Loved by a Bear (Legends of Black Salmon Falls Book 1)

by Lauren Lively

  I carried Rose up the stairs and into the master bedroom. Our new room. Kicking the door shut behind us, I laid her down on the massive bed gently. She stared up at me, looking slightly afraid of what was going to happen next.

  “This might hurt,” I said. “But I promise you, I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure it doesn't and that you're comfortable.”

  She nodded. “I trust you.”

  I stripped her bare of the furs, laying her against them before I removed my clothing as well. Climbing on top of her body, I kissed her mouth, her neck, running my fingertips up and down her body, relishing in the feel of her soft skin.

  Sex wasn't necessary, but it helped the pain a lot. It was a terrific distraction. And when you were going through the change, you wanted as much distraction from the pain that you could get. Which was why sex had evolved to become part of the Ceremony. If you could overwhelm somebody with a pleasure intense enough, it could make things better on them. It was why I chose that method when somebody was going through the change. And I never wanted to hurt Rose again, not for as long as I lived.

  She moaned, pulling me toward her and I so badly wanted to be inside of her. But I wanted her to be ready – truly ready – for what was about to come. With the tip of me barely inside of, she thrust herself upward and forced me to penetrate her. Lowering my head, I bit her neck, causing her to cry out. I couldn't tell if it was from the pleasure of me being inside of her or the pain from the bite. I figured it was probably a mixture of both.

  I sank my teeth into her skin hard and kept going until I tasted blood. The only way to truly turn a human into a bear was through biting and scratching. And because not all bites and scratches would be deep enough or get the job done, more than one was usually required.

  As I moved my hips, sliding myself in and out of her body, I continued biting down on her neck. I'd know when she changed, I would be able to feel her change beneath me. Until then, I kept up my rhythm, kept driving myself into the warm, wet center of her.

  Rose's body would heal from the wounds I was inflicting, and I knew she'd grow stronger. And yet, despite half a dozen scratches and bites, no sign of either occurred. But that was okay because I was enjoying being inside of her – as I always did.

  She gasped as I dug my nails into her hips and I plunged myself deep inside of her. As I pushed deep at the same time she thrust her hips upward, I almost lost control of myself. She caught me off guard and I almost let loose, filling her with my seed before the deed was truly done. I needed to keep going. I needed to make her feel good, to mask the pain of what else I was doing to her body.

  Rose was writhing beneath me, crying out. “Asher, Asher, yes... yes...”

  I rolled over so she was now laying on top of me. Grabbing her, I pulled her firmly down, forcing her to slide down harder and harder onto my cock. She rode me, grinding her hips wildly, as she called out my name. She planted her hands on my chest and thrust her hips up and down with a ferocity that turned me on like nothing else. I moaned loudly as I buried my nails into her back. She screamed out again as my nails opened small wounds on her back, the blood rolling down in rivulets.

  Just as I was afraid I wouldn't be able to bring about the change, I saw something in her eyes.

  A glow within them. Her eyes changed color, briefly, as she stared down at me. A slow smile curled her lips as her body moved against mine with a new force, a new strength, driving me even closer to the edge. She rode me hard now. Rode me with a newfound confidence I'd never seen in her before. I watched and smiled as the wounds on her neck healed.

  It was done.

  The muscles in her hot, wet opening twitched around my shaft, pulsing from her impending orgasm, and that was all I needed. I felt my body stiffen and my shaft begin to pulse as I shot my seed deep within her. Together, we came, our bodies writhing in ecstasy as we rode out the waves of pleasure together, staring into each other's eyes.

  Rose was stronger, more confident and less afraid. I could see the change in her face as she fell against my body, dripping with both sweat and blood.

  “That was amazing,” she said. “You never told me that sex as a bear felt better than sex as a human.”

  I laughed. “I don't think that makes a difference,” I said. “I think it all depends on who you're with and how comfortable that person is.”

  She stared me deep in the eyes, and I could tell she was happy. Truly happy.

  So was I.

