by Jenika Snow
But as the discomfort faded, all I felt was pleasure. It wasn’t sexual, more like contentment, like I had found exactly what I’d been missing. Letting my bear free, finding my mate. It all felt so… freeing.
And it was when I opened my eyes, looking at my surroundings for the first time as a bear, that I knew nothing else in this world would compare to being in my animal form with my mate. Nothing else would compare until I had my family, my children, this perfect life I’d always had but had never known was mine.
Cason came up to me and started nuzzling my face with his head, the scent of him turning me on. He licked me, his tongue moving along my cheek, dampening my fur, and a low, happy sound left me.
More pleasure slammed into me.
And then he nudged me softly, urging me to go, to run. And I did just that, feeling the ground beneath my paws, the dirt digging under my claws. He was close by, close enough that I knew he’d never leave my side, that he’d never be too far.
And neither would I.
We were made for each other. In all senses of the word.
Damon
I had to get out of there, away from my brothers and their mates, away from the feeling of being an outcast, as if I’d never find what I was missing, as if I’d forever live my life on the outside looking in.
It was this constant hollowness inside me, this hole that would never be filled until I found her.
My mate.
She was out there somewhere, but for all I knew, she could’ve been on a different continent.
I felt distant, detached. I was getting older, my life continuing to move forward even though I felt like I was being pushed back, further and further until I’d never catch up.
I continued on the trail through the woods that my brothers and myself had made years ago. We didn’t need hiking paths, not when our bears trampled through everything. The only thing they were mindful of was being free. But we’d thought of the future, of our mates and children, of family walks and picnics.
And all of my brothers had that now.
All of them but me.
I lifted my hand and rubbed my palm over the center of my chest, right over my heart, right where the hole was, where there was this painful reminder. All I wanted was to find my mate, to feel my happiness. All I wanted was that realization that I wasn’t actually alone in life.
I shoved my hands in my pockets, staying in my human form even though my bear wanted out, wanted to run free and get rid of some of this aggression and frustration.
I liked leisurely walking as a human, taking in the sights and smells, feeling the sun warm my skin. It was the little things I appreciated, that I didn’t take for granted.
I was at the edge of our property, the lake not too far from where I was right now. The path had since ended, my boots crunching along the rocky, uneven forest terrain.
It was another ten-minute walk before I found myself getting closer to the lake. I inhaled deeply, smelling the scent of the fish in the water, the birds up in the trees.
I heard the sound of a masculine voice, of water splashing. I didn’t know why I followed that noise, stopped and looked at where I saw the man wading in the water. The man was facing off to the side, an area where the trees obscured my view. He was laughing, splashing water in that direction. I moved to the side so I could get a better look at who he spoke to, not sure why I gave a fuck.
I should’ve kept walking, minded my own business. But the first thing I saw was the fall of damp, long dark hair. The first thing I felt was how my heart lurched in my chest when she turned around and started swimming toward the shore, laughing as the man continued to splash her.
The sound of her voice was the sweetest thing I’d ever heard.
And when she climbed out of the lake, the water dripping down her lean yet curvy body, I felt my cock instantly harden. It pressed against the fly of my jeans, demanding to get out. My canines lengthened, my nails turning into claws. My grizzly pushed forward, my skin stretching, my muscles thickening.
My mate.
Mine.
She was there, just down on the bank, close enough that I could smell the scent of lemons and gardenia surrounding her. Everything happened in slow motion, time standing still as everything fell into place.
The man crawled out of the lake, his focus trained on her. I inhaled deeply, the wind coming up from the water. A low growl left me. I smelled desire from him. For her.
But from her… from her, I only scented distance. Good, she didn’t want him. If she had, that would cause complications. Hell, him wanting her already caused problems.
And then as I watched him reach out, trying to push a strand of hair off her shoulder, every territorial and possessive instinct in my body rose up. I was jealous, fierce in that moment. No other male would touch her. No other male would even think about having her.
She was mine.
And that’s all I thought about as I charged forward, about to make my claim known.
Epilogue One
Mena
One year later
“You ready for all this?” Bethany, Zakari’s mate, said and stepped up behind me, smiling, the genuine happiness that came from her making me feel relaxed.
The mirror in front of me was full length, and as I stared at myself, at my reflection of the woman in this white wedding dress, flowers in my hair, my cheeks pink with my glow of happiness, I couldn’t help but smile.
I was getting married to my mate, actually about to tie the knot with a big, bad bear shifter. Nothing had felt more right, nothing as good as when I had first found my mate.
“Ready?” I whispered to myself. I wiped a stray tear out from under my eye and thought to myself that I was finally finding my happily ever after.
My heart was thundering a mile a minute, sweat beading between my breasts, down my spine. My hands were shaking, but I’d never felt better, never felt happier.
