by Zoe Chant
“They’re bears too? Bear shifters?” she asked, trying out the unfamiliar term.
Logan shook his head. “My brother is. Both my brothers are. But their mates are human.”
“Mates,” Lily repeated curiously. “What does that mean? Is that bear for lover? I don’t know if you remember, but you were calling me a bear’s mate when you were drugged…”
“Mybear’s mate,” Logan said promptly. He reached out to take hold of her hand. “Bears mate for life. For all of us―well, for most of us―there’s a special someone out there. And when we meet them, we know. That feeling when your eyes first meet―it’s indescribable.”
“Is it like lightning hitting you while butterflies are fluttering in your stomach, and warmth washing over you while it feels like your heart is trying to expand in your chest because there’s so much rushing in that’s impossible to hold all these feelings?” Lily asked softly.
She had abandoned the phone to look at Logan, and now she found herself captured once more, just like at their first meeting. Her heart was pounding in her chest. Her nipples were stiff and aching. She couldn’t look away from him, remembering what it had been like to be with him.
It hadn’t been just sex. She’d had sex before, but what they’d had, it was―more. It hadn’t just been their bodies joining.
She’d been too embarrassed to try and find words for it, especially after her last experiences with men. Most would have simply laughed and called it romantic, naive nonsense. But for some reason, what Logan had said resonated within her.
“That’s exactly what it is like,” Logan said so quietly that it was little more than a rumble coming from his chest. “My bear recognized you. You’re my mate, Lily. Ever since you’ve arrived on this farm, it feels like a part of me that was missing for so long has finally returned.”
“The farm feels like home now,” Lily softly agreed, nestling against him when his strong arm pulled her against his chest.
She’d been afraid to put it into words, fearing that it was too good to be true―but every moment she’d spent with Logan had felt right. Not just the sex or the morning coffee together or the walks through the meadows. The exhausting and often dirty farm work had filled her with quiet contentment, and she’d enjoyed it just as much to watch Logan in his element as she’d enjoyed watching the miniature goats tumble around.
Because Logan wasin his element here. Not once had he felt like a stranger intruding on her family home. This was Logan’s home now―but it still felt like her home too.
She’d seen all the little projects he’d started to keep the farm in good repair. And he’d given the old animals a home when no one else would have.
Most importantly, even when there’d been a threat, they’d worked well together. She’d been terrified when the man had pointed a gun at her, but once Logan had shown up, she’d no longer been afraid.
We’ve made it through danger together. It’s true―I’d trust him with my life.
Her heart sped up again when Logan’s fingers slowly ran up the sensitive skin at the inside of her wrist.
“Would you like it to be your home?” Logan asked hopefully. “I know I’m not good at this. My bear has been wanting cubs and a family for so long, but I’ve been afraid I’d never…” He broke off for a moment. “I’d never find peace,” he finally added, his voice gone quiet.
Lily shifted a little, then reached up to stroke her fingers along his cheek. The stubble was a bit more pronounced today. After the events of the past day and the drug he’d been hit with, he hadn’t managed to shave yet. But she liked the rasp of it against her skin. It made something in her stomach tighten; everything about him was so hard and masculine. His body was made for hard work, for fight. She didn’t doubt one second that he’d defend this farm and her with his life.
But there was nothing dangerous about him. As strange as the concept of shifters and mates sounded, deep inside her she knew it was true. When she looked into his eyes, she could see the bond between them―like strings of golden light reaching out for her, tugging her in, making her feel safe and warm and protected.
As long as I have him, I’ll never be alone again. As long as I am here for him, he’ll never have to run again.
She didn’t quite know where that thought had come from. Was Logan running from something?
But even if he was―it no longer mattered, she decided when the warmth inside her turned to liquid heat.
He’s here now. He’s mine―my mate.
“This has felt like my home since I first saw you opening that door,” she admitted quietly. “If you want it too―I’d like to stay. With you and the animals and the farm.”
“We’ll make it a real home,” Logan whispered against her skin. “We’ll get some chickens. A cat to keep the barn free of mice. Maybe a pony to keep Lucky company. And some day soon, we’ll have cubs playing beneath the apple trees in the orchard.”
Lily’s lips curved into a smile as she pulled up his head from where it was nuzzling her throat.
“I want at least two boys and two girls,” she declared. “Think you’re up to that?”
With a playful growl, Logan tackled her onto the sofa, Logan resting between her naked thighs. He hadn’t bothered dressing when he’d left the bed, and Lily had only slipped on an old shirt before she followed him. Now, she could feel his erection against the skin of her inner thigh, hot and hard as iron with need.
“Mmm,” she purred, curving an arm around his shoulder. “It feels like you’re up to that task.”
With a wicked little grin, Logan drew her shirt up and over her head, then dropped it triumphantly onto the ground. In the moonlight that fell in to fill the living room, his eyes were gleaming. Even now, she could feel the animal within him―something powerful and old. Something that was all hers.
As she wanted to be all his.
She pushed herself against him. She’d never been the sort of woman who was ashamed of her body, and for all of his other faults, her last boyfriend had loved her generous curves. But now, beneath Logan’s hands, it felt like her body was truly coming alive for the first time.
