by Sara Summers
“No, we’re family.” I hugged her tight. “Even if it feels like it, you’re not alone. You never have been, and you never will be.” I promised.
“Thanks.” She repeated, her tears falling on my shoulder.
I didn’t say “you’re welcome”, or anything like that, because being her family wasn’t hard. I loved Marley more than I’d loved my parents or my brother, because she treated me like a sister. She and Leah loved me the way the family I’d been born into never had. Marley was my sister in every way that mattered to me, and so she was my family.
I knew she was struggling, but I felt lucky to be with her in her time of need. It was nice to help her after she and her dad had helped me so much.
Chapter 26
I walked into the warehouse, adjusting my shirt and looking around. It was dark, and the light switch hadn’t worked when I tried it.
“Mom, dad, I know you’re in here. You said you would give them back when I made a difference. Now the world knows that I’m building a university, and it’s going to change everything for shifters.” I put my hands on my hips.
A few seconds later, the lights switched on. My dad walked in from the room in the back that used to be his office, closing the door behind him.
“Where’s my mate?” I demanded, worry creeping up on me. If he thought that because I had only planned the university and hadn’t been able to carry it all out just then, and that I wasn’t ready to be on my own… I’d be in trouble.
Well, I’d be dead.
“He’s here. I wanted to say something first.” Dad folded his arms, and I left mine planted firmly on my hips, trying my best not to act relieved that he wasn’t planning on killing me.
“Alright.” I nodded once.
“You did good.” He said. I raised my eyebrows. “I know I’ve never told you that before, but this time it’s true. You did good with your blog, and with the plan for a university. Your mate is a good man, and I think you are the best option to raise Lyssie.”
I didn’t know what to say or how to respond to praise from the man who had never told me he loved me.
“And I haven’t had the chance to tell you, but I’m sorry about what happened when Steven tried to kill you. I wanted you to get away free and clear, and had I known what he was planning, I would’ve stopped it.”
“Thanks.” I gave him a small smile.
“Come out!” Dad called, and the office door opened again. Jordie walked out holding Lyssie, and my eyes welled up with tears.
I dropped my pretenses of being tough and ran toward my little family. Throwing my arms around Jordie’s neck, I buried my head against him and tried willing myself not to cry.
Still, the tears fell.
“Why sad?” Lyssie frowned. “It happy.”
“They’re happy tears.” I assured her, smiling and tightening my arms around Jordie’s back. “I missed you so much.” I whispered, closing my eyes.
“I missed you too.” Jordie kissed my forehead. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Bye Gramps!” Lyssie waved her chubby little hand at my dad. “They nice.” She assured him. My dad smiled, which blew my mind. I think I only saw him smile twice throughout my whole childhood, and one of the times was when someone brought him another guy’s dead body.
“They are nice.” He agreed. “Be good.”
“Kay.” She agreed. We walked out together, a little family once again.
When we walked into Marley’s house, Jazz and Brooke were not-so-sneakily waiting in the living room. Brooke shrieked when she saw Lyssie, and they both ran over.
“Hey, Jordie.” Jazz said, though her eyes were focused on Lyssie.
“Can I hold you?” Brooke wiggled her fingers at the little girl, who stared the lion shifter down. “Please? I have candy.” Brooke bribed.
“Candy nice.” Lyssie smiled and held her arms toward Brooke.
“Yay!” Brooke smiled, taking the little girl. “You two can go have some lovey time, we’ll take care of her for a few hours.” She assured us.
“Jordie?” Lyssie looked at my mate, concerned.
“It’s okay, they’re nice.” He assured her. “We’ll be back soon.”
“Kay.” Lyssie nodded, then let Brooke and Jazz take her into the other room.
“We really need to teach her about stranger danger.” I grimaced, making my mate laugh.
“Can I take you on a walk?” he checked.
“That sound perfect.” I smiled, and Jordie took my hand.
“You looked really good on TV, just for the record.” He said.
“Thanks.” I shook my head. “I never realized people were still so uncomfortable with shifters.” I admitted. “I guess I just sort of assumed everyone was used to us. It’s been, what? Five years?”
“Something like that.” He nodded. “It’s probably because even after we told the world about our existence, we didn’t join them. We stayed in our own packs, kept to our people and our forests.”
“Well, that’s definitely going to change.” I smiled wryly.
“I hope so.” Jordie stopped and pulled me close. “No matter what happens, though, you know I’m on your side. I’ll always be here for you.” He promised, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
“I know.” I lifted my mouth to his. “And no matter what happens, it’s going to be great.”
When Jordie kissed me after so many months of being apart, everything felt right again. The world was moving forward, but more importantly, we were moving forward.
As people, as a couple, as brand new parents… things were changing, but whatever came our way, we would face it together.
Once upon a time, I was independent, determined, and willing to do whatever it took to get what I thought I wanted.
I thought a strong woman could take anything life threw at her all by herself, but you know what? I was wrong.
With Jordie, I didn’t need to be anything other than myself. He made me stronger just by loving me.
