips and salsa and put them on a tray with the other two margaritas and went outside to join Kai.

  I took a sip.

  “Mmmmm,” I murmured as the delicious cold liquid slid down my throat.

  The timer went off for the enchiladas, so I took them out, then put the beans and rice in big bowls and took it all outside.

  “Oops, forgot the place settings,” I said when I got outside and realized there were no plates or utensils.

  I dropped the food on the table, then rushed back in to grab some.

  Once we had everything we needed, I sat down at the table and we passed the dishes around, family style.

  “This looks great,” Kai said. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome,” I replied, happily.

  Mal cut into his chicken enchiladas and took a bite, then moaned in delight.


  “Delicious,” he said, and I felt my cheeks flush with pleasure.

  It was a lovely night, and I thoroughly enjoyed eating, and watching them devour what I’d made.

  Something about feeding them, taking care of them, struck a chord inside of me that had never been touched before.

  Tori

  The next few days went by like a whirlwind as we got to know each other.

  I explored the cookbooks, made more meals, went on walks with Kai, and the boat with Mal. Most of my mornings I spent texting with Stacia, telling her stories about Mal and Kai and asking about her pregnancy.

  Our evenings were spent on the deck overlooking the lake, and our mornings were lazy. Well, at least, mine were. The guys had gone back to work after taking my first few days in town off.

  I liked having dinner ready when they got home, and I was surprised by the fact that I wasn’t bored.

  In addition to the room of cookbooks, both Kai and Mal had their own bookshelves in the rooms with stacks of books, and they’d given me free reign. My days were spent cleaning, reading, and meal prepping.

  It was pure bliss.

  Neither Kai or Mal had taken our physical relationship any further, which only seemed to make the anticipation that much greater.

  I longed to take the next steps, but knew they both wanted to be sure that I was the one, and that I’d be staying, before we consummated our relationships. Still, there was lots of kissing, cuddling, and hand holding, at least between Mal and I. Kai wasn’t quite as touchy feely.

  I was ninety-nine percent sure that this was where I was meant to be. Here, with Kai and Mal. We still had a couple days left in the trial, but I really didn’t have any doubts. Sure, I missed Stacia, but other than that, I knew I would be happy here.

  I was making a special dinner, including dessert, and planned to tell Kai and Mal that I wanted to be their mate tonight.

  I took my time and went out of my way to make everything perfect.

  I picked fresh flowers and placed a vase full of fragrant blooms on the table, which was covered in a pretty white tablecloth I’d found in the linen cabinet. I’d also put out place settings a head of time, with glasses for water and for wine.

  By the time my men came home, my mini non-thanksgiving Thanksgiving feast was ready.

  I’d made turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, candied sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and pecan pie for dessert.

  Thanksgiving was my favorite holiday, and it only seemed fitting to celebrate by cooking my favorite foods. I just hoped Kai and Mal enjoyed it as well, and weren’t thrown off by the meal I’d prepared.

  “Wow, it smells amazing in here,” Mal said, his easy grin in place as usual.

  He walked over and kissed my cheek, just like he did every day when he came home from work.

  “Thank you.”

  “It really does,” Kai agreed, coming in behind him. “Is that turkey?”

  “It is,” I replied. “I made Thanksgiving a little early. I hope that’s okay.”

  “Thanksgiving meal is always okay,” Mal said sweetly, then reached across the counter and asked, “Oh, is that pecan pie?”

  “Yup.”

  “Kai’s favorite,” Mal said, and I looked to Kai with a smile.

  “Is it?” I asked.

  Kai’s lips turned up briefly and he nodded.

  A thrill of pleasure ran through me at this lucky bit of news.

  “Great,” I said, enthused. “I really wanted to make this night special.”

  “Why, what’s going on?” Mal asked.

  “I’ll tell you both at dinner, okay?”

  “Sounds good. We’ll just go get changed and be back in a jiffy.”

  Mal turned and went toward his room, but Kai just stood there for a moment, his hands in his pockets, eyes on me.

  I walked slowly toward him, my eyes never leaving his. Once I was right in front of him, I reached up on my tip-toes and offered him my mouth. He only watched me for a second, then lowered his head to accept my offer.

  His hands stayed in his pockets, and nothing but our lips touched, briefly, then I rocked back onto my feet.

  “You okay?” I asked softly.

  “Yeah.”

  “Good.”

  I turned and went back to what I was doing, eager to get everything plated and get to the celebration.

  When I looked back up, Kai had gone. Presumably to get changed, and I hoped he was going to be on board with me becoming their mate. Things were better between us, and I felt like we’d made progress, but I was still nervous about his reaction.

  I was almost done taking the food outside to the table when Mal joined me and carried the last couple of dishes.

