Primal Attraction (Shadowlands Bear Shifters Book 2)

by Olivia Harp

  She had been restless, her mind raced. She liked the mountain. She finally was able to open herself to someone, to talk without fear. Ever since she was a creature of the night, society shut its door in her face.

  If anyone ever found out what she was, she had to run fast, not looking back. She had been in Rosenberg for six years now, but the lingering fear of something going wrong never went away.

  It was as if she was in a war of her own.

  One part of her wanted to forget and move on, to be part of the world. To participate. The other said ‘don’t get too comfortable. Nothing lasts forever. Don’t get too attached.’ And all those harsh truths she knew deep inside.

  She heard the front door open and someone coming inside the house. Maybe Maverick came back early today. No. That’s someone else. Maverick’s gait is heavy and careless. This one is much different. Her stomach tightened. Relax, you’re safe here.

  There was a knock on the door.

  Maverick also always asked something before coming in. Stuff like “are you awake?” or made a silly joke like “you’re not naked, right?” as he knocked.

  “Yes? Who is it?” Faith asked.

  “It’s Zoe. Can I come in?”

  Faith instantly relaxed.

  “Sure.”

  A beam of light filtered to the room from below the door. Maverick always put a towel there and Zoe took it away. It was an extra protective measure he took to ensure no daylight could come inside the rec room and hurt her.

  It was late now, not much light came in. Zoe opened the door and closed it behind her, she was wearing khaki shorts and a white blouse, no make–up. She looked as if nothing in the world worried her.

  “Hi,” she said as she walked down the steps to the mancave.

  “Wow, it’s a bit dark in here. Were you sleeping?”

  “No, wide awake, I couldn’t sleep at all. The light switch is right there.”

  “Great,” Zoe said, turning the lights on, then stopped, “wait, you can’t wake a vampire in his sleep, right?”

  When vampires slept it was like death. No dreams, nothing. Like shutting down completely and then coming back to life.

  “You can’t,” Faith said, “it’s more like a trance than actual sleep, the creepy faces are just icing on the cake.”

  Zoe laughed and sat beside her.

  “I was a bit bored on my cabin. Finished work and had nothing to do so I figured I could come here and bother you.”

  “It’s not a bother at all!” Faith replied, slapping her arm like an old friend.

  “Wow,” Zoe said, looking around, “this room is amazing, I have to tell Damien we need something like this.”

  “I know, right? That TV is insane. I tried to turn it on but there’s no sound. I figure Mav connected it to the surround sound but I just gave up trying to turn them on.”

  “Really? Let me take a look.”

  Both of them saw the six remotes in the room. It took them a while, but after fiddling and probably messing with all of Mav’s configurations, they finally got the surround sound to work. They both cheered like little girls.

  “Can I ask you something?” Faith said.

  “Sure, anything.”

  “Why aren’t you afraid of me? Most people learn about a vampire nearby and the first thing they do is take out their pitchforks and torches, ready for a good lynching.”

  Zoe thought for a minute, flipped the channel and said, “after everything I went through when I got here, nothing surprises me anymore.”

  “Not even a vampire girl dating a bear shifter?”

  “Honestly, I’m glad he found someone, he seems more... focused now. He was always talking to girls from town, partying. I thought he was never going to settle down.”

  “Oh stop it! He’s not settling down, not with me, we barely know each other!”

  Zoe laughed, “oh my God I sound like an old lady now, don’t I?”

  “I think you do,” Faith replied and both laughed hard.

  “I swear I’m still cool. I just worded it wrong.”

  “Yeah, yeah, if you say so.”

  “It’s great having another woman here,” Zoe said, “I mean, the guys are awesome, all of them, but sometimes you just need a girl’s point of view on things, you know?”

  Faith nodded. She knew about being alone. It was great having a normal conversation.

  “Damien told me Mav arranged everything back in Rosenberg. Are you planning on going back?”

  “Yes, yes of course. I can’t just freeload in here forever. Wouldn’t be right to Maverick or any of you.”

  Zoe sighed, visibly disappointed.

  “Yeah I guessed so, when are you planning on heading back?”

  She hadn’t really thought about it. Everything had happened very fast. One moment she was waking up there in the dark room, the next she was socializing, the next she was making love. She smiled just thinking about that. Her life had become this frantic, unplanned mess that she loved, unlike her life in Rosenberg. Everything laid out. Every day the same.

  “I don’t know. Maybe another day or two? I haven’t really thought about it.”

  “Oh well, I wish you stayed a bit longer, it’s great having you here.”

  “I love being here, too. I’ll talk to Mav, see what’s next.”

  “How are things with him?”

  Good question. How were things with him? They weren’t in a relationship, just having fun, enjoying the moment. What was going to happen after she left?

  “Honestly, he’s great, but we’re in this fuzzy, nebulous place. I mean, it’s awesome, I just don’t feel like complicating his life. Things are hard as it is.”

  Zoe nodded. She knew this had the potential to change everyone’s life so dramatically that it was better to sit and really think things through before making a decision.

  That’s what was logical, sure, but truth be told, she believed in true love and fated mates, just like it happened to her and Damien.

