18
J akob moved so fast anyone who saw him would have had no choice but to believe he was something otherworldly. He moved through the night, letting the force of the full moon rush through him, filling him with strength and speed. The flesh of his paws pounded the pavement, creating a thud deeper than thunder. It shook the ground as he ran and anyone he passed might have thought there'd just been an earthquake .
Outside Bree's building, Jakob jumped through an open window in the basement and made his way up four flights of stairs to Bree's apartment. The door was open. Jakob entered, cautious. He didn't care if he was injured, but he did not want any more harm to come to Bree. He smelled her from the other room .
"Come in Jakob," Blake's voice rang out .
In the bedroom, on the bed where they'd made love for the first time, lay Bree. She was covered with so much blood Jakob barely recognized her. Her breaths were short and shallow. Her eyes opened and she looked at him. "Jakob," she whispered, before talking became too much .
Jakob shifted out of his lion form and ran to her. He pressed two fingers to her neck and felt her pulse. It wasn't as bad as it looked. Her heart beat was still strong. She'd lost a lot of blood, but they could fix that at a hospital. He kissed her tenderly on the lips and she responded with a murmur. The ties around her wrists left deep purple bruises. Her arm was broken and Jakob quickly undid the ties that bound her to the bed. Her arms lay limp at her sides. At least Blake hadn't tried to mate with her. There was no scent of anything to indicate a sexual act had taken place .
If Blake had been able to read Jakob's thoughts, he would have laughed. The idea of touching Bree disgusted him. Unless he was ripping part of her open with his claws, that is. He wanted her dead, but slowly, painfully .
Jakob turned to Blake, pure hatred in his heart . "Why ?"
Blake laughed. Jakob saw red as his anger burned, a raging fire deep in his gut .
"I should be King of the pride," Blake said. "Look what I've done." He gestured to Bree and disgust roiled Jakob's stomach, making him sick. Why hadn't he seen this coming? He'd let his pride down, but worse, he'd let his mate down .
The blood boiled in Jakob's feet, burning him as it rose up his legs, continuing to rise. When the burn hit his chest, it was like hell burning inside him. Jakob shifted back to a lion and pounced upon Blake. Blake wasn't ready. He had wanted to tease Jakob more, make him feel the daggers as he scraped Bree's once smooth and creamy skin. She'd be plagued with scars forever now .
Jakob's teeth sank into Blake's ankle. He snapped out of his reverie and shifted. The bedroom was small, but roomy enough. Jakob and Blake circled each other. The fur that matted itself to Blake's back suddenly rose into a Mohawk as Blake crouched down and cocked his tail, baring fangs to shame a vampire. His ears moved forward, and his eyes were savage. He leapt at Jakob and missed as Jakob quickly skirted his attack .
This wasn't just about death. It was about taking ownership. A new alpha to replace the old. Jakob attacked with the strength of an alpha, the strength of a King, aided by the full moon which made his muscles thicker and the alpha in him stronger. Jakob's rage was primitive and ferocious, and Blake had no idea how to win against it. They danced around each other, snapping and baiting each other to attack .
Blake was impatient. He tried again and again to get to Jakob's throat, only to be swatted aside like nothing more than a marshmallow. When he crouched again and tried for a snap attack to try to rip Jakob's head off, Jakob sliced Blake's front leg with his claws. Blake stepped back, injured, but not so much that he couldn't still win this .
Jakob watched Blake try his stupid snap attacks again and again and fail miserably. It was like playing with a cub .
Bree coughed from the bed and tried to suck in an impossible amount of air, wheezing like an asthma patient. When Jakob turned his head towards her, alarmed, Blake pounced. This time, his crouch and snap landed right on Jakob's hind leg, only Blake did not let go. He pulled on Jakob's leg until the skin began to shred and Jakob felt a 'pop.' He let out a howl and Bree stirred slightly from the bed .
