9781631054747HerstoBearHoffa

by Tamara Hoffa

  Bern slipped into the house and went to his office. He poured himself a glass of orange juice and turned on his computer. Feeling a bit like a stalker, he opened Facebook and did a search for Jenna Raynes.

  He found her easily enough, and sent her a friend request. It was only a moment and his request was accepted. It seemed Jenna was online. The chat window opened in the corner of his screen.

  Hi

  Hi, what are you doing?

  Talking to you.

  Funny.

  I’m taking a bath

  Bern groaned and rubbed his throbbing crotch.

  Oh my God, you are so mean. Can I come join you?

  There was a long pause.

  Are you there? Bern asked

  Yes, I’m here. I just didn’t really know how to answer that.

  Honestly.

  Well, honestly, part of me would like you to join me, but I don’t think I’m ready for that yet.

  You’re killing me here. You are all I can think about.

  I’ve been thinking about you too.

  What have you been thinking?

  I’m not telling.

  Why not?

  A girl has to have some mystery.

  You’re no fun.

  I may be more fun than you can handle.

  I’d like to try.

  I think this conversation is getting dangerous.

  I like danger, how about you?

  No. I am a play it safe kind of girl

  I bet I can lure you to the wild side.

  That’s what I’m afraid of. My water is getting cold and my face is getting hot. I’m going to say goodnight.

  Scaredy cat

  Meow

  The green light next to Jenna’s name went out, signifying that she had signed off of Facebook. Bern spent a few minutes looking at Jenna’s profile. She liked Country music that was good, they had that in common. Their tastes in movies and books were similar.

  He looked through her pictures and was enchanted by the images of his mate. She was so full of life, always smiling and laughing. There were many pictures of her mother and father, and several with a lovely young woman, tagged as Alice. Those two looked like trouble together.

  Funny, there weren’t any pictures of his mate with other men. Bern was glad because he would have wanted to rip their heads off, but he couldn’t understand how his beautiful mate hadn’t been surrounded by suitors.

  A knock sounded at the door to his office and Martin opened the door without waiting for a reply.

  “We’ve got trouble, the west quadrant boundaries have been breached.”

  Bern bolted to his feet. “Is Jenna safe?”

  “Your Mate is fine. Hans is on guard duty and reports all is well.”

  “Have the sentries apprehended the trespasser?”

  “Yes. A young wolf. I think it might just be a case of adolescent ignorance or curiosity.”

  “Okay, bring the wolf here and let me speak with him. If that is the case, I will contact Bastian and let him deal with the miscreant.”

  Martin nodded and backed out the door. Bern ran his fingers through his unruly hair and prayed this was only a mistake and not an effort to invade his territory. He didn’t want to deal with the wolves right now. He had a mate to court.

  Chapter Three

  Jenna smiled as she slipped from her bath and wrapped herself in a fluffy bath sheet. She cleared the steam from the mirror and gazed at her reflection. Did she look different? Her face was flushed with color, more from Bern’s suggestive words than the heat of her bath. Her eyes were bright and shining, and she looked…happy. It’s not that she had been unhappy with her life before meeting Bern. She loved her job and her little house, but she had been lonely.

  Moving away from her family and friends had been hard, but even when she had lived at home a part of her was always lonely. Her longing for someone special to love made her feel alone even in a crowded room. Now, she felt different. She felt hope, for the first time in ages. Hope that a chubby girl from Nashville could actually find love.

  She still had her doubts about the mating, but anticipation and joy filled her soul. She pulled her sexiest nightgown from a drawer, and let the silky material caress her body as she slipped it on. Everything felt more intense tonight. The glide of the silk against her thighs as she climbed between her cool crisp sheets was decadent. The moonlight filtering through her lace curtains bathed the room in soft white light. She turned off her bedside lamp and snuggled deep into her down cocoon. To sleep, perchance to dream, she thought as she drifted into darkness.

