14
Riley
She spun on her heels, running past the couch, down the hall, and tore open the front door. The tears streamed down her face. She raced past the car and climbed through the extended branches on the edge of the driveway, deep in the woods. She picked herself up when she stumbled over a root. Over jagged rocks and down the slippery moss-covered path she ran. Her gut hollow from his words. Her heart aching. Her head searing.
She collapsed on a rock, the sobs wracking her body. “How could he?” she cried. She looked up to see the lake sparkling under the moon. She had run to Hudson’s secret fishing spot.
She pulled her knees to her chest and for a moment looked down at her stomach. Could it be? Could she already be carrying his cubs? She instinctively rubbed her hand over her shirt, and felt a certain warmth spread through her. She smiled amidst the tears and confusion. Through the pain, she pressed against her stomach. Did this really happen?
She had never met a man like Hudson. Never had someone’s energy so directly affected her. Pulling her in, seducing her with sounds and scents. Even when he urged her to leave she couldn’t. Even when she was furious at him and was ready to drive away, she couldn’t. There was more to him than human words could explain.
She looked at the moon above. Was there an answer in any of this confusion that would make sense?
She heard the leaves rustle behind her and whipped her head around, expecting to see Hudson. Of course he would have followed her. He would want to explain more. Try to convince her to give him a chance.
But it wasn’t him. She saw green eyes glowing beneath the limbs and the low growl of a dog. She backed off the rock. Holy shit.
The animal crept forward from the recesses of the forest, licking its lips, pointing its sharp nose at her.
“Nice, wolf,” she stammered. “Nice, wolf.” She felt the edge of the banks, wetting the hem of her jeans. There was no where to go but into the lake. She took another step, the water now at her knees.
The wolf didn’t seem deterred. It pounced forward, splashing the water only a foot in front of her.
Riley screamed, her voice piercing the silent night. There was nothing to grab. No sticks. No loose rocks. It was only her and a hungry wolf.
Just as he bared his teeth again, she heard a roar echo through the trees. She searched in the dark, but the path was still. The wolf flipped in the direction of the trail, ready to fight, when a brown bear emerged, teeth gleaming in the moonlight, claws extended. He reared to a standing position, his chest barreled and massive.
The wolf lunged forward, taking the bear’s fur between its teeth. The bear rolled on its back, shoving the wolf to the ground with a thud. They stood, growling and facing each other with hatred in their eyes.
Riley stared in amazement as they continued to fight. The wolf pouncing and taking bites at the bear, while the bear would swat and slice the wolf with his vicious claws.
Her heart beat rapidly as she watched the battle. She didn’t believe the magic. It couldn’t be real, but as she watched the two animals, she knew she was watching Hudson defend her with his life. There was no doubt he was the man beneath the furry exterior. The man was there beneath the layers, fighting for her with all his strength.
She sank into the lake, the water rising to her hips. There was nowhere else to go. If she walked to the shore, she could get caught in the blades of their battle.
The wolf sank his teeth into the bear’s arm, and Hudson let out a roar. He threw off the attack, sending the wolf into the lake. Riley expected him to get out and attack once more, but the wolf floated to the surface, his eyes meeting hers. He had a new target.
With speed and accuracy, he began swimming toward her. Her eyes grew wide. He was headed for her, and the water was rising around her chest. She began to tread water, but she was no match for the wolf’s quickness.
Just as the tip of his nose reached her chest, his mouth opened and he snatched at her, ripping her shirt. Riley screamed, closing her eyes. He was about to take another bite, when the wolf squealed. He was being pulled under.
Riley swam farther away, watching the bear wrestle the wolf under water, holding it’s snatching jaws below the surface. Within a few minutes the struggle stopped.
She didn’t know whether to call out or whether to stay silent.
The bear swam toward her. She screamed as he gently circled his paws around her wrists, drawing them over his back. Her throat tightened, but as he pressed her close to his chest she felt the fear wash away. She clung to his neck as he swam to shore. Against his fur and massive body she felt safe. There was warmth in his arms.
She searched his eyes for something familiar. Something that was undeniably Hudson. The dark pools of brown glanced at her before he settled her bottom on a rock. She saw it. The strength of his soul speaking to her through the same eyes that had pierced her heart in Hudson’s bed. The man was there too.
He swam back to the center of the lake where he dragged the limp body of the wolf back to shore.
Riley watched in silence as he heaved the dead wolf over his shoulder and disappeared onto one of the trails. She began to shake, the coldness of her wet clothes invading what little warmth was in her body. Her teeth chattered and the goose bumps covered every inch of her flesh.
She tried to think of warm things. The fire back at Highland House. The heat in the sheets of Hudson’s bed. The way the glass of wine warmed her veins. How Hudson’s fingers fired flames between her legs. The sun against her face. She felt her body giving in to the cold. Her eyes began to close.
15
Riley
She didn’t know how long she sat shivering before she heard the crunch of leaves behind her.
“Shh. Shh.” Warm arms wrapped around her. Warm, strong, human arms. “Are you ok? Did he hurt you?”
Hudson gathered her against his chest, but his hands canvassed her body, looking for cuts or bites.