  “So, tell me,” I asked. “How does it feel to be Queen?”

  Epilogue

  Rose

  Being married to the Chief sure came with a lot of perks. As I sat on the throne, the afternoon breeze cooling my skin, I couldn't help but feel content. For the first time in my life, I was in control. Over everything. My life, my career, anything I wanted in life. And to think, not all that long ago, Asher and I had talked about running away together. Starting a new life somewhere else.

  I was beyond glad that our plans had been thwarted.

  Speaking of my career, several months after I'd become the bear Queen, Mary retired. She'd asked me to take over the bookstore, opting to sell it to me, rather than a stranger off the street. Asher agreed that it was good for me to have outside interests, something other than the cannery which brought in our fortune.

  I loved working at the bookstore – the same bookstore that brought he and I together in the first place. For that reason alone, One More Chapter would always hold a special place in my heart.

  I looked over at my Chief, handsome as always, loving the way he smiled back at me. Shortly after I became a bear, we officially tied the knot. In a small, natural ceremony in the woods behind the cabin, of course. Underneath the stars.

  And the wedding couldn't have come at a better time either.

  Resting my hand on my belly, I felt the life growing inside of me. With me being a bear now, it meant our child would be as well. And today was the naming ceremony for our child – the future prince of Q'lapa.

  “Welcome everyone,” Asher said, beaming like the proud father-to-be that he was. “Thank you for joining us for our child's naming ceremony. As many of you know, we are having a boy –”

  Shouts of, “Congratulations!” filled the air.

  “Thank you, everyone,” Asher said, taking my hand in his. “Today, we are announcing our son's name. As the future prince of Q'lapa, he needs a name that's both strong, but also traditional. A name with natural roots. Which is why Rose and I have decided that his name will be Cade Asher Blackwood.”

  “Beautiful name,” someone shouted from the crowd.

  Cade meant small battle or spirit of the battle, which was perfect considering everything we'd been through. And Asher, well, that was in honor of his dear old dad, of course.

  “Thank you,” I said, feeling like I was on cloud nine.

  Had you asked me a year ago if I'd be happily married with a baby on the way, I'd have said no way. I would have said you were crazy to even suggest it. But there I was. And I couldn't be happier.

  Life has a funny, yet strange way of working out sometimes. But, I wasn't one to argue. I was simply enjoying the ride for a change.

  THE END

  Book 1 – Captured by Sweet Alien

  Chapter 1

  The hairs on my neck stood. It happened every time my boss was near. He gave me the creeps and on more than one occasion I had to politely remind him to keep his filthy hands to himself. Ever since I turned down his advances he made up his mind on giving me the worst cases and projects. I lifted my tired eyes to see him standing in front of my desk with a smirk. I knew that look. It meant he had something planned—and I wasn’t going to like it.

  “Ms. Baines, I have a new assignment for you.”

  Leaning back in my chair I nodded giving him permission to sit in the chair and waited for him to spit it out.

  “You’re going on a trip.”

  “Where to?”

>   “Uoria.”

  I gulped. Out of all the places he could have sent me and it was to the planet full of the most temperamental species humans had ever studied. “What for?”

  “We need to learn more about them, what’s in their blood.”

  I gasped. “You know that’s against the rules, Ryan.” Everyone knew that the King and Queen made the rules. They still allowed us to do testing, but never of their blood. And I knew what happened to those who tried getting the blood of a Denynso. They never came back that’s what.

  He shrugged. “You’re sneaky enough and no one pays much attention to you. We need to know what makes them so powerful.”

  His eyes lit up and I shuddered. I knew exactly why he wanted a sample of their blood. It was the same reason every other scientist wanted it, and it was exactly why they had all failed.

  “Oh, and preferably the blood from their strongest warrior is what you need to get. You’ve heard of him right?”

  Of course I had. Everyone in my line of work had heard of the monstrous Denynso called Pyra. He was one mean son of a bitch and no one wanted near him. Well, besides all the women that vied for a place in his bed. But there was nothing scientific about that.

