Claimed By The Military Bear: BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance Standalone (Paranormal Shifter Romance, BBW Shifter Romance, WereBear Romance)

by Alicia Wild

  Claimed By The Military Bear

  Alicia Wild

   Copyright 2015 by Alicia Wild

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced

  in any way whatsoever, without written permission

  from the author, except in case of brief

  quotations embodied in critical reviews

  and articles.

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any

  person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  First edition, 2015

  Chapter 1

  In her youth, the woods had been a scary place. Trees that stood tall, loomed with gnarled branches, twisting through the air and giving off intimidating shadows, such imagery only left feelings of foreboding in a young girl’s heart.

  Only now… they didn’t frighten her. Instead, they offered a strange promise of protection and so, when her heart was breaking and her body was shaking, Melissa rushed into the gloom.

  It was late afternoon, the sky was a gray overcast that made the chill of the air all the more prominent. It didn’t matter much to her at the moment, she wanted to escape and the cold helped numb the pain in a way.

  Darting through trees and thickening foliage, Melissa choked back tears, feeling her throat throb painfully with every gasp of icy air. She didn’t know where she was going, just that she needed to run and hope that that man didn’t follow.

  Even while she cried and while tears flew from her eyes to leave biting rivers down her cheeks, Melissa felt a fierce rage spur her blood hot beneath her skin. This rage, this betrayal, only mixed with the lack of surprise—the disgusting twist of met expectations—that jaded her and made her toss what good thoughts she had used as a shield away.

  Years. She had dealt with mistreatment for years. For nearly twenty years, Melissa had lowered her head in obedience, kept her eyes evenly on the floor as the man who demanded she call ‘father’ insulted her.

  He demeaned her, snarled vile things at her and slapped her when she refused to speak. Silent, that little girl had taken it all, because she had nothing else but a mother who insisted that she just do as she was told to avoid getting beaten. She had stayed for years because even while she had suffered, she still had moments of happiness.

  Moments with a mother who protected her with fairytales and stories and promises that one day they will escape and find happiness in a land under a bright sun. Melissa had believed her with all her might. Her mother had been strong. So strong.

  And it all fell apart when that beautiful woman had died. She knew it was because of him. Melissa had no doubt because when they had watched her pass in the hospital and Melissa had been sobbing in agony, that man grabbed her by the wrist and yanked her away.

  “Quit your sniveling, bitch.” He had grunted as she tried to break away.

  “We’re heading home and you’re staying with me. You belong to no one else now.”

  Melissa had no other choice but to stay. Fear choking her at the thought of running off, watching the only boyfriend she ever had got beaten until he bled when her stepfather had found out they were planning on eloping. Aaron never returned after that.

  The years passed and Melissa found herself wearing down. She adapted. Melissa learned early to never talk back, always come home before he did, and make sure everything in the house looked… presentable.

  Food had to be cooked, clothes needed to be cleaned, and if anything was out of place…well, she learned from her mistakes.

  When Melissa was eighteen, she was allowed one birthday gift. It was a strange act of kindness from that man, the man who insisted she call ‘Father.’

  It was a small little thing, and while she knew she would not want anything from him, it was the only little thing that kept her close to her mother. It was a ring. This ring had been special.

  In her youth, when her mother snuck into her room to tell her stories of the outside world and adventures waiting for the both of them to enjoy, Melissa would drift off to sleep, her eyes focused on that little band of silver and green on her mother’s pinky finger.

  When that man gifted her with this ring, Melissa felt her heart swell with hope, even though he had said that every time she wore it, it would show the world who she belonged to. He had given it to her as a brand.

  She received it as an anchor to remind her of the strength that ran in her blood.

  A small chain looped around her neck and around the small ring, tying mother and child together. And now, as Melissa ran through dark woods and ominous shadows, her hand clenched around that meek little band and found her courage.

  Melissa had had enough for that man’s cruelty. Twenty seven years of life, and Melissa finally grew into her legs, and her legs were strong enough to spirit her away.

  “The girl belongs to me,” that man had said.

  “I will not sell her so easily.”

  The words were quiet, and Melissa had feared being caught that evening when fate through a decision into her path.

  Through a crack in the door, the young brunette saw the face of a smirking man, dressed impeccably and smelling of something sickeningly sweet.

  “You carry debts, Oren. Many that could be forgiven. She’s a beautiful woman now, and that sort of beauty would best serve us in one of our many estates.”

  “She’s plain and boring,” that man grunted.

  “Why not take something else?”

  “You could always pay your debts with your life.”

  Fate pressed urgency in Melissa’s chest. “You? Or the girl…? Which will it be?”

  Melissa did not wait for an answer, the ring burned against her palm.

  She turned and, as quiet as she could, escaped.

  She had nothing to her name. No prospects. Not even a shred of hope that anyone could help her. Yet she could feel fire and hatred burn inside, stiffen her neck from bowing to vicious wishes and allow a clarity in her mind she had not allowed herself since Aaron was ripped away.

