by Zoe Chant
“No,” Sidney said quickly, and then bent down to press a tender kiss to his lips. “That’s sweet. I mean, I imagine that’s sweet, coming from a bear! But I don’t want you to fight anyone anymore. Especially not the bridegroom before the wedding!”
Kayden gave her a little grin. “That would go over worse than a thunderstorm during the reception, huh?”
Sidney laughed. “Exactly. So don’t challenge anyone. I’m sure Chris will see reason. And if he doesn’t—I think I could be very happy with a house outside town. As long as you’re there with me.”
“I’ll build it with my own hands for you,” Kayden said promptly. “A palace. With a huge patio. An orchard. And—”
Tenderly, Sidney covered his lips with her fingers. “A sturdy bed will do, I think,” she whispered.
Now Kayden’s grin turned decidedly more wicked.
“Is that so?” he purred.
His hands slipped beneath the silken negligee Sidney had worn as she watched him sleep. She’d bought it on a whim one day when she had visited her sister in the city. She’d felt embarrassed ever since, because who did she have to wear such a thing for? But now she was glad she’d found it in her drawer.
The silk was white, with pink cherry blossoms embroidered on it. It clung to her curves, drawing attention to her generous breasts that strained against the fabric. As Kayden’s hands drew upwards she smiled, feeling like a goddess when he groaned with appreciation and leaned forward to mouth at one of her nipples through the silk.
A gasp escaped her at the touch. Her nipple tightened at the sensation, and arousal singed along her nerves, as hot and as blinding as lightning.
“Your wounds,” she said in breathless protest.
Kayden’s teeth rasped gently against her taut nipple, sending a new wave of arousal through her.
“As good as healed,” he murmured, and then looked up at her with a blinding grin. “Want me to prove it to you?”
“It’ll take a lot to convince me,” she teased, then giggled in surprise when Kayden’s hands clasped her waist.
As easy as that, Kayden rolled them over to smirk down at her. He’d been naked beneath the covers. Now he’d come to rest between her thighs, and she could feel how hard he was already.
She moaned in approval when Kayden’s fingers slipped beneath the negligee once more. Slowly, he drew it upwards so that she gasped at the sensation of the silk dragging across her sensitive skin. It felt like she was on fire. Between her legs, she pulsed with need and readiness for him; she was wet, and the feeling of his iron-hard erection brushing against her thigh made everything inside her clench with hunger for him.
“Is this what it means to be a shifter?” she managed to gasp. “Everything is so... intense with you!”
His laugh was low and pleased. “That’s because you’re my mate. No one else will ever know me as well as you do. And I... I want to protect you. Pleasure you. Spend every single day with you because you drive me crazy.”
She shuddered at his words, more wetness dripping from her folds.
“I never knew that bears were such romantics,” she managed to tease back, although her voice was already breathless with desire.
Kayden laughed again, his eyes darkening with his answering need for her. “Want me to teach you what it’s like to be a bear?”
She’d tidied the room while Kayden had slept. She’d piled his clothes onto a chair near her bed. Now, Kayden leaned over, and with a thoughtful look, he drew a silken tie from the pile.
“You trust me?” he asked, his eyes intense.
“With everything I am,” she breathed back, swallowing as she stared at him.
His powerful body gleamed in the light of the morning sun. The red welts that were all that remained from the deep wounds gave him an air of roguish danger. There was a shadow of stubble at his chin, as he hadn’t shaved yet, and she released another shuddering breath of want.
Kayden crawled over her with another small smirk. “Feathers and blindfolds, you said last time. Think you can do without the feathers?”
“I’m sure you can make up for those in other ways,” she managed to reply, struggling to speak when the desire within her seemed to rise to ever greater heights.
He kissed her gently. Then he wound the tie around her head like a blindfold, tying it carefully in place.
“The thing about being a bear shifter,” he said, his voice dark, his breath ghosting across her lips, “is that we are made for surviving in the forest. Which means that our bear’s senses are so much stronger than human senses.”