  The horrible blaring of her alarm clock jolted Jenna awake. She usually awoke before the damn thing went off. God, what an annoying noise. She slammed her hand onto the button on the top of the clock to still the racket and pushed the covers back, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

  She yawned and stretched. What a wonderful morning. She had slept like the dead. Sliding the button on the alarm clock to off, so it wouldn’t go off again, she headed to the bathroom. After taking care of business, brushing her teeth and quickly French braiding her hair, she returned to the bedroom and dressed.

  It was a school day, she chose soft black slacks and a colorful peasant blouse. The kids loved bright colors and so did Jenna. She slipped a pair of espadrilles on and headed for the kitchen and coffee. The elixir of the gods.

  Jenna sipped her coffee and nibbled on a bagel while she checked her e-mails and Facebook. Nothing interesting there. Her e-mails were mostly spam. How did these people get her e-mail address? No, she certainly didn’t want a bigger penis, or bigger boobs. Hers were too big already, she laughed.

  Jenna finished her coffee and put the plate from her bagel in the dishwasher. Dropping her phone in her purse she grabbed her large tote bag with her lesson planner and all her teacher trappings and headed out the door.

  It was a beautiful fall morning, and Jenna took a deep breath of the crisp air as she stepped off the porch. There was a faint sent of burning leaves on the breeze and a pair of birds in a nearby maple tree seemed to chirp “hello” when she passed.

  Her long legged stride carried her swiftly toward her destination. The school was only six blocks away and she loved making the walk each morning. When winter came and snow covered the ground she might have to drive, but for now she would enjoy the weather and the exercise she so desperately needed.

  About two blocks into her walk she began to feel a funny prickling on her neck. That creepy feeling you get when someone is watching you. She rubbed the back of her neck and glanced surreptitiously around. No one.

  Quit acting like a ninny.

  An older man and woman sat in rocking chairs on their front porch and she waved as she passed them, they nodded in acknowledgment. Jenna looked around again, she could see no one, but the couple on the porch and they weren’t watching her. Why did she feel eyes on her?

  It might be paranoia, but she quickened her pace anyway. She wanted off the street, and into the relative safety of her classroom.

  Jenna rushed through the front door of the school and sighed in relief. God, that was strange. What was the matter with her this morning? She chuckled at her own foolishness and made a beeline for her classroom. The kids would be arriving soon and she needed to make sure everything was set up for the day.

  Once the classroom filled with children Jenna was too busy to obsess over her feeling of being watched, but at recess the feeling returned. She sat on a bench in the shade, talking with one of the other teachers, but once again had the uncomfortable feeling of being watched.

  When the bell rang at three o’clock and all the children fled like the tide rushing out to sea, Jenna sat at her desk and rubbed the back of her neck. She was reluctant to make the walk home. What was she going to do? She could call a cab, but that just seemed stupid. She wasn’t even sure they had cabs in Honey Corners.

  As she pondered her predicament, a knock sounded on her doorframe. She looked up to see her bear filling th
e doorway. Relief coursed through her veins. Bern was here. She was safe.

  “Hi,” she said. “Come in. I’m so happy to see you.” Jenna rose from the desk and practically threw herself into Bern’s arms.

  He held her close and nuzzled her neck. “Not that I’m not happy for the welcome, but is something wrong?”

  Jenna leaned back in his arms and looked up into his chocolate eyes. “I’m sorry. I’ve had a strange day.”

  Bern’s forehead crinkled in concern. “How so?”

  “It’s silly, really. Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you’re here.”

  “Nothing you feel is silly, Mate. Tell me. What troubles you?”

  “I’ve just had this creepy feeling all day that someone is watching me.”

  An odd look flashed across Bern’s features, but was gone before she could identify it.

  “I’m sure it’s nothing to be concerned about. I came to walk you home. I hope that’s all right?”

  “It’s wonderful! Just let me pack up my stuff and lock up the classroom and we can be on our way.”

