We sit down on one of the sofas and Arnold joins us, sighing in disappointment that he’s not getting any jasmine tea. Seriously, what is it with these men and tea? For a panda and a spectacle bear, they are certainly very British.
We sip our tea in silence, the sound of the crackling fire the only thing distracting me from my thoughts. I can’t imagine living in one place for twenty years like these two have. I’ve always wanted to travel, to explore the world and discover new places. Meet other people who might be more open and friendly than the folks on Salvation Island. And escape my uncle’s reign, of course. I’m pretty sure that even if he hadn’t forced a marriage on me, I would have run away at some point. But I didn’t want to leave the people of the island without a healer. I wonder if my uncle is looking for a replacement for me. I’m not sure how he’d go about that, though, although I wouldn’t put kidnapping past him.
I’m so glad to be away from him. I can make my own decision now. Like travelling with four bear shifters.
“Do you know when they’ll be back?”
Arnold checks the clock on the mantel piece. “Shouldn’t be long. They’ve been out for quite some time now. I think their bears were hungry and demanding to be let out. Running over the ice is not the same as running on land for fun.”
“Do I get to see you two shift?” I blurt out and immediately curse myself. That wasn’t very polite. But luckily, they seem to be amused rather than offended.
“We no longer need to shift as often as your companions, but yes, I’m planning to go for a run tonight,” Bertrand says with a smile. “I might be able to get us some meat for dinner.”
I’m still having trouble imagining a hunting panda, but hopefully I’ll get to see him in action later today.
“We’ve already spoken to Torben about what happens next. You’re welcome to stay with us, but the house is rather small and you might want some privacy. Two of the houses in the village are in good condition, so you might want to move into one of them for as long as you stay on Inchbrach. When they left, many people didn’t take all their belonging with them, so you might find some useful stuff there as well.”
“Aye, there used to be two sisters living in the pink cottage, the furthest one from here,” Arnold adds. “They left some clothes, but as we didn’t have use for them, they should still be in their wardrobes.”
“Thanks, I’ll take a look,” I say, already excited about it. Sounds like a proper treasure hunt. But I better get dressed first, it looks cold outside and more snow has fallen overnight. Walking around in a nightie is definitely a bad idea, no matter how pretty it is.
* * *
“I think you should wear this.”
Húnn is holding a little black dress that makes me shiver even from looking at it.
“Have you looked outside recently? It’s winter, I’m not walking around in that… rag.” I put my hand on my hips to reinforce the message. Sometimes I have to be firm with the bears. What am I saying, sometimes? Always. Especially when they’re rummaging through a woman’s wardrobe, trying to persuade me to put on the flimsiest clothes they can find. And the worst is that they’ve started to gang up on me. All four bears insisted on coming with me. They seem to see it as a shopping trip. I see it as torture.
“How about this?” Húnn hands me a red dress which has holes in some very inappropriate places. Strangely enough, it looks like it’s supposed to be like that. And that neckline… let’s just call it a boobline.
“No chance.”
Instead of giving up like he has before, he holds it in front of me as if he’s trying to imagine me in it.
“One day, I’ll make you wear this.” He winks at me and a shiver runs over my back, caused by my ovaries blushing and giggling. He’s already looking at me with barely disguised desire right now, so I can’t even imagine when he’ll do if I wear that dress… I should definitely do it.
I turn around to the other three guys who are sitting on the dust-covered bed opposite the wardrobe. I thought they’d be bored by now. Instead, they look like they’re enjoying this.
“Húnn, give her that dark green thing,” Ràn suggests, pointing at a long emerald dress which could easily be from Victorian times. Not to say that it isn’t pretty though… in fact, I rather like it. It covers all the important places but still has a feminine shape.
“Oh go on then,” I sigh dramatically. I won’t let them know that I actually like it. “I’ll try it on. In the other room.”
