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

by Lauren Lively

  “Eat, and talk. I’m here to listen.”

  And I did. For the first time in my life I talked about all the things I held locked up inside. All the things that haunted my dreams. All the things that made me who I was. She listened patiently asking questions here and there, but mostly she listened. I’d never talked about any of this. By the time I had finished eating, a heavy weight had been lifted off of my shoulder. I was free from all the demons of my past.

  Chapter 5

  Ciyrs sat on the porch only feeling slightly guilty for eavesdropping. He didn’t get it. He felt her shut down completely. When she pulled back from his touch, he nearly fell apart. She’d been gone for a week, and that whole time he went crazy. He just got her back, and already she was pushing him away.

  Now though after hearing her story he understood. The bond with Eden was strong, but for his mate he would do anything. If he needed to put some space between them he would. But he wouldn’t leave Eliana alone again. She needed him to show her that she was important. He could do that.

  Wiping away the tears he stood and took a deep breath before going inside. She seemed to know he was there because her body tensed. He saw her back go rigid.

  “I’m so sorry baby,” he said and then he knelt beside her chair.

  “It’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have run and I should have talked to you, it’s just hard.” She wiped her eyes. “I’m guessing you heard.”

  “You’re nuts if you thought I was actually going to leave you alone. We’re stubborn.”

  The queen laughed. “That we are. It’s in our nature to love and stay close to one another. We’re one giant family. One you’re now a part of. Get used to everyone being in your business now dear.” Then she nodded at Ciyrs and left them alone.

  As soon as they were alone, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her close. “Please stop being angry with me. I can’t control my bond, but I’ll do whatever it takes to prove to you that I’m utterly in love with you—only.”

  “I know that, and I’m sorry I acted like a spoiled child. It’s just really hard knowing you have such a close bond with another woman. I’ve never been this jealous in my life. I don’t like what it does to me.”

  “It’s understandable. Now can we go back because I really want to figure out how to get that damn woman to wake up? I have a feeling Gyyx is going to be the next one of us to fall apart if we don’t figure out what’s wrong.”

  “I sort of had an idea about that, so let’s go.”

  “What idea?”

  “You’ll hear it when the others do. It’s my own theory.”

  He nodded and stood bringing her to her feet. “Well let’s go see if we can figure out if you’re right or not.”

  “Then we can go home right?”

  “Home?”

  She nodded. “Anywhere with you is home.”

  He smiled and picked up his pace to get back to the infirmary. When they went inside Eden nodded. She’d felt everything between them, and understood. When she came over to Elaina she pulled her hand from mine and laid it on her heart. “I love Ciyrs and I love you, but not the way I love Pyra. You never have to worry. There isn’t anything between us.”

  “I know,” she whispered. “It’s just tough, try being in our shoes sometime though. I understand what Pyra feels.”

  Eden’s eyes flared. “I understand that, but every time you hurt him, you hurt me. I feel it all. I feel your distrust and that hurts me.”

  Eliana pulled her hand back. “I’m sorry, but where I come from trust is earned. No offense.”

  “Fair enough,” Eden said and walked away.

  Ciyrs felt her emotions brewing and took a deep breath. She was upset that Eliana didn’t automatically trust her word. She wasn’t used to it.

  He led her over to where the woman and Gyyx were. “She has an idea.”

  Gyyx looked at her with such pleading hope. “I’m all ears. I’m willing to do anything.”

  “Good because this might come off as a little strange.” She ran her hand over Gyyx’s hand that was wrapped around the woman’s. “She knows you. There is something that allows her subconscious to enjoy your touch. We all witnessed what happened. I can touch her, and she is calm, probably because I’m not only a woman, but I’m the one who found her. She was awake when we met.” She fidgeted. “You’re her mate right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then do to her what you would do if she were awake.”

  His eyes widened. “You mean?”

  Eliana blushed. “Yes, if anything can save her, it’s the intimate touch of her mate. I think if you were to give her an orgasm, well let’s just say it may save her life. The sooner she wakes up the better.”

  Gyyx didn’t look convinced. “I don’t think it would be appropriate to touch my mate when she isn’t aware.”

  Eden stepped up. “Pyra did. Remember? It was his touch that brought me out of whatever happened. Remember I healed him after.”

  “Yeah but you were also in the midst of turning Eden, this is different. She’s been tortured, what if they’ve—hell I can’t even say it.” Gyyx was tortured.

  Eliana smiled. “Normally I’d agree with you. I’ve been on the streets for a lot of my life. You don’t just touch an unconscious woman, but this is different. I’m not saying have sex with her. Just touch her. I’m sure you know how to make a woman climax.”

  “Well yeah.”

  Ciyrs liked her idea. It would let them know. “I think she’s right. She’s already proven to like your touch. Just don’t go overboard, and be sure to keep your balls safe when she wakes up freaking out because you’re touching her. Have an explanation ready.”

  Eliana elbowed him. “She’ll certainly be surprised. But obviously she senses you and is fine. She’s probably aware and we don’t even know it. She might understand everything we’re saying right now.”

  Gyyx ran his hand over her stomach. They watched as her eyes fluttered.

