Ursus Borealis: Book One

by D. L. Lewellyn

It was truly an extraordinary space, primarily modern in line with the rest of the house, but with a few gothic touches that simultaneously added an exotic air while making it cozy. I was not sure how Andras had achieved that, but it was clever.

  The center of the room was open to both floors and the roof was a series of skylights that let the natural light shine on the terrarium of plants in the center without being directed to the books, some of which were incredibly old.

  The only feature besides two tall stained-glass windows to break up the walls of books was the gigantic fireplace, and this and the windows provided the gothic features that gave the space its cozy, tranquil atmosphere.

  The fireplace was so large you could walk into it upright. It was topped by a heavy solid oak mantel, carved with symbols that made me curious about what they represented. It matched the wood in the columns around the four corners of the room as well as the stairs curving up to the mezzanine floor. The mezzanine allowed access to the top floor of books and wrapped around the entire circumference.

  After taking my time exploring every corner, I found a book about the history of the shifter kingdoms. There were other books about other supernatural beings, which I was extremely excited to devour, but obviously I would start with this one.

  Tucking myself into one of several comfy sofas grouped around the fireplace, I settled in for the afternoon and lost myself in the book.

  The alpha hierarchy and how the packs were organized was fascinating and my attention was captured, especially at the part about the mate bond, something about communicating without speaking and marking each other.

  Ryan came to find me for dinner, and I closed the old book gently as a shiver of anticipation rolled through me at discovering the mysteries of Andras’s world. I followed Ryan to the kitchen.

  Spotting Andras on the patio grilling steaks and potatoes in their sleeves engendered such happiness that it caused me to stop at the doorway to take it all in. Colin was reaching into the broiler and pulled out heavenly smelling garlic bread, then set it on the cutting board.

  Next, he pulled a salad from the fridge and tossed it, bringing it to the table. After washing my hands, I loaded up a basket with the bread and brought it also to the table.

  Taking in the sight of these big men working happily on our meal, and reconciling Andras standing over the barbecue with a spatula in his hand with the giant bear he had become last night, it occurred to me that Collin and Ryan were also likely bear shifters, if Collin’s tattoos were anything to go by.

  Yet here we were, getting ready to gather around the table for a meal like any other family in any human household. Family.

  Andras looked over the grill at me and smiled, and I wondered whether I would ever get used to the jolt that went through me whenever his chestnut eyes met mine.

  When we were all settled at the table, our plates loaded, Ryan took it upon himself to be the entertainer and again told stories about his big “brothers” that were highly amusing. He was a good storyteller.

  After hearing Andras refer to Colin as Kit a few times, I asked him about the nickname, grinning at Colin when the tops of his ears turned pink, an affect I was growing rather fond of as it was the only time his usually calm demeanor showed a crack.

  “Picture if you will, this giant of a man as a wee lad of eight,” Andras grinned when Colin’s ears turned even more red, “sitting in the middle of an old broken-down engine in dozens of pieces, after he had completely taken it apart.

  “And what was he using to perform his mechanical surgery? My new tools were spread out by his side, covered in grease just like the kid looking guiltily up at me.

  “When I asked him why he was not using his own tools, he told me that my kit was the best, and the nickname was born. Then it stuck after he proceeded to show me how to put the engine back together, and it worked perfectly. I gave him my tools that day and got myself another set.”

  Colin was looking at Andras fondly, then turned to me and said, “It’s still my favorite toolkit.”

  Ryan was looking back and forth at them, smiling hugely, and told me, “I have the replacement set. Andras has a hard time keeping a hold of his tools.”

  Smiling happily, I passed around the breadbasket after picking a generous slice for myself and asked Colin, “What animal do you shift into?” When he stilled, I said quickly, “Sorry if that was rude but I am so curious about all this and have been thinking you and Ryan might also be bears.”

  Colin smiled, “Of course it isn’t rude. You can ask me anything Selena and I will be happy to answer you if it is in my power to do so. I’ve just not had the occasion to explain my bear to humans much. Like never, really.

  “Both Ryan and I come from a long line of bears. We are distantly related to Andras, and both the Johns and the Danes share spirits with bears that stem from the species Ursus Arctos, the brown bear. But the Dane’s line originates in Scandinavia instead of Alaska.”

  “What do you mean by sharing spirits? Again, if it’s okay to ask.”

  Colin grinned at Andras. “You want to field that one, bro?”

  Andras ran his hand through his hair and looked thoughtful for a moment, then explained, “Remember when I told you that we have a dual nature, and are both animal and human and can physically change between both at will?” I nodded.

  “There is a little more to it than that. At puberty, all shifters become united with their animal spirit. It is only after that spiritual joining that the first physical change occurs, and it typically follows immediately, the whole process activated by the onset of the full moon.

  “It is a rite of passage. A local pack will have a ceremony for all the children who reach that point in their development. It’s a little harder to explain how our animals join with us except to say that it does depend heavily on the moon cycle and Earth’s energy fields.

  “Our animals are joined with us, but they are a separate entity that must have a say in how we make decisions about our lives. They can be a driving force in what motivates us as well as guiding us with a well-developed set of instincts, primal instincts.” And he winked at me, making me blush.