I just wanted to make it official with the male I loved. I just wanted to be the wife to this incredible man.
“You’re going to do great,” India said. “Take a deep breath so you don’t pass out, okay?”
I nodded.
I faced the four women. “Thank you for being here for me, for everything.”
They all came up to embraced me, giving me words of encouragement, making me feel like I actually belonged.
I took a step back and inhaled deeply. “I’m ready,” I whispered, tightened my hold on the small bouquet of wildflowers in my hand, and grinned, turning around. Bethany—Asher’s mate, Ainsley—Oli’s mate, India, and Maddix’s mate, Allison, all stood in front of me, smiling, their happiness increasing mine.
The children ran around, giggling and singing.
I felt tears start to form in my eyes, tears of joy and excitement, of feeling finally complete.
I stepped outside and made my way toward where the wedding was being held, our closest family and friends gathered around our very intimate ceremony, the woods our backdrop, the wildflowers and massive trees picturesque.
I saw Cason standing there, watching me, the love he had for me reflected back tenfold.
I closed my eyes and felt a tear slide down my cheek, laughing softly at how ridiculously happy I was.
The wedding music played and I started making my way toward Cason, my father holding onto my arm, the forest floor beneath my feet my aisle.
When I was in front of Cason, he immediately cupped my cheeks and wiped the tears of joy away.
“I hope these are tears of happiness?”
I nodded and grinned. “Always.”
“I love you, little bear.” He leaned forward and kissed me softly even though we probably should have waited until our vows were said. The guests chuckled softly.
As we said our vows, the words we’d written for each other from the heart, facing each other, I saw my future staring back at me. Cason grabbed my hand and slipped the ring on it. I cried harder now, my happiness and love for this shifter taking cont
rol.
“This is it, my little bear girl.” He ran his fingers over the mark on my neck, and I felt it tingle and warm. “Never gonna let you go,” he muttered to himself.
“Good,” I whispered.
And just like that, my reality was right in my hands.
Epilogue Two
Mena
Eighteen months later
I could see how happy my mother and father were as they grabbed covered dishes off the breakfast island and brought them over to the massive oak table Cason had made just this past summer. It was big enough to seat everybody, my parents, his brothers and their mates, and any future children we’d have. I thought that as I placed a hand on my belly, the growing bump having this flutter of excitement filling me.
I’d gotten pregnant on my honeymoon, something that was special and exciting and had a perpetual grin on my face, because this was our future. The part of our forever.
I looked down at my left hand, at my ring finger. I had to take my wedding ring off given the fact that my fingers were starting to swell, and the truth was I hated not being able to wear it. It didn’t matter that I didn’t need a ring or piece of paper to know Cason was mine the same as I was his, but I liked the symbolism of it all, loved having the weight on my finger—as well as the mark on my neck—to show everyone that I was taken.
This baby, our baby, growing inside me was altering me, changing us for the better. I felt strong arms wrap around me, sliding over my arms and covering my hands that were on my bump. I rested my head back against Cason’s chest, closing my eyes briefly as I just absorbed the love he had for me. I could feel it as if it were a living entity, washing over me, surrounding me. It gave me power, made me relaxed and content, confident in everything that was around me.
Just then, I felt a little kick, a strong push in my belly. Cason chuckled softly and kissed the side of my neck, right over the mark he’d given me. I tilted my head to the side to give him better access, loving his lips on that mark. Hell, who was I kidding? I loved his lips on any part of my body.
“He’s feisty tonight, yeah?”
I turned in his arms and rose on my toes to wrap my hands around his neck. He leaned down so he could kiss me back. I needed his mouth on me desperately. But the kiss wasn’t anything sexual. It was soft and sweet, showing each other how we felt in a physical manifestation. “I think he’s going to be wild like his father,” I said against his mouth, grinning, hearing Cason chuckle again.
“You think you’re not the wild one, little bear?” He gave me another little peck on my mouth before pulling back and cupping my cheeks in his big palms. He stared down at me, his eyes looking into mine.
“You’ve got so much fire in you I don’t think I can ever keep up.” There was an almost astonished, stunned tone to his voice, as if that pleased him. And I knew it did.
“Everyone ready to eat?” Zakari asked and held up two bottles of sparkling wine. Oli held up a bottle of sparkling apple juice for not only me, since I was pregnant, but also for his mate and Asher’s mate, who were withchild. Three mates pregnant at the same time. Not sure what the odds of that were, but it was nice going through something like this with others, sharing that experience, our family growing.
Maddix leaned in close and whispered something into his mate’s ear, and she leaned even closer and snuggled his neck, a glow surrounding her. I could smell she was fertile, knew they’d be trying for another little one very soon.