She shivered, every nerve in her body aflame. The low sound of his voice seemed to echo deep within her body. The heat of his breath on her skin made her want to arch into his touch. She couldn’t see him—but she knew exactly where he was.
Every sensation seemed amplified a hundred times, now that sight had been taken from her for the moment. But she wasn’t afraid. Her other senses seemed to make up for the loss. And when his hand trailed downward again, she spread her thighs eagerly, every brush of his fingers against her sensitive skin sending an electric sizzle through her.
“Can you feel it?” he murmured. “You can’t see me, but—”
“I can hear you,” she gasped, trembling when his lips brushed the inside of a thigh. “I can feel you. I can—oh!”
Her folds were drawn apart. His strong hands, which she’d seen turn into cruel paws, were unbearably gentle with her. His touch was careful, so careful that the need for more was nearly painful.
“That’s what it’s like to have the senses of a bear,” he whispered.
This time, the heat of his breath rushed over her clit. Helplessly, she arched up with a moan of need, everything inside her aching for him.
Then his tongue circled her clit. For a moment, it felt like she’d ceased to exist. All that was left was a burst of pleasure so intense that it overpowered every other sense. She was helpless, overwhelmed, trembling as he slid a finger inside her. His tongue kept teasing her swollen clit, again and again while she arched beneath him as the waves of a seemingly endless orgasm raced through her.
Gasping and out of breath, she finally felt her heartbeat calm after a moment. His finger slipped out of her. She could feel him move to rest next to her. Then he kissed her, lingering and gentle despite the large hardness that she could still feel pressing against her thigh.
Slowly, she drew off the blindfold. His eyes were watching her, alight with passion. With a smile she touched his cheek before she drew him into another kiss.
“Come on,” she whispered against his lips. “I want more of you. I want everything.”
“Everything I have to give is yours, my mate,” he said, his voice turning into a growl once more.
He moved over her, his gaze still holding hers. The brown of his eyes had turned to gold once more. It was as if she was looking right into his heart: she saw the brown of rugged tree trunks, the gold of amber, the power of something ancient and wild.
But he was not a feral beast. He was her Kayden, her mate—and everything that was still wild and dangerous in him would only ever rise up to protect her.
When he slid inside her, she gasped his name, her thighs coming up to clench around his hips in encouragement. He filled her with thrust after thrust, her inner walls clutching at him as he drove her crazy with the powerful rhythm. His gaze was still holding her own, the beautiful brown so dark with desire it seemed nearly black.
She drew her hands up his arms to his shoulders, feeling the strain of corded muscles and tendons beneath her fingers. Lightly, she dug her nails into his skin in encouragement, and he gave her another little growl. His thrusts sped up. Every motion of him inside her sent little ripples of mind-melting heat through her.
And then he tensed. All the muscles in his body seemed to tighten. His thrusts sped up as he groaned, burying his face against her shoulder. Together they cried out, completely one as their climax came crashing through them.
&nb
sp; Dimly, Sidney felt the pressure of his teeth and the heat of his mouth. It didn’t hurt—he was biting her in his passion, but it didn’t hurt at all. Instead, she seemed to float away on a cloud of pleasure, her body damp with perspiration and boneless in his embrace, pulses of ecstasy rolling through her again and again.
Finally, his teeth released her. He slipped out of her exhausted body, and she made a soft, content sound, immediately rolling over to nestle into his arms once more.
He pressed a kiss to where his teeth must have left a mark. At least she hoped that there’d be one. Even now, the thought brought a small pang of heat exploding in her belly.
“Sorry,” he murmured in apology.
“Is that what you do to your mate?” Sidney asked, stretching contentedly in his arms.
“Mm. I should have asked first...”
Sidney laughed softly, remembering the instinct that had made her want to dig her own nails in. “I didn’t ask either. But if it’s always going to be like this, I’m really looking forward to learning all there is to know about mates...”