"Jakob?" she muttered. "I don't feel so good." She fell back onto the bed and before Jakob could react, Blake was on top of her. He ripped Bree's throat open and the last of her blood gushed forward .
Jakob got up too late. He ran at Blake, his hind leg hanging on by sinews, and knocked Blake off her chest. Blake fell to the ground, shocked at the sudden outburst of energy from Jakob. He'd thought Jakob was too injured to do anything more than hobble. Jakob still had three strong working legs though, and he used them to pin Blake to the ground. Blake struggled under him, but he was weaker than Jakob, he always had been .
Jakob bared his fangs and lunged at Blake's neck. Blake felt Jakob's teeth sink into him and tried to push him away, but it was no use. The pain wasn't bad; it was the failure that was excruciating. He'd lost. Jakob had proven his rightful place as ruler and that Blake was no alpha. The puncture wounds were deep and pierced an artery, for that Blake was grateful. Death came faster than he deserved, leaving him little time to drown in the anguish that came with knowing he would die as second best .
19
J akob shook Bree like a scared little boy. She didn't respond. Her heart still beat, but her eyes wouldn't open .
"Bree! Oh, god, no!" Something inside him was slipping away. It was their connection. He clutched her to him, refusing to let her go. Jakob was not a crying man, but the salt of his own tears ran into his mouth and mixed with Bree's blood. His heart felt like daggers were poking at him a hundred times over .
There wasn't time for a doctor. Even if he'd gotten her to one, her throat was ripped apart, shredded, she'd be on machines for the rest of her life. The pain was too much. If he lost Bree now, he might as well have let Blake kill him .
The moon was still out, still full. It was the best time for induction. It was the only way to save her. He had no time to ask her permission, even if she'd been conscious. Another few seconds and she'd be gone. His own blood ran from the wound Blake had inflicted upon his leg, which was already beginning to heal, due to the incredible healing powers of shifters. Jakob took one large finger and ran it over his flowing blood, and brought it to Bree's lips. She did not suckle it, but she did not have to. He put his finger inside her mouth, it was still warm. When his blood was on her tongue he pulled it out. Jakob transformed back into a lion and nuzzled her wrist before biting it as gently as he could with his fangs. Then he began to lap her wounds with his tongue .
Her blood stained the pink of his tongue a dark berry as he worked first at her neck, where the largest wound was. She tasted sweet and he was cognizant of the fact he was basically drinking her blood, but in a strange way he felt closer to her because of it. Blood was something pure. It could never be tainted by insecurities or the silly façades people placed on themselves in their daily lives. Rich men and poor men alike all bled red. Tasting of the blood was the surest way to know someone .
Bree stirred under him as he lapped at her chest. Her nipples, once a rosy pink, were now a darkened cherry. She was breathing normally again. He had stopped the majority of her blood loss. Now he watched as her body shook. Her limbs convulsed and she looked like she was in great pain, then her eyes opened wide and she let out a roar, the sweetest sound Jakob had ever heard .
Skin grew over the cuts and scratches where Blake had penetrated her. The broken limbs righted themselves. The whole process would take the night to complete. Jakob sat by the window and waited .
* * *
B ree felt great, which was strange. She'd pretty much died last night. Jakob watched her, afraid she'd be angry, but she was excited .
"So, I'm a wereli… I mean, a lion shifter now?" she sniffed the air and was surprised to find her sense of smell increased three times over .
"Yes ."
"But I look the same ."
> "You are the same, just a slightly different version," Jakob said and relaxed .
"Like an upgrade?" she teased .
Jakob smiled. "I'd say so." She was alive. She was happy. Her scent had increased in his nostrils since her change, sending charges of electricity through his nerves. He wanted her more now than he'd ever thought possible .
She moved through her apartment, testing out her new shifter abilities. Jakob talked her through most of it. She was surprised to find how naturally it came to her. Jakob's mind was linked to hers so that they didn't even need to speak, unless they wanted to. They could literally read each other's thoughts. But if she'd never again heard the deep resonance of Jakob's voice as he crooned her name, she'd have been one sad lioness .