  “See she wants your touch. Why don’t you take her into a private area? We’ll leave you alone.”

  Ciyrs was amazed. All it took was the smallest intimate touch and the woman reacted. Not enough to wake up, but enough to let them know she was in there somewhere. She was the key to finding out how to get rid of the Klimnu for good. By the looks of it, she had been with them for a while and he had a feeling she’d have a score to settle. The sooner she woke up the better it was for everyone. Not just Gyyx, who looked as tortured as he had before finding Eliana.

  Chapter 6

  I tugged on Ciyrs’s hand. “Let’s leave them alone. I know I’m right. I want to go home.”

  She loved his smile, and his face lit up when she said home. “Okay baby.” Then he turned to his friend. “I’ll be back to check on her later.”

  “We’re going to be fine,” Gyyx replied. “Now take your woman home.”

  When they stepped out onto the grass he scooped me up in his arms and ran. My giggle echoed through the wind.

  When he put me on my feet I had my own idea. I wanted to do something for him. Something I had never done before. All the time he searched for me, and then all the crap with my stupid emotions. I spun and ran to the bedroom knowing he’d follow. I slid out of my pants when he walked in the room. When he would have touched me I shook my head and held out my hand stopping him in place.

  I stood naked and smiled. “Strip.”

  He raised a brow but there was no hesitance in following my order.

  I watched him strip and licked my lips. He was gorgeous and his muscles enticed me. I wanted to lick him everywhere, and that’s what I was going to do. I was going to take care of him. When he stood naked I pointed to the bed. “Lay down, on your back.”

  Again he listened and I felt the stirring of his emotions. He was aroused and curious all at once. He wanted to see what I was going to do. I crawled on the bed in between his legs pushing them apart so I could settle comfortably.
His eyes widened when I licked my lips.

  “Baby, you don’t—”

  “Shh.”

  His mouth shut.

  “Put your hands behind your head. You’re not allowed to move.”

  His eyes flared and he moved slowly, but he relaxed his hands behind his head and smirked at me. “Whatever you want baby.”

  I ran my hands up his legs and thighs close to his large erection. The tip leaked and I bent to lick it off. As soon as my tongue touched the head his hips bucked.

  I shook my head. “No moving.”

  He began to realize the situation. I was going to be in charge. I sucked his head into my mouth and swirled my tongue around it eliciting a loud groan from his lips. It was all I needed to build my confidence.

  I used one hand to cup his balls and opened my mouth wider taking more of him into my mouth. Flattening my tongue against the underside, I pushed him further into my mouth. The tip hit the back of my throat and my eyes watered, but I didn’t gag. Bobbing my head up and down, I let my saliva cover his cock. His body was tense and when I looked up his body I saw him staring down at me.

  Keeping eye contact I picked up my pace arousing him further. His eyes glowed and his chest heaved, but still he let me suck and lick him the way I wanted.

  I let his cock fall from my lips and ran my tongue on his silky smoothness. Using my hand I worked him up further and sucked him back into my mouth. Fast, slow, swirl, repeat. Over and over I completed the steps until his body shook beneath mine. I felt the difference, and knew he was about to come. I wanted him inside of me. I pulled back and smiled licking my lips. He watched me with such lust I nearly came. Instead, I climbed on his lap and lifted myself over him.

  Without warning I slammed down on him taking him all in one deep thrust.

  He yelled and gripped my hips. “Fuck,” he said and growled.

  I laughed and leaned in to kiss him. Our tongues tangled and I rode him slowly. Rocking against him I worked him up again. This time I’d let him finish.

  Ciyrs flipped me on my back without breaking our connection. He drove into me with such force I lost my breath. It wasn’t long before I was screaming his name and milking his orgasm. I shook beneath him and my hips rose to meet his over and over again. The sound of our bodies slapping filled the air. The scent of our sex mixed arousing me further. I sobbed incoherently and let him take me. He owned me in every way. Digging my short nails into his back only proved to push him over the edge and he fucked me. The bed creaked and groaned, as the headboard slammed against the wall.

  He came a second time and my body tightened around him. I never knew it was possible to climax more than once. When he slowed to a stop the ache already began. My body was new to sex, and sex like that was bound to cause some discomfort. When he pulled out I cringed and gasped.

  Ciyrs noticed and shook his head. “Dammit, I’m sorry. You just drove me crazy.”

  “It’s okay. I expected some pain. It was amazing though.”

  “Hell yeah it was, but that still doesn’t mean I should hurt you.”

  I kissed his chest and smiled. “I’ll be fine I promise.”

  He grumbled something but pulled me into his body. I lay my head on his chest and sighed. “It’s weird.”

  “What is baby?”

  “My whole life sucked, but then it led up to this one moment, and it’s almost like none of it ever mattered.”

  “You were meant to come here. You were meant to find me. I didn’t really live until now. I spent time healing and taking care of my brothers, and now—now I feel like I belong more. There’s more to me than my gift. I didn’t believe that before.”

  “Ciyrs, you’re definitely so much more than your gift.”

  I couldn’t believe he ever thought anything less. There was so much to him, and I loved everything about him. No matter my insecurities about his creepy bond with the other woman, and whatever that fiery power was. It didn’t matter; he was mine.