“I think you’ve already mastered the most important part,” Kayden said, his voice a delicious rumble in his chest.
“I’ve always been a fast learner,” Sidney said and stretched smugly.
Bears. Who would have thought... No wonder Cleo and Eve kept it a secret!
Epilogue: Sidney
The day of the wedding had dawned without a single cloud in the sky to threaten all the careful plans. The meadow near the house where Chris and Eve lived was decorated with several pavilions and garlands of flowers. In the apple trees surrounding the meadow, fairy lights and paper lanterns had been hung to be lit once it got dark.
But for now, the sun was shining brilliantly. Sidney was fighting tears of pride and joy as she watched both her cousin and her best friend on this happiest day of their lives. Both were luminous, their eyes shining with light, and the crowed oohed and aahed at the first sight of the beautiful brides.
There was not even the smallest bit of jealousy in her as she watched Eve and Cleo walk to where their own shifter mates were waiting. Cleo had chosen a deceptively simple dress. It was made of ruched chiffon with a small train. The layers of white chiffon fell in carefully arranged folds around her body. As she moved, she looked like a movie star from an old film walking down the red carpet with the gorgeous, light-weight fabric floating around her beautiful curves.
Eve in turn looked like a princess. The dress she wore was made of gleaming satin. The fabric was simple and unembroidered, but there was nothing plain about her dress. A stunning, intricate lace studded with tiny gems that caught the light like little stars hugged her curves. With the contrasting simple, flared skirt, she drew all the eyes.
Both women were radiantly beautiful. Sidney, who’d promised herself that she wouldn’t cry and ruin her makeup, felt the first tear trail down her cheek before the officiant had even spoken the first sentence.
Every now and then, Sidney looked out at the crowd, catching the eye of Kayden, who’d been seated with her own family. Fortunately her Mom seemed to be just as affected by the sight as Sidney, and so Kayden’s only task was to helpfully keep holding out tissues.
How strange—everything has changed so quickly, Sidney thought as she watched the ceremony. There was so much more to life than she’d ever expected.
There were shifters, for one thing.
The peaceful, quiet little town that she loved so much had in truth been the home of two bear shifters. And now an entire new clan of bear shifters had moved in as well.
Kayden, Chris, and Steven had talked for nearly an entire day. Sidney still wasn’t entirely sure that she understood the finer points of shifter culture—but in the end, they’d all agreed that Kayden and his clan could stay. They’d settle in the forests to the south of Linden Creek, while other areas would remain the territory of Chris and Steven.
But who knows, sooner or later the clans might mingle all on their own, she thought as she watched the two bear brothers claim their brides and mates with a ring and a kiss.
The gathered families erupted in joyful cheers. Sidney thought of the bear cubs she’d seen playing in the forest, and the little secret a blushing Eve had whispered into her ear last night, swearing her to secrecy before she’d officially announce it.
Yes. There might soon be new bear cubs running through these woods. And maybe...
Maybe Chris and Eve’s cub won’t stay lonely for long.
She turned to give Kayden another smile. She’d always thought that children shouldn’t grow up alone...
“You look happy,” Kayden murmured as the crowd finally began to mingle, everyone trying to be the first to congratulate the newly-weds.
“That’s because I am.”
She didn’t resist when his arms wrapped around her. The kiss made her sigh, and when they parted, Sidney trailed a finger along his tie.
She smiled again. “I have everything I could possibly want. And you know what the best thing is? It might not be what other people think I should want—but it’s all I need to be truly happy.”
Kayden kissed her again, his lips warm against her own, his eyes filled with that determination she knew and loved.
“I can promise you one thing,” he whispered back. “No more midnight runs when I could be in bed with my irresistibly sexy mate instead.”
Sidney gave him a low laugh, blushing a little when her eyes fell onto the tie again.