  Melissa let her feet take her far and deep into the woods, biting back sobs of pain and fear as her hair flew like brown ribbons behind her, and urging her weary body to continue to take steps away from that evil man.

  She had no idea for how long she ran for, knowing only that she had to keep pushing. Her body was not athletic, nor was it thin.

  Years of living passively made her muscles burn and clench uncomfortably, made her skin feel heavier than before, yet Melisssa knew better than to stop.

  The light of day was gone, and the trees loomed thickly above her. Black branches sliced through whatever moonlight tried to filter through, leaving her in pitch darkness and the sound of her only breath.

  Her body was shivering, the jeans over her legs rubbing against cold bitten skin, her shirt damp with sweat. Even her favorite wool coat could do nothing to push away the chill.

  Heaving, Melissa stopped by a tree, nearly tripping over a bush. She collapsed against the trunk, hands scraping over the wood as she tried to gather her breath.

  A new wave of agony washed over her, forcing her heaving gasps to morph into half squeezed sobs. Her head felt tight with anguish and with a grunt of effort, Melissa pushed herself to her feet. She couldn’t just fall now.

  But where should she go now?

  Deeper into the forest? Deeper into an unknown that offered nothing but the risk of death?

&nb
sp; A bitter thought flicked behind her eyes, making her glance down at the scratched skin of her palms.

  Perhaps that’s all that’s left for me…

  And then she felt it. The cold surface of her mother’s ring shift over the shivering skin of her chest.

  No…

  No she couldn’t give in now. Her mother would never forgive her if she just succumbed to hatred and anger, sadness and sorrow. She would survive this. No matter what.

  Biting down on her lip, Melissa pushed herself away from the tree. She would survive. Straightening her shoulders, the young woman began to walk ahead, feeling determination rise beside her constant worry of the dark. She was almost prepared to shove it completely aside until something changed.

  Melissa felt her skin tighten into attention, a hyperawareness that made her feel like she was being watched.

  Adrenaline rushed through her blood, making her turn around and try to see in the dark. Her pupils were blown under the panic, the fear that something was out there and caught whatever light it could into something dangerous. And finally, she spotted it.

  Deep within the gloom and the half chewed moonlight, Melissa saw a figure, saw light reflect off eyes and the growl of an animal.

  Wolf.

  Had she walked into a den? Had she pushed her boundaries too much?

  Melissa didn’t know, but felt her insides seize when she recognized the animal must have been following her… stalking her.

  Out of the jaws of one monster and into another. Melissa felt the anger flare under her skin, more at herself than anyone else this time.

  With a huff, she began to backpedal, trying to keep her eyes on the beast behind, but away from its gaze. Don’t look it in the eye, Mel. Animals will always attack if you look them in the eye.

  She could run, pretend she hadn’t seen the animal… make it continue stalk her while she tried to find away out.

  Idiot. It’s a wolf.

  So what?

  Wolves travel in packs.

  Melissa turned and ran. Grass and dead foliage crunched hard beneath her boots, knotting beneath her feet in unstable juts that made her stumble in her escape.

  Something slammed into her arms, scratching deep into her face and making her cry out in surprise. It was a branch, and she could feel its ends yank at her wool coat like fingers.

  Melissa let out another yelp, shrieking when she suddenly fell, her back landing roughly against dirt as she slid down an unexpected decline. Pain exploded through her limbs but her adrenaline was pushing her harder.

  It was becoming impossible to run, as her limbs were already exhausted from running away, and her lack of endurance was spelling escape as incapable.

  Please… please… please…

  The thought flashed through her mind like neon letters even as Melissa pushed herself up and continued trying to escape.

  A stitch grew on her side, her hands ached and stung, and a cramp was beginning in one of her calves… still, Melissa trudged on, heaving through gritted teeth as she limped onward.

  She could hear the noises of the forest now. Echoing through the black soup of the forest’s belly and leaving chills, Melissa could hear faint footfalls and synchronized panting.

  The pack… she hadn’t a chance at all did she?

  Pain made her footsteps stop and Melissa tripped, her knees landing roughly over stone and rocks. Biting back a groan of pain, she forced herself back up.

  Even as she moved, the adrenaline was ebbing to the cold now sinking its teeth into her fingers and chest. Melissa swallowed, tasting salt and earth and blinking up blearily up ahead of her.

  Her breath stopped the moment she saw it.

  A dream?

  No… A cabin…

  It was small and angular, standing firm while everything else curled and stretched without restraint. This small little house of wood and glass was in the distance, a small little space of vibrant gold flickering through the small windows, smoked curled over its roof.

  A safe spot… a hiding place.

  Sanctuary.

  Melissa felt life stream back into her aching limbs and the ring resting against her breast reminded her that maybe she still had someone watching over her. This was hope and Mel would be an idiot not to run after it. It was just a matter of reaching it before the pack closed in on her.

  Melissa didn’t know whether or not she would make it, but she knew that if she didn’t try, she might as well be dead.