“No, do it here,” Torben demands, his voice husky. Damn, he makes my insides melt with the look he’s giving me. Like he’s about to jump up and eat me whole. I wonder if he’s been planning this all along. Get me naked in front of the others while pretending to look for clothes. And naked in front of him. My polar bear. The first man I’ve ever kissed. Damn, why do I find that so exciting?
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” I mumble, torn between my sense of decency and the arousal that is running through me.
“Why not?” The heat in Torben’s eyes is almost unbearable to look at.
The other three are not looking much different. The predators in them are close to the surface and they want out. They want me. Or maybe that dress.
I can’t help myself, I take off my jumper, once again just in my bra. Finn should be used to the sight by now, but he sucks in a shallow breath, his eyes fixed on my chest. I’d call him impolite, but it’s flattering.
Next are my jeans. They’re tattered at the ends and stiff from dirt, so I’m glad to get out of them. Doing the washing is next on my to do list. After I deal with my horny bears.
Now just in my underwear, I hold out my hands to Húnn, demanding the dress he’s still holding. Reluctantly, he hands it over. With a smile, I pull it over my head, enjoying the soft feel of it on my skin. It’s clean, even though it smells a little like moth balls. Nothing some soap won’t fix though.
I turn my back to Húnn. “Zip me up, please.”
The zip on the dress reaches far down, almost to my bum. I’m sure he can see my panties, but he pulls it up as asked, not even touching my skin by accident. I wish he had.
I turn to the guys and do a mock curtsy. “Like it?”
Torben gets up and spins me around by the shoulders, inspecting me from all sides.
“Exquisite,” he whispers and pulls me close. His hands are on my waist, steadying me as he looks deep into my eyes. My ovaries are close to fainting. So am I. In his arms I feel special. He comes closer, ever closer, until his lips touch mine. It’s not a kiss, just a gentle meeting of skin and breaths.
But then, he turns it into a kiss, a wild and demanding one. He’s claiming me in front of the others, making it clear that I am his. The alpha’s.
His tongue brushes against my teeth and I’m tempted to gently bite down, but I don’t want to bring out the bear in him. I let myself flow into his kiss, responding when he nudges me, giving him access when he needs it. We are melting together, the border between us disappearing. Something strange is happening. I feel like… more. Like my awareness has expanded and is no longer confined to its previous limits. I feel so much more. My senses are sending me signals I’ve never received before. I can suddenly hear the breaths of the guys on the sofa as if they were standing next to me. The cold room is no longer as icy, as if the heating had been switched on. And my thoughts are more… wild. Feral.
I want more.
I break the kiss and tear off Torben’s shirt, not stopping to think why I suddenly have the strength to rip fabric this easily. He’s not wearing anything below and his abs are calling to me. I run my tongue over his skin, tasting him. He is salty and masculine, and I want more. So much more.
My fingernails are leaving marks on his back and he groans as I go lower, drawing a wet line down to his jeans. His belt is in the way so I rip it off, the metal clasp breaking into two pieces. His button flies through the air as I pull down his trousers, exposing a hard cock waiting for my attention. I kiss his tip and g
rip him hard, causing Torben to groan again.
“Isla, stop,” he says hoarsely, but I couldn’t care less. He is mine and I’m having him. End of.
I take him into my mouth, enjoying the sensation of his taste mingling with my own. I begin to suck, no idea how I suddenly know what to do. But his moans are enough to tell me that it’s the right thing to do. He’s enjoying it, and so am I. I grip his buttocks hard, causing him to jerk forwards, his cock pushing deep into my throat. I moan against him, echoing his own sounds.
When I pull back to take a deep breath, I’m suddenly lifted up and put down on the bed which is now empty. I look around in confusion. Where are the other guys?
“It’s only me and you now, Isla,” Torben whispers huskily, lifting up my skirts and spreading my legs. I am only wearing my panties below, and those are wet, probably translucent. Torben kneels on the bed, looking at me with an unreadable expression. It’s no longer hunger, no, it’s something deeper.