  “That sounds complicated. Is it hard to adjust? I’ve not sensed any conflict in any of you like the cursed werewolves of the movies. I’m going to take a stab and say that being an animal shifter is not at all like those legends depicted in literature, except maybe the part of the full moon.”

  The guys all chuckled at the notion of a curse and confirmed that was definitely not the case.

  Colin asked Ryan to add something since he was the one most recently joined with his bear. Ryan blushed for the first time since I had known him. But he turned to me happily to add, “Before it happens and you get to that age when you know all about what is supposed to happen but haven’t experienced it yet, it can be scary even while it’s exciting.

  “You kind of build it up more in your head, and I remember all kinds of anxiety eating at me, constantly worrying whether I could change, and how much it would hurt and if I could stand the pain.

  “But I had a few buddies, and even a girlfriend at the time that experienced it all with me. That helped. We had grown up together. When we participated in the ceremony, we were in a vast forest so we could run free till dawn as our animals. That was the best part, I think.”

  Convincing me of his maturity and intelligence even more, he continued, “The spiritual joining provided the appropriate level of respect and awe, so that we were ready for the physical manifestation to come next. Ready or not though, it was the most gods awful pain I have ever felt.

  “It can still be painful, but the more you change, the easier and faster it gets. It also takes practice and some time before adjusting to the new form that is so much bigger and stronger than the human one. But instincts take over pretty fast.”

  Colin slapped him on the back, “Thanks, bro. I enjoyed hearing that, it’s been a while for me.”

  Andras grinned, “Me too. The refresher was much
appreciated.”

  Ryan said lightly, nodding his head at them, “Always happy to help you both with your memories in your advanced years.” Ryan and I both laughed at the looks on their faces. Colin punched him on the arm.

  As he talked more about what it was like going to school with humans after he had experienced his change, I was busily drawing in my journal, grateful to Gemma for packing it for me as well as the baby blanket I was furiously trying to finish for Jean’s expected arrival.

  That had me thinking about what a little baby fairy would look like. I shook my head and focused on my drawing.

  Moving my hand around the paper, the contentment I had been feeling since walking in this kitchen settled over me. I missed my brother all the time, and Thomas’ absence still ate at my heart. But a new family seemed to be burgeoning around me.

  Eventually, Ryan asked me if he could see my drawing. Now it was my turn to blush. But, as I had just settled in my mind that these guys were my family, I decided to turn my sketchpad around to face them. My cheeks pleasantly warmed from their reactions.

  The illustration captured three magnificent bears from the neck up that I had infused with details to clearly indicate which one was which, even distinguishing eye color, fur texture and age. Each face was looking in a separate direction at something that interested that particular bear, but they were clearly united.

  Ryan looked at me in awe, “May I have it for myself Selena, for my room?”

  “Of course, Ryan. I’ll even frame it for you when I get back to my studio. Meanwhile,” and I gently pulled the page out, “you can have it loose. Be careful of smudging the charcoal.” He took it from me carefully and continued to stare at it, making me feel a pleasant twinge in my heart.

  When I looked at Andras, he was watching me in that focused way of his, tenderness in his eyes. I smiled warmly back, then bit my lip when his eyes turned heated.

  He took my charcoal smudged hand and turned it palm up, smoothing his thumb over the charcoal marks, then following the gesture with his warm lips. My entire body flooded with heat in response, a powerful reaction as if it had been waiting to be let loose like a floodgate.

  Andras reacted by standing and pulling on my hand. “Selena, may I walk you to your room?” His deep voice sent chills blasting through the heat, and a violent shiver overtook me.

  I was grateful when Colin cleared his throat, and said loudly, “Um. Ryan, let’s clear the table and get the kitchen cleaned up.”

  Chapter 31

  Selena

  “Gods, Selena, watching you become part of my family right before my eyes and then your sudden arousal, the smell of your desire just from me touching you…” Andras closed his eyes and growled as he opened them again. “No more waiting.”

  His eyes blazed with need as he swept me up after passing through my door, my clothes disappearing along the way to the bed. He laid me out on the covers.

  Hot eyes bored into mine after having roamed over every inch of my body. I sent my own heated look down the length of him, drinking him in, and gasped as my eyes landed on the bulge in his jeans.

  He peeled off his own clothes as I watched. I had only gotten glimpses before but could never have imagined such perfection, such proportions. This towering mass of muscles was mine, and my mouth went dry at the thought of it.

  My hands were drawn to his tattoo, and I discovered that it did indeed follow all the way down, even covering his gloriously muscled right cheek, then down his long leg. His skin responded deliciously to every trace of my fingers.

  My eyes found the scars I had felt before, and then picked out so many more, on his legs, his back, his torso, and I wondered at the life he had led that would carve out such marks of pain.

  But there was a part of him that took all my attention now, and I had to hold back a gasp. He was so large and magnificent. I stared in wonder, then looked at his face seeing the raw desire mixed with tenderness.

  I pulled him down, reveling in the burning heat of his skin as he covered me, needing to draw him closer and merge his heat into mine. “Andras,” I breathed. His lips found mine, his tongue delving in my mouth in a desperate need to taste me, and the guttural sound he made vibrated to my core.

