Eventide of the Bear

by Cherise Sinclair

  Absently, Ben rubbed his shoulders against the tree trunk, probably wearing another hole in his shirt.

  Across the park, several humans watched over a group of pre-teens. On a nearby bench, two young shifter mothers smiled at him. He’d seen them in the park before.

  “It’s not often we see a male bringing his offspring to play in the park,” one said.

  “Now that’s a shame. Watching a cub is far more fun than supervising a construction crew.” He wasn’t going to explain why Minette’s mother wasn’t available.

  They laughed—exactly his intent—and went back to dissecting some poor buddy. Females sure got off on gossiping.

  By the time, Minette had played on the swings, the climbing web, the two slides, collected a couple of scrapes, and made another three friends, Ben figured it was time to haul her home. After all, they had meat loaf—and hopefully mashed potatoes—for supper. “Minette.”

  She ran across the wood shavings-covered playground onto the grass—and stopped so abruptly she stumbled.

  “Hey, kitten, be ca—”

  “Look who’s guarding the cub.” Hips swinging like a wrecking ball, Genevieve approached from the parking lot.

  He frowned. She hadn’t been so…blatant…when he met her five or so years ago, had she? With jeans so tight he could see her private folds, and a tank top lowered to the edge of her nipples, her attire today seemed more desperate than provocative. “Genevieve, what are you doing here?”

  “I saw you. I wanted to talk to you.” She gave her cub a disinterested glance. “Go play somewhere.”

  Minette’s thumb was in her mouth.

  “Minette.” Ben knelt, pleased that she came immediately, as if knowing he’d protect her. “Your mother wants to talk with me. Since grown-ups are boring, why don’t you play with the dump trucks until we’re done?” He pointed to the sandbox, which was safely out of earshot.

  She clung for another few seconds, and he ached at the return of her timidity. Finally, she let him go and obeyed. When he noted the wide detour she made around her dam, his lips tightened.

  He gave Genevieve his attention. “You have to be the worst mother I’ve ever seen.”

  “Oh, Ben. That’s a mean thing to say.” She donned a pitiful look in the way he’d pull on a jacket. “That’s because I just don’t know how; I didn’t have a mother.”

  No, instead her three doting fathers had pampered her. From what she’d told Ryder, she’d conned them for anything she could get. Her free ride had stopped when they were killed in an avalanche around six years past.

  Genevieve was looking for someone to pamper her again, but she’d give nothing in return. Her attempt at looking pitiful moved him not at all. “So, talk.”

  “All right then. You’re getting attached to the cub, and from what I’ve heard, so is Ryder.” Genevieve crossed her arms over her chest, pushing up her breasts to emphasize the cleavage.

  Ben gave her a cynical stare, hoping her tits didn’t pop out and give the human mothers a shock. “Your point?”

  “She’s mine, and every shifter in the world would agree that a cub should live with her mother.”

  Unfortunately, she was right. Daonain cubs always lived with their mothers. “They wouldn’t if they’d seen what kind of shit mother you are. Minette will get nowhere near you.”

  “You mange-ridden, toothless—” Genevieve’s lips curled back from her teeth, and he wondered if she’d lose control and bite him. She took a step back. “I’m sorry,” she said, tears in her eyes. “I realize Ryder’s turned you against me, but”—she pulled in a shaky breath—“I only want what’s best for my baby.”

  Yes, she was a sneaky one. “Then you’ll leave her with me and Ryder.”

  “You and Ryder can keep her on one condition.” To his disbelief, she moved close enough to stroke his chest seductively. “If I move in with you. I can be your mate and take care of her.”

  “She’d be better off raised by a gnome than a mother like you.” Ryder had been right about her scheme. Ben wanted to spit. “And I’d rather mate with a hellhound.”

  She slapped him hard enough for the splatting sound to ring through the park. As his cheek stung, the young mothers heard and turned.

  Minette? He checked the sandbox. The cub’s friends surrounded her and insulated her with their happy noise.

  The shrew lowered her voice. “You’ll suffer for that insult. When Minette gets handed over to me, you’ll pay and pay to get her back.”

