Waking Her Bear: A Hot Paranormal Fantasy with Witches, Werebears, and Werewolves (Weres and Witches of Silver Lake Book 8)

by Vella Day

During the entire perimeter drive, his gaze never wavered from the road. “Good job,” she said. “Put the car in park while I rearrange the cones. Learning to park is a must.”

  As soon as he stopped, she jumped out of the car and set the cones about two car lengths apart. To avoid making him nervous, she stayed outside then motioned for him to parallel park between her preset lines. She’d gone over one time how to accomplish that feat.

  With dexterity, Zane backed up halfway between the cones and turned the wheel at the right time. While he almost clipped the front cone, he managed to squeeze in. Missy clapped.

  She slid into the idling car. “You were great!”

  “Thank you, ma’am, but I don’t see how I can ever drive legally. I asked Rye about getting a license, and he said I needed a birth certificate.”

  Missy opened her mouth and then closed it quickly. “I’m sure there is something we can do.”

  “I love that you’re trying to help me, but I might never fit in your world.”

  Her heart nearly stopped. “You’re giving up and going back to Cargonia?”

  Zane reached over and stroked her face. “Even if I could, I’d stay. I like it here despite the obstacles.”

  “But could you go if you chose to?” Not that she wanted him to. Missy was fond of the quirky man, really fond.

  “No, I couldn’t—at least not under my own power.”

  That didn’t make a lot of sense. “You said the portal was two-way.”

  He clamped his hands on the wheel and leaned back. “It’s one way for me. I don’t have the authority to move between the realms—only gods do.” He held up a hand. “There are other ways, but it requires the portals lining up with certain stars and then someone to help find them.”

  “Oh.”

  He twisted toward her. “Don’t look so bleak. Once I earn enough money, I can buy a horse to get around. I don’t need a license for that, do I?”

  “No, but it’s cold here in winter. It won’t be pleasant riding in the snow. I doubt the horse will like it either.”

  “I’m sure I can handle it.”

  This was getting worse by the minute. “I know people from the eighteen hundreds survived in the winter because they had to, but it isn’t easy. Rye lives near you. Maybe he could give you a lift to work if there’s a storm. Or I could pick you up!”

  Zane shook his head. “Maybe, but I don’t want to live like that. I have to be independent.”

  “Then be an artist, and shoe horses on the side, like you used to. We can figure out the transportation part later.”

  He stared at her. “You are good for my soul, Missy, and I appreciate you trying to help, but soon people will start talking about the odd man you’re with. I don’t want to put you through that.”

  His words were like daggers. “It won’t be like that. Look how well you did driving! I bet no one knows you’ve never driven before or that you’d never seen a cell phone. I’ll help you.”

  “My dear sweet witch; it’s not that easy. In case you haven’t noticed, Silver Lake doesn’t seem to have an abundance of horses.”

  Why did he seem determined to throw roadblocks in her way? “You want to give up?”

  “Give up? No. Like I said, I can’t go back even if I wanted to, but I want to stay. I like you.”

  She smiled, but her lips wobbled. “I like you too. We’ll figure something out. A lot of children are born without a birth certificate and they are allowed to drive.”

  “Really? How is that possible?”

  “I’m not sure, but I can ask Kalan Murdoch to see if he knows.”

  “Kalan, yes. He lent me some pants and shoes.”

  “He also works at the sheriff’s department. He might have a work around.”

  “Work around?”

  Missy needed to watch her idioms. “A solution.”

  Zane leaned back in his seat. “I appreciate it, but I’ll be fine if he doesn’t.”

  Zane was a stubborn man, but she liked that he wasn’t trying to find the easy way out. “We have time. What do you say we call it quits for today and rustle up some dinner?”

  “Great. What do you have in mind? My budget is still pretty small.”

  Zane had pride, and she respected that, but she wasn’t asking to be taken out. “We could go to the store and make something at my place.”

  He grinned. “I like your place.”

  Images of them naked rose to the surface, as did a few blue sparks. “You might not after I suggest you do all of the cooking.”

