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

by Lauren Lively

  “Now let’s get out of here before you end up ravaging me again,” she said and winked before sliding out of bed.

  He shook his head and chuckled. She was a strange creature. She went to the bag of things from the girls and sifted through it. He heard gasps and small girly giggles.

  She noticed his stare and blushed. “Sorry it’s been awhile since I’ve had anything so pretty, that isn’t also slutty.”

  He didn’t say anything. He froze when she stripped her dress with her back to him. Thin scars lined her perfect skin. He studied her every move as she slid on each article of clothing. The scars must have been recent. They were still angry and healing in some places. Gyyx wasn’t sure if they were from the Klimnu or the last man in her life, and at the moment he chose not to ask, but he would find out, and he would find a way to make whoever it was suffer.

  She spun and gasped. “I forgot…”

  He didn’t say a word. Her eyes said it all. She pleaded with him to ignore what he had seen. He stood from the bed and left the room. He couldn’t ignore it, and it was on the tip of his tongue to question her. She already reveled a lot and he wouldn’t pressure her to tell him more.

  He hated that his mate had been abused. Denynso males cherished their females. He didn’t understand how anyone could do differently. He paced his living room while she finished getting ready. He looked down and groaned realizing he was walking around naked. She did things to him that made him forget the most basic things in life—like clothing. He went back in the room and saw her in the bathroom brushing her long hair.

  She saw him in the mirror and shrugged. He smiled but it was forced as he slid on clean shorts and a shirt. He waited until she came out and then he went into the bathroom and combed his flattened Mohawk. He never liked to spike it. It was too much work and he spent his time out with the warriors.

  He brushed it and was done. When he came out she was sliding on a pair of sandals and when she stood up she was a few inches taller. He looked down. “What the hell are you wearing?”

  She laughed. “They’re called wedges, they make short people like me taller, and they’re sexy.”

  He nodded. “I can’t disagree, but I love how small you are.”

  “I hate it. Being five feet tall and weighing 80 pounds when you’re on the streets isn’t a good thing, but I learned to protect myself. People underestimate me, and I guarantee your friends will too. They all will treat me like something delicate.”

  He stood in front of her and laughed when her head still didn’t even meet his shoulders. He looked down. “You are my delicate mate.”

  She glared and then chuckled. “Right, you haven’t gotten to know me well yet.”

  He doubted she was very strong but he didn’t want to hurt her feelings. She was tiny and small everywhere. He didn’t see her being able to do much more than maybe kneeing him in the nuts. “Okay sweetheart. I get it you’re tough.”

  She raised a brow. “You doubt my skills?”

  He held up his hands and laughed. “Never.”

  She pursed her lips. “I see how it is. Fine I’ll prove it.”

  “Oh don’t be mad.”

  She smiled. “I’m not, but you’ll still see. One of your friends will make a comment about my size I bet. Hell, they all might.”

  “Let’s go my fierce little mate. Mom and dad will want to suffocate you with love and welcome you to the family.”

  For a few seconds she froze. “You won’t tell them—”

  “No that’s your past. I won’t tell a soul. You talk about it to whoever you want, or not.”

  “Thank you.” She wrapped her small hand around his forearm, and he led her out of the bedroom. The house felt different. More alive now. It was even brighter with her there. She already changed him. He didn’t feel so gloomy anymore. He also knew what Pyra meant when he had said, “One day you’ll know Gyyx and you won’t doubt why I’ve changed. When you meet yours you’d be willing to change anything.”

  All it took was meeting his mate. Every ounce of insecurity he felt all but disappeared. He’d never need to over shadow Pyra. He’d never feel like he was less because he was the youngest again.

  When he stepped outside with his mate close, he stayed alert. There hadn’t been any attacks in a week, but no one knew when they would start again. Every day without an attack was a blessing, but all of the warriors were all tense and on edge waiting for their peace to end.

