by Zoe Chant
And I’ve got my own mate to protect me, she thought. My fighter bear.
A smile appeared on her lips as she watched Logan awkwardly reassure his brother that he and Lily would come visit.
How strange that Logan had thought that she’d be scared of him. Logan could only see the darkness in himself―but all he’d ever shown Lily was his fierce loyalty, his love, his protectiveness.
In a way, she thought, her brave bear wasn’t unlike Lucky, who’d spent his youth exposed only to the worst of what humans could do. Lucky had never lost some of his suspicion―but at the same time, when he gave his trust, he gave it completely. Lucky had never taken the love he’d been shown here onthe farm for granted.
Lily felt the warm glow of happy anticipation in her belly as her eyes lingered on the lines of Logan’s broad shoulders, that powerful body which seemed to have been made for the fight. But she could tame her fighter bear, just as she had tamed Lucky with her love.
She slid her hand into Logan’s when the car at last pulled out of the driveway, waving goodbye. Then she turned towards Logan, who wrapped his arms around her. His face still held that pensive expression she knew so well. But she also knew how to make it vanish…
“Want to come and help me check up on the animals?” she murmured in a low voice. “And then, I think I want a shower.”
“Do you want company for that shower?” Logan’s voice was deliciously rough.
Daringly, she pressed herself a little closer. She could feel him hardening against her thigh. Any more of this, and the animals wouldn’t get fed any time soon…
“It’s a big shower. And it would save water,” he pointed out. His eyes were gleaming at her.
“Not if we do it right,” she purred, and then sauntered away towards the stable.
A heartbeat later, he came after her, and giggling, she began to run. Logan didn’t catch up with her until she’d made it to the goats. With the herd of little devils greedily dancing around her, he couldn’t even come close enough for a kiss―but soon she’d get more than a kiss, she thought with longing.
Soon she’d feel it once again, that overwhelming sensation of his hot body sliding against hers…
One of the goats nipped at her fingers, and chastised, she hurried up. She filled their trough with more hay, while Logan checked their water supply. Then they moved on towards Lucky’s box.
This time, Logan was fast enough to press her against the wooden door, his mouthhot and hungry on hers as he claimed the kiss she’d denied earlier. She gasped against his lips. For a moment, she considered the hayloft―but even though the burn of arousal in her was steady and sweet, she loved watching him like this: his eyes dark withhunger, his muscles all coiled with need and impatience.
And in the house, they’d have hot water…
“Wait,” she murmured into the kiss, pulling back with breathless laughter.
Behind her, Lucky snorted, his hoof digging in the straw to make them hurry up. Quickly, Lily measured out his ration of oats and poured them into his trough, while Logan refilled the net that hung by his door with enough hay to last him for the night. One final check to make sure that Lucky’s water supply was still working as well, and then, at last, they were done.
Cody had been fed earlier. Tired and content, he was resting in front of his hut in the courtyard, free to roam as he pleased. Lily had tried to get him inside earlier, but Cody had kept pawing at the door until she had to let him out once more. Cody took his guarding duties seriously, and after the events of the past days, Lily couldn’t blame him for that.
By the time they made it inside, the arousal inside her was burning bright, a steady flame nurtured by the mate bond between them. Through it, she could feel Logan’s own hunger. She wanted him, so much that everything inside her was aching for him.
Inside the bathroom, he wrapped his arms around her once more, holding her close for one moment while he breathed in her scent.
Mine. Safe.
The emotions came surging through the bond between them until she couldn’t even tell anymore which were hers and which were Logan’s. All that mattered was the powerful body pressed against hers, the heat of his skin, the awareness of the many, many years of happiness stretching before them.
“So, about those four cubs,” Logan teased with a sexy growl as he drew his hands up beneath her shirt. “Want to see if we can get a good start on the first?”
She raised her arms to help him pull off the shirt, then worked on getting rid of his own clothes while he pushed down her jeans.