When you find a love like that, you have to hold on tight, and that’s exactly what I planned on doing for the rest of my life.
Epilogue
“Lyssie, do you have any threes?” Jazz looked over her cards at the little girl, raising an eyebrow. Lyssie stared intensely at the cards in her hand.
We were all lying on the ground, facing off against each other in an intense game of Go Fish.
I leaned over and spread her cards out.
“Nope.” I whispered to her.
“Go fish.” She grinned over the top of her cards, which looked like they might fall out of her little hands at any given moment.
“Okay, ask Mar if she has any fours.” I whispered to Lyssie again.
“Mar, you have fours?” Lyssie asked.
“Nope. Go fish.” She replied. Lyssie squealed, then scooted closer to the “pond” to grab a card. In the process, she dropped her other cards. “No looking!” She shrieked. “No looking!”
Everyone covered their eyes for the third time in that game, though everyone was smiling. It was hard not to smile at someone so cute.
After I helped Lyssie pick them all up, she told them it was okay and Marley said,
“Jazz, do you have any threes?”
“Dang it.” Jazz complained, handing over the card.
The doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it.” I said, since I was only playing as Lyssie’s teammate. “Hi.” I smiled, opening the door. There was a man standing on the doorstep. He looked like he was in his early twenties, and was built strong and broad. “Uh, what can I do for you?” I checked.
“This is going to sound crazy, but, uh.” He stuffed his hand in his pockets. “Are you a shifter? I can see your cotie, unless it’s a tattoo…”
“Yeah, I’m a panther.” I nodded.
“Okay, I’m looking for my mate. I just have a feeling she’s here.” He finally said.
I lifted my eyebrows. Whatever I was expecting to hear, it wasn’t that.
“What kind of shifter are you?” I asked, trying to decide which girl I thought he might look good with. There were three of them back there, after all.
“Grizzly.” He admitted. “I can come back later if that would be better, I—“
“No, stay.” I held out a hand to stop him from leaving. “Just…” I pulled him in the house.
“Sav, what’s going on?” Brooke yelled.
“Is that her?” The shifter’s eyes widened.
“No, just wait here.” I held out a hand, then hurried back into the other room.
“Who was it?” Jazz wondered.
“A guy.” I nodded.
All three girls opened their mouths.
“Whose is he?” Brooke demanded, pushing her shirt to the side to see the cotie on her upper back. “I’m not tingling.”
“He’s mine.” Marley whispered. Then she shook her head. “I don’t know what to say to him.” She looked up at me, begging for instructions with her eyes.
“Start with your name, and then go with whatever you want from there.” I grabbed her arm and helped her to her feet. “This is what you’ve been waiting for, Mar. Get out there.” I gave her a smile before pushing her down the hallway, toward the man who’d come to find her.
“She’s so lucky.” Brooke moaned, rolling on to her back. “I’m going to be alone forever.”
“You have me.” Jazz grinned. “We can be cat lady sisters.”
I crept over to the hall so I could peek at Marley.
“Hi, I’m Marley.” She gave the man a small smile, holding her hand out to shake his.
“I’m Beau.” He smiled back, shaking her hand.
Whether she felt ready or not, her mate was there to save the day. I just hoped he knew that.
***
Keep reading for a peek at book 3:
More than a Grizzly
***
Author’s Note
Thanks for reading! I hope you love these characters and their stories as much as I do. If so (or if not), please, leave a review! Reviews can help other readers find and fall in love with these characters and stories like you and I have.
Thanks again for reading!
Sincerely,
Sara Summers
P.S. Keep up with me and the rest of my characters on my website, iamsarasummers.blogspot.com. Hope to see you there!
More than a Grizzly
By Sara Summers
Prologue
When I lost my dad, I lost a piece of myself. I thought I would never feel or love again. How could I? He was my best friend.
Standing in the hospital, though, I was a changed woman. As doctors told me that my soulmate was dying, there was one thing I knew for certain:
I could not lose Beau.
“I’ll find him a miracle.” I whispered. The darkness weighed heavy on my shoulders, reminding me of the pain and grief I had already suffered.
Still, I had to try. I couldn’t just stand by and let the other half of my soul die, no matter how much pain it might cost me if I didn’t succeed.
Nothing could hurt more than losing someone else I loved.
Chapter 1
(Two Months Earlier)
I had been desperately waiting for my mate to show up, hoping against all hope that he could save me from the darkness that had surrounded me constantly since my dad’s death.
But, as soon as he was standing in front of me, I couldn’t even talk myself into smiling at him.
Come on, just smile. I can manage one real smile.
I tried as hard as I could to convince myself, but it was pointless. I wasn't in control of my brain anymore; the truth was as simple and as sad as that.
“I’m Beau.” He gave me a small but genuine smile.
“I’m Marley.” I hoped my expression reflected his, but I was almost sure it looked about as hollow as I felt.
“Do you want to go on a walk or something?” he checked.
“Um,” I hesitated, looking behind me to see if any of my friends was there and could rescue me. I didn’t see anyone. “Sure. Just give me a second.”