“N-n-no. He tried.” She rested her head against his chest. His hand cradled her cheek.
“Thank God. I should have been here. I was trying to give you space.” He rocked her against him. “I was trying to let you sort things out.”
Riley sat forward, realizing Hudson was naked. “Where are your clothes?”
He shrugged. “Shifter hazard. I heard you scream and I transformed. My clothes are somewhere shredded in the driveway. I ran as fast as I could. I never should have let you in the woods with a wolf shifter in the area. It’s my fault.”
“What do you mean a wolf shifter?”
“Another shifter pack. I smelled it last night, but thought maybe it was only a drifter passing through. Now I’m not so sure. He attacked you. God, I’m sorry, Riley.”
“That was a shifter?” Her head swam with the information. It was a man trying to bite her, not an animal of the woods. Another being like Hudson.
Hudson ran his hand over the top of her head. “I knew him. His pack will discover his body in the morning. I’m afraid there might be a war brewing.”
The shaking quaked through her muscles. The fear, the cold, it was deeply rooted in her veins, making everything feel icy.
“You’re freezing, Riley.” He hugged her closer. “Come on.”
Before she could protest, he lifted her in his arms and carried her along the trail. He carried her in silence, and she rested her head in the warmth of his hairy chest. Her hands traced the lines at the base of his throat. It seemed to steady her, touching him lightly and repeatedly.
Hudson kicked the front door open and deposited her on the couch. She didn’t argue when he began to peel the wet clothes from her body. It occurred to her she was so cold her vocal chords may be frozen. She couldn’t utter a word.
He stoked the fire, tossing more logs in the great fireplace. Her turned toward her and wrapped a quilt around her shoulders. The shivering rattled her teeth and her eyes. She couldn’t stop.
Hudson’s eyes darted back and forth in panic. “You’re in
shock. Riley, hold on.” He lifted the quilt and laid himself behind her, coaxing her frigid limbs against his heated frame. His hands rubbed her legs, her arms, her back. He took her hands between his, pressing and squeezing before he massaged her shoulders and neck.
Slowly, Riley felt her limbs tingling with life. The heat from Hudson’s chest, warming her back. His hands pressing warmth into her skin wherever he touched.
He swept the damp hair from her neck and kissed below her ear.
“I thought I had lost you.” The anguish filled his voice.
“I don’t know, Hudson,” she whispered. “Nothing makes sense.”
“I will protect you. I will take care of you. Don’t you see that?” His arms gripped tighter around her waist, and she felt it, the shield of warmth encasing her like a cocoon.
She nodded. “I’m scared, but not of you.” And it was true. This man wouldn’t hurt her.
“I know. It’s why I fought my nature for so long. But now that I have you I can’t lose you.” He sighed.
“When I saw the wolf I thought he was going to kill me.” She fought the tears stinging the corners of her eyes. “I didn’t want to die. I didn’t want to leave you. It was all I could think about—the pain of being ripped away from you, Hudson.” She let the tears fall.
“Shh. Shh. You’re where you belong now,” he soothed. “I won’t let you out of my arms.”
He breathed a deep breath across her back, and her skin prickled. She felt the want for him spring to life. If she didn’t have him inside her would die on this couch. She turned to face him, her body twisting against his. The fire popped and they both jumped.
“I’ll keep you safe. I won’t let anything happen to you.” His hand ran to her stomach. “Or them.”
Her eyes flashed to his. “Is this for real?” Everything had felt like a dream, but her body was alive like it had never been. It was pulsing with current. Surging with life.
His hand moved below her belly button, edging over her soft skin. His hand spread her legs, sliding between the sweet, slick folds. She opened for him, moaning as he toyed with her entrance.
“Does it feel real?” One finger slid inside her.
“Ohh,” she sighed. Her eyes locked on his, her hips rocking against the pressure building inside her. “But how can it happen so fast? It’s impossible.” There was no way this had happened, although she could feel the new energy in her body.
His teeth raked against her throat, dropping to a nipple. He clamped around the perked nub.
“It’s the shifter magic. It’s strong.” His tongue swirled over the skin. “I claimed you. There’s a chance I might need to do it again.” His eyebrows rose. “Just to make sure. But if you need to rest I can let you sleep.” He flicked his tongue over her breast, pulling it deeper in his mouth.
Riley moaned against the warmth.
“I don’t think I can wait though,” he growled. “I need to claim you now.”
Riley nodded eagerly. She wanted him inside her, warming her from the cold of the night, washing away the chill of the lake, erasing the fear of the wolf shifter. Hudson’s hardness could penetrate through all that. She needed it like the fire in the fireplace warming her flesh.
She gazed at him, as she opened her legs. Her hand found his throbbing cock under the quilt and she guided him toward her, rubbing it with gentle strokes.
“This is what you want, isn’t it?” he asked, brushing his lips over hers.
“I want you. I want your bear. I want your cubs.” She smiled. She nestled the tip against her entrance, letting him feel her glorious wetness drenching him with heat.
“Oh fuck, Riley.” He plunged deep inside her, bowing her off the couch. She writhed against him, forcing him tight against her chest.