"Let's go running," she said .
20
T he stadium cheered as Jakob made his way across the baseball diamond. He stood at home plate, William beside him. Special bleachers had been brought out for their guests, and Bree's mom sat in the closest one, bawling. Jacob's hands were sweaty. I'm not nervous. How can I be nervous? This was my idea. That just made his hands sweat even more. Bree had insisted they have no contact the week before their wedding. She had to do "girl things." He had no idea what that was supposed to mean, but it was important to her, so he'd relented .
The last week had been excruciating. It was the first time he’d slept without her since the night Blake had attacked her and left her for dead. Heat stirred in him, deep and primal. There was something else they'd done every night since Blake's attack. Going without Bree's touch for the past week had left him feeling empty. If he'd had to endure it past today, he didn't think he would have survived .
His eyes strayed again and again to the clubhouse opening where Bree was supposed to make her entrance. When she still wasn't there after five minutes, he began to get scared something was wrong. She can take care of herself. He knew that was true, but that didn't stop him from worrying .
When "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" finally started, the crowd stood and Jakob expelled a giant sigh of relief. Bree entered the field. Jakob's jaw dropped. His breath hammered out of his chest, and it was like the first time they'd met all over again .
Bree's dress was far from traditional. She'd shunned Jakob's money while they were dating, but when it came to the wedding, she figured you only live once. Or twice, in Bree's case .
Bree's mom had wanted white, but Bree had wanted something to match the golden flecks she saw in Jakob's eyes whenever he shifted. Her dress dazzled under the lights of the field. The stars overhead—she had insisted on a night game—added their own luster. Her dress was glitter and gold and more Vegas show girl than royal wedding. The train was three feet long and dotted with crystal gems. Her full figure was glued to the glistening satin corset that laced up her back with pearl string. Diamonds hung around her neck. Cameras flashed from every angle. Something in her stomach kicked and she pulled her father's arm, pausing for a moment before they continued down the field .
Jakob looked amazing in his specially tailored suit. He muscles loomed as thick as ever, and when Bree sniffed him her heart began the steady jackhammer that always accompanied his scent. The reverend was dressed as an umpire, and when he started their vows her stomach kicked again. She stooped over slightly and pinched Jakob's arm. He gave her a quizzical look but turned back to the umpire. She had no idea how she'd managed to keep the baby from him. She thought it had something to do with her shifting hormones as the baby grew. She was only two months in, the doctor had told her just days before. She had no idea how to tell Jakob, or what he would think .
They knew each other inside and out now, you'd think it would be easy to find the words. "Jakob, I’m pregnant." But she guessed it was never easy. Her mother cried from the bleachers, and the rest of Jakob's pride let out a giant roar as Jakob placed the ring on her finger. Jakob's lips tantalized her. He put his arms around her and drew her close. When they touched, an avalanche of heat fell between them. They had to hold each other up or risk falling to the ground and shifting in front of two baseball teams, a crowd of onlookers, and their guests .
"May I present Mr. and Mrs. Moore. Yooouu'rre ooouuutaaa heeere !"
The crowd cheered. Between Jakob and Bree's guests, and the actual game that was going on, not a seat was left open. The ball players ran onto the field to finish the seventh inning as Jakob gathered Bree's hand in his massive one and the silent hum of electricity surged between them as it always would .
"So how does it feel to be married?" he asked. "Are you gonna go all psycho on me now? Huh, lioness ?"
Bree grinned .
"Maybe." She took a gulp of air. "I hear pregnancy hormones can do that to a woman. Not sure what they'll do to a lioness ."
Jakob stopped in his tracks and Bree's heart fluttered. Her breath caught in her chest .
"Bree..." Jakob gasped. "Are you pregnant ?"
She nodded, needing air but unable to tell her lungs how to draw it in. Jakob broke into a wide grin and picked her up, spinning her around .