  “Whatever happens, you’ll have a friend in me,” she said.

  Faith looked at her in the eyes and smiled, “thank you.”

  “I need a glass of water; do you think Mav would mind if I got myself one?”

  Faith smiled, “of course not.”

  “All right, I’ll be back.”

  She got up and ran up the stairs, opening the door carelessly, forgetting about the precautions, letting light come into the room.

  Zoe’s heart skipped a beat, gasping as she closed the door immediately, scared beyond words.

  “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

  Sunlight was the only thing vampires truly feared. The only thing their bodies could not heal rapidly. It turned them into the worst kind of burn victims.

  It took them days, or even months to completely make those kind of wounds heal, and their need for extra blood forced them to take more risks.

  The sun scar on a vampire was melted, dark red skin. No human wound could look like that. They were especially dangerous because they gave a vampire away instantly. It was one of the few things that truly showed what they were and announced it to the world.

  It was too late. Daylight had gone inside the room, hitting Faith directly in the face.

  Zoe was in shock, unable to move, terrified of what she’d just done. She couldn’t take her eyes off of Faith, not knowing whether to panic or scream.

  “Faith?” she finally whispered.

  Faith looked at her.

  None of them said a word. They couldn’t yet react to what had happened, or what it meant.

  Faith was unharmed.

  ***

  The bears gathered at the Comms tower for the regular briefing after their rounds. Enzo was taking a bit longer than usual, but he reported back via radio, he’d be there any minute now.

  Damien fiddled with the computer equipment, Raiden and Franklin were outside, talking. Maverick grabbed a glass of water from the dispenser and took a sip, he was still a bit pumped, he didn’t w
ant to sit down.

  “You’re edgy today,” Damien said.

  Mav looked at him and smiled.

  “I want to get home.”

  “How is she?” Damien asked.

  “She... she’s doing great, actually. I can’t believe how fast she’s recovered.”

  Damien grinned, looking quietly at him but not saying a word.

  “What?” Maverick said.

  “Nothing, man. I’ve never seen you like this before, you finally got yourself a real girlfriend.”

  “Shut up man, she’s not my—”

  “Really? Okay. Just be careful you’re not giving her the wrong idea.”

  “I just...”

  “You can do whatever you like. Just don’t play with a woman’s heart like that, don’t be an asshole.”

  Maverick fell silent.

  “You’ve changed though. You never talk about anyone the way you talk about her.”

  Mav looked at Damien, then outside. Raiden and Franklin were away; they couldn’t hear him.

  “I don’t know what’s happening to me, boss.”

  Damien arched his brow.

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s fuckin’ ridiculous, every day I wake up and I feel grateful. That she’s there, that I haven’t been dreaming all this. It’s too perfect.”

  “Perfect? Are you insane? She’s a vampire and you’re a fucking casanova, she got hurt and you brought her here, then went berserker and had to bite you and take your blood. And even after all that, you still want her.”

  Maverick smiled, “what are you saying?”

  “I’m saying this isn’t a dream, how imperfect do you need a woman to be before you realize she might be perfect for you?”

  Maverick laughed. He felt different now. His animal didn’t talk to him like some other bears did. His bear flared up more frequently since he met her, before that, the man overcame the bear easily, but with Faith his animal was just pushing inside, wanting her all the time.

  No other woman existed after her. No other woman mattered. He could try to deny it as much as he could, but it was clear as water.

  He’d found his mate.

  Chapter 17

  The meeting had gone well. Short and sweet, just as he liked them. No signs of the Rot, and just a few pointers for new routes to trail and coming shipments of hardware. The government liked to keep them happy and always gave them their new toys.

  Aside from that, Thomas from the higher ups in Washington had managed to clean the fight situation outside Faith’s house pretty well. He didn’t ask any questions about what was in her fridge, he didn’t care. The White Paws were the most valuable bear clan, they weren’t going to upset them for covering up a little mess down there.

  Mav’s bear pushed inside, growling. Now that he’d accepted Faith was his mate, the bear wanted to claim her, wanted to seal their bond.

  But Mav wouldn’t do it.

  Not now, and if she didn’t want to, not ever.

  Bear mating was a thing for life. Her being a vampire meant the natural veil thinned in her presence, it could allow the Shadowlands into the world if they weren’t careful. Worst of all, she’d never be able to turn into a bear.

  How could they be mates? Why did his bear choose her?

  Mav was afraid for her. He wanted to protect her, but she was a free spirit, just like him. Would she feel trapped?

  He was going to make her happy, not trap her in here because he—

  No. They were meant to be together. He’d find a way to make her happy, and if he couldn’t be with her so be it. She would always come first.

  Look at you. A few weeks ago this very thought would have made you laugh. And now?

  His cabin was close; he could see it from down here. The front door was open. What the hell? Faith couldn’t have opened it; it was still a few hours before the sun went down.

  He pressed ahead, pushing his bear inside. If someone attacked her, if she was in any kind of risk, he’d go crazy. He’d kill anyone who harmed her. He started running.

