“I’m going to claim you, Millie,” he growled. “I’m going to turn you.”
“Turn me?” she said panic in her voice.
He thrust into her; totally sure of what he needed to do now. She would be safer with her bear. If she was to be his mate, the haters would be after her no matter what. With the bear inside her, she could fight back. It was all so clear now.
“Yes. Are you ready for this?” He pulled back and thrust into her again, making her eyes roll back. She moaned with each thrust.
“I’m ready,” she gasped. “Make me yours.”
He roared and his sharp teeth descended in his mouth. He threw his head back and bit down hard on her neck, sinking his teeth deep into her veins. Millie screamed as she came hard on his cock, clenching around him as he pumped into her.
He was so close. When he marked her, she’d be forever changed. Tonight, the moon would be full and she would shift for the first time.
Firing his seed deep into her core, Brody came with an erupting force he’d never experienced. His teeth still deep in her neck, pleasure and hunger itched at his entire body. He pulled his teeth from her neck, licking the wound clean. Pulling his shaft from her, he rolled over, pulling her into his arms on his chest.
The itching contractions in his body still shot through him as he petted her hair. “You’ll change when the moon rises,” he told her.
“Tonight?” she sounded worried.
“Better to rip it off like a bandage,” he told her.
“This is a lot to take in.”
“We’re in it together, babe. Let’s go.”
He knew for sure this was what was right. He’d taken her by surprise, but he knew this more clearly than anything he’d ever known. He and Millie belonged together and he would do whatever it took to keep her protected and by his side. Changing her was the best way to do all those things.
“It’s going to hurt the first time,” he said, pulling some hotel bathrobes out of the bathroom. He handed her one and put one on himself.
“How bad?” she looked nervous as she pulled the robe on.
“Pretty bad, but I’ll be with you. And it won’t ever hurt again.”
“Okay,” she said, biting her lip.
“It will be okay,” he whispered. “Millie. I’m sorry I’ve been holding back from you. But I’ll never hold back from you again. I can see clearly now. We belong together. You’re mine and I’m yours. This is the surest way to declare our connection. This is my complete commitment to you. I’ll never hurt you. I’ll always protect you.”
“I’ll admit, I’m a little confused. And worried. I wanted you to open up to me, but I didn’t realize you’d be ready to turn me so fast.”
“That’s something you need to know about me. I’m kind of impulsive.”
“I’ve already seen that,” she said laughing.
“We need to go. The moon is rising.”
He took her hand and led her out of the hotel and into the forest near the lake. No one would be around this late at night. They’d have the forest and lake to themselves. The moon began to rise over the lake, and they dropped their robes on the fishing dock. Millie stood naked on the dock, the moon bathing her skin.
She screamed and doubled in on herself. “Oh God!” she yelled as the pain took her over.
“Just let go, Millie. Just let it take you.”
With a tortured roar, Millie’s body contorted into the form of a grizzly bear. Wind off the lake blew through her fur. She was magnificent. Brody changed all at once and stood beside her on the dock as she panted.
He called out to her through their link. Her animal eyes glowed in the moonlight, new awareness blinking to the surface. She roared as she followed him into the forest. Her excitement was palpable as they galloped through the trees.
In that moment, Brody knew he’d never been happier in his life.
Chapter 17
Brody stood at the head of the church, wearing a tuxedo. The room was full of his and Millie’s friends and family. His friends, Chance and Wyatt, fellow game wardens, had come to support him on his big day.
Both men had found their mates in the months following shifters coming out. It had been a challenging time, but finding their beloved mates was the best thing that had ever happened to any of them.
The wedding march started and the double doors of the church opened down the aisle. Millie stepped out, dressed in lace and silk. She looked like a dream floating toward him. His mate. She was as beautiful as her bear as she was as a woman. She came toward him, holding her father’s arm.
Millie gave her dad a kiss on the cheek and faced Brody as her dad took a seat. The preacher began the ceremony and all Brody could think about was how lucky he was to find a woman like Millie.
After they’d mated, they had decided to go away. Both of them wanted to see the world. To get over their past. With the sheriff behind bars for the rest of his life, Brody took a leave of absence from the sheriff’s department and Millie took one from the hospital.
She’d taken a position with Doctors Without Borders and they’d traveled through Africa and Eastern Europe, helping people in need.
They’d met shifters from around the world and learned about their problems. In some countries, the hatred from humans was even worse than in the States. In some countries, it was barely there at all.
In the end, they’d decided to come home and get married with all their friends and family there. Millie moved into his house and they’d both gotten their jobs back.
When the preacher asked Brody if he would take Millie as his wife, his bear nearly burst from his body to claim her all over again. Instead he just said, “I do.”
When they were pronounced husband and wife, they kissed deeply. Everyone cheered as they walked toward the door. Out in the light, everyone threw birdseed when they made their way to the car for the reception.
Later, out on the dance floor, and after a few glasses of champagne, Brody spun Millie in a two-step to the lilting sound of country music. She’d become a good dancer, and they’d danced every chance they’d had since they’d declared their love for each other that night.
Finally, sweaty and a little drunk, they sat down to talk with their friends at the reception table. The first to come talk to him was his friend Chance Baker and Chance’s wife Summer. They’d been married about a year ago and had a baby son who looked just like Chance.
“We’re out of honey,” Chance said with his baby held against his chest.
“We’ve got plenty,” Millie teased. “How about a gallon?” She stood and took the baby bear out of his father’s arms, cooing at the little guy. Brody loved seeing her with a baby.
“The huckleberry patch is going in tomorrow. I hope you guys are ready for it,” Chance said.
“I absolutely adore huckleberries! I’m sure the bees will love it too,” Millie said.
The baby started to fuss and Summer took him back with a smile, her long dyed dreadlocks falling around her shoulders. “Your honey is the best I’ve ever tasted. It’s so fresh and natural.”
“I treat my bees right,” Brody said. He’d taught Natalie how to tend them while he was away, giving her something to care for after Chris’s death.
Summer and Chance went back out into the party to take care of the baby and Wyatt and Candice came up to the table, smiling and giddy.
“I never thought I’d see the day when you settled down, Brody.”
“Me more than Chance?” he asked.
“Chance looks big, but he’s really a softy. You, on the other hand, are a wild card.”
“Not anymore,” he said, squeezing Millie’s hand.
“I’ve bought you a year’s supply of steaks from my favorite rancher. I put my special seasoning on them so even an idiot can make a good steak.”
“Who are you calling an idiot?” Brody growled, with a good-natured grin.
“Not Millie.” Everyone laughed.
“Be nice, Wyatt,” Candice
chided. “It’s his wedding day.”
“Brody knows I’m just messing with him. It’s good to have you back, buddy.”
Candice and Wyatt fell back into the crowd and Brody turned to his new wife. He took her hand and led her back out onto the dance floor. It was a slow song this time. He wrapped his arm around her waist and took her hand. Her eyes smiled up at him.
“I’m so happy,” she whispered in his ear.
“I’m happy too, babe.”
He pulled her to his body, and they the danced across the floor.
* * *
Thank you for reading His To Bear.
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His To Bear Page 7