His strong hands, so well suited to the hard farm labor, fit perfectly around her large breasts. The hard muscles of his thighs flexed against her own soft skin. And then he rubbed his thumb against her nipple, and everything inside her clenched with need.
She arched against him with a little cry, and he did it again. She could feel a trickle of slickness between her folds. And then his hand trailed down, until his fingers found her swollen folds.
She shuddered as he slid two fingers inside her. His erection was throbbing against her thigh, and she couldn’t believe that he had control enough to wait―but there was nothing hurried about the way he slid his fingers in and out of her until she was nearly incoherent, and his hand wet with her need for him.
“More,” she demanded breathlessly, clenching hungrily around him.
He lowered his head, and then his mouth found the nipple he’d teased earlier. His lips closed around it at the same time as he slid a third finger into her, and she gasped as he curved them gently. It was good―so good she barely remembered how to breathe. Electricity seemed to race straight from her aching nipple to her clit until she couldn’t think anymore from the overload. Her insides had turned to molten heat, and for a moment she feared that he’d keep teasing her until he drove her insane.
Then another jolt of electricity surged through her as his teeth grazed her nipple. His thumb found her clit at the same time, circling it slowly. And suddenly, orgasm was pulsing through her with such force that her back arched again and she had to gasp for breath.
But it wasn’t enough. Even now, with fire racing through her veins and pleasure spiraling through her, it wasn’t enough.
“Come on,” she gasped, wrapping her arms around his strong shoulders. “Want to feel you inside me. Need you―if you’re serious about those cubs…”
Logan made a low, aching sound,
the gold in his eyes gaining in strength as he lifted his head.
“Want it more than anything,” he admitted in a rough rasp.
There was pain in his voice, too, and for the first time, she wondered how long he’d dreamed of finding a family. But then he pulled his fingers from her. A heartbeat later, his cock filled her instead, every delicious inch of him spreading her open and claiming her while she was still throbbing and sensitive from her orgasm.
The feeling of him made her moan. It was all she had wanted. He felt so good inside her, and as he began to thrust, the receding pleasure from her climax slowly began to build in intensity again.
She tightened her hold on him, moaning his name as his lips searched out her breasts again. She’d never felt so connected to anyone before. Between them, the bond that she’d sensed before seemed to sizzle into life. It wasn’t just arousal anymore that filled her with heat―it was as if the aching emptiness inside her heart had suddenly been filled with warmth.
It was his love. His love and the overwhelming desire for her now filled her with heat. She couldn’t say how she knew what he felt―but it was there. Like a golden haze connecting them, the heat between them grew and grew. She could see his love. She could see his hunger.
She could even see his dream: three cubs with brown fur racing each other beneath the apple trees. A girl with her auburn locks and his golden eyes racing towards Logan with laughter in her eyes. Two boys with his brown hair playing in a tree house.
Our home. Our family.
She couldn’t even say whose thought it was. And it didn’t matter anymore.
Ours, she thought as the heat within her surged. Then pleasure filled her once more, her body tightening around him to hold him close as he followed her, the heat of his release pulsing within her as she clutched as his sweaty skin.
Ours. Forever.
Chapter Eight: Logan
When Logan woke again, the first rays of dawn were at last filtering through the curtains. Lily was asleep curled up against him, her head resting on his shoulder. Her breath was warm against his skin, and the bear within him growled with contentment.
Home.
The realization hit him with a sharp pang.
When he’d bought the farm, he’d really only hoped for a place to hide and lick his wounds. His brother hadn’t been all wrong, a part of him had been moping.
He’d lost his old life when he decided to leave Iron Fang’s clan behind. That old life of constant fighting and danger and their alpha’s strict and often cruel rule had never been the life Logan wanted.
But at the same time, it had seemed impossible to forgea new life for himself. After the life he’d led, how could he intrude on his brothers’ happiness? So many shifters he knew had fled to Linden Creek to settle there―for good reason, because the small town where his brothers lived was a beautiful place. Exactly the sort of town he’d dreamed of when he’d thought of raising a family of his own.
But everyone in Linden Creek knew him as Blood Claw, Iron Fang’s second. How could he make amends for that?
Some things can’t be forgiven. Shouldn’t be forgiven,he told himself as he stared out into the lifting twilight. I can’t ask them to forgive. Even if they would―how can I ever forgive myself? There’s no place for me among them. I lost that right.
It was an old and painful thought, like a wound that had never completely healed, and flared up whenever he ran out of ways to distract himself. But now, for the first time in the many months that had passed since he’d let go of his old life, he was able to look at his feelings without flinching away from all the guilt festering in his heart.
I never wanted a life fighting werewolf gangs and dealing with the lion mafia. I left that behind once I knew my brothers were safe.
Surely that had to count for something. Still, he’d earned the suspicion of every bear in Linden Creek. There was no denying that; Logan was well aware of his own guilt.
But maybe that’s okay. Maybe I don’t need to have what my brothers have. Maybe there’s a different way to happiness.
