by Sky Winters
Sadie sacudió las manos como cogió el vestido. Ella estaba a punto de tirar la ropa cuando un gran ruido de golpeteo sorprendió a ambos. Se volvieron a encontrar la causa de la conmoción y fueron recibidos con un fuerte estruendo, malintencionado. Fue James, y él había venido a rescatarla en el momento justo.
"James!" exclamó, corriendo hacia él. Le dio un suave nuzzle y empujó detrás de él con una gran pata. James no estaba sola. Señor Lachlan se quedó mirando a un gran círculo de guerreros, que había rodeado a él dentro de su propia casa. La mayoría de ellos lo reconocieron y tenían historias de enormes pérdidas personales asociadas con él, y así el lagrimeo este hombre aparte de las extremidades extremidad fue realmente algún tipo de cierre para ellos. Ella miró fijamente con grandes ojos, y Lachlan celebró su espada en su mano vacila como si él pudiera evitar lo inevitable suceda.
Pronto, los osos avanzado sobre él, y Sadie podía oír el sonido de sus gritos de gritar entre las formas de oso gigante devorando a él. Finalmente, un último gárgaras escapó de sus labios, y un complemento por el aire agrietado vigorosamente. Con eso, el cruel tirano Señor Lachlan había desaparecido.
Capítulo 10
James jugó para Sadie entrar en su espalda. Ella subió suavemente sobre él, preocupado de que podría haber sido herido en la batalla. Sin embargo, parecía estar bien, aunque se trasladó lentamente a través del patio. Los guardias habían evitado prudentemente atacando el masivo grupo de osos, sabiendo que éstos eran mucho menos numerosas y habrían sido sacrificados si hubieran intentado algo estúpido. James llevó a Sadie hasta el punto donde había dejado a Gail y Dodd, y Sadie corrió a Gail, quien estaba cubierto sólo en un trozo de tela de tartán, y abrazado a ella. Dodd permaneció en su forma de oso, siempre alerta ante el peligro.
"¿estás bien ?", lass Gail exclamó, Sadie mirando hacia arriba y hacia abajo. "No puedo creer que casi perdimos a usted y sus preciadas".
"Mi qué?" preguntó a Sadie, mirando a Gail y confusión.
Gail juntaban las manos sobre su boca y exclamó: "Oh, lo siento mucho. Usted no sabe aún, ¿verdad?"
"Lo que estaba hablando, James?" preguntó a Sadie, pasando a James. Él ya no estaba en su forma de oso, en lugar de su sorprendente, muscular forma humana, desnuda en toda su gloria y resplandece la luz de la luna de plata.
"He oído hablar de ellos, era increíble", James exclamó, mirando al cielo en la reverencia. "estás embarazada, lass, vas a tener mis gemelos. Yo no sabía que pasaría tan pronto, pero sí lo ha hecho. Esta es la manera en que pudimos evitar el peligro. Se nos advirtió de las trampas. Escucharon Lachlan hablando contigo e hizo todo lo posible para darnos una advertencia".
Sadie miraron a James en la incredulidad; tenía que estar bromeando con ella. Pero Gail estaba mirándola con una sonrisa brillante y asentir con entusiasmo. Ella no podría ayudar sino creer lo que estaban diciendo.
"Yo sé, parece una locura. Y habla acerca de los bebés en el útero, utilizando sus voces oso...yo sólo pensaba que era ridículo antiguos rumores, pero que realmente podría hablar con nosotros cuando realmente importaba más. Ella debe haber tenido una enorme cantidad de energía, por lo que dudo que podría intentarlo, pero fueron capaces de esta vez. Fue increíble." James recogió Sadie y quitan a su alrededor en la oscuridad, ambos riendo en incredulidad. Ella iba a tener sus bebés. Y que había salvado sus vidas.
Capítulo 11
James y el resto del clan estaban muy cansados después de su batalla con Lord Lachlan y sus hombres. Había tomado mucho de ellos para llegar en tan poco tiempo, así que se acercó a su campamento, que decidieron tomar un largo descanso por el río. Sadie y James asentaron un poco maneras aparte del resto del grupo, a sabiendas de que habiendo mutuamente volver finalmente sería un motivo de celebración. Tenían mucho de que hablar y quería algo de privacidad. Gail entiende y que ha hecho todo lo posible para mantener a todo el mundo de protestar su camping por separado.