  “Me?” he chuckled.

  “I want to see if we can scratch cooking off the list of things you need to learn how to do.”

  “I used to be a great cook, though my best meal consisted of killing a wild drinlag and roasting it over a fire.”

  “A drinlag? What’s that?”

  He stretched his hands about eighteen inches apart. “It’s about so long, and when grilled, it has the sweetest meat in the realm.”

  She chuckled. “I’ll stick to chicken.”

  He shook his head. “If I could, I’d take you to Cargonia if only for one day to show you how nice it is.”

  “That would be wonderful.” Her heart sank. At the thought of visiting, she sucked in a breath. “Did you have a wife back in Cargonia?”

  “No! If I had, I’m not sure I could have made love with you.”

  “If you had a wife, would she still be alive?” Missy hadn’t asked if there were any immortals in his realm—or if he was one.

  He looked off to the side. “No. I try not to think that my parents, siblings, and all my friends are gone too.” Zane scrubbed a hand down his jaw. “I imagine my mother suffered the most wondering what happened to me. My brother was killed only a few days before I was sent down the portal. His death devastated her. When I disappeared, she would have been further traumatized. I hope she learned what happened to me, if only to ease her grief.”

  Her heart cracked. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?” he asked.

  “For the pain this has caused.”

  Zane nodded. “Thanks. Do you remember when we first met I said I got drunk because my best friend had died?”

  “Yes.” She clamped a hand over her mouth. “Was that your brother?”

  “It was. Rork was my best friend. I know it’s been over a hundred years since his death, but to me only a few days have passed. Time didn’t heal the wound in my heart while I was asleep.”

  She reached out and clasped his hand. “I’m a good listener if you want to tell me what happened.”

  Zane stabbed a hand through his hair. “I’m not proud of what I did, but you should know the good as well as the bad about me.”

  She swallowed. “There are a lot of things I’m not proud of either.”

  “Is that right? I bet you haven’t killed anyone?”

  Her nerves jangled. “Of course not.”

  “Well, I have.”

  Perhaps there were different laws in his realm or else it was in self-defense. “What did the person do?”

  “He killed my brother.”

  “How horrible. Tell me what happened.” Knowing Zane, the death had been justified.

  He glanced off to the side. “I’m not exactly sure why Janoc and Rork were fighting that day, but everyone knows that a shifter doesn’t stand a chance against a demon.”

  “A demon? You mentioned him before. Is that like a god from the dark realm?”

  “No. Demons aren’t gods nor are they as powerful. They aren’t immortal either, but they are close to it. Most lived hundreds of years. They thrive on spreading ill will and being evil. The demons live among us on Cargonia and are quite good at covering up their horrible deeds.”

  They sounded like the Changelings. “Why did this demon pick on your brother?”

  His chin trembled. “I’m not sure. All I know is that a few weeks before his death, Rork was having trouble with Janoc because the demon insisted on getting a special deal on some real e
state transaction. I wasn’t there when the fight started, but when I arrived, Janoc was beating my brother to death. Rork was already on the ground, unable to move, but Janoc wasn’t satisfied. He kept pummeling him.”

  Her stomach churned. “How terrible for you. What did you do?”

  “The only thing I could. I attacked Janoc, all the while praying that Rork would pull through. He was a strong bear, but the blows and burns to his upper body were too severe. After I killed Janoc, Rork died in my arms before help could arrive.”

  Burns? Her stomach churned. Even now, Zane’s eyes turned almost black, and a tic formed around his mouth. “If your demons are nearly impossible to kill, how did you kill Janoc?”

  “I had my sword with me. It was one I made. It was sharp and made of the strongest steel. Janoc was so focused on killing Rork that I don’t think he was even aware I was there. All it took was one huge swing of my sword to his neck and… well, suffice it to say, he died.”

  It was probably better that he didn’t give her the graphic details. “Why didn’t your brother shift to heal himself? Or did he?”

  “He was too weak to shift. Besides, we can heal ourselves quite well even in our human form.”