She pulled his mouth against hers, dragging her tongue over his lips. “I know you’ll take care of us.”
His rhythm picked up as she widened her legs, allowing him to hit her deeper.
“Like that, baby. Yes.” She clawed at his back. The heat and the warmth overwhelmed her. She felt the waves of pleasure, knowing she was in the safety of his arms. Encased in the protection of his body meant only for her.
They clung to each other, spiraling in the friction of their bodies. Kissing, licking, sucking until their flesh was red and raw from each other’s touches. And when they finished, they paused for only seconds before claiming each other again. She didn’t know her body was made for only one man until now. For Hudson. For her mate. Her bear.
Riley looked up from the floor at the couch. “When did we end up down here?” She laughed.
Hudson moved his leg from under her. “I think the third or fourth time, maybe?”
He kissed her forehead.
“Was that time more bear or more writer?” she teased. She liked that he had both sides. The animal took her like he wanted. The man was sexy and gentle. How had she lucked out with a man who could give her everything she wanted?
“Oh, you don’t remember either, do you?” He slapped her on her bottom, his hand stopping to cup her flesh.
She sat up on her elbows. Somewhere in the distance she thought she heard her phone ring. “Oh, shit.” She scrambled out from under Hudson’s naked limbs.
“What’s wrong?” He looked startled.
“I’m sure it’s my boss. I was supposed to call in with a report on our progress. I haven’t exactly kept her up to date. I don’t even know what day it is anymore.”
Hudson pulled her back against his chest. “And you’re going to give her a report on this?”
Riley squealed. “No. Are you crazy?” She wriggled free and ran to her messenger bag, scrambling for the phone. “Hey, Helen. Yep. It’s going great. Mmmhmm. Yes. Yes. I will. Mmmhmm. It’s right on schedule.” She hung up, stuffing the phone back in the bag.
“That was quick.” Hudson grinned.
“She asked if we were almost finished. And I told her yes.”
“You did what?” His eyes widened in surprise.
She laughed. “I need book four, mister.” She poked her finger into the center of his chest, landing on a solid wall of muscle.
“You really expect me to finish a book when we have wolf shifters in the area? Not to mention I need to take care of you.”
Riley huffed. “I’m perfectly fine. I’m not the first woman to be pregnant.” She chewed on her lip. That hadn’t really sunk in yet. She wasn’t carrying humans. They were shifters like their father.
There were a million questions. Like would they be born little bears, or did that happen later in life? Would she be able to physically manage the pregnancy? How many of the cubs were there?
Her face went white.
“Riley? What can I get you? Did I hurt you?” Hudson’s voice was soft, his hand stroking her shoulder.
She shook her head. “Is there a book on how to expect cubs?” She looked in his eyes.
He chuckled. “You’re going to be fine. I’ll take care of you. We’ll stay here until the cubs are born.”
“I have a job, Hudson. I have a life in Atlanta. That doesn’t just go poof because you claimed me.” Her voice was firm.
This man might be her mate. He might be her forever, but it didn’t mean she was suddenly giving up everything she had worked for. Shifter or not, she was still human. At least she thought she was.
“I’m not letting you out of my sight. I took a chance I shouldn’t have tonight and someone from the pack almost killed you.” He shook his head. “No. You are safe here. I’ll call my brothers in the morning and we’ll figure out what’s happening with the pack. Striker and Crawford might know something.”
“I have a job. You have a book. What about that?”
For a second she could let herself be lulled into the idea of living here in the cabin, making love to Hudson every day, raising his family. But she knew he had a life in New York. There were serious details they had to consider.
“Sometimes you’re just too damn practical,” he
growled. He nipped at her shoulder. “Together. We’ll figure it out together. And I will finish the book. I promise.”
She smiled. “Tomorrow?”
His finger trailed along her throat. He lowered his head to kiss her collarbone. “Yes, tomorrow. My night is already booked.”
She let him push her back to the floor as his mouth took control. “As long as you mean it, Hudson,” she breathed. Her body was already aching for him again. Being a bear’s mate was incredibly electric. Her sexuality had never been so alive.
He kissed her, his lips firm and warm against her skin. “You’re my mate now, Riley. I mean every word I say to you.”
She sighed as the words whispered over her flesh.
“Now,” he looked at her. “What do you want this time. Bear or writer?”
She grinned. “Bear. Definitely your bear.”
“You’ve got it, baby.” He growled as he pulled her under him, ready to claim her, love her, like Hudson Highland’s mate should be loved.
* * *
Ready for Crawford Highland’s story? Start The Steel Bear now. Keep reading for a sneak peek!
You can catch Striker Highland’s story in Bear Exposure.
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Crawford
Crawford’s hand reached across his shoulder, gripping the firm muscles in his palm. The pain ran from his neck down his back. He couldn’t stand over these blueprints any longer. He massaged the mass of muscle, knowing it was futile. He needed a hot shower and a cold beer. He straightened his neck, widening his chest. The office was dark. He looked up, the lights of the Seattle skyline twinkling around him.
The Write Bear (Highland Brothers 1) Page 7