  “You know I won’t do that.”

  He shrugged. “Then you’re job is as good as gone and so will your reputation. You’ll never work again. Not in this field!” He spun on his heel and looked over his shoulder. “Might as well practice saying, “Do you want fries with that?” because that’s the only work you’ll ever get. You know how much we need this information.”

  “Wait,” I said and sighed. I couldn’t lose my job. It was all I had, my livelihood. I’d have to find a way to convince the leaders to let me have a sample and test it. Maybe fudge the results or something. I would find a way. “I’ll do it!” I prayed I live long enough to explain why I was asking for the one thing they’d refused since we learned of their species.

  His smile widened as if he had won the biggest prize. He knew I wouldn’t be coming back and that was his plan all along. They’d kill me before I got close enough to the warrior, and if I managed to sneak by he’d break my neck with two fingers. I shuddered. This wasn’t going to be a fun vacation. I needed to form a plan and offer the Denynso something they couldn’t resist, but I didn’t have anything—not really. I only hoped I could get them on the off chance that they wouldn’t want me to lose my job. Maybe they’d feel sorry for me, throw me a bone or something. No matter how small it was, I’d take it.

  “Good, I knew you’d see it my way. You need to be ready at four a.m.”

  Then he left me stewing knowing he’d given me an impossible task. If I was going down, I was taking that piece of shit down with me. I smiled evilly. They were an angry species. It shouldn’t be too hard to piss them off and let them know it was all Ryan’s idea.

  After he left me alone, I did what I was best at. I hacked the system and copied the surveillance from my office. Right there I’d be able to prove what was going on to the Denynso, if I could play it. I already knew there wasn’t electricity, but I’d charge my laptop for that purpose alone. Proof my boss was a scumbag and it was his idea to send me there to specifically break their rules. Maybe I’d have a chance to survive my stay there, but coming back home wouldn’t be so great.

  Chapter 2

  I was ready to go and waited for my boss well before four. I hadn’t slept at all. All night I planned how I would handle the situation my boss had put me in. I knew they would be expecting another scientist. I’d have to meet with them before I step foot on their compound. From what I had learned it was a very secure planet. Warriors scoured the land to keep watch over the humans, and be on the lookout for an attack from their enemies.

  I shuddered and thought about what I’d heard about their enemies. There were several horror stories of the attacks on Uoria. The Klimnu were disgusting beasts. Luckily they hadn’t managed to make it to Earth yet or humans would be in big trouble.

  Ryan strolled up to me at four on the dot and smiled handing over my paperwork.

  “Here’s all the stuff you’ll need when you get there. I have you down as routine testing for plant and animal life. You’re there for up to six months. That should be plenty of time to get what I need.” He gave me a look and I didn’t miss the tone.

  I nodded, but inside I was fuming. He was trying to get me killed. I was his competition, and the one that turned his ass down. He didn’t take rejection well, and now I was paying for it. But I was smarter than him and would come up on top.

  “All right, well you know how to get in contact if you need anything, but I’m sure you won’t.”

  I kept my mouth shut because this was all a fucking set up. I couldn’t believe he’d stoop so low, but maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was up for the promotion he wanted. Luckily I’d learned to control my Irish temper. My mother always told me one day it would come in handy to have self-control, and now I was learning.

  Without a word I picked up my bags and boarded the ship. I was nervous as hell. This was the first time I was traveling to another planet, and I wasn’t too sure about it. I wasn’t the type of person who wanted to experience new things. I’d much rather stay in the lab by myself. I felt Ryan’s eyes burning into my back and straightened without turning back. He wouldn’t get a rise out of me. As soon as the metal door clanged closed I let out the breath I’d been holding and muttered, “stupid ass mother fucker.” He would get his.

  The very human pilot chuckled. Apparently I spoke a little louder than I thought. Oh well. Everyone knew how I felt about Ryan so it wouldn’t be a surprise that I’d be cursing him. They also knew I had a temper and I held a grudge like no other. I glared at the man and he shrugged before getting ready to take off.