  “I wish I had been there. I might have been able to help.”

  Zane reached out and cupped her cheek. “My little healer. Yes, I wish you had been there too. You said you heal through magic?”

  “Partly, yes.”

  “We have witches on Cargonia, most of whom are bad, but not Wendayans like you have here, and that is a shame. If I ever need your healing services, I’ll be sure to call.”

  “I’ll be there, but I hope you never need that kind of help.” She twisted in her seat toward him. “So how did you end up in Silver Lake?”

  “After I killed Janoc, I was called into the Clan’s council for them to mete out judgment of my crime. When they heard what happened, they did not press charges.”

  “They shouldn’t have. You were trying to save your brother’s life.”

  “Yes, but Janoc’s brother didn’t see it that way.”

  She sucked in a breath. “Was he the one to put a spell on you?”

  “A witch he hired did. While he never said it, I think he feared that if I had been able to kill his brother, I might be able to kill him too.”

  “Do you know how this witch put a spell on you? Did she do an incantation, light candles, or sprinkle you with a powder?” Missy had dabbled in spells, but she wasn’t as successful as she wanted to be. But she’d never tried any evil ones.

  “Not really. Raymolt, Janoc’s brother, came to my house with this old witch. Without any warning, he attacked me. I was so preoccupied with trying to stay alive that I didn’t pay much attention to what she was doing. I remember her tossing something on me that felt like sand. When that didn’t seem to work, she threw pebbles at me, mumbling something about sleeping forever. I was trying to keep the grit out of my eyes when Raymolt struck me so hard I fell to my knees.”

  “Why didn’t you shift and attack him?”

  “I tried. That witch must have put some kind of spell on me that prevented me from shifting. Except for when Janoc was beating Rork. I’d never been so frightened and angry in my life.”

  She wished there was something she could do to comfort him. “How did you end up going through the portal?”

  “I couldn’t say. I was out cold when it happened. Demons don’t have access to portals like the gods. Maybe the witch helped him. All I know is that I heard your voice in my head, and I woke up. How I ended up in my bear form, I don’t know, but I think that was what allowed me to survive for so long.”

  Ophelia’s words came back to her about possibly being his mate, but she didn’t hear anything in his story that corroborated it. “So the witch put a spell on you for one hundred years?”

  “She said it was to last forever.”

  “I wonder why no one found you in the cave. A hundred years is a long time.”

  “Maybe people saw me and ran. It would be the smart thing to do.”

  “Wouldn’t they become suspicious after a while?”

  He chuckled. “I doubt many would be returning very often.”

  She smiled. “You’re right. I’m just happy you woke up, and foiled that stupid curse.”

  Zane smiled. “I think it was being around you that did it.”

  Missy wasn’t ready to address that comment or the fact she might be his mate. Her stomach grumbled, and she placed a hand on her belly.

  “I think someone needs a home cooked meal,” he said.

  “I can’t think of anything better. Let’s hope the store doesn’t carry any drinlag.”

  Zane laughed. “I’m sure you’ll get your wish, though if you want to make it in one piece to the store, you’d better drive.”

  If the cops stopped them for whatever reason, she’d be in a lot of trouble letting him behind the wheel. “I’m determined to find a way for you to get a license.”

  “Then you’d never get rid of me.”

  Right now, she had no intention of doing so.

  Chapter Sixteen

  ‡

  “Maybe you can be a chef!” Missy said, enjoying the lasagna that Zane had made. Sure, she had to guide him, but not only had he done a fine job, he’d even added some of his own touches.

  “I had no idea we’d have so many spices in common. My mom made food like this,” Zane said.

  “I’m still confused how the realms ended up with similar food. You don’t have a country called Italy do you?”

  Zane shook his head. “No, but both gods and goddesses frequently visit your realm—at least they started coming a few hundred years ago when they realized the humans weren’t so bad after all. They’ve been known to bring back some of your spices—and share some of ours.”