"Usted sabe "Amor joven", dijo, aunque no era muy viejo de ella misma. El resto del clan begrudgingly acordado y les permitió tener su privacidad.
James yacían en el suelo desnudo, sus músculos murmullo pródigamente en la luz de la luna. Sadie dirigió su mano hacia abajo de su pecho mientras hablaban, dejarla vagar palm el firme, caliente las curvas de su cuerpo. Él sonrió a ella, sus ojos centelleantes a la luz de la luna, y tiró de ella encima de él. Ella acurrucado allí, instantáneamente excitada por la sensación de su bare ingle presionando contra su medio. Ella abrocha contra él y grinned en ella, a saber cuál era su mente, exprimiendo su culo con ambas manos.
Él tope contra ella, su vara dura creciente como lo apretó entre sus piernas, y Ella suspiró suavemente, sintiendo el abultamiento de la punta de su pene, ya que masajea su clítoris, enviando zarcillos de bobinado de placer a lo largo de todo su cuerpo. Él suspiraba como ella squirmed fuera de su ropa, presionando su cuerpo desnudo encima de él. Sus pechos calientes arrastró a lo largo de su cuerpo fresco, el duro montículos de sus pezones despertando él incontrolablemente, haciendo que Él gime como él creció duro hasta el punto de ruptura. Ella situado en la parte superior de él, sus lomos caliente envolviendo él dentro de ellos, y él se introdujo totalmente dentro de ella, provocando un gemido de ambos.
Su gemido se convirtió en un grito de placer como él duro empuje dentro de ella, va tan profundo como él podía ir, enterrando a sí mismo en ella y bombear una y otra vez. Ella gritado de placer como él hizo el amor a ella, sus cuerpos entrelazados sobre el terreno. James trajo a sus pezones hasta su boca, su fuerte, manos expertas roaming expertamente su cuerpo y amor, descansando suavemente sobre el montículo de sus hijos por nacer durante un momento antes de que finalmente se dobló sobre ella y comenzó a golpear con ella en serio, hasta que ella se apoderó de la hierba en sus manos y gritó, empujando a su boca en el delincuente de su brazo para amortiguar los sonidos de su intenso orgasmo.
Su cuerpo tembló alrededor de James, contratación y tirando de él hasta que profirió un gemido bajo, inundando su interior con su caliente explosión. Se colapsaron en cada uno de otros, respirando pesadamente, agarrando el uno al otro con amor puro ya que al instante se quedó dormido.
Epílogo
Cuando finalmente regresó al campamento, Ivar estaba esperando expectante, con una sonrisa en su rostro. James había confesado lo que él sabía de Sadie del pasado en el camino, pero ella había tomado sorprendentemente bien, agarrando su brazo musculoso y su cabeza inclinada hacia ella. Ella le pidió nunca acostarse con ella de nuevo, y prometió que no lo harían.
"Qué es, Ivar?" preguntó James con una sonrisa, bofetadas el viejo hombre en la espalda.
"Hemos averiguado cómo enviar Sadie volver a su propio mundo," dijo. "No estábamos completamente seguros de que podíamos, que era riesgoso, pero sabemos que funciona ahora. Una vez que ella entrega los gemelos, vamos a abrir el portal y ella puede regresar".
"Espere, ¿a qué estás hablando?" preguntó a Sadie, su corazón sordos ruidos. "No estoy dejando mis gemelos".
James y Ivar miraron nerviosamente el uno al otro.
"Usted no tiene que salir de ellos", dijo James suavemente. "No si te alojas aquí conmigo. E incluso si sólo quieres ir a casa, todo está bien, también. Usted puede tomar. No sé cómo vas a enseñarles el oso maneras, pero podemos gestionar. Tal vez yo puedo ir con usted. Creo Gail haría un gran alfa."
Él aprobaba a Gail y ella se rió.
"¿Qué le gustaría hacer, Sadie?" preguntó, Ivar surcando su frente. Él había sido tan aliviado justo unos momentos antes, pero ahora estaba de vuelta a su antigua empolle auto.
