by Hazel Gower
Seeing their discomfort, Sammy cut them a break. “You two are the reason I’m willing to date again. I know not all guys are arseholes. So what can I do to help?”
Philip sighed. “I don’t know. Gwen is engaged, and we know we’re her mates. Her family won’t approve. John and I don’t know how it would work anyway. We’re not shifters.”
Sammy narrowed her mouth as they both knew that had nothing to do with it.
John held up his hand. “Before either of you open your big mouths hear us out. Philip and I have talked about it. We don’t know if we could share for the rest of our lives. We have done a night or two with different women here or there, but a relationship is totally different.”
Philip smiled at Susie and winked at her. “We’re not shifter men, so as much as we know about shifters and that a mating is forever and that love the ultimate love, we don’t know if we can believe that. Today is the fourth time we’ve seen Gwen, and our attraction grows every time. The first time she saw us she was terrified and ran. The second she told us what she was to us and that nothing would be done. The third time, she kissed us, and well John and I haven’t been with a woman since. Seeing her today has put us on edge. We need to do something. We can’t live like this.”
Susie hugged Philip, and Sammy hugged John. “I will help you in whatever way you need.” John’s arms came around her.
“Thanks, Sammy. The same goes for you.”
Photos had been taken, and Sammy watched in wonder at the tension in Philip and John as they stood close or touched Gwen. Sammy could see Gwen’s eyes flash bear anytime one of the men touched her.
They were all now at the reception. Sammy knew Slater and Brock were already unhappy that she’d been partnered with John and hadn’t had a chance to be alone with them. Sammy hadn’t been to their table as they were seated with Brock’s parents and Slater’s. Sammy had avoided meeting Slater’s parents after the disastrous introduction to Adele.
Sammy could feel eyes on her as she ate dessert. Speeches had just finished, and she’d been grateful Susie was happy to do the speech. Sammy turned to the table Brock’s and Slater’s families sat at to see everyone staring at the bridal table. She noticed a brown haired man narrow his eyes on Gwen, then look to Philip and John.
Sandy stood and started going from table to table talking to her guests.
“Something’s going on,” John said beside her.
Philip came over to them and pulled her up. “Do you know why we were getting death stares? I also noticed you were getting some nasty ones, too.”
Brock came over and snarled at Philip. “You don’t need to hold her hand now.”
Phillip dropped his hand, and Sammy turned a glare at Brock. “Hello to you, too. There is no need to talk like that.”
Slater came up beside Brock. “Brock’s a bit on edge. His mother is on his case driving him and everyone nuts.”
Sammy felt bad for snapping at him and took both their hands. The DJ cleared his throat and tapped on the mic.
“Attention, ladies and gentlemen, the bride and grooms would like to do their first dances. Fist the bride will dance with Zack, then Jake. Her father will cut in, then her brother. If we could then have the bridesmaids with their partners, and then everyone may dance.”
Sandy took to the dance floor, and a slow waltz came on. She danced with Zack for half a song before Jake stepped in. Jake danced and was tapped on the shoulder by Sandy’s father. Philip smiled and joined the dance taking over from his father.
John winked at her. “See you on the dance floor. I better cut in before Philip embarrasses himself.”
Susie moaned beside her now. Sandy could see she was leaning heavily on Blake. “My feet hurt. I don’t want to dance.” She looked to Brian. “You better come save poor Philip after a second of dancing. I can barely hold myself up, and Philip has been pretty much holding me up all day. For him to hold me while dancing is just cruel.”
Brian leaned down and brushed his lips over Susie’s, and rubbed her belly. “I’ll carry you the rest of the night if you like.”
Susie deflated. “Sounds like heaven. Come on, Blake. Let’s get this dance over and done with.”
Sammy smiled at the love between Susie and her men as she let go of Brock’s and Slater’s hands and walked to the dance floor to have her dance with John.
When the song had almost finished with John, Brock pushed himself in front of her and pulled her close. “Have I told you how exquisite you look?” Brock’s fingers stroked up and down her back.