A farm all the way out nowhere, a four hours’ drive from Linden Creek. A place that was just for him and his mate, with enough land that their cubs would never be stopped by fences or streets if they wanted to run and play. They’d be surrounded by green and growing things, and all the animals who’d found a home here as well.
The slowly rising sun hit the roof of the barn, painting it in striking shades of red and orange, and Logan tightened his arms around Lily with a smile.
I am already happy here. If I could freeze this moment in time, never know anything but her skin against mine and the scent of her hair, I’d be happy.
Then Cody began to bark.
It was the deep, angry sound he reserved for someone he considered a danger. It was the same sound that had greeted Logan when he’d first arrived.
Now the barking raised all his alarms.
Intruder, the sound said.
Logan quickly sat up, his heart pounding with rising anger when he thought of the man who’d dared to threaten his mate. Then, something large and black came padding into the farm’s yard on silent feet.
It was a bear.
The animal ignored Cody’s barking, but even so, Logan quickly nudged Lily awake.
“We’ve got a visitor,” he murmured. “Don’t worry, it’s an old friend.”
Friend probably wasn’t the best word to refer to someone who’d been ready to fight him to the death, last time they’d met. But perhaps that wasn’t the best way to introduce Darrell to his mate.
As soon as they’d pulled on their clothes, they walked out into the yard. The sun had risen, and now gleamed on the black fur of the bear who patiently sat waiting for them while Cody growled at him.
“It’s okay, Cody.” Logan leaned down to stroke the dog’s bristling fur. “He’s a friend. He’s here to help you protect the farm.”
The bear made a sound of agreement, his head swinging back from watching Logan to curiously look at Lily.
“His name’s Darrell,” Logan said. “And this is Lily, my mate.”
The words sent a wave of fierce, possessive pride through him. Darrell’s mouth gaped open a little, his eyes laughing. Then he stood.
Logan nodded towards the orchard, and the distant forest beyond. “We haven’t seen anything since we returned from the forest yesterday. If you want to see if you can pick up the man’s scent, try the orchard first, and then follow our trail into the woods.”
“He had a bike hidden in there,” Lily said, talking to the bear as though it was completely normal. “We didn’t get a look at it, but I could hear him start up the engine when he ran. Actually… how was he planning on kidnapping Lucky? Wouldn’t he have brought a trailer?”
Logan felt another rush of pride. “Darrell, see if you can find any trace of a trailer hidden in the woods. We’ll get some coffee started and take care of the animals.”
The black bear gave him a little growl of understanding, and then was loping towards the apple orchard. Cody was still watching him suspiciously, but once the bear was gone, he returned to circling the yard, trying to keep an eye on both the barn and the small road that led up to the farm.
Half an hour later, Cody’s bowl had been filled with kibble, Lucky had received an armful of hay and a few carrots, and the goats’ supply of hay had been refilled as well. Lily had started the coffee, and Logan pulled her against him when they finally managed to sit down by the window.
“So your friend’s a bear as well?” she demanded, raising her brow at him.
“A shifter,” Logan offered. “He was too polite to shift back to human, because―well, he would have been naked.”
Lily laughed. “I can see how that would be just the tiniest bit impractical.”
Logan’s grin widened, and he nuzzled at her hair. “That’s why I never understood city life. Out here, I can shift and run if I feel the need to. Life’s so much easier.”
“Is D
arrell part of your family?” Lily asked a little breathlessly.
Regretfully, Logan pulled back. He couldn’t distract Lily, not now. Not when the time for truth had finally arrived.
“In a way,” he murmured. “Darrell was part of my old clan. And now he belongs to a new bear clan that settled in my brothers’ town. Linden Creek. It’s just a few hours’ drive.”
“And it’s an entire town of bear shifters like you?” Lily asked, wide-eyed and obviously intrigued by the news.
Logan shook his head. “Most of the people in the town don’t know anything about shifters. We’re keeping it a secret. It’s safer that way.”
“After what happened to Lucky,I can understand why,” Lily muttered. “Everything that happened―it’s like straight out of a movie. And it just doesn’t make sense. There’s nothing special about Lucky. He’s just an old horse.”
“I don’t know what that man wanted with Lucky,” Logan said slowly. “To tell the truth, when I first heard that shot, and Lucky panicked, I thought… I thought it was because of me. Because that clan to which Darrell and I belonged… It wasn’t a good clan. It was a terrible place.”
Lily’s hand came to cover his. “So you ran away and hid out here?”
A despairing little laugh escaped Logan’s throat. “If only,” he murmured. “No, Darrell was brave enough to run. A part of the clan left, trying to escape Iron Fang’s cruel rule. And as I was Iron Fang’s Second, I was sent after them, to bring them back.”
“But you didn’t, or you wouldn’t be here now.” Lily’s voice was calm, despite the things he’d just told her.
“Only because I was defeated,” Logan murmured, shame rising up inside him once more. “I’d tracked them to Linden Creek. I fought the leader of the group that had left. And I lost. I should have died there. I’d probably have deserved it. But they didn’t kill me. And then my brothers showed up. I hadn’t seen them since I left the family, when they were still kids. And there they were, all grown up―all happy. I’d tracked that group of renegade shifters from my clan straight to their home, you see.”