  He led her down the stairs and walked towards his parents. Pyra was the first to stop them.

  “Well hello little one! It’s great to see you awake.” His brother had no idea and he chuckled.

  She tensed digging her nails into his arm and then she shocked him.

  Her smile widened. “I’ll let that go since you’re my new brother, but please keep in mind that powerful things come in small packages, and I’d be careful on what you imply about me.”

  Pyra’s eyes went wide. He was tall, even taller than Gyyx and he laughed. “Is she for real?”

  “I’d be careful, she’s fierce and not at all delicate,” Gyyx said with humor.

  “Oh well, you’re my new sister. I think a nickname is necessary right? Isn’t that what humans do to show affection?” He was seriously trying to be nice.

  She relaxed realizing he hadn’t meant to offend her. Of course she was small compared to him. Everyone was.

  “Oh well okay. I guess I can deal with that. Plus you’re a freakin’ giant, and I don’t think anyone is bigger than you.”

  Pyra laughed and yanked her from me lifting her off of the ground and hugging her tightly. “Welcome to the family, little one.”

  She gasped at his strength and he let her go. “My god you’re a freakin beast.” Then she seemed to remember what he said. “And thank you.”

  The whole way everyone stopped them and welcomed her to the family. He felt her emotions swell by the time they got to his parents’ house she was close to crying again.

  “So many nice people. They all accept me because of you? It’s strange.”

  “We are one giant family.”

  “Apparently.”

  He led them up the stairs and the door swung open before he’d even had a chance to knock. His father knew everything.

  Chapter 9

  I stared at the man who was an older version of my mate. Even Pyra didn’t look as much like the king as Gyyx did. It was crazy.

  The man smiled and his teeth glistened in the sun. Automatically I felt a calm override my nerves. He pulled me from his son’s arms and wrapped his around me. My head came up to right below his pecks, and I found myself burying my head into him taking in his comfort. The comfort of a father. The dam broke and I sobbed against him. I didn’t know why, but I wasn’t able to stop it.

  No one said anything and he patted my hair soothingly and let me cry. After several minutes I pulled myself together and blushed when I pulled back. “I’m so sorry. You are just very comforting.”

  The man laughed and shook his head with a light in his bright orange eyes. “Oh my new daughter. It’s a great day for new family members. I am happy both of my sons have found their other halves.”

  I stepped back, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me inside leading me through a giant foyer and into a dining room that rivaled anything I had seen during my time with Bill. He was the rich man that liked to have me hanging from his arm. He was older, fat, but incredibly wealthy. He paid well too. But even his giant house and dining room didn’t compare to the immaculacy to this place. It wasn’t even over decorating and it didn’t scream wealthy.

  He led me and Gyyx to the table. “Sit, food will be served, Thiea will be here shortly. She is so excited to meet you—”

  “Leia.”

  “Leia, what a pretty name.”

  “Thank you.” The men were all charmers; all three of them. It was strange but you could tell they were the royalty. There was just something about the air t
hat surrounded them.

  Thiea came down the stairs wearing a long silk dress and her orange eyes shined brightly. Her white hair was curled and pulled from her face. Her face was long and fierce. Even though she looked sweet, I knew inside she was an independent woman. She could hold her own.

  She smiled and floated to me. Yes, I didn’t even see her feet touch the ground. She pulled me from Gyyx and hugged me. “Oh my you’re so beautiful my dear. I’m so glad you’re awake. My poor boy was a wreck.”

  “Mom,” Gyyx said and I could hear the embarrassment in his tone.

  “Oh stop, she knows you were hurting for her, don’t you?”

  I nodded. “I was aware. So I got to know you all pretty much. Well everyone who was around a lot. It’s quiet strange.”

  “Oh I imagine. Now we must feed you and put some meat on those bones of yours.”

  “Mom.”

  I turned and laid my hand on his arm. “It’s fine. She’s right. I could gain some weight.”