  Before she could pull out of his arms Bern leaned down and stole a kiss. It was only a brief brushing of the lips, but Jenna felt it all the way to her toes. An electric jolt of energy that made her tingle all over and her pussy cream. God that man could kiss.

  Bern insisted on carrying her tote bag. He should have looked silly, but nothing could diminish his masculine appeal, at least not in Jenna’s eyes. She locked the classroom door and Bern enfolded her under his free arm. What a strange sensation, she felt so small and feminine tucked into his side.

  He smiled down at her and her heart skipped a beat, so handsome, and he looked at her like she hung the moon. Damn she could really get used to this. They stepped into the afternoon sunshine and Jenna tipped her head back and took a deep breath. The golden light and warmth lifted the last of the stress from her shoulders.

  “Where would you like to go for dinner?” Bern asked.

  Jenna felt a blush crawl across her cheeks, but she boldly suggested, “Why don’t we stop by the market on the way home and I could cook for you instead.” There were two reason’s Jenna didn’t want to go out, well maybe three. She really wanted to be able to talk to Bern without worrying about anyone overhearing. She didn’t want people watching her, she’d had that feeling of being watched all day and if she was in some fancy restaurant with this handsome man, everyone would stare. Wondering what he could possibly see in her. And last, but not least, she wanted more of those kisses…maybe even more than kisses.

  “Are you sure? I’d love to take you out.”

  Jenna looked at the sidewalk, she was so bad at this. “Yes, I’m sure,” she mumbled.

  Bern stopped and placed his big paw under her chin, he tipped her face up, so she met his gaze.

  “What is it, my mate? Why are you looking so shy?”

  “I’m just not good at this dating stuff.” She shrugged. “If you want to go out, that’s fine.”

  “That’s not what I said, little one. I only want to spend time with you. Where matters not. If you want to eat at your home, that is fine. Let’s go to Andy’s and see what looks good.”

  “I was thinking, if you don’t mind that is, maybe you could grill a nice salmon filet on the deck. I could make a salad and bake some potatoes. I was going to make some honey cakes too.”

  Bern’s eyes sparkled at the mention of honey cakes, these bears all had such sweet tooth’s. “Honey cakes? How could a bear say no to that?”

  Jenna nudged him with her shoulder. “Is that the only part you heard?”

  “No, I heard every word, my mate. Salmon sounds wonderful.” He squeezed her shoulder and picked up the pace, walking briskly in the direction of the market.

  * * * *

  Bern breathed in the scent of his mate. Jenna wanted to talk about food and the only thing he could think of was eating her up. Her scent was driving him mad, honey, vanilla and something else, uniquely Jenna’s. His dick was so hard he could barely walk. He tried everything to calm his raging libido, but nothing worked. He’d recited the multiplication table, baseball statistics, he’d even tried to picture his grandmother in a nightgown. Nothing worked. Now, his beautiful mate wanted to spend the evening in her den. No people around to help him maintain control. How the hell was he going to make it through the night without marking and mating her? His bear was pacing and growling in his head. Mine, mine, mate, mark. Patience my friend. He tried to calm his bear, but it was a lost cause. Until Jenna was marked as theirs, his bear would be on edge.

  The bell above the door on Andy’s dinged as they stepped inside. Bern’s nostrils flared as he took in the scents of the store. There were two unmated male bears inside, but what had his bear growling was the scent of wolf. He knew the scent of every shifter who lived in Honey Corners and this was not a resident.

  Bern dropped his arm from around his mate’s shoulder and took her hand. He tugged slightly, drawing her behind his bulk. Jenna placed her small hand on his waist and tried to lean around him.

  “Stay,” he growled, his bear close to the surface. Bern could smell the sour stench of fear roll off his mate.

  “What’s the matter? What’s wrong?”

  “Maybe nothing, but there is a wolf in the store.”

  Jenna stopped and he glanced over his shoulder to find her standing with her hands on her hips.

