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

by Lauren Lively

  Ciyrs stood. “You have no idea do you?” He shook his head and then swung.

  Pyra didn’t have time to duck and with the force of the hit, he was thrown into the tree. The bark scraped down his back and he gasped as the pain hit before he fell to the ground. “Holy shit that fucking hurt!”

  Ciyrs stood looking unaffected. “Good.” There was nothing in his eyes, not even anger, but he felt the protectiveness radiating off of him. “She’s like the baby sister I lost you dumb shit. Get over it.” Then he ran and was gone.

  Pyra stared at the spot his friend had stood and couldn’t hide his shock. No one ever saw the violent side of their healer. And then he felt even worse. If he would punch the living shit out of him for being an ass to Eden then he certainly had some apologizing to do. He rubbed his cheek and cringed. It hurt like a bitch, and he would never underestimate his less tempered brother.

  Chapter 5

  I lay on the cot moping. I listened to the King explain Pyra the same way Ciyrs had. Now I was pissed. I understood it was hard to go through this. Hell I was the one who was attacked by a damn rabid beast, died, healed, and now I had a damn seizure. I’d only been on Uoria for a short time, but it felt like a lifetime.

  I was beginning to think that I should go home. I wasn’t having much luck and my supposed mate vanished. I wanted to be by myself even if it was only for a little bit, but right now no one would leave me alone. If it wasn’t one Denynso it was another. I was grateful they cared, but damn could a girl get some privacy? I needed a good cry, and I sure as hell wouldn’t do it in front of anyone.

  I stood and stretched feeling a dull ache spread through my body. There was something seriously wrong. I wasn’t equipped for this. I was probably still dying or something. Shaking my head, I paced the room slowly, but even that wore me out. Light danced before me and I swayed on my feet. Shit I was about to pass out—again. I closed my eyes and stood still hoping the feeling would go away. Instead I looked up into the King’s gentle orange eyes. I felt him lift me like I was weightless and was placed on the cot. Closing my eyes I decided passing out was better than falling over every damn time I moved.

  * * * *

  3 months later

  I woke up to see a whole slew of faces staring at me. All of them had various levels of concern in their eyes. I groaned and tried to sit up, but nothing worked. I tried to speak but my mouth was dry and it tasted like something died. A straw was placed between my lips and I sucked the water down. It tasted funny but I wasn’t about to complain. I tried to think but my head was cloudy.

  The others were still staring at me, and it was making me nervous. I spit the straw out. “What?” I asked and the sound of my voice wasn’t mine. It was deep and raspy. What the hell?

  “You scared the shit out of us sweetie,” Ciyrs said and knelt by me.

  “Why? Did I pass out again?”

  He laughed but I saw his tears. When I reached out to wipe it away my arm wouldn’t move. “Why the hell can’t I move?”

  “You were in a coma.”

  “I see. For how long?”

  “Three months.”

  I gasped. “Oh, well that might explain it, what happened?”

  “My healing did a lot more than we knew. I’ll explain it once you have some time. Gyyx went to get Pyra.”

  “He’s not here?”

  He chuckled. “He hasn’t left your side for more than a few hours sweetie. His dad sent him home to rest. He was in bad shape.”

  “Oh, okay.” I closed my eyes, but then I felt the gentle touch from Ciyrs and peeked.

  “Just checking to make sure you weren’t going to fall back into your coma.”

  “I think I’m good. I feel better than before.”

  “You should.”

  The door slammed open and warriors were shoved to the side when Pyra came in with wide eyes. Ciyrs moved without having to be shoved out of the way and Pyra dropped to his knees. Everyone else scattered to give us privacy.

  He stared into my eyes with tears in his own and picked up my hands gently in his. “I am so sorry. God, I am such an asshole.”

  He sounded devastated, and I wanted so badly to comfort him. “Help me sit up.”