"Me gustaría quedarme aquí con ustedes", dijo Sandy. "Yo quiero ser un Highlander".
El clan se quedó en silencio durante un momento, hasta que finalmente los estallidos de alegría y emoción seguido. Todo el mundo estaba aplaudiendo; no podía imaginar la vida sin Sadie ahora que ella estaba allí.
James recuperó su arriba y navegó a su alrededor y se reían, besándose apasionadamente. Se pla
ntearía su familia unida, libre para ser osos.
El final
Bonus Stories
Shifter Romances
Engaged to the Bear
Return to TOC
Lady Beatrice Ceri looked out of the small window of her bed chamber and sighed. She would miss the wide, rolling hills of Stirling that stretched out before her. It was a view that she had loved as far back as she could remember—one that she never tired of looking at. As a small girl her father had made up stories of the fairies that lived in the hillside, and ever since it had been a magical place for her.
This would be her last morning of waking up in her own bed, in her own chamber, or indeed of looking out at the view, for today she was to travel to Inverness in preparation of her marriage to Lord Selkirk in three days’ time. She had never met the man but his reputation went before him. He had a name for being cold and mean. This marriage would be one of convenience, arranged by her father to bring peace between their two warring clans. For too long there had been bloodshed and war, and the time had come to call a truce. The death of the late Lord Selkirk had brought about changes, and Lady Ceri would be the sacrifice for peace.
The journey would take all day by carriage, and the 18 year old young woman prepared for the long journey. She wore her warmest gown and would wrap herself up in her thick cloak and take several woolen blankets to keep her cozy. Her dog Henry would be her sole companion, a tan and white spaniel pup that would be her only comfort, her only friend at her new home, Selkirk Manor. All the servants were needed at the house, and none could be spared to travel with Lady Ceri. The vast fortune that she would have inherited had long been spent on costly battles, yet another reason for the arranged marriage.
Trying to hold back the tears she bid farewell to her parents; her father was committed with a steely resolve to the peace treaty, but inwardly his heart ached at the loss of his daughter, although it was not the same as losing a son. Her mother couldn't hide her despair at not only losing her daughter, but not being able to be present at the nuptials. She had been ill for many months and could not possibly travel the distance required. She had never been strong since the boy Michael had died.
The journey was long and the further they travelled up the country; the bleaker it became. Gone were the soft hills and gentle slopes of the Lowlands, and they were soon replaced by the rugged mountains and desolate heathery moorlands of the Highlands. Apart from the small dog on her lap she felt alone and about to marry a man she did not know.
Lord Thomas Selkirk had set his eyes on Beatrice ever since he had seen her as a young girl aged 14 during a visit to the Lowlands. He had been struck even then by the sheer beauty of the young, raven headed girl with the piercing blue eyes, and as she grew older she beguiled every man she met. Some said that she was a witch; a woman of great powers and her looks definitely caused the men to look and the women to whisper.
She had only seen a portrait of Thomas, a small miniature enclosed in a silver locket that she wore on a blue ribbon around her neck. At 38 years of age he was much older than her; a dark and handsome man with dark brown, amber eyes and full red lips, if the small painting was a true likeness.
Beatrice worried about the stories she had heard. Thomas had never married, and was rumored to be mean and bad tempered to his servants; beating his dogs and horses and sometimes even his own men. He also had a reputation as a magnificent yet fierce warrior and was said to have killed many men in battle. The only thing that stopped her turning back and returning home was that the warring had stopped and a sense of peace now reigned between the two clans. The battle for lands stretching between the lowlands and highlands had raged for years and hundreds of lives had been lost as well as fortunes in the process.
She hoped the peace would last, and that her sacrifice would be worthwhile.
It was nightfall by the time she reached Selkirk Manor—an imposing building of grey stone towers and arches. She feared for the worse as she followed a servant up the stone steps leading to house; it looked cold and unfriendly. The Master was not home to meet her but a fire had been laid in one of the smaller rooms and all comforts had been made available to her. She had been surprised by the welcome, expecting nothing but harshness and meanness from his repute, yet no expense had been spared. There was even a little red velvet cushion for the dog.