  When Kai walked out, I was uncorking the wine to let it breath.

  “I hope you’re both hungry,” I said excitedly as we all took our seats.

  “Starved,” Mal replied, while Kai simply nodded.

  We piled food on our plates and Mal stood back up to pour the wine.

  When he sat back down, Mal looked to me and asked, “Okay, I can’t wait any longer, what are we celebrating?”

  I took a deep breath.

  “Well, I wanted to let you both know that I don’t need to continue with the trial. I’m certain that this is where I meant to be, and I’d like to continue on with the claiming, or mating, or whatever the technical term is that allows me to stay here for the rest of my life with the both of you.”

  Mal’s face brightened, but Kai’s remained guarded, so I held my breath while I waited to hear what he had to say.

  Tori

  “Are you certain?” Kai asked his voice deep and low.

  I nodded and smiled broadly.

  “Absolutely.”

  “This is fantastic,” Mal exclaimed. “I knew from the second I saw your picture that things would work out this way.”

  I giggled at his enthusiasm, then looked from one face to the other and asked, “So how does this process go? That is… if you feel the same way about me?”

  I knew how Mal felt, he was always pretty transparent, but I looked cautiously to Kai and waited.

  “First, you’ll meet our bears on a one on one basis,” Kai said, and I let out the breath I’d been holding. “Then, you’re claimed by each of us individually, before we have the formal ceremony, and finally, claim you together.”

  My body tingled, because I was pretty sure the claiming meant sex, and the last couple weeks had been like non-stop foreplay.

  I was ready for the main event.

  “Okay, when?” I asked eagerly.

  Mal chuckled and reached out his hand to take mine.

  “I can introduce you to my bear tonight, if you’re ready,” he said, and I nodded in response.

  “Then, we’ll save mine for tomorrow,” Kai added.

  “Perfect,” I replied, then asked, “And, the ceremony?”

  “We’ll plan something small here, in the woods. I can probably have it ready in two days, if that works,” Mal offered.

  “Yes, thank you,” I said, thinking I’d like to get a nice dress to wear. Not a whole wedding dress, but something pretty and white, to celebrate.

  “Great. Now, I’m ready to enjoy this wonderful meal you made,” Mal said, giving me a wink, before diving in to his plate.

  We enjoyed our meal, not hurrying through to get to the next step, although I wouldn’t have minded if we did. Instead, we talked, drank wine, and the men polished off the feast I’d prepared for them.

  Once the dishes were done and everything was put away, the three of us walked into the woods.

  “Once I’m sure it’s safe, I’ll leave you two to get acquainted,” Kai said as we walked, and I appreciated them looking out for me the way they did.

  “I don’t foresee any problems, my bear is pretty easy going, but we want to make sure we’ve taken every precaution,” Mal explained.

  I could tell they were trying not to freak me out, but I was surprisingly calm abo
ut meeting their bears. No, I’d never been around an animal so fierce before, but I knew these men, and I was sure their animals would never hurt me.

  I averted my eyes while Mal was taking off his clothes, but not before I got a nice preview of what was to come. And, let me just say… dayum!

  Once he started to shift, I brought my gaze back to him, eager to see how it all worked.

  It was a little scary, yet magnificent at the same time… the way his body shifted from man to beast.

  It almost looked painful, but Mal didn’t cry out or make any sounds of duress. In a matter of seconds, his brown bear fully took over. He stood on his hind legs and roared, but again, not in a scary way. More like he was celebrating being in his true form.

  I watched as he lowered back down to all fours, then ambled closer to me and Kai.

  Mal scented the air, moved closer, then nuzzled me gently. My arms came around his neck and I hugged him tight.

  “I’ll leave you to it,” I heard Kai say. The leaves crunched under his boots as he left us alone.

  Mal’s bear took his time sniffing, nuzzling, and becoming attuned to me.

  At one point, he took off, rambling off into the woods, while I waited by the pile of Mal’s clothes. When he came back, he’d shifted back into human form, and strode toward me, gloriously naked.

  I cleared my throat and bent to pick up his clothes.

  “Hi,” I said softly as Mal reached for his things.

  “Hi,” he replied with a grin. “That went great.”

  I nodded, because I’d thought so too, then bit back a groan when he put his clothes back on.

  Once he was dressed, Mal took my hand and we walked back to the cabin.

  The house was dark, save the light over the stove, and Kai was nowhere to be seen. I assumed he’d gone to bed and was giving Mal and I some privacy.

  “Wait here,” Mal said, once we were standing outside his bedroom door.

  Seconds later, he was back with a bottle of wine and two glasses.

  I smiled.

  He really was the sweetest.

  “Shall we?” he asked, gesturing with the bottle to his room.

  Rather than replying, I walked inside, leaving him to follow behind me.