“I should have warned you,” he says but instead of explaining more, he kisses me between my legs. I shudder at the intensity of what his light touch is causing in me. I’m close to coming already, and he’s not even started touching me with anything but his tongue. He pulls my panties to one side and begins to lap up my juices.
It’s almost too much. I’m strung tight, waiting for release that I’m not allowing myself yet. His tongue is doing things to me I’ve never felt before. Yes, I’ve never been with a man, but I have explored my body. But my fingers have never managed to get me to this point of bliss that Torben is now leading me towards. He slides a finger into me… nobody’s ever been in there before. It feels good, no, amazing. I need more.
“More,” I whimper and he adds a second finger. It hurts slightly, but the pleasure it brings makes the pain go away immediately.
“I shouldn’t do this,” he whispers, more to himself than to me. But he doesn’t stop. He moves in me, making me shiver every time his thumb touches the most sensitive spot of them all. His hand still in me, he stands up and pulls me closer to the edge of the bed.
His cock is waiting to meet me. Torben is looking at me and I return his gaze, silently telling him that I’m ready. I’ve been ready for a while.
His fingers leave me and I feel empty until he presses against my entrance. He is so much bigger than those two fingers and I know it’s going to hurt. Everybody says it does. But I’m sure it will be worth it.
Surprisingly slow, he pushes in and my inner walls begin to stretch to accommodate him. He is big and I’m starting to doubt that he will fit.
A sharp pain makes me yelp and he stops immediately.
“Are you okay?” He looks a little confused, then his eyes widen as he realises that he’s my first. “Oh…”
“Don’t stop,” I moan and after a moment of hesitation, he continues to enter me. Finally, he’s all in and the pain has been replaced me a feeling of fullness. Completeness. I was incomplete and now I’m whole.
“Tell me if it hurts,” he warns and begins to move out again. And in. He begins to set into a gentle rhythm and my mind is going blank. In this moment, nothing matters but him. I shut out all other sensations and focus on the connection between us that is pulsating through me like a beacon. We’re creating something beautiful here, I’m sure of that.
He carries me closer to the end, increasing his pace in response to my moans.
Then, I’m lifted into the heavens as a final thrust makes me shatter. I break into pieces and my mind scatters, lost.
From the haze, I feel pain in my fingers. In my mouth. I move and then there’s something new, a new taste. I like it. I suck, swallowing the bright light into me. The pain subsides enough for me to open my eyes and look into Torben’s horrified face before it returns a thousand fold and I let myself be carried away by it, into the dark.
Chapter 8
I don’t know where I am, but it is too bright. The light hurts my eyes even though I have them pressed firmly shut. Something’s wrong with me. My body feels different. Strange. Unfamiliar.
It’s not just the brightness. My head hurts, too. And my hands. And feet. And everything, really. I am one big pain. What the heck is going on here?
I am scared to open my eyes. Not just because the light will hurt. I’m scared of what I will find. Which is very much unlike me. Come on Isla, pull yourself together. Don’t be a wimp. Whatever’s happening, you’ll deal with it.
Right.
One moment.
Almost ready.
I open my eyes and look around. Strangely enough, I’m back in the guest room in the shifter cottage on Inchbrach. And the only light is the sunlight streaming through the large window. The lamp above me isn’t even on. Then why is it so bright? I blink, trying to dispel the pain in my head. This is so wrong. I know it’s not as blinding as it feels, but my brain won’t listen to my eyes. Or vice versa. My whole body is out of sync.
My hands still hurt. I look at them, but there’s nothing out of the ordinary… oh wait. There’s dried blood around my fingernails. Weird. Did I maybe get a bit too rough when I was with Torben? There are no wounds that I can see, so it can’t be my blood.
Oh hell. Did I hurt him?
I stumble out of bed, noticing the same strange pain in my feet. I check and yes, there’s dried blood around my toe nails too. What. The. Fuck.
Something is seriously wrong here. I’m getting really quite scared.