  “You’re not gonna get money—or Minette. I’m a cahir, chosen of the God. I own a house, a company. Ryder has money and is employed. You’re an abusive mother who lives off of others. Only a fool would choose you over Ryder and me.” He stepped around her and headed for Minette, adding a final, “Be gone with you.”

  Her low growl came from behind him, and he heard her padding away. By the God, he hoped that was the last they’d see of her.

  As he picked up Minette, he felt her trembling. He needed to get her home. Knowing the honey bear, she’d find some comforting, diverting activity to soothe the cub.

  Genevieve wasn’t the only cub to grow up without a mother. But Emma was showing not only Minette, but also Ben and Ryder, what a mother’s care might have been like.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  ‡

  Cold Creek, North Cascades Territory – last quarter moon

  Human “Mother’s Day”

  CLAWS SAFELY SHEATHED, Ryder slapped Emma’s hind leg with a paw and launched himself into the undergrowth.

  Blustering with mock annoyance, the bear spun—faster than he’d expected—but he’d already dropped, letting the salal and huckleberries hide him. Safely hidden, he watched for his next opportunity. The tip of his tail twitched.

  Such a pretty bear.

  Although Emma was in the “black bear” species, her thick, shaggy fur was as honey-colored as her hair—and shone with health. Darker over her head, her fur lightened to pale gold on her Roman-bear-style nose. She turned her head, back and forth, trying to locate him. Some stray berries on the bushes caught her attention, and she stopped to nibble before continuing to search.

  As Ryder watched her, the sun filtered through the tall plants and bushes, warming his shoulders. He’d forgotten how much fun it was to play in animal form.

  This outing was a form of rejoicing that Genevieve was gone. Yesterday, Ben’d told her that she’d get no money from them. Last night, Ryder’d visited the tavern for news. The young male Genevieve had stayed with was drinking and mourning that the pretty female had packed her bags and returned to the Deschutes Territory. Ryder had barely refrained from telling the lad what a narrow escape he’d had.

  Minette’s mother had given up. So, on the Sunday that the humans called Mother’s Day, their small family was celebrating. Ben had decided they all needed four-legged time, so they’d packed food and clothing.

  In the forest behind the house, when Emma had trawsfurred to bear, Ryder’d suddenly had a terrified cub clinging to his neck. By the God. Who would have thought Minette’d never seen shifters take animal form.

  She had now.

  Fuck, he had a brave little cub. As she watched, they’d taken turns shifting. Soon she was clapping her hands in delight.

  He and Ben had started her off on top of Emma—and she’d been thrilled—then had taken turns being her “horse.” Because of his size and long, shaggy fur, Ben became her favorite, which was why he and Emma were playing games. The Griz had a tendency to mosey.

  But he was here now. Ryder’s ears swiveled at the sound of Ben coming up the trail. There was still time to score one more point off of Emma.

  Nose in the air, the honey bear was working her way closer to him. Bears definitely had the best sniffers in the woods.

  Wait…wait…

  He stilled his twitching tail to prevent the salal from any telltale swaying.

  From the forest, Ben lumbered out into the marshy area. Bouncing happily on his back
, Minette had her tiny fingers clenched in his fur.

  Emma turned to look.

  Now. Ryder’s haunches tensed. He bounded forward out of the salal bed and sprang right over Emma’s back.

  Mouth open in a laugh, Minette bounced on Ben’s back.

  Not slowing, Ryder charged Ben. As he leaped over, he snatched the pack with their clothing from Minette’s lap. With the bag in his jaws, he trotted toward a thick stand of trees. Although shifters didn’t notice nudity, especially after they themselves started trawsfurring, the cub didn’t need to be stressed further. They’d get dressed privately.

  When he reappeared, wearing a thin T-shirt, jeans, and moccasins, Minette was seated on a log, watching Emma tussle with Ben. Needless to say, the massive grizzly was in no danger of losing.

  Ryder picked Minette up and nuzzled her soft hair. “Pretty kitten.”

  When she lifted her face and kissed his chin, his heart felt as if his rib cage was too small to contain it.