“Absolutely,” she said, her heart pounding with need as she traced a hand down his impressive chest.
The water was hot as he pulled her beneath it. She gasped―and then his mouth was on hers once more.
His arms came around her. His cock throbbed against her thigh, hot and fully erect.
And then he slid to his knees, looking up at her through the spray of water. Droplets were glistening on his lashes. His eyes had gone golden-brown again, lit by that mysterious light that had drawn her towards him from the first moment she’d seen him. Through the bond, heat came pulsing, hotter than the water cascading down all around them, fiercer than a storm.
Her knees buckled when he kissed her between her legs, right where she needed him the most. One of his arms came up to her hips to help her brace herself against the wall, and then she felt his tongue.
Hot and wet, it stroked along her folds. Pleasure sizzled through every nerve ending. She was throbbing with need, wetness dripping from her folds as his tongue opened her up, the touch so electric that she cried out.
His tongue slid over her, into her, again and again as she trembled. Then, a finger slid inside her, stroking her from within until it found the spot it had been searching for. At the same time, his tongue at last found her clit. It rasped over the swollen nub, caressing it relentlessly. Helplessly, Lily moaned and reached out to grab hold of Logan’s shoulders to steady herself.
And then her orgasm flooded through her, like a wave of heat carrying her away. Her body throbbed, tightening around his finger, and still his tongue kept stimulating her until she was so sensitive she could barely stand it.
“Now. Now. Please!” she gasped, nearly out of her mind with need for him.
With the hot water raining down on them, Logan stood, his broad, scarred body covering hers. His powerful arms lifted her with ease. Her hands clutching at his shoulders, she wrapped her legs around him―and then he drove himself into her.
Feeling him inside her was electrifying. It was as if she’d been made for this moment―they fit together so perfectly that it was as if she was drowning in pleasure. He filled her completely, the sheer size of him so satisfying afterthe teasing finger that she moaned. As the hot water kept falling all around them, she felt a new wave of pleasure build.
The mate bond had sprung fully into life now. Ecstasy came sizzling through it. Lily couldn’t say whether she was feeling her own pleasure or his, but the fire in her veins was so hot it was scalding her. Logan’s eyes held her captive, the gold of his gaze sinking into her until she felt as if she was floating.
Everything had fallen away. Deep inside her heart, she could hear his rough, possessive cry: Mine. In response she tightened her hold on her bear, needing to feel him deeper, closer.
Mine, her heart whispered in return, love and need rushing through the connection between them.
Gasping as she dropped her head back against the wet wall of the shower, one of her hands released his shoulder to trail down his chest. All of his muscles were tensed as he held her up while he claimed her, and when her fingertips trailed down the ridges and valleys of his abs, he made a desperate groan and buried his face against her throat.
Then her fingers encountered his shaft, hot and hard as steel. A moan escaped her as she felt him drive himself into her, every powerful thrust bringing them closer together. Her thighs were clenching around his hips.
The large shower was fille
d with warm mist from the water that kept falling. Rivulets ran down Logan’s gleaming skin. Here, with every scar on his body exposed to her gaze, and with his soul wide open to hers, she knew that no one else would ever know Logan as truly as she did.
“Yours,” she whispered, her inner walls clenching around him with need. Then a new wave of pleasure ran through her, slow and deep like a star exploding somewhere in the vast darkness of space. It washed through her, pulsed through their bond, and then she could feel Logan surrender to it as well. Ecstasy burned through them both. In perfect harmony, they came together as the mate bond sang with power, Logan’s release hot inside her.
Forever, the joyful answer came through the bond.
In response, Lily tightened her arms around Logan, breathless and sated. She’d tamed her fighter bear and had been claimed in turn, and she’d never ever let go of him again.
Epilogue: Lily
Today was the day. Lily had been nervous for two different reasons. For one thing, this was the first time they’d traveled to Linden Creek to spend the weekend at a gathering of Logan’s entire family. For another, Lily had an announcement to make.