I bit my lip, spinning around and hurrying to the kitchen. At least one of my friends had to be in there watching.
“He’s cute.” Sav’s eyes were wide and happy, while I’m sure mine were filled with alarm.
“I can’t do it.” I whispered. “I can’t be half of a relationship. He could never love me.” I folded my arms tight over my stomach, trying to ignore the darkness that seemed to take over my mind.
I’m not good enough.
I’m not pretty enough.
I’m not enough for him.
Not without my dad.
I knew the thought weren’t true, but they scraped against my heart all the same.
“What do you mean? You’re easy to love, Mar. Of course he’ll fall for you.” Sav frowned at me. “Just go talk to him. Go on the walk.”
“I can’t.” my voice was desperate, my mind scrambling for a real excuse.
“Yes you can. You’re stronger than you think.” She urged.
I closed my eyes and tried to ignore the thoughts that pounded down on my mind, hitting me like punches meant to knock an opponent out of the ring.
I’m not good enough.
He’ll never love me.
I’ll never be good enough.
I wanted to run, but I couldn’t. Even if I did, he would just come after me. He could find me anywhere, the tingling in the marking on my hip proved that to me.
Feeling like a robot on auto-pilot, I walked back to the front door and gathered the fakest smile I could muster.
“Alright, let’s go.”
He nodded, and I followed him outside.
“So tell me about yourself.” Beau looked over at me. I forced the fake smile to linger on my face.
“I’m the leader of a pack of about a hundred grizzlies. My family has been in charge for a really long time.” I said, looking down at the cement under my feet.
“That’s cool.” Beau nodded.
He thinks I’m stupid.
He’ll never love me.
“Yep.” I didn’t look up.
“Wait, no one expects me to run your pack, right?” he paused, waiting for an answer. I stopped, but didn’t look up from the ground. “Marley?”
He said my name. Good heavens, it sounded much different from his lips then it ever did in my own thoughts.
He said my name like I was… a person. Not just a pitiful lifeless sack.
He said my name like my dad would’ve.
That thought made me tear up a little.
“Yes, they expect you to be the new Alpha.” I picked my head up, but it felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.
“How are we going to tell them that they need a new Alpha?” he wondered, that grimace only looking worse by the minute.
My entire body stiffened.
“I’m leading the pack with or without you.” I said flatly. “My dad—“ I clenched my fists and choked on tears.
The world seemed to collapse around me. I closed my eyes and tried to stop myself from thinking, tried to stop myself from feeling.
No one will love me now that he’s gone.
He’s the only reason my friends ever came over.
Without him I’m nothing.
No one respects me.
No one trusts me.
I’m completely alone in the world, and that’s how I’m going to stay for the rest of my life.
My mate will leave me, and so will the pack.
No one could ever love me.
Tears rolled down my face, and I pressed the heels of my hands into my eyes.
I can do this. I’m strong, I’m tough.
I tried to fight for my confidence and my sanity.
Not without him.
The darkness whispered back, whirling away the courage that I had tried so hard to gather. I didn’t even stand a chance.
“Are you okay?” Beau raised his eyebrows, looking
at me like I was insane. I didn’t have the energy to argue that I wasn’t. Instead, I looked back down at the sidewalk.
“I need to go.” I whispered, then hurried back to the house.
The house that had my dad built into every crack and crevice. I missed him so much that it hurt to even be there, but at the same time, it hurt to imagine ever leaving that place.
His place.
I pushed away the thought and hurried up the stairs, running past Savanna, and Jordie, and Brooke, and Jazz, and Lyssie. I couldn’t handle my own friends—I couldn’t handle anyone.
I couldn’t even handle myself.
Locking the door behind me, I turned on the shower and ripped off my clothes. I stepped in and stood under the stream of scalding hot water, begging it to wash my pain away.
When my legs couldn’t hold me up any longer, I collapsed on the floor, hoping the heat would somehow fill the hollow coldness inside me. Instead, it only burned my skin.
I quivered on the ground for over an hour, willing myself to feel while praying I wouldn’t have to. My tears flowed like the water in the shower, and the emptiness that filled my heart grew ever so steadily.
I was trapped, with no idea how to escape the prison that was my own mind.
Honestly, even if I did know how to escape, I wouldn’t have had the energy to do it. Even with my mate inside my house, I couldn’t convince myself to be strong enough to climb out of that shower.
About Me
I'm married to the koolest kid in town, and we basically spend our time adventuring and nerding out over things we won't admit to being into. We live in Idaho Falls, Idaho, which is... a place. And it's windy-- really windy.
I'm usually either writing up a storm on my handy dandy writing chair, reading inspiring quotes on Pinterest, or out some place with my man. I also dabble in the art of singing (though I never do it well) and do hair occasionally, but those are more of hobbies. I'm obsessed with leggings, muddy buddies, and garlic salt, and I'll never turn down a good back massage.
Finally, as you've maybe discerned, I'm a writer. Completely, totally, and unapologetically. I'm a writer because I love to write, and I love to write because it makes me a better me. Writing reminds me of the good in the world and helps me understand myself more.