  He brought my hands to his lips and kissed my cold fingers and nodded. He lifted me like I was a fragile piece of glass. Then he sat down and I leaned against his warm body. Instantly my heart picked up and his heat warmed me. I shivered and he wrapped his arm around me pulling me onto his lap. He kissed my cheek and I felt the wetness of his tears. When I tried to lift my hand this time I was able to and I wiped his tear.

  “I’m okay.”

  He shook his head and sobbed holding me. I never imagined such a strong man like Pyra would be sobbing like a child, but he was. “Hey, it’s okay.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I don’t feel sick or anything.”

  His body shook. “Did you before, that night?”

  He was referring to our last night, apparently three long fucking months ago. The night I was broken hearted for the first time over a man. Knowing I’d been out that long and knowing how much he must have suffered I couldn’t even bring myself to be angry. I thought about his question. “Yeah, I felt weak and really sick like I could fall over at any moment.” I sighed. “And apparently that’s what happened. I vaguely remember your dad catching me.”

  “Yeah he did, and then you wouldn’t wake up. Nothing worked, and Ciyrs thought you wouldn’t ever wake up. All the tests showed there was nothing wrong. He’s been a wreck. He blames himself, and he made it his mission to figure out what was wrong and save you.”

  “It’s no one’s fault. I guess I needed a vacation from me.”

  “That’s not funny.”

  “I’m sorry Pyra. I’m sorry you were mad at me, and I don’t even understand why. I’m sorry about the bond between me and Ciyrs too.”

  “Don’t. None of it matters. I am the asshole—”

  “Let’s just move on then.”

  “You’ll forgive me that easily?”

  I raised a brow. “Don’t you think the last few months have been punishment enough?”

  He gulped and nodded. “It was the worst hell I’ve ever been in. They made me leave you every couple of days to shower and sleep. Otherwise I sat by you trying to find a way to wake you.”

  I leaned into him and he wrapped both his arms around me. “Do you need anything?”

  I shook my head. “Just you. I’m so cold, and I’ve missed you.”

  He let out a breath. “God, I’ve missed you too, love. Don’t ever do that again.”

  He kissed my hair and I shuddered. “I’m probably pretty gross, but I doubt I can take a shower.”

  “If you don’t mind Mom helping you she offered knowing you’d probably want to get cleaned up. She’s been here every other day or so giving you a sponge bath.”

  I blushed. “Oh man that’s so horrible.” I knew my hair was disgusting. “I would like that. That’s what I want, and I think the water will warm me up. My bones ache from being cold.”

  “I’ll go get her.”

  He lifted me back on the couch to where I could lean in the corner and not fall over and went outside. A few seconds later his mother came in smiling.

  “It’s so good to see you’re awake. We were all pretty terrified.”

  I nodded. I hadn’t had a chance to get to know her, but she was basically my mother in law. “Thank you for taking care of me.”

  “Of course honey. You’re family, and I wouldn’t trust any of the men to do this right. They wouldn’t know what to do.” She laughed and I smiled.

  She helped me to my feet and I wobbled. “How long is this going to last?”

  “It could be a few days.”

  My shoulders slumped as I was led to the bathroom. I moved like an old woman and when I looked in the mirror I gasped in horror. I looked horrible.

  Chapter 6

/>   Pyra waited for Eden to get cleaned up and paced around. He didn’t want to be away from her any longer than he had to be. There was too much lost time, and he was a wreck. He’d gone home and taken a shower while his mother was with her.

  His mother helped her out and she smiled at him. “She’s all good to go. I told her to just holler if she needed me.”

  He jumped up and kissed her cheek. “Thank you.” He took over and guided Eden to the couch. He hated how weak she was. She was rail thin and didn’t look well, but to him she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

  “I feel like an old woman. Get me a walker so I don’t need help,” she said tensely.

  He chuckled. His mate didn’t like to be taken care of, or needing help.

  “Do you want to go home instead of staying here? Ciyrs can do the tests later.”