Lily gave Logan a loving look. Her powerful bear shifter had been nervous all week. He’d tried not to show it, but Lily knew him too well. He had fiddled with his cuffs for long minutes this morning, and he usually wasn’t fidgety at all.
It meant a lot to Logan to be accepted by his family, and so Lily hadn’t teased him about his nerves. Even though Logan’s brothers had made it more than obvious that they were always welcome to drop in.
This is a big event, she thought.It’s Chris’ birthday. Everyone will be there. His family―and also the other shifters in the area.
She still couldn’t quite believe that an entire clan of bear shifters had settled so close to the farm her uncle had lived on all his life, and she’d never even known that shifters existed. Still, from all she’d been able to observe, shifter families were no different from her own family. And if there was one thing her parents had taught her, it was that there was always a place for her at home.
“Ready?” Logan asked her, still looking nervous.
She leaned over and kissed him, unable to hide her smile. It was sort of endearing that someone so powerful and strong like Logan, who’d been a fighter all of his life, could worry so much about a simple family gathering.
“Let’s go,” she said with determination.
Inside, they were met by three young children racing around the house with glee. Then Chris’s mate came around the corner to lead them into the garden. Eve had blonde hair she wore in a bun, and in her arms, Logan’s little niece Jasmine was resting.
“She kept us up all evening,” Eve said with an exhausted but proud smile. “But for a change, we were allowed to sleep in.”
“She’s gorgeous,” Lily said softly, her heart filling with love as she watched the tiny child stir.
A second later, Jasmine opened her eyes, and Lily smiled as she saw the by now familiar hint of golden light.
Shifter, she thought, and through the mate bond with her own bear, an old and powerful emotion came flooding.
Family.
No matter how guilty Logan felt for his past, she understood why he’d done it. Some things were worth sacrificing your own happiness for. Lily knew he’d make the same decision to protect any children they’d be blessed with, and she wouldn’t want it any other way.
A tinge of nerves rose up in her at the thought of a baby in her own arms. Jasmine was so small and fragile. Lily had wanted children for a long time now―but would she be able to deal with the lack of sleep, the responsibility of caring for someone so vulnerable?
As she reached out a hand to gently stroke Jasmine’s rosy cheek, the baby’s hand lifted, tiny fingers curling around her own. Again she felt love and protectiveness rise up in her.
She could deal with the lack of sleep for the reward of holding something so tiny and precious in her arms. And after all, she and Logan had managed to keep the farm safe against all attackers. Together, they’d deal with anything life could throw in their way. Now, more than ever, she knew that her last boyfriend had been all wrong when he’d thought that a baby meant sacrificing all dreams.
Because this might just be the greatest adventure of all…
Chris and Eve’s yard was filled with tables and chairs. As soon as they stepped onto the grass, Cleo, the mate of Logan’s brother Steven, enthusiastically waved them over. She’d saved them two chairs by her side―and it immediately became apparent why.
“Hold him for me for a moment, will you?” Cleo said as she gratefully handed a baby over to Logan.
Ethan, Logan’s little nephew, had been looking visibly fretful. But at the touch, he instantly calmed and gurgled happily at Logan, who seemed a little taken aback.
“It’s a bear thing,” Cleo said, giggling at his surprised look. “Every now and then, Ethan gets like that when his daddy isn’t around. Luckily I learned a trick―if Daddy isn’t around, another member of the clan will do.”
“Oh,” Logan said very softly as he looked down into the baby’s startling, golden eyes.
Again Lily felt a jolt in her heart.
It wasn’t jealousy. She was glad that Logan’s brothers and their mates were so happy. But seeing Logan with his nephew and niece made something inside her ache with longing. Logan might doubt himself, but everything he’d done, he’d done for his family. How could he still believe that he wasn’t part of this family?