  At a low grumbling noise, he turned. Emma was up on her hind legs, undoubtedly wondering where he’d left their clothes.

  He pointed to where heavy undergrowth concealed a small clearing. “Pack’s hanging from a dead limb.”

  She dropped to all fours and loped away. Damn, but it was nice to see her moving without pain.

  Ben watched her, waited a calculated amount of time—probably until she trawsfurred and was naked—and followed. Canny male.

  Ryder smiled in approval as he remembered her softness and sweetness as they’d mated. Having slept alone last night, his brother undoubtedly wanted to collect a kiss or two now.

  Having her alternating beds wouldn’t last long. As soon as the little bear was comfortable, he and Ben would enjoy her together, and then would sleep with her between them.

  *

  AFTER STOPPING TO rub her shoulder against a cedar to eliminate an annoying itch, Emma found the pack where Ryder had indicated. She shifted to human and pulled the small nylon bag off the branch.

  As she rummaged through the clothing for her own, she realized she was…happy.

  She’d never had a chance to play with other shifters in animal form. Grinning, she pulled her jeans from the pack. Cougars were definitely sneaky. And, even though he’d been in cat form, Ryder had definitely been laughing whenever he took her by surprise.

  Ryder liked stealth.

  Ben liked to tussle—and the grizzly made her feel positively tiny. She might mass a couple of hundred pounds, but he had to be three to four times her weight. Yet his care not to hurt her was sexy as anything.

  She realized she was hugging her shirt.

  “Now, there’s a fine sight on a summer day.” Ben’s appreciative rumble had her spinning in place.

  Ryder wasn’t the only sneaky brother, was he?

  The warmth of a blush started at her breasts and swept up into her face.

  Appreciative blue eyes watched the progress. Watched her nipples tighten.

  Not knowing what to do or say, she started to pull on her shirt.

  “Oh, not just yet,” he murmured. With a cahir’s strength, he pulled her against him, bare skin against bare skin, and tossed the shirt to one side.

  She felt as if she’d waited an eternity to feel his hands on her body again. His arm around her waist felt like an iron bar as he fondled her breast with skillful fingers.

  Heat streaked up her center, and her toes curled into the soft pine needles beneath her feet.

  “Oh yeah.” He flattened a hand on her ass and pressed her pelvis against his erection. His nip on the curve of her shoulder made her gasp. “Unfortunately, with Minette here, we can’t play the game I’d enjoy right now.”

  “Oh.” Her voice was hoarse. “That’s a shame.”

  “Yeah.” He kissed her, long and slow and deep. “For teasing me, honey bear, you owe a forfeit. I expect you in my bed tonight.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “But—” She stopped the protest, because the forfeit of a night in Ben’s bed sounded…just fine. The scent of his desire filled the air. “Uh, I’m so sorry.” She smiled and used Ryder’s nickname. “I’ll pay up, Griz. Of course.”

  The sun lines fanning from the corners of his eyes deepened when he grinned. “I do so enjoy honorable bears.” He kissed her lightly and stepped away.

  As she pulled on her clothes, he took his jeans from the pack. But didn’t put them on.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked as she slipped on her mocs.

  He glanced down at himself ruefully. “You’d best join Ryder and the cub. I’ll be out as soon as my jeans fit again.”

  Her gaze dropped. His cock was almost the girth of her forearm and…beautiful. She swallowed, as her core pulsed with the need to be filled. “Right. I’ll just be—” She waved a vague hand toward the others, turned, and walked into a tree.

  He caught her before she’d staggered back one step and gave her a guiding push between the trees with an amused snort.

  As she strolled to the stream, she shook her head, still feeling her body humming with lust. By the Mother, the male was potent. And tonight… Mmmm. Stop. Think of glacier-topped mountains. And ice and snow.

  By the time she’d crossed to where Ryder sat with Minette on a log, she’d managed to recover. Or so she thought.

  Ryder lifted his head, sniffed the air, and his rare smile flashed. “I see Ben found you.”