“Torben?” I call out in the hope that he is nearby and can hear me. I really don’t want to be the damsel in distress waiting for her hero, but right now, I could do with some reassurance. I blacked out during sex, now I have trouble with my eyes, there’s blood on my hands and my senses are all wrong. It’s like the air is twice intense on my exposed skin, and every step I take on the wooden floor is twice as loud as it should be. Maybe I’m getting a migraine. I remember my aunt getting them and she’d have to stay in a dark room for hours or even days. Maybe that’s what’s happening.
A rational explanation.
But then, I’m living with bear shifters. My world is no longer rational.
I try to walk as quietly as possible to avoid my pounding head from hurting even more, but it’s no use. Everything is too loud. I open the bedroom door and voices drift to me. They’re not close, but loud enough that I can understand them.
“You’ve made a mistake,” Bertrand says, angry and uncharacteristically serious. I stop in my tracks, eavesdropping. I know it’s not polite, but right now, I don’t care. If Torben was here with me, I wouldn’t have to listen. And yes, I know that doesn’t make sense. Blame my aching head.
“You should have asked her. Given her a choice. Explained everything. Now it’s too late. Are you ready to deal with the consequences?”
I’m pretty sure ‘her’ is me. And I’m glad that Bertrand is pissed on my behalf, even though I don’t know what this is all about.
“I couldn’t help it,” Torben defends himself. “My bear took over.”
“You should have more control than that,” Bertrand snarls. “You’re an alpha, for heaven’s sake! If you know you don’t have enough control, don’t get yourself into a situation like that.” He pauses and I begin to think that he’s done, but then he goes on again, rage colouring his voice. “And you, you shouldn’t have left them alone. I know he’s your alpha, but sometimes we make mistakes too. It’s your responsibility to tell him when he’s wrong. He may have messed up the poor girl’s future, but you’re all to blame.”
I should probably be more affected by this, but all I can think of is that a panda is telling off a polar bear. I giggle and the men’s voices go quiet. A moment later, a door opens down the corridor.
“Isla? Are you awake?”
It’s Torben. And he sounds very remorseful. Not to say, embarrassed.
“What did you do?” I ask, still in the dark.
“Look into the mirror,” he says sadly and my heart sinks. This can’t be good.
I go bac
k into the bedroom, followed by Torben like a downtrodden cub. There’s a mirror over the cupboard. Steeling myself, I look at myself and - what the fuck.
“What the fuck did you do to me?” I shout at Torben, pointing at my now bright blue eyes. “How did you change my fucking eye colour?”
He doesn’t even try to defend himself, he just stares at me with a strange look.
“What?!”
“Your hands.”
I hold them up to my face and… this is a dream. I’m hallucinating. I’m definitely not seeing claws where my fingernails were a moment ago. Claws just like Torben’s when he’s in his bear form. And blue eyes just like his.
No, this isn’t happening. I refuse to accept it.
“I’m not turning into one of you, forget it!” I yell, hiding my hands behind my back. If I can’t see it, it doesn’t exist. But the claws biting into my palms tell a different story.
“You’re not.” I look up at that. If not that, what is happening to me? But his grim expression is not good news.
“The effect was only ever supposed to be a mental bond, not a physical one…” He wrings his hands and I growl in frustration at his stalling. “I wasn’t sure yet if we were ready for the bond to actually happen, so I didn’t stop you-”
“Wait, you’re putting this on me?” I can’t believe it.
“No… But…”
Torben the alpha has disappeared, leaving a scared young man behind who knows he’s done something wrong. And I hate seeing him like that. But I hate even more that I have changed and I still don’t know into what.
I hold my clawed hands out to him.
“Get rid of them.”
“I can’t.”
“You made me have them, make them go away.”
Tears are pooling in my eyes and I try and blink them away. I can’t fall apart now, not in front of him.
“I’m so sorry,” he says quietly, drawing a hand through his hair. “This shouldn’t have happened. But I will make it up to you, I swear I will.”
Shifters Gone Wild; Collection Page 8