We all sat around the table, the champagne and sparkling apple juice being poured. The craftsmanship of the table Cason made was extraordinary, with detailing of grizzly bears etched into the side, even little cubs playing together. There was a forest scene carved into the center. It was glossed over, shellacked so it was smooth, pristine. It had taken him six months to build this table, his free time devoted to this project. And all the while, I’d sit with him in his woodworking shop and talk to him, watch him do his thing, be in his element.
And one day, I’d see our son with him in there, both of them working on a project together, creating something that could be used by our families for generations to come.
I looked over at my mother and father, unable to help but smile at the way they were still so in love, how my father seemed more at home in these woods, surrounded by nature, than I’d ever seen him. In fact, my parents were even talking about building a small cabin right outside of town, this little lot of acreage that would allow him to really connect with his shifter side. And I was actually surprised my mother was all for it, that she admitted she loved seeing my father seem so young, so excited about the possibility of things to come.
I wanted all of that for them. I wanted all of that for me as well.
For me and Cason.
As I sat there eating with my family, with the family I never knew I had but had always dreamed off deep down in my soul, I couldn’t help but place my hand on my belly and feel my son kick. Cason’s hand was instantly right over mine, his strength and love for me seeping right down to my very marrow.
I finally belonged.
I finally found the purpose in my life, and that was to be a mate to the shifter right beside me, to be a mother to his children, and to share my life with him until there was no more life to share.
Epilogue Three
Mena
Ten years later
“Alex, go get your sister, okay?” I called out from the kitchen and looked over my shoulder to see Alex running out the front door toward the swing set, where I could see Lily going down the slide. The kids might be ten already, and the swing set might be a little too small for them now, but they refused to let Cason tear it down.
Ten years ago, I had a little boy and little girl. Fraternal twins. Lily had been a surprise, so hidden behind her brother that even the ultrasound tech hadn’t seen her. Hell, Alex’s scent had been so strong that not even Cason had been able to smell her.
She was our little surprise—“double the trouble,” we both said about them.
Fiercely different in their own rights, one thing was for certain—Alex was a big brother in all senses of the word. Protective and loyal, caring and gentle.
But Lily was a spitfire, not taking shit from anyone, least of all a bully at school. She’d given the little shit a bloody nose when he pulled on her pigtails. And when Alex found out… he’d given him another bloody nose.
I didn’t condone violence from my children, but defending themselves and protecting each other was a whole other ballgame.
I wiped my hands on the dishrag and turned to watch them. Alex was watching her go down the slide, Lily’s giggle clear and excited. Cason was just a few feet away, working on a bench for my garden.
The kids came running in, and I gestured for them to go to the bathroom to wash their hands before dinner. Cason walked in a few moments later, sweat glistening on his massive body, my heart thundering with arousal. Even all these years later, he made me feel weak in the knees, gave me butterflies in my belly, and I felt myself falling in love with him all over again.
He grinned slowly and gave me a wink, but before he could turn and go get cleaned up, I reached out and took his hand, pulling him toward me. He let out a low growl and pushed my body up against the sink with his, the feel of his erection forming making a small gasp leave me.
“You’re insatiable.”
He growled again, his bear right there, ready to take me, to claim his mate.
My animal rose up as well, clawing to get out, to be with her other half.
“Only for you, little bear.” He ran his canines over the mark on the side of my throat, and I closed my eyes and groaned. “I’ll only ever be insatiable for my fated mate.”
Just then, Alex and Lily came running in, and Cason made a sound of disappointment before chuckling when he heard the kids gagging at seeing our PDA.
“Gross, Mama,” Lily said.
“Yeah, nasty,” Alexa added.
“You two just wait until you find your mates,” I to
ld them, and instantly Cason made a deep, disapproving sound.
“My baby girl isn’t ever going to be around a male.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Yeah, no one will be good enough,” Alex inserted, and I couldn’t help but feel my heart melt at how protective my two boys were over my baby girl.
We all sat down at the table, the massive oak one Cason carved so many years ago. And I knew that although ten years had passed since we had our twins, I still wanted more babies. In fact, I was fertile, knew Cason could smell it by the way he watched me, stalked my movements.
He leaned in close, his mouth by my ear, and whispered, “Tonight, mate. Tonight, we put another baby in you.”
I turned and looked at him, the kids talking about a movie they’d seen the other day.
“You want that, little bear? You want me to put another baby inside you?”
Chills raced up my arms and legs and I nodded. That’s all I could do. That’s all I could say.
Because when you found the one person who made you feel like forever was in your life, that happiness and love were never ending, you held onto that and rode the wave.
The BEARy Possessive Grizzly (Bear Clan, 5)
By Jenika Snow
www.JenikaSnow.com
[email protected]
Copyright © October 2019 by Jenika Snow
First E-book Publication: October 2019
Photographer: Wander Aguiar
Cover model: Andrew Biernat
Cover photo provided by: Wander Bookclub