  Chapter 7

  She was simply amazing. He’d never felt as alive as he did with Eliana. The things she went through were different than his life, but in the end the only thing that really mattered is how much they connected with their own personal thoughts. They had so many things in common that it mixed with their differences creating a good balance. They took the rest of the night and talked.

  In the early morning the pounding on the door started. Ciyrs sighed and climbed out of his bed. He didn’t want to leave her, but she was sleeping.

  He opened the door to see the king at the door. “They need you son.”

  “Is she all right?”

  The king shook his head. “She isn’t awake. Gyyx can’t bring himself to do what your mate suggested. It’s time to burn that building to the ground. All of us are going. You and Eliana too. It’s time.”

  “Who is going to watch the woman?”

  “Gyyx won’t leave her.”

  “I should have figured. Okay let me wake her. I know she wants that building to be gone. She dreamed of it, and is terrified of it.”

  “Good, so meet us there. Pyra and Eden are there scoping it out. Theia is there and so are nearly all the warriors.”

  “Okay we’ll be there soon.”

  The king nodded and left. Ciyrs wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to have everyone there. Gyyx would want him there. He would probably want Eliana there too. He walked back in the room and smiled at his mate. Her eyes were on him.

  “What’s going on?”

  “We’re burning the building to the ground. Everyone is going except for Gyyx.”

  She sat up and smiled. “I want to go.”

  “I know. I told the king we would be there shortly. Are you sure you’re ready to be so close to the place you were imprisoned?”

  “Yes, I want to know for sure the building is gone.”

  He understood. He felt the same. “Okay well move your ass then. The others are waiting for us. I want to check in on Gyyx first too.”

  She climbed out of bed and went straight to her bags.

  * * * *

  After checking on Gyyx and his mate and seeing no change he told him he had to try it. His touch had to be the key. He let him know everyone was going to be at the Wasteland so he had the whole compound to himself. It was the perfect time to bring his mate back to life.

  Gyyx nodded and smiled. “Make sure it burns good brother.”

  “Will do.”

  Eliana had hugged him and kissed his cheek. She whispered something he didn’t hear, but whatever it was seemed to light up his brother’s eyes. He held back his jealously knowing she was his. It was still hard to see her make another man smile. Even if said man could really use the happiness.

  He tugged her away and they locked the doors securing the two inside of the infirmary which was the safest place on the compound.

  By the time they got to the Wasteland the others were all separated. He found Eden and Pyra and held Eliana close.

  “So here’s how it’s going to work. We’re going to burn this mother fucker to the ground. If those bastards attack, we are going to fight. Ciyrs, you need to get the women out of here and back to the infirmary with Gyyx—”

  Eliana spoke up. “No he needs to fight. I know what he can do. His new gift is what saved me. I somehow tapped into it. It burnt the Klimnu to a crisp. I think Eden and the queen are more than capable of taking care of themselves. We can get back ourselves.”

  “Hell no woman. Fine if Ciyrs needs to stay to kick so Klimnu ass than Ero can take you all back.”

  Ero stepped up and nodded. Though Ciyrs could see he wasn’t happy about it. “Let me be back up just in case.”

  “Fine Ero and Ullie will take the women to safety if they attack. Otherwise we get to watch the horror of our history turn to ash. No one will ever be locked inside of that building ever again.”

  Pyra was a great leader. He knew just what to say to pump everyone up. Ci
yrs was too, but he was worried. He’d never fought with the warriors before. He always did damage control, and healing afterwards.

  Eliana kissed him. “You’ve got this.”

  “Did you really use my new power to kill?”

  She nodded. “It was kill or be killed. Sometimes you have no choice.” The she grabbed his face. “Use it wisely.”

  “I’m afraid that it will darken my soul.”

  “Is my soul dark?”

  “No of course not baby.”

  “Then yours won’t be either. It’s a gift, not a curse. You were given another way to help protect your people—to protect me.”

  When she put it like that he couldn’t begrudge his new power. It just meant he needed to practice with it. Just as he had with the healing, only this time he needed the enemies. No one was sure that they would even attack. His heart raced with adrenaline, and he wondered if this was how the warriors felt on a daily basis. It would explain their temper and aggression.

  The first group of warriors eased their way from out of the woods and made their way to the building. Everyone else watched in silence as fire balls were thrown at the building.

  No one moved. Hell he wasn’t even sure if he breathed. Smoke filled the air as the flames erupted catching fire from all the dust and debris. The cloud of smoke filled the air and he watched in awe as glass from the barred windows shattered into the air exploding with a loud crack. It was then he tensed. The first Klimnu appeared.

  Its red eyes narrowed on the group. It was time. He kissed Eliana and said. “I love you, now go get your ass with the others. I need you to be safe.”

  She was frozen as her eyes stayed glued to the monster going towards Pyra. He wasn’t sure why, but she seemed to have formed a special relationship with him. Maybe it was because they both had to deal with his and Eden’s bond.

  “Baby, go. Ero and Ullie will take you to safety.”

  He shook her and she looked at him licking her lips. “I—I don’t know if I can leave you.”