  “I want it over with. I want to know if I’m still going to freaking glow and heal like I did.”

  “I doubt it. He thinks that is what caused this, but since no healer in all of history has ever brought a human back to life we have no fucking clue.”

  “I still feel different, only less sick.”

  He went into panic and sat her down and rushed away without waiting for her to say anything else. Ciyrs came rushing in behind him.

  “He says you still feel off?”

  I glared. “I didn’t mean to go get the doctor. I meant the changes I felt before, I still feel them, but I don’t feel like I’m going to pass out or anything. I don’t feel like me though.”

  Both men visibly relaxed and she laughed. “Geez calm down.”

  “Eden you have no idea what it was like for us.”

  “I know, I wasn’t aware of anything.”

  “Well we were.”

  “Fine, do your tests if you have to.”

  Ciyrs took another few vials of blood and Pyra took her home. She wouldn’t be leaving his sight, and if he had to be somewhere someone would be with her. Last time he left her she went into a three month long coma.

  I lay in Pyra’s bed and sipped broth from a coffee mug. It had been three weeks since I woke up and I was still too weak and everything else I ate came back up. From Pyra’s worried expression, he was about to cart me back home and have human doctors do some tests. Ciyrs still hadn’t found anything and no one would listen to me. I was fine—mostly. He hadn’t touched me sexually since that last night and I needed a release. He was so worried about hurting me, but I worried it was because I was so ugly. I couldn’t even stand to look at myself. I was a skeleton. It didn’t matter how much I tried to eat. Something in my life was missing, only I didn’t know what it was.

  He came in and smiled. “How are you feeling, love.”

  “The same. Come sit with me.”

  He nodded and sat next to me. I was getting stronger. I climbed on his lap and laid my head on his chest. It was my favorite place to be. I felt his heart thump, and he wrapped his arms around me holding me close. I tipped my head back and looked at him.

  “Kiss me.”

  “It’s too soon.”

  I glared. “I’ve been awake for over three weeks. When isn’t it going to be too soon for you? Have you wondered if maybe that’s what I need?”

  “If that could heal you baby I would fuck you into the next universe.”

  I gasped at his words and my eyes dilated.

  It was then his eyes widened. “Your eyes—they’re orange.”

  I felt him harden for the first time and moaned. “Kiss me, please I need you.”

  I felt his resolve chipping away. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You won’t.”

  He closed his eyes, and I took the opportunity to press my lips on his. He stayed still while I kissed him. I kept the pressure light and slid my tongue along his bottom lip. His hands tightened, and I smiled against his mouth. He would give me what I wanted.

  I pressed my body against his and rubbed against him. “Please, please take this ache away.”

  His eyes shot open. “You’re hurting?”

  I sighed and gripped his hand and shoved it between my legs. I knew he’d feel the heat and wetness through my shorts. “For you. Do you not want me?”

  He growled. “Of course I do.”

  “Then prove it.”

  His eyes flared and he set me on the bed and stood stripping. I smiled. Finally, my core throbbed. I didn’t know what the hell was wrong, but something inside of me knew if he would give me what I needed I’d start getting better.

  I lifted my shirt off and wrapped my arms around myself. I didn’t like my body, but when he eyes brightened I knew he still found me desirable.

  “They’re still orange. I don’t know how this is fucking possible, but you’re one of us now, or at least you’ve adopted some characteristics.”

  He was stunned, and at the moment I didn’t care what the hell color my eyes were. I wanted him in me, over me, and under me.

  He walked towards the bed. His eyes were feral and a wave of lust washed over me. “Hurry.”

  “Lay down. I’ve got to do this right, gently. I refuse to hurt you.”

  I nodded and laid down spreading my legs wide for him. He could see the proof of my arousal.

  “Oh shit.” His control broke and he was on me, but when I felt his fear I rubbed his back.

  “You won’t hurt me,” I whispered.