"I love you," he roared .
"I love you back," she roared .
He touched her face with his massive hand that still brought warmth to her skin, and she saw stars as his lips drew close and she inhaled his scent .
THE END
BEAR’S (Mail Order) Bride
STORY DESCRIPTION
L illy needs a way out. The mail order bride agency may be her only hope of escaping the clutches of her cruel and abusive husband. But, will any man want a jaded, “no longer fresh” 27 year old woman ?
Eli doesn’t want a wife, but he needs one. The wealthy bear shifting brothel (ahem… saloon ) owner needs to present an image of respectability. He needs a wife—in name only .
Lilly sounds perfect. Older and widowed, she’s not some young virgin preoccupied with illusions of love and romance .
Unfortunately, once his bride-to-be arrives, Eli can think of little else but disrobing her and claiming her as his wife in every sense of the word !
1
E li stepped out onto the front porch of the saloon, the freshly painted doors swinging shut behind him. A woman was perched on the edge of one of the rockers, her hair artfully curled and piled high atop her head, cheeks and mouth a painted pink color. She greeted the men who came close enough to be tempted by her buxom beauty and husky, suggesting voice .
Flowers spilled out of the window boxes, their fragrance another heady reminder of Eden and temptation, and Eli swept a critical eye over the whole building. Everything about it was fresh and beckoning. The new shutters, the candles in the windows. He could find nothing amiss. This was just the kind of place a hungry man might come when he was looking for some sweet, feminine company, and a good time .
The woman on the porch drawled a greeting to him, and he felt her eyes linger on his body as he stepped off the porch, her own hunger for him palpable. He pulled his hat low over his eyes, in what he hoped was close enough to a response. “Ma’am,” he said, not pausing or inviting conversation .
The countryside spilled out in front of him, an endless view of gorgeous sunset, mountains draped in the background. Nevada had certainly been a wise choice for him. Just the kind of place he needed to take his newly found wealth for a fresh start .
He’d found a lot more than just the gold in Sacramento. Although, it certainly wasn’t the thing that had changed his life the most. He didn’t linger on the dark thought for too long, just long enough to remind himself of why he’d come out here in the first place. It certainly wasn’t for the women. His eyes drifted toward the mountains in the backdrop. They were why he’d come here, after all. Refuge .
He shook his head. It was up to him to seem like any other entrepreneur, searching for a way to invest his money wisely — not like a man skulking on the edge of society and t
rying to hide his secrets .
So here he was, in the outskirts of Reno, putting his money to work. And so far it was working pretty damn hard. And in the process he’d been able to create a life that supported his…specific needs. He was grateful for all of that because he knew that hadn’t been a guarantee, but, if he continued to have to dodge these tiresome come-ons from these pretty working girls, he was going to lose his mind .
Eli knew what the real problem was, of course. Aside from the problem that had led him to Reno in the first place. He was unattached, and it was an open invitation to be pursued. He’d tried to suggest gently he wasn’t interested, but those women looked at him like he was a walking piece of gold. He tried less gently. He was downright rude. Nothing seemed to work. And whether he claimed disinterest or not, they wanted to believe they were going to be the one that was different from all the others. Or that he was playing hard to get. Or that he just didn’t know the kind of opportunity he was passing up .
When it became painfully clear that claiming he didn’t want a woman wasn’t the answer, he’d tried to tell them he had someone waiting back in California, anxiously waiting for him to send for her .
That hadn’t worked either. Out of sight, out of mind, and the girls assumed she didn’t mean that much to him if she wasn’t there in bed beside him .
Desperate times called for desperate measures. Having a wife in the traditional sense just wasn’t an option for him. How would he explain his unaccounted for nocturnal activities? His unusual proclivities. Even before Sacramento, he had enjoyed the occasional woman, but never thought he was the marrying kind. But being single was clearly not the option he had thought it would be .
Wolf Detective Page 48