She felt sexy indeed in her dress. It wasn’t one of the monstrous bridesmaid dresses that seemed designed to fit starving models. Instead, she was wearing a dress made from gorgeous, light-blue satin. It swirled around her legs when she moved as though she was a princess, with a bodice fitted so well to show off her own generous curves that she’d caught Kayden staring with dazed desire at her cleavage earlier.
She grinned a little, twirling for him so that the satin flared around her, and then stopped with her hand at her hip, giving him a cheeky look.
All of a sudden, cheering erupted behind them once more.
When she turned, she saw that a crowd had gathered around the two brides. Cleo and Eve were waving their bridal bouquets at the eager singles who’d formed a line not far from them.
Just a few weeks ago, I would have been among them. Jostling for a better place just in case, because I needed the luck.
Sidney turned and smiled at Kayden. No, she had no need now for bouquets to tell her that she might find love soon. Let one of the other girls catch it. She’d already caught a bear of her own.
Then Sidney’s eyes widened. There, behind the bushes, a stranger had appeared.
No, not a stranger, she thought when the man turned and golden-brown eyes met hers. They were solemn despite the beauty and joy of this day.
But he’d come. Logan, once known as Blood Claw, had come. Perhaps that was all that counted.
Logan made no move to join them. Even though he kept himself hidden, she could feel the pain and loneliness that surrounded him.
She should be angry with him. He’d attacked her mate. But somehow, she couldn’t bring herself to feel anything but compassion for someone who forced himself to keep apart even on his brothers’ wedding day.
Then giggling and whoops erupted when the two brides tossed their bouquets. Sidney turned again, eager to see if she knew the lucky singles who’d catch it—only to find that a sudden breeze must have sprung up.
One of the beautiful bouquets was carried away by it, sailing right over the outstretched hands of the waiting women. It would have hit Sidney straight in the face if she hadn’t raised her hands instinctively.
“Sidney! Congrats Sidney!” Cleo called out, beaming at her.
“Whoo! Sidney and Kayden!” Eve yelled with a wide grin. “Now kiss!”
The crowd joined in after a moment, and laughing, Sidney allowed Kayden to draw her into his arms to shield her from the teasing family members that began to crowd them.
“Co
me on, give the two some room! This isn’t Sidney’s wedding—yet,” her mother said with a smug look at Kayden.
Kayden smiled a little, keeping his arm wrapped around Sidney while the crowd began to swarm around the other lucky bridesmaid who’d managed to catch a bouquet.
“You know, I wasn’t sure when the best moment for this would be,” Kayden murmured. “I told you, there’s still parts of everyday human life I’m not quite up to date on. But among my clan, a clan meeting like this is the perfect moment for big decisions. And it seems that your own clan thinks the same.”
Kayden nodded at the bouquet that Sidney still held in her suddenly trembling hands. Then Kayden released her. From a pocket, he pulled a tiny box.
All of a sudden, Sidney could feel butterflies in her stomach again. She felt as dazed and as overwhelmed as when she’d seen him standing naked in her living room that first time.
Kayden went to his knee.
When he opened the box, rays of sunlight hit the diamond within, mounted on a band of gold. It sparkled in all the colors of a rainbow, more brilliant than anything Sidney had seen in her life.
She could not breathe through the tears of shock and joy that had sprung up all of a sudden—but she could understand Kayden perfectly.
“Be my mate,” Kayden said earnestly as he looked up at her with hope in his golden eyes. “Rule my clan with me. Found a clan of our own with me. You already know that you own my soul and my heart. My life is yours. I ask for nothing in return but your love.”
“And you have that. You’ll always have that,” Sidney breathed, and then she was in his arms, kissing him through her tears. “I will! Oh, of course I will!”
Somewhere behind them, there was more whooping and cheering—but Sidney no longer cared. She’d tried so hard to please her family and friends. She’d worried so much that she’d even claimed a stranger as her date.
But now everything had fallen into place, and she realized that she no longer cared what anyone else might think of her.