  “Never.” He slid inside me so agonizingly slow I cried out in frustration and went to lift my hips but he growled. “No, we do this my way.”

  I whimpered when he slid out and then slowly eased back in.

  My body wanted him so badly. “I can’t wait, seriously I need you inside of me now.” Then before he realized what I was doing I wrapped my legs around him and that pushed the rest of him inside me.

  I moaned and clenched tightly around him holding his cock inside of me. “See I’m fine. Actually I am better than fine. Oh god you feel so good.”

  His eyes widened. “You feel—different, familiar.”

  I knew what he wasn’t saying. I suddenly knew what happened. Why I was so sick. Somehow Ciyrs changed me. I was now a female Denynso. I wasn’t sure how much so but enough that my eyes were orange, and apparently my pussy felt like a female Denynso.

  “I’ve changed.”

  He nodded and thrust in and out of me with ease. When I showed no discomfort he calmed and sped up. It was still slow and sensual, and I held on to him tightly as he rocked into my body. My senses heightened, and I could smell his arousal and mine mixed. I moaned and cried out when I climaxed. When my pussy tightened around him he grunted and I felt him come inside of me.

  He clenched his teeth and sped up to finish releasing his seed inside of me. I grabbed his face and kissed him with love. For the first time I felt it, I felt how he felt for me when we met. It all made sense. He was mine and I was his—forever. I would never let him go.

  Chapter 7

  News traveled fast. Pyra was still coming to terms with the fact that Ciyrs had turned his mate into one of them. They still weren’t sure how much of their genealogy she had, but it was enough that her eyes were orange and her reproductive system was like the Denynso females.

  Turned out she did need him to make love to her. She was going through the mating heat as he did. It’s why she craved him and ached. Once they completed the bond for a second time, she seemed fine.

  She was able to eat and was putting on some weight and almost had all of her normal energy back.

  Eden spun in a circle out in the grass. Ciyrs released her from bed rest but made her promise to lie down if she felt weak and tell Pyra right away. So far her symptoms were gone.

  “It’s about time. I’m out of lock down.”

  He chuckled. She could be so dramatic, but he fucking loved her, and he was ready to tell her, and he knew she loved him too, but she had yet to even hint at feeling that way.

  “Come here, love.”
/>   She spun and danced toward him. He’d never seen her so girly. It was amusing and sexy all at the same time. Her cheeks were flushed and she glowed. “Come get me,” she teased and ran.

  He loved the chase and narrowed his eyes until she sped faster than ever before. Then he ran and caught up to her wrapping his arm around her waist and lifting her off the ground. “Damn, did you realize how fast you were going?

  She laughed. “No why?”

  “You’ve picked up another characteristic.”

  She grinned.

  He kissed her and when she pulled back he saw tears in her eyes.

  “What’s wrong love?”

  She shook her head. “I love you.”

  He froze and glared. “That’s what I was about to say. You just stole my thunder woman.” But then he spun her around in his arms. “I love you too.”

  I was changing more each day and growing stronger too. I was starting to throw up again however and that was concerning considering I had been sick for too long. I didn’t want to go backwards.

  Ciyrs met us at the field. “Hey can I borrow you for a little bit, sweetie?”

  I looked to Pyra first. I learned quickly that he came first and my bond with Ciyrs came second. It was a delicate balance.

  He nodded. “Don’t keep her too long, I have plans tonight.”

  I laughed and spun and ran into his arms kissing his lips before running to my brother because that’s what he was, though technically he was my maker. I wrapped my arms around him and he kissed my hair.

  “Let’s go before you piss your mate off.”

  He let go of me, but I looped my arm with his. Pyra was more bark than bite, and he’d really learned that there was nothing more than family love between me and Ciyrs. It didn’t surprise me when we went back to the infirmary.

  “I want to try something,” he said and held open the door for me.

  I went inside and saw one of the warriors sitting on the table shaking. He was pale and blood seeped out of a wound on his stomach.