  He wasn’t happy when his parents carted me off taking over. Every time I looked at him he was pouting. I found it incredibly adorable. I knew he wanted me to himself, but alone with him meant either sex or him digging deeper into my past wanting to get to know me, and for a while I just wanted to forget everything. I knew the time when I was questioned about my time with the monsters would be coming shortly, and I wanted to enjoy his family before they bombarded me, asking me questions. Some of which I wouldn’t even know how to answer.

  Several hours later Gyyx sat next to me and sighed. “Sorry, they’re excited.”

  “It’s okay. I like that your parents want to know me. I’ve always wanted a big family.”

  He chuckled. “Well Sweetheart, now you’ve got one. They won’t let you go now.”

  I smiled. For the first time I felt settled. I didn’t feel the urge to get high or find some random man to sleep with. I had everything I needed and my heart would eventually heal.

  “Good,” I said.

  His mother peppered me with questions, and none of them were all that hard to answer. She seemed to know that there were topics that were off limits. I wasn’t sure how, but she was very intuitive.

  “So you were supposed to be our first exchange student?”

  “Yes, I was on my way here when the ship was attacked. I don’t remember much about what or how it happened though.”

  “And then they kept you?”

  “Yes.”

  She waved her hand at her husband. “Now’s not the time. We can figure it out later. Now we just have to thank the Goddesses she made it out alive and in one piece. You’re one tough woman.”

  “Finally, someone sees it,” I said and winked at Gyyx. He laughed and shook his head.

  His mother smiled at me and patted my hand. The warmth from her reminded me of the one I had lost and never mourned. It was nice to be around a woman like her. I found I liked where I was very much.

  (To be Continued in Part VI… )

  Book 6 – Loved by Alien Prince

  Chapter 1

  One week. That’s how long it had been since I had woken up and still I hadn’t done anything. Gyyx kept trying to pamper me. He wouldn’t let anyone question me about the Klimnu, and I was grateful but a day before there was an attack again. The warriors were all on high alert looking for Ullie knowing he was with the enemy now. He knew inside secrets and had access to the compound. It was time to tell them my story even though it wasn’t going to be fun. A lot of truth was going to come out, but they deserved to know anything I was able to tell them.

  I sighed and ran my hand over his bare chest. He smiled and his eyes cracked opened.

  “Good morning, beautiful.”

  “Morning.” I rolled over and kissed him. When he tried deepening the kiss I pulled away shaking my head. “Nope, not today, buddy. I’m going to tell everyone what happened to me. It’s time I meet your family and everyone else. I’ve been here a week now, and they’re all worried especially now that there has been an attack. You know that. You’re a warrior too.”

  He sighed and nodded. “I know it’s time, I was thoroughly enjoying not having to worry, but that little prick is going to pay for switching sides. Why the hell would he do that? He’s a fucking warrior for god’s sake.”

  “Some people do bad things because they feel like they don’t have a choice.”

  He glared but even though I didn’t agree with what Ullie did I got it. I had made a lot of my own bad choices.

  “You can’t think that the things you did are as bad as what Ullie did?”

  “Just because I’m your mate doesn’t make my past squeaky clean, Gyyx. What if he was forced?”

  He rolled his eyes. “It didn't’ seem that way from what Elaina said. She was there when he would have handed them over to the Klimnu. Ero was knocked out. So clearly I’m right.”

  I laughed. “I’m not saying I think he is innocent. Sometimes things aren’t as they appear to be though.”

  “Okay, okay, let’s not fight. You need to get dressed if we are going to have breakfast with everyone.”

  I nodded and gulped. It was the day they were all going to learn of my captivity. I wasn’t even sure if my story would help them, but I was determined to finally do some good in my life. Maybe it would help make up for all the bad I had done so early in my life. I could only hope it would redeem me.

  I climbed out of bed and picked the least sexy outfit the girls had given me and cleaned up. When I was done I brushed my long hair and did a side braid. My bangs needed trimming.