Exhausted from her journey she almost fell to sleep beside the fire after eating a hearty meal of venison and wine. The wine had been strong and didn’t take long to affect her. Just as she was about to nod off, Henry who had been fast asleep on her lap, sat up suddenly, his silky ears raised to attention. He had heard something and jumped from his mistress’s knee and trotted across the stone flagged floor towards the door. With hackles raised he started barking, pawing at the wood as if needing to be let out.
“Henry –you stop that”, Beatrice feared he would wake up the whole household for everywhere was quiet. Rushing to the door she scooped him up in her arms, yet he continued to bark.
“Now Henry”, she scolded the dog “stop that at once you hear”, and opening the door she stepped through into the hallway to show the little dog that there was nothing there.
The front door of the house stood open to the elements and in the open doorway stood the bulky shape of a man. His face was in the shadows but he seemed somehow distressed, almost as if in pain. She could sense something in the air; something powerful as she moved slowly towards him.
There was something about the man stood before her that made her shudder and as she approached the little dog jumped out of her arms and went scurrying away to the corner of the hall and began to whine and cower. The poor thing seemed frightened half to death.
The moon was full and cast its pale glow as it moved out from behind the clouds, shining directly into the open doorway. Beatrice could feel the room start to sway, the thing before her seemed half man, half beast. As the creature walked towards her she passed out onto the cold stone floor.
The rain beating down on the casement window woke Lady Beatrice from her dreams and for a moment she had forgotten where she was. The room was strange and was not her own. Then she remembered her journey to the Highlands the previous day and the reason for being there. Her heart fluttered slightly in her bosom at the thought of her impending marriage.
Henry, her little dog, had been sleeping by her feet on the bed and on seeing his mistress awake scampered up the embroidered quilt and nuzzled into her arms.
Poor Henry, he had been startled last night.
Last night! Her heart raced as images of the night before flooded back to her; the strange vision in the doorway. She couldn’t remember anything after that except waking up in her bed that morning.
Lifting up the quilt she glanced tentatively below; someone had undressed her and put on one of her nightgowns. She blushed to think of a stranger removing her clothing. Her maidservant Jane had often helped with her hair and toilet back home, but she had preferred to dress and undress herself.
And the man, or beast, or whatever it was. Surely that had been a figment of her imagination? She had been exhausted and the wine wouldn’t have helped but had she been dreaming? It had certainly seemed real at the time but the mind can play strange tricks. Her emotions had been all over the place too –apprehension at meeting the man she would spend the rest of her life with, and at this moment still a stranger. An odd feeling passed over her causing the hairs on the back of neck to stand on end as she gave an involuntary shiver. There was something here that wasn’t quite right; she could sense it.
Since a girl she had been known for her powers of intuition. It wasn’t as if she could foretell the future or anything like that; it was just that she was aware when something wasn’t right –like the time she had woken the household, just before a fire had started in the kitchen –saving all their lives and the house. It had all begun when her twin brother Michael had been killed in a hunting accident –he had been just 8 years old and had fallen from his horse. She
missed him every single day and still felt a strong attachment to him; as if she were now living both their lives. He often visited her in dreams to warn her when she was in danger. She had not dreamed of him for a long time.
Rubbing her arm she realized it was aching and rolling up her white cotton sleeve she noticed a large red and purple bruise. She thought she had a memory of falling, of hitting the hard ground beneath her; something had certainly happened last night and she shuddered to think of it. What if the vision had been real after all?
Climbing out of the vast bed she looked around her. The room was much larger than hers back home, but the furniture made it seem cold; unloved. A patterned rug and dark wood paneling kept out some of the cold although she still shivered in the chill air. Great purple velvet drapes adorned the large wooden bed, and there was an intricately carved, dark wooden tall chest in one corner. In front stood her bags; all of which had been unpacked –some of her items lay neatly on a small round table –the others she presumed had been placed in the chest.
But who had done this? She fingered the pearl handled brush and small hand mirror that her mother had given to her; the memory made her suddenly homesick and she began to cry. Looking out of the window she gazed across the morning mist and drizzle. The countryside looked harsh and cruel and she wondered what on earth she had let herself in for.