“No, you haven’t. Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.” Sammy reached up and rubbed her hand over his stubble. “One of these days I want to see you clean shaven and not in black.”
Brock leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. “You’d have to be real good to see that.”
Sammy grinned up at Brock and wrapped her hands around his neck. “Something for me to look forward to.”
Brock nodded and held her close for the rest of the song. Slater took his spot when the song ended.
“What do you think of the wedding?”
“It’s better than I thought it would be. It’s interesting to see how it worked out. I love seeing how happy Sandy is. Susie is happy, too, even if she’s ready to pop. She’s boasting that she’s the best matchmaker out there. That Sandy should be in her debt always for giving her two awesome men.”
Slater chuckled. “I’ll have to go thank Susie.”
“Oh please don’t. Her head is already huge from this event.”
Arguing to the side of Sammy had her turning her head to see Gwen and Mr. Brown Hair. He grabbed Gwen’s hand and walked to the exit.
Sammy looked around to see Philip and John going after him. Moving herself out of Slater’s hold she grimaced up at him for a moment unsure if she should give chase or not.
“I have to go help. Make sure no one leaves the venue through the front until I have it sorted.” Not waiting for Slater’s response she ran after Philip and John as they went to Gwen, who was arguing with a tall, buff brown-haired man.
“Gwen, why the hell didn’t you tell me?” The brown haired man grabbed Gwen as he yelled at her.
Gwen shook her arm out of his hold. “Because I didn’t want this.”’ She pointed to John, Philip, and Mr. Brown Hair.
This time the man grabbed Gwen with both hands and shook her. “You should have told me. I looked like a fool out there. Everyone could tell they’re your true mates.”
Philip and John each grabbed a hand and removed it from Mr. Brown Hair, who turned glowing yellow eyes on them and growled. “Let me go.”
Crap! Sammy thought. She couldn’t let Sandy’s brothers get killed on her wedding day. Without thinking Sammy stood in front of Mr. Brown Hair, placing her hands on his rock solid chest and pushed Philip and John back until they let go. “Don’t even think about it. This is Sandy’s wedding and those are her brothers, so don’t start anything. You need to remember that there are a lot of humans around, and they don’t know what you are.”
Mr. Brown Hair’s eyes narrowed down on her, and he sneered. “Are you going to stop me, little human?”
It was then that the situation she was in sank in, and she stared way up into a very angry face. Sammy let her hands drop from his muscled chest as she felt hands come and rest on her shoulders. Sammy felt her mind shut down, and she shrank back terrified. She couldn’t do this again. What had she been thinking? She wasn’t strong enough.
“We will if you don’t take your hands off our mate, Steven.” Brock’s voice snapped her back to the here-and-now as the hands were removed, and Brock lifted the shifter and turned him so he was face to face. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Steven? Sammy is terrified. You don’t treat women that way.”
Mr. Brown Hair now had a name: Steven. “All I did was put my hands on her shoulder.”
Steven pushed at Brock, and Slater came up behind Steven as Brock dropped him. “That doesn’t explain why
she was terrified. She clearly didn’t want you to touch her. Surely you could smell that just as you can smell the lust and connection pouring off my sister and her mates.”
Steven straightened his suit and glared at Brock. “Your little mate that you haven’t claimed came into a conversation that had nothing to do with her.”
Getting her confidence back, knowing that Brock and Slater wouldn’t let anything happen to her, Sammy squared her shoulders and shot an annoyed look at Gwen, who’d stood there the whole time not saying anything. “I came to help stop a fight. I also didn’t like the way you shook Gwen.”
Steven turned and came face to furious face with Slater. He pushed at him. “I wouldn’t ever hurt Gwen. I’m just wanted to understand why she didn’t tell me she had mates. Why she didn’t tell me so I didn’t introduce myself as her fiancé when I clearly am not.”
Gwen sighed and came forward to stand next to Sammy. “Steven, you know my mother. You know how she’ll feel when she learns I have two humans for mates, especially after what I did with Matty’s father.”