  Catching her breath, the young woman felt her fingers drag down to her knee and finally over the knot of flesh beneath her skin. She rubbed at it fervently, hoping that the meager heat of friction could ease the tension enough for her to run again.

  The pain was harsh but it soon began to fade and when Melissa could press her weight on it evenly, she dared to hope again.

  Drawing in a breath, Melissa began to build her strength within her body, let it shake and tremble into her fingertips with the anxious desire to move. She probably couldn’t outrun the wolves, but she could make an effort.

  She took a step, then another until she knew she had no more time to waste. With a final step forward, Melissa sprinted forward, throwing her arms up to shield her from low branches. The air stung against the cut on her face, burned dry trails through her throat and into her lungs.

  Her body protested the movements, making her strain against weakness for the sake of survival. She heard growling now, inching closer behind her.

  Something behind her let out a yip, as if calling for backup. Melissa dodged around trees, hoping her zigzag movements would confuse the animals’ snapping fangs behind her.

  I didn’t come this far to become dinner.

  She thought viciously as she nearly tripped over a stump.

  The house was drawing closer, the warm light behind the windows beckoning her with safety and security.

  She hoped whoever was inside would accept her, keep her safe from her enemies, and as she drew near she heard something snarl.

  Melissa screamed, feeling something catch at her wool coat and yank her back. She lurched forward, pulling her weight hard against the grip and she heard fabric rip. She was free again and the house was only yards away now.

  She didn’t stop running, not even after she heard the many pantings fall back and disappear, not even after she wondered if the wolves actually disappeared.

  When her boots landed on wooden planks she threw herself against the door and began to pound her fists against the hard surface.

  “Help!” Melissa cried, voice pushing into hysteria. “Please, please help!”

  The door suddenly pushed open, Melissa fell to her knees with a groan. When she looked up it was to a surprised expression and parted lips. “P-please,” she begged, nearly whimpering as the warmth within the cabin caressed her skin and sunk into her vibrating bones.

  “P-please help me…”

  “How did you find this place?” The voice was low and gruff, and when she blinked she took in details.

  A chiseled jaw, narrow eyes, a broad nose and short hair cut into a buzz. This man’s body was sturdy and wide, muscles bulged behind a shirt, coat ruffled in thick cotton. Dog tags hung under his neck and Melissa vaguely wondered if he was military.

  “I r-r-ran,” she trembled, teeth chattering with fear, the cold, and exhaustion.

  “I ran aw-w-way. Wolves. W-wolves behind m-me…Please. P-please, you have to help me.”

  The man glared down at her, jaw working before he turned that narrow stare into the dark behind her.

  His pupils flashed back and forth, seeking. Finally he was kneeling, gathering her arms into his palms and helping her stumble back up.

  “Come in,” he sighed. “Before you catch your death.”

  Melissa stuttered out a small ‘thank you’ nearly collapsing into his hold and dropping her head against his shoulder. The door slid closed with a creak and a thud.

  She was too tired to take in her surroundings, the relief nearly throwing her into
a river of sleep.

  They settled down, her body falling into cushions and a warm blanket. Her fingers soaked within warmth, dipping into the blanket and clinging to life as the rest of her fought and shook the chills away.

  “Breathe,” the man’s voice commanded her, gentle and even a bit concerned.

  Melissa did as she was told, sniffling back tears and a runny nose. Her face felt numb, her eyes tight with salt and the desire to rest.

  “I’ll be right back,” she heard the man say.

  Her hand shot out and gripped him around the wrist; he turned toward her, eyes wild as they met the wildness in hers.

  “Don’t leave,” she pleaded, studying his face for any sign of treachery.

  “Calm down,” he muttered, and his face relaxed.

  “I’m going to get you something warm to drink. That’s all, alright? What’s your name?”

  Melissa nodded, swallowing thickly before speaking, “M-Melissa…”

  “Okay, Melissa,” he said.

  “Just relax, I’ll be back.”

  Her fingers released him as soon as she felt him move, hesitating over the heat of his skin. She watched his body leave, watched the strength of his legs carry him away into a room.

  Gray eyes turned away when he finally disappeared, and she took in the sight of this small haven.

  She was in the living room. Sitting on a wide couch that hugged the wall behind her and faced a comfortable fireplace. A large rug took the space on the wooden floor, approaching the hearth before stopping short at the rocks that held the burning logs.

  Even at the distance, Melissa could feel the heat of the fire against her chilled skin, feeling its stare like a burning touch.

  Around the fireplace were a myriad of weapons hanging securely. Serrated knives decorated a majority of the space as well as several handguns. Several shotguns were secured in casings and she even spotted a few machetes. The make and the types of guns and weapons fell from her knowing, only vaguely recognizing the marks of some and the style of others.

  Camouflage designs hugged the covers of the weapons, and some silver blades shone bright beneath the flickering light of the fire. By the weapons, Melissa noted a few plaques.