  Zoe came out of the house and he stopped. She held the screen door open. She was talking to someone, who else was in there? Dee? She couldn’t have been talking to Faith.

  “Everything all right?” he called at her.

  Zoe turned and raised her hand. Then turned inside the house.

  He pressed on, what the hell is going on?

  Another person walked out, slowly. It was a woman. She wore a black leather jacket, jeans and dark shades. Who is— His heart stopped. His mouth hung open.

  Impossible.

  The sun was still high in the sky, at least two hours before nightfall. Then the woman, Faith, walked down the steps of his cabin and continued into the trail. Looking at him in silence. He couldn’t move.

  She walked slowly. Each step was careful, as if she was afraid the ground would disappear under her any moment.

  She was scared. Stunned. But she continued forward until she stopped and looked at him, smiling her big smile, her fangs protruding.

  Maverick’s bear roared as he ran to her, his protective instincts exploding inside.

  Chapter 18

  “I don’t understand it either, it doesn’t make any sense,” Enzo said.

  It was still light outside, the whole clan was outside the Lab, only Faith and Maverick were in there with Enzo.

  “With the tissue and blood samples I took we’ll be able to know if this is a momentary reaction. But my point still stands: the previous sample is acting like a normal plasma agent. I think this will be the same.” he finished

  Mav held her hand. This was too good to be true.

  “Worst case scenario, she has to hide from the sun as usual,” he said, “I guess it’s overall good news.”

  She was a bit distant now, silent. She’s scared, of course. Her whole way of life just turned upside down.

  “Thanks,” Faith said, and walked out of the lab, Maverick behind her.

  No one said anything. Yes, it was reason for celebration but they didn’t know how it would affect her in the long term. Or what about tomorrow? Maybe tomorrow everything would go back to normal and the sting of having been able to enjoy the sunlight and then lose it again would be too much.

  Damien looked at him and nodded up. It was a question, really. “How’s she doing?” Maverick shrugged and that was that.

  “Let’s go”, Damien said to Zoe, and everyone got the message. They scrambled back to their homes without saying anything.

  Enzo walked down the steps out of the lab and looked at her, then at Maverick. He opened his mouth to speak but there was really nothing else to be said. So he smiled at the couple and left.

  It was dusk now; the sun was going down the horizon. A beautiful purplish orange tinged the sky. Mav was grateful, she had opened his eyes.

  This was something he saw almost every day; he took it for granted. But to Faith it was a miracle. Looking at this gift of nature again was something that was snatched from her, and given back, somehow.

  She took off her sunglasses.

  “I can feel it on my skin,” she said.

  Maverick pulse raced, “let’s go inside, we shouldn’t risk it.”

  “No. I don’t want to miss a second of this. It might be the last time I see it.”

  He grabbed her hand, admiring the scene before them. Yesterday, the hours of twilight were ordinary, mundane. Today, all of that was stripped away and he could feel the absolute miracle that was to be able to witness it. Just the sun going down the horizon.

  “You said we,” Faith said.

  Maverick looked at her, “What do you mean?”

  “You said we shouldn’t risk it.”

  “Yes, I’m happy for this. But I fear it’s only momentary and—”

  “And any second now I’ll start to burn. I feel the same.”

  The sun disappeared in the distance. A few rays of light still kissed the far away clouds, but night was upon them.

  “I nee
d to go back to Rosenberg,” Faith said.

  “What? Why?”

  “I need to see my...” she went silent, then looked at him again, “The hospital needs my blood. I feel better now. They helped me and I haven’t fulfilled my part of the deal.”

  “Do you need to go now?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, we’ll go,” Maverick said. He’d do anything to help her.

  “Thank you,”

  “May I ask why now?”

  “What if I die tonight? What if the Sun really did me in and it’s taking longer for me to burn?”

  “That’s nonsense and you know it.”

  “What’s nonsense? I’ve been a vampire for eight years now, I haven’t seen the light of day for that long and now, all of a sudden you walk into my life and everything goes better? Sorry, things don’t happen that way.”

  “Yes they do.”

  “Maverick,” she said, her eyes trembling, “it never happens that way, it never—”

  He kissed her and she let herself melt into his arms, holding tight. She wouldn’t let the tears roll out. Not for anything.

  “You do what you have to do. I’m here for you. Remember: whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”

  ***

  The drive down to Rosenberg was easy, and mostly silent. She texted someone on the way, they agreed to meet downtown. Most of the stores were already closed or closing for the day. The streets were not completely empty, but things were quiet.

  She seemed much calmer now, maybe the initial shock of seeing the sun was wearing down, maybe the night brought her peace.

  “Park right here,” she said.

  He pulled over, the engine still running.

  “Wait for me here, please,” Faith said.

  “Where are you going?”

  “My contact’s waiting for me over there,” she said pointing at a black Cadillac parked in front of a store. There was someone inside the car, Mav couldn’t see who it was

  “I won’t take long.”

  “Are you sure you’re gonna be all right?”

  “Truth?” she said gravely. Mav’s protective bear growled, his muscles tensed, he was not going to risk her getting hurt again.