Steven glanced around them like he was checking to see who was watching and listening. “Your mother is a bitch.” Steven ran his fingers through his hair. “We have been friends for years, Gwen. All you had to do was tell me. I’ll help in whatever way you need. I’ll play this game, but eventually you’re going to have to tell Adele, because I’ll be your fiancé for however long you need me, but I will not say ‘I do’ now I know you have true mates.”
Gwen smiled and came forward and pushed Slater out of the way to hug Steven. “Thanks.”
Steven kissed Gwen’s forehead. “I’m going to go home now. Tell your parents I had an emergency at work. Call me if you need me.”
Gwen nodded, and Steven turned to Brock and Slater. “You need to claim your mate. She’s vulnerable as a human.” Steven turned to Sammy. “I’m sorry I scared you. I would never have hurt you. I’m glad Gwen has a friend like you willing to stick up for her if anything did go wrong.” He then turned to Philip and John, who stood to the side of Gwen. “Be patient with Gwen and stay clear of Adele, because she will kill you.” And with that he walked away and out of the functions hall.
Sammy felt like she was about to collapse. All her bravado left her. Slater must have sensed it because his arms came around her waist, and he held her up.
“You did good, beautiful, but don’t do anything so stupid again. Gwen is a shifter. She can look after herself. Steven’s a shifter, and you have to be more careful. Come on. Let’s go back inside before someone misses us all.”
Slater practically carried her back to the function room. Sammy stayed quiet, too mentally exhausted to tell Slater off for speaking to her like he did, or for telling her what to do. Sammy was proud of herself that she stood up for her friend and that she had the strength to accomplish it. She’d been just like her old self when she had gone after Sandy’s brothers and stood in front of Gwen. It wasn’t until Steven made her realize he was bigger and stronger than she was that she’d gotten scared.
Sammy sat at the bridal table the rest of the night, switching between telling herself she’d done the right thing and she couldn’t live in the shadows afraid of everything for the rest of her life, and then berating herself that she was a fool and if she kept acting like she was invincible she would get beat up and killed this time.
Gwen left early, and Sammy noticed that Sandy’s brothers weren’t too far behind. Brock came and sat next to her. At first he just sat and held her hand. Then he told her that his mother and father were driving him crazy and had started talking about retiring and if he wanted to take over his father’s construction business. Brock’s smooth deep voice soothed her, and she relaxed back into her seat and gripped his hand tighter.
Slater came and sat on her other side. He was quiet for a while as Brock explained what buildings his father’s company had built and what was involved.
“I love your voice. That’s twice now you’ve talked me out of going off to my safe place.” Sammy faced Brock for a moment. “I told Slater yesterday you surprised me because I thought you would be the one of the two who would scare me, with your dominance, large frame, outspokenness and the fact you’re a cop, but you’re the one who calms me and has the patience.” She turned back so she could see both Slater and Brock. “It‘s Slater who pushes my buttons and has gotten to me.”
“I would never hurt you physically. I said that last night.” Slater leaned forward and brushed his lips over hers. “Come dance with me.”
Slater pulled her up, and she laughed as he wiggled his butt as she followed behind him. The music was current dance music. Sammy looked around the dance floor and noticed all the young people moving around. Jane was shimmying against a tall, dark, and handsome man, and Sandy, Jake, and Zack were giggling about.
Slater danced with her for a couple of songs before Sandy pulled her and Jane over to do the chicken dance. By the end of the song Sammy was laughing so hard at Slater’s attempt to skip around she’d completely forgotten about her exhausted, scared state from earlier after what she’d done to help Gwen.
After a couple of slow songs and trying to convince Brock to come and dance she took a break and sat by him.
Brock grinned at her. “I liked watching you have fun.” He turned to Slater. “It was even better watching you make an idiot out of yourself.”
Slater winked at her. “I thought I looked good.”
Sammy giggled as a picture of his skipping came to mind. “I had fun.”
Brock pulled her over so she sat on his lap. “I have something we can all do together. Why don’t you come to the gym with us this week? Brock and I are taking over self-defense classes, so Zack and Jake can go on their honeymoon and they can relax when they come home and focus on Sandy having the babies.”