  “What is your problem? Are you some kind of speciest? There are wolves all over town.”

  “This wolf is not from town,” he hissed.

  “So, what? I don’t understand what the problem is.”

  “No, you don’t. I will explain later. For now just please stay behind me.”

  Andy stepped out of the back room and up to the checkout counter. His eyes widened at the sight of Jenna and Bern together, than a frown creased his brow. “Bring Jenna here Bern. I will keep her safe while you deal with the intruder.”

  Bern nodded and pulled Jenna behind him as he walked behind the counter. His bear didn’t want to let her go, but he trusted Andy to keep her safe. He looked the other bear straight in the eye. “She is mine,” he growled. Jenna huffed behind him. “Guard her as if you were guarding me.”

  Andy bowed his head and tipped it to the left, exposing his neck. “Ja, Sippe Leiter.”

  A mixture of confusion, fear and anger radiated from his mate. He was going to have a lot of explaining to do. Placing his finger to his lips in a gesture to be quiet, he turned from the pair and stalked into the aisles.

  He followed the wolf’s scent to the back of the store. Tall for a wolf, he stood in human form in front of the meat refrigerator. Shaggy multi-colored brown and blond hair fell to his shoulders, concealing his face as he leaned over the meat case.

  The wolf had to know that Bern approached, but he didn’t turn or lift his head. What the hell was going on here? Bern walked to side of the wolf and he finally stood and turned to face Bern.

  “Greetings, Sippe Leiter, from Von Drake.”

  Aha, so this wolf had come to deliver a message.

  “If you had news for me you should have made an appointment. Not be skulking around in this store.”

  “My apologies, Sippe Leiter, I meant to call on you upon leaving the store. I did not know I would meet you here.”

  Bern couldn’t hold back the growl that rumbled in his throat. “Speak. What message do you have for me?”

  “Von Drake wishes to extend his congratulation to you on meeting your mate. He wants you to know that he considers the mate bond sacred and will not interfere.”

  Bern’s bear did not like this wolf, he smelled a lie on him. He couldn’t tell if it was the wolf in front of him who lied, or if the lie was being reiterated from the Wolf alpha. However, politics dictated he at least pretend to accept the wolf’s congratulations.

  “Please tell Von Drake I appreciate his good wishes.”

  The wolf reached into his back pocket and removed an envelope. “An invit
ation for you and your mate, Sippe.” The wolf nodded and backed away. “I will take my leave now.” The wolf continued to back away, never turning his back to Bern. Once through the front door he shifted to his wolf form and took off at a full run.

  How the hell had the wolf made it past the guards at the clan border without detection? Bern was not a happy bear. He turned the heavily embossed envelope in his hand, and broke the wax seal. Jenna and Andy came up to his side. “What’s that?” Jenna asked.

  “An invitation, apparently.” He pulled a sheet of stationary from the envelope, and unfolded a hand-written note.

  The honor of your presence is requested at a formal dinner

  Saturday, September 26, 2014

  6:30 pm

  1239 Von Drake Place

  Wolvesberg

  R.S.V.P.

  555-629-6034

  Oh man, Martin was going to have a coronary when he heard about this, but how could he say no? It would be an insult to the alpha of the wolf pack.

  A million thoughts raced through Bern’s mind, but first and foremost was the safety of his clan. He needed to call Martin, but the soft hand of his mate rested on his arm. He looked down into her confused eyes. “I’m sorry, little one. I promise I will explain all this when we get back to your house. I must make a call now. Why don’t you get the things we need for dinner. Andy will help you.” He lifted her hand from his arm and kissed her palm, and then placed her hand on Andy’s arm.

  “Come, sweet Jenna, tell me what delicacies you seek for your dinner this evening,” Andy said with his easy smile as he led her away.

  Jenna looked back over her shoulder at Bern, but allowed herself to be directed to picking out the salmon and the rest of the ingredients for dinner.