  “That’s really cool. Maybe some of our products were really conceived in your realm.” She wondered if Zane ever ran into one of these gods, might he ask to be transported back to Cargonia. She shivered at that thought.

  “It’s possible.” When Missy stood and picked up her plate, Zane pushed back his chair. “I’ll help,” he said.

  She held up a hand. “You cooked, so I’ll clean up.”

  “Hmm. I guess that’s fair. In Cargonia, we all help.” He stood. “I’ll watch then.”

  No sooner had she placed all of the dishes in the dishwasher and was about to clean the pots, when he stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

  “You drive me crazy,” Zane whispered into her ear.

  She dribbled soap on the wet sponge and washed the pot used to cook the lasagna. “What brought that on?” She wasn’t looking for a compliment, merely stalling for time to gather her wits about her. Sparks were shooting off her hands, and her body was going wild with need.

  Once she rinsed the pot, Zane reached in and set it on the drying rack then turned her around. “Being near you, inhaling your scent, and watching your expressive eyes, has me wanting more. You’ve invaded my soul, Missy Berta, and I need you more than you can ever imagine.”

  His whispered words sent spikes of need soaring through her. “I need you too.”

  Zane grinned then drew her close. The kiss that followed created a connection more intense than ever. It might have been because he’d bared his soul, but she felt joined to Zane in ways she couldn’t explain. People always needed her for her healing skills, but only Zane desired her for other things—at least she wanted to believe that was true.

  His hands slipped under her shirt, and a second later he broke the kiss to lift the material over her head. He inhaled deeply. “I like your bra.”

  “Why’s that?” Flirting with Zane was easy and fun.

  “Because it heightens the anticipation.”

  She reached in front of her and grabbed his crotch. “Oh, yes! My anticipation is on the rise, too.”

  He cracked up. “Now I’m glad I was asleep for so long.”

  “Why’s that?”
>
  “I needed to wait until you were born and grew up.”

  “I’m glad too.” Missy dragged a finger down his chest. “You know you look pretty good for someone who is one hundred and thirty-five years old.”

  “That so?”

  “Yes.”

  “Perhaps you’d like to see if the rest of me will live up to your expectations.”

  “I’d love that.”

  Zane certainly wasn’t shy. He knew what he wanted, and at this stage in her life, she wanted to give it to him. Her attraction wasn’t due to the fact he was different, but rather how appreciative he seemed of anything she did. She also loved his can-do attitude. No hurdle seemed too big for him, and that made him special.

  He stepped back and unzipped his pants, but before he could take them off she grabbed his hands. “Let me.”

  Holding out his arms, his eyes lightened, bordering between light brown and a golden amber hue. He’d already taken off his shoes since he loved to walk around barefoot.

  Kneeling down on the small rug in front of the sink, she reached up and slowly tugged on his pants, inching the material over his thighs.

  Zane groaned. “Just so you know this is pure torture. My bear is clamoring to get to you.”

  “He better not emerge. I want a man not a beast.”

  Zane chuckled. “Then don’t take too long down there.” He flexed his hands, and when he extended his fingers, his nails had grown.

  “I’ll be quick.” Or maybe not. She wanted to sexually torment him to the point of distraction.

  “You better be. I want to return the favor, assuming I can last that long. You do something to me, Missy; something I can’t seem to control.”

  No one had ever said anything like that to her before. She smiled then eased his pants lower. When his cock popped out, she jerked back a little. It seemed larger this close up.

  “Touch him,” Zane commanded.

  She’d do more than that. “How about a lick first?” she asked.

  “Okay, but hurry.”

  Keeping her hands at her sides, she dragged her tongue from balls to tip, loving his earthy scent, or perhaps it should be called his Cargonian scent. When she swiped her tongue across the tip, she moaned from the salty taste of his precum. He wasn’t kidding when he said she needed to be quick. Wanting to touch him more fully, she grabbed his shaft and tugged it closer. Drawing him deep into her mouth, she swirled her tongue around and around until he tugged on her hair so hard, she stopped and looked up at him.