  “Hey babe, do you have any sharp scissors?”

  He smirked at me. I blushed realizing it was the first time I had called him anything other than his name.

  “What for?”

  “I need to cut my bangs; they’re too long.”

  He paused as if thinking and nodded. “Yeah, I’ll get them.”

  “Thank you.”

  No more than two minutes later I held a very sharp pair of shears. Carefully I began to cut some of the length off. My tongue peeked out and pressed on my upper lip as I concentrated to get them even. My hand shook as I trimmed away the long hair.

  By the time I was done, I realized I was pretty good. Besides the shaking hand due to the sears being pretty heavy and I had small hands, I did damn good. I was definitely out of practice. Captivity pretty much made me lose a part of myself.

  Now it was time to take that part of me back. Erase the past and finally move forward with my mate. Life would be so much brighter. I knew I could really fit in this world.

  Gyyx stuck his head in the bathroom. “You ready? I’m starving.”

  I chuckled. “You’re always starving, but yeah I’m done.”

  “You look beautiful.”

  Hearing those words from someone who actually meant it took some getting used to. I didn’t say anything, but I couldn’t hold back the smile. Each day it got easier to hear him compliment me.

  I followed him outside. It always seemed to be bright and sunny. The sky was always clear with no clouds. I was beginning to wonder if there was any different kind of weather. I wondered if it rained or snowed. Were there ever any gloomy days?

  I held his hand as he led us to the eating hall. It was the place where they held meetings and had their community dinners, which was often. They were a very close knit species. At least the ones here. Gyyx had told me about the others. They were all segregated to family lines or whatever. His parents and the warriors kept in contact, but once the Klimnu starting attacking the other groups of Denynso locked up their compounds tight and didn’t let anyone in and a select few were allowed out to get supplies. Otherwise they lived behind their walls. It was a shame because if they would all work together they would be more powerful than their enemies.

  A tall man stood beside me out of nowhere, and I jumped. He was actually shorter than all of the other warriors and not as bulky. He looked more human. He didn�
�t have a Mohawk, and he didn’t have white hair. He had dark brown hair and eyes that matched. The dark orbs held such sorrow. And then he spoke. “Damn you’re fucking tiny. I bet Gyyx could tear you in two.”

  My eyes widened. “Wow, you’re really going to go there the first time we meet?”

  Gyyx slammed into him throwing him to the ground. “Don’t fucking talk to her like that, asshole!”

  The man groaned and jumped to his feet and rubbed his back. “It was a joke damn.” Then he looked at me. “Sorry, I’m Ero and you must be Leia.”

  I frowned. His smile was fake. Anyone could see this guy was miserable, and I had a feeling I knew why. He didn’t resemble any of the Denynso I had seen yet. “Yes I’m Leia, and for the record Gyyx didn’t need to defend my honor.” I hated that he felt like he had to run to my defense. I could have easily taken Ero down myself.

  Ero smirked and nodded when he moved forward he cringed and tried to cover it up. But I was an artist. I spotted things like discomfort and insecurities a mile away. He was an artist’s dream for drawing. His eyes alone were enough to make any one of us want to do a happy dance. Not because we thought it was funny but because no one couldn’t fake that kind of emotion.

  Chapter 2

  As soon as we entered the large room the voices stopped. Every single person in the room stopped to stare at me. I felt like some sort of circus freak. They had all been trying to get Gyyx to let me out of his cabin, but he refused. It was our “honeymoon” he had said. He wanted me to himself for at least a few days. Then there was an attack and now it was time to get back to the real world.

  I didn’t know what that meant for me anymore. I hadn’t done anything artistic since before, and I was itching to draw something—anything. I didn’t have any materials or anything though. I hadn’t wanted to ask because I thoroughly loved getting to know him. He was an amazing man, and I was madly in love with him—not that I’d said it yet. It was too soon.