  From the glint in his black eyes, she knew her face was turning red. “He did. He’s getting dressed,” she said stiffly and accepted the cup of water he handed her.

  “Relax, little bear,” Ryder said as he opened a sandwich for Minette. “So, you’re joining him tonight?”

  She choked on the water.

  He gave a masculine chuckle. “Poor bear,” he told Minette. “She needs to learn to swallow instead of breathing the water, right?”

  Minette nodded solemnly.

  “You did that deliberately,” Emma muttered. Had she really thought the male had no sense of humor?

  “Aye.” Ryder took her hand and kissed her fingers before curling them around a sandwich. The heat in his midnight-dark eyes sent a frisson of awareness through her. “I’d be pleased if you…joined…me the next night.”

  Oh. Oooh. Her toes curled in her soft shoes. He wanted her. Wanted her after having spent another night with her. Wanted her after seeing her as a bear. “Yes,” she agreed, almost breathless.

  “Yes is the right answer,” he said agreeably. He rubbed his shoulder against hers before turning back to Minette.

  The cub was watching a scrub jay flit from branch to branch in the fir trees. At the bird’s ripping-metal screech, Minette startled and spilled her water on the ground.

  Scrunching her shoulders to make herself smaller, she looked anxiously from Emma to Ryder.

  “Minet—” Emma started to say.

  “Oops,” Ryder broke in lightly. “You spilled.” He grinned and swept dirt over the wet spot. “All gone. Want to go get some more from the stream? I need some, too.” He rolled to his feet with a powerful grace and held out his hand.

  Minette hesitated, as if waiting for him to react the way she’d expected. When he simply waited, she took his hand to be pulled to her feet.

  Adoration filled her eyes.

  As the two of them walked to the stream, Ryder holding his cub’s hand and talking about catching fish, Emma felt a tugging warmth deep in her chest as her heart expanded to add another love.

  Minette was already there. The kitten had set up residence within the first week.

  Ben had been there since the night of the hellhound.

  Now there was Ryder. Oh yes, she loved that terse, loner cat with his covert humor, devastating smile, and surprisingly tender side.

  Ben walked out of the forest. He sat on the ground, his back against the log, his shoulder against her knees. “You’re smiling like you found sweet berries in the weeds.”

  “Something like that.” She looked him over. A half-erect cock bulged
under his jeans, and exercise-pumped muscles strained against his worn T-shirt. She wanted to touch and stroke and taste. And she wanted to play with his brown hair that was the same color as his fur. Could she talk him into wearing his hair longer? Feeling quite daring, she tangled her fingers in the thick, soft strands.

  Rather than objecting, he moved closer and closed his eyes in open appreciation. Someone enjoyed being petted. She could pet this male all day long.

  After clearing her throat, she asked, “You keep your hair shorter than most shifters. Is there a reason?”

  “Construction. Too easy to catch hair in those fancy-assed human machines.” He held his hands out, fingers spread. “For the same reason, Ryder and I don’t wear rings.”

  “Ah.” His big hands had scars on the back and the knuckles.

  She leaned forward and ran her fingers over the reminders of pain. He had other scars scattered over his body. From construction. From hellhounds. From fighting. Tonight, she’d find them all. Kiss them.

  When a crease appeared in his cheek, she realized her scent had gone all lustful again.

  The log settled in the dirt as Ryder sat down on her other side. Minette walked carefully to Ben to offer him a tin cup of water.

  “That’s just what I needed, kitten,” he said. “I was thirsty. Thank you.”

  The cub smiled proudly as he drank the water down, his head tipping back, his Adam’s apple moving up and down in his strong neck.

  Emma wanted to fan herself—and then felt mortified. What was wrong with her? This was—

  Ryder wrapped an arm around her, his dark voice a low whisper in her ear. “Little bear, no matter what your idiot mama taught you, desire is a gift from the gods. Nothing to hide or be ashamed of.”

  She met his serious eyes. “Right.”

  “If it helps, Ben and I feel exactly the same way about you.” His gaze took her in, appreciation plain, his scent deepening with lust.

  Now she really did need to fan herself. But… “It does help. Thank you.”