“I don’t know. I’m not a fan of violence. I don’t know how I’d do with all that fighting going on around me.”
Slater reached for her hand and squeezed it. “That’s fine if you don’t want to do it, but it’s self-defense. We don’t teach you how to fight. We teach you how to defend yourself. So if someone tried to hurt you and we weren’t around, you could defend yourself and maybe prevent yourself from being hurt or give you time to get away.”
“Um, I suppose I could give it a go. I know Jane goes, and she loves it.”
“Slater can pick you up and bring you to the first class on Tuesday,” Brock said.
“Sounds good. I look…” Sammy trailed off as a short, plump, dark skinned woman with black hair came over with a tall blond man who looked just like Slater. The woman had a huge smile on her face, and her eyes were alight with tears.
“You must be Sammy. I’ve heard so much about you.” The woman pulled Sammy up from Brock’s lap. “I tell you I was losing hope that any of my boys would find a mate. You see I always wanted a daughter, but fate gave me three strapping boys instead. I wanted more, but Daren said three was enough.” The woman kissed her cheek and stroked Sammy’s hair. “Hopefully you’ll give me grandkids soon. I may even get some granddaughters.”
“Mum. Stop. You’re embarrassing Sammy.”
Slater’s mother still held her close. “I’m not embarrassing you, am I?”
Sammy glanced between Slater, whose cheeks were red and his eyes filled with embarrassment, to Brock, who was smiling and staring at the situation with clear envy. Sammy turned back to Slater’s mum, with her eyes that were bright and cheerful. She had laugh lines around them like she laughed and enjoyed herself a lot. Her smile was full and genuine, and she held Sammy with a warmth she remembered from her own mother.
“No. You’re not embarrassing me. It’s nice to meet you. Yes, I’m Samantha Gardener, but you can call me Sammy.”
If possible Slater’s mother’s smile widened. “Hi, Sammy. I’m Abigail, Slater’s mother. And this.” Abigail nodded to the blond beside her. “Is Daren, Slater’s father. You can call us Mum and Dad. I would love it if you would.”
Sammy fell instantly in love with Abigail. Sammy looked to Slater’s dad to see him staring at his wife with such love and devotion, it made Sammy realize she wanted a man, well men, Slater and Brock in particular, to look at her that way. “I would love to call you that. Are you sure it’s okay, Mr. Bear?”
Daren sighed. “Please. I would love to be called Dad. Mr. Bear reminds me of my brothers, or uncles. You’re also family now.” He grinned and winked at her. “Plus, I feel the same as my wife. I’m ready for grandkids. I hear they are even better than your own because you can play with them, hype them up, and hand them back to their parents.”
Slater groaned. “Mum, Dad, we haven’t even discussed children. Sammy might not want any.”
Abigail gasped, and her gaze darted from her son to Sammy.
Sammy raised her hands in surrender at the look on Abigail’s face. “I want children. Not right now, but I would like some.”
Abigail almost bounced with happiness. “Oh this is great. I’ll see you at our house on Friday to celebrate. It was a joy to meet you, and I look forward to seeing you on Friday.” Without letting Sammy respond, she let her go, put her arm in her husband’s, and almost skipped off.
“I’m so sorry about my parents. They mean well, but my mother is full on.” Slater moaned.
Brock grunted. “I wish I’d grown up with your parents.”
“Don’t apologize. I fell instantly in love with your mum. I’m looking forward to Friday.” Sammy went over to Brock and hugged him. “I’m sure your mother is loving to you.”
Brock pulled her so she sat on his lap, and he hugged her tight. “No, she’s not. Remember I told you I was brought up by nannies. Gwen gets most of her attention. And she loves and is great with little Matty, but me, Blake, and Brian, she never seemed to warm up to. Zack got babied before he went into the army, but after Zack did that she didn’t have much to do with him.”
“I thought Mama bears were protective and loved their young?” Sammy didn’t know if she should have asked Brock that, but she was curious.