  When he pulled back to look at me, he breathed, “My beautiful Selena. Tell me you want me, want this life, before I can’t stop what we have started.”

  “I want this life with you and all that it brings us so long as we’re together, so long as I have you.” He rained kisses over my face, my neck, down my collar bone, the tops of my breasts, my body arching into his kisses seeking each one in a demand of its own.

  He buried his face in my breasts, his hot tongue exploring them, nipping at them, sucking them until they were quivering with sensitivity, and the slightest touch now tugged at my core. When he was satisfied with his results, he blazed a path down the length of my body, stoking the fires deeper, my body becoming more ready than I had ever been before, for anyone.

  The sensations became stars flaring in my vision as I felt his tongue delve into me. As he explored between my quivering thighs, the nerves in my brain hummed, and the stars expanded into arcs of pleasure down to my toes. “Ah, Andras!” I writhed and bucked as my body started its surge to a powerful climax.

  But he pulled back before I could ride the wave fully, only to add his fingers to his exploration of my innermost parts. He picked up the rhythm again, and the stars burst free, and I felt like I was floating among them, gasping out his name again as I shuddered in my release.

  When he made his way back up, my hands could not explore him fast enough, moving over the hard planes of his chest, his abs, then around to his shoulders and back, and clutching the massive muscles of his butt, then they came back around to grasp his hard length.

  He hitched his breath as I stroked him, rubbing the tip, spreading his wetness with my thumb. “I don’t think I can wait any longer for more of you.”

  “I will give you everything, Selena.”

  He reached to the side table and grabbed a condom, and my eyes eagerly watched as he stretched it over his huge length, my nails raking over his buttocks, causing him to quiver.

  He kissed me hungrily and wrapped my thighs around his hips, plunging deeply. I gasped as ecstasy exploded in more stars around my vision, and he stilled to seat himself fully inside, the unbelievable fullness making tears squeeze from my eyes in pleasure. He tenderly kissed my face, then began moving slowly.

  As I moved against him, needing him deeper, our pace picked up and we matched in perfect rhythm. Our joining truly became as if we were one being, one soul.

  When I looked into his chestnut eyes and saw the brilliance there, dotted with green and gold flecks, flames licking in their depths, I knew that Andras’s bear was here with us. My bear. It peered out at me with its own longing, its own possession of my soul.

  I grasped his face and kissed him, never taking my eyes from his, as he continued his impassioned thrusts, reaching the deepest parts of me, his strong arms caging me in. We moaned together at the overwhelming flood of emotions.

  An electrical current surged between us deepening and sealing the connection between our bodies, until all at once I screamed his name into his shoulder, shuddering as if I would break apart.

  Andras swelled even more inside me and roared out his own release, his voice raw as he called out my name, his body quaking for what seemed an eternity, his hand stroking my hair, his lips pressed to my brow.

  When he stilled his shuddering, he wrapped his arms tightly around me and rolled us to our sides, keeping himself buried inside me and pulling me tighter, kissing my brow, my cheek, my chin, then he pressed his lips into mine, breathing me into him like he needed my essence inside him as much as he was still inside me.

  When our breathing was even, he pulled his face back and looked into my eyes, saying in his gravelly voice, “We are truly bonded Selena, at our very cores, deep down to our souls. You are mine.” He peered into my eyes and
said, “I sensed that you felt it too, sweetheart.”

  My tears had started spilling at the sound of wonder in his voice. “I did. It was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced. I am yours and you are mine, Andras. Your…Your bear was there with us too, wasn’t he?” He nodded, then kissed all my tears away and pulled me back to him, enveloping me once again.

  He tucked me under him and moved over me again, languidly this time, reaching deeper, until our bodies could not help but seek a faster pace to reach another unbelievably intense release, and we shuddered together once more.

  He pulled back looking at me with such tenderness, cupping my face, and said, “You are amazing.” He tucked me into him again as we lay listening to each other’s heartbeats.

  When they slowed and beat together evenly, he rumbled, “I am going to go start a bath for us, and I have a surprise being delivered soon.”

  While he was getting our bath ready, a knock sounded at the door, and Andras naked went to open it while I pulled the covers over me peeking around him at the open doorway.

  I did not see anyone, but when he turned, he had a tray with champagne on ice, two glasses and chocolate covered strawberries in a beautiful crystal bowl. “Wait there,” he said with a grin as he strode by.

  He returned and lifted me from the bed, gathering me to his chest, “I think I could be a happy man just ogling you in those rumpled sheets with your bedroom eyes watching my every move, but I am battling that desire with my primal need to care for you now.”

  When he carried me through the doorway, the smells of bath oils assaulted my senses through the warm misty steam. As he stepped over the edge carrying me into the swirling tub, I saw the tray with our goodies on a table.

  He pulled me into the jets with him, dragging me over his lap, and rained hot kisses over me, enough to make my toes curl.

  He lathered up a cloth, and I purred into his neck as he began bathing me. Phase two of our night of bonding had begun.

  Chapter 32

  Andras