“Part of your clan, am I?” Logan reached out to stroke the baby’s rosy cheek with a fingertip.
Lily watched as his own eyes lit up with that golden light she knew so well.
“Maybe you’re right,” Logan whispered tenderly. “I’m your uncle, and I’m part of your clan. And that means I’ll always keep you safe.”
Ethan yawned, and then his tiny eyes fell shut as he relaxed in his uncle’s arms.
With a smile, Lily looked up at Cleo. “He must be keeping you busy.”
Cleo laughed. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, but―yes, he does. Just think of how busy we’ll be when he learns how to walk! Nothing will be safe.”
The look Cleo gave her child was tender. Then she straightened and turned towards Lily, her smile widening. “But enough of us―how are you two? Getting nervous? Not much longer until your big day!”
“One month,” Lily said, butterflies fluttering in her stomach as she thought of the upcoming wedding. “It’s going to be perfect, and exactly what I’ve always dreamed of. Flowers in my hair. The ceremony in the orchard beneath the apple trees. Just my closest friends and family.” Lily’s smile widened. “Or should I rather say… my clan?”
As strange as the gathering of shifters in this small town was, she’d never for a single moment felt intimidated or afraid. She was Logan’s mate, which meant that she was family. A part of the clan.
It was a warm, comforting feeling of happiness that filled her whenever she was in their presence, even if Logan wasn’t around. It didn’t matter that she wasn’t a shifter herself―she was part of the clan now, and so everyone gathered in this garden would protect her with the same fierce loyalty which she’d always admired in Logan.
“Where’s the birthday boy hiding?” Logan asked, still gently cradling his sleeping nephew in his arms.
Just then, Chris appeared on the patio, giving them a quick wave before he came over.
“Sorry, I had to save the cake from a certain horde of wild cubs,” he said with mock sternness.
A second later, a group of five cheering children came racing out of the house, each clutching a large cookie.
“By bribing them!” Lily could barely hold back her laughter.
Chris grinned and shrugged at the accusation. “You have no evidence for that.”
“Because the evidence is currently getting devoured,” Lily pointed out.
Chris laughed. Then, with the ease of a man who’d spent many nights carr
ying a fretful baby around, he carefully took Ethan from Logan’s arms. “How’s my nephew today?” he asked tenderly.
“Pining for some alpha bear attention,” Cleo said with a sigh. “It’s a good thing we keep so many of those around.”
Chris gave Lily a little wink. “And in half an hour, when he’s had enough, he’ll be crying for Mommy again, and no alpha bear could possibly compare.”
Watching him effortlessly cradle the baby, Lily leaned back against Logan’s chest. The image filled her with warmth. No matter what Logan feared, she already knew he’d be a perfect dad and role model.
She could barely wait to see him with their own cubs…
“We’ve got a little announcement of our own,” she said after a moment, triumphantly pulling a letter from her bag. “The case with Lightning Stables got settled. With the damages De Var has to pay, combined with my lottery win, you’re now looking at the new owner of the five acres of land surrounding our farm.”
Logan took the letter from her hand, giving her a proud look. “Lily was thinking of going to vet school,” he said, “but then we ran into an injured dog by the road. And somehow, with Lightning Stables being forced to close, we ended up with three of their horses which were too old for De Var to sell to anyone else.”
“So instead of vet school, you’re now looking at the proud CEO of the area’s newest animal shelter,” Lily said, beaming. “I got the letter today, it’s all official! Guess what our shelter is called?”
“She wouldn’t even tell me!” Logan said as he eagerly unfolded the letter. “There it is! Lily Carmichael―soon to be Lily Anders―our new CEO of the Lucky Horse Shelter!”
A large smile spread over Logan’s face, but just then, something else fell out of the letter.
Logan fell silent. Her heart pounding in her chest, Lily watched with bated breath as he picked up the tiny baby sock with a puzzled look. Then his eyes went wide as he saw the message she’d tied to it.