  The ship shook and my stomach dropped. Leaning back in my seat I held my breath and closed my eyes. My hands gripped the arm rests and I clenched my teeth as I was lifted into the air at an unknown speed. My stomach rose back up into my throat and I nearly lost what little I had eaten. As soon as the ship leveled some I was able to relax but the speed hadn’t slowed and I kept my eyes shut hoping the medication I had taken would kick in soon knocking my ass out.

  * * * *

  I woke up to the pilot shaking me. I swung my fist and smiled when I heard the satisfying crunch of the bone in his nose breaking. I didn’t like being touched especially without permission.

  “Shit!” he shrieked. “What the hell, I was only waking you up. I’ve been trying for nearly an hour. These warriors are starting to get antsy.”

  I shot up and grimaced. “Sorry,” I replied sheepishly. Now I felt bad. “Sorry about your nose.”

  “It fucking hurts. No wonder everyone is scared of you.” His eyes watered and he’d lifted his shirt to catch the blood.

  I smirked. “Yeah, well next time refrain from touching me. Use a blow horn if you have to, but keep your damn hands to yourself.”

  He nodded and winced. “You got it, but please get the hell of my ship.”

  I stood and stretched knowing I’d just slept for probably five days. My body wasn’t ready to stand and I wobbled but caught myself before I fell. “Give me five.”

  He didn’t respond so I took it as an okay and paced the small area while the rest of my body woke up. I needed to be alert when I met the King and Queen. My insides fluttered like butterflies. I wasn’t the biggest socialite and meeting people, human or not, wasn’t my thing. After the given five minutes I walked behind the pilot and laid a hand on his shoulder. He jumped and looked at me in fear.

  “Thank you for the ride, and again, I’m sorry about your nose.”

  He nodded curtly. The bleeding had stopped but his right eye was almost swollen shut. “I’ll remember the blow horn next time.”

  I chuckled. At least he was able to find humor in getting his ass kicked by a woman.

  I stepped off of the ship and gasped. It was so familiar, yet no
t. Everything was so alive. The grass waved in wind, and the sky was almost violet with pinks and oranges. It was breathtaking. I stood taking in the surroundings. The ship rumbled to life vibrating the ground. I didn’t even bother looking back. I was stuck here for the next six months. Life was about to get a whole hell of a lot more interesting.

  My view was blocked by the largest body I had ever seen. Even I felt tiny to the beast in front of me, and instinctively I balled my hands into fists. I had to be in front of the warrior everyone spoke about.

  “You’re the new one?” he asked in a gruff voice that vibrated along my skin. The sound shot right through my body.

  I gulped and looked up, and then up some more before nodding. “Yes, I’m Eden Baines.”

  He smirked down at me. “Come, you must meet the King and Queen.” His voice was a bit tenser, and I wondered why. Must have been that temper I had heard about.

  Chapter 3

  Pyra wanted to roar. The moment she spoke, something inside of him came to life. A heat so intense filled him he was barely able to hold back his gasp. It wasn’t acceptable. This measly human was not his mate. She was tiny. There was no way she’d be able to handle all seven feet, and three inches of him.

  He wasn’t ready to be shackled down by the all-consuming love he’d feel for her. His body already was going through the change, and they hadn’t even touched. He had this feeling for days. He was edgier than normal, though for him that wasn’t saying much. He flew off the handle more than once and fought five of his brethren. Now he understood why.

  He stalked to the main house, not looking back. He couldn’t look at her, not yet. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep his hands to himself if he really saw her. From what he’d seen she was perfect. Fairly tall for a human woman, pale skin, fiery red hair, that he knew would match the glint in her bright green eyes. He noticed every tiny freckle that dusted her skin. He hadn’t missed the slight gap between her two front teeth when she spoke. He also didn’t miss the way she averted her eyes or didn’t offer her hand like most of the others did. She didn’t want to be there, he could tell right off.