“Yes,” he replied firmly. “I’m good. Better than I thought I would be.” He tugged on the rope and Jonas turned to face him. “This is my good friend Jonas. Jonas, this is my mate. I thought I’d introduce you since this is the only opportunity we’ll have. You are going to spend the rest of your life behind bars.”
“Is that all the sympathy you have for an old friend?” Jonas sneered.
“You have my sympathy. For Iris leaving. But not for this. You need help, Jonas. And as a friend, I intend to make sure you get it,” Wyatt told Jonas.
Monica reached for Wyatt’s hand, and his fingers curled around hers, holding onto her. He was putting on a brave face, but inside she could sense his pain. The truth had been revealed, and now he had to come to terms with the lies.
“The police will meet us at the gates.” Liam pulled the fish shifter to his feet. “Before they get here, I want you all to leave.”
“Why?” Monica asked.
“A family reunion.” Liam glanced across to Yolanda, who was telling Trent she loved him over and over again. “Take her back to Jack. The others can meet you there.”
“What about witness statements?” Wyatt asked.
“I’ll come see you tomorrow and take them. There’s no rush. This is over. But not for Jack. Until the family is back together, he’s still stuck in limbo.”
“You’re a good man, Liam.” Monica hugged him quickly. “I’ll go get the other hyena.”
She walked across the deck and climbed off the boat, while Liam brought the fish and the hyena, who had shifted back to his human form, and Wyatt pulled Jonas along behind him. It really was over. A sense of satisfaction swept over her. They’d done it. They’d worked together and now Trent’s family would be reunited.
Half an hour later, with blue flashing lights only minutes away, they left Liam with their captives and climbed onto the back of Fiona’s dragon. With a leap, she took high into the air, and flew toward home. Harlan and the others had met up with Trent and were already on their way.
“Not long,” Monica yelled at Yolanda, who sat in front of her. Wyatt’s arms tightened around her waist as the dragon banked to the right and then flew fast, climbing high in the sky.
Despite the extra weight, Fiona climbed higher and flew faster. Monica sensed the excitement coursing through the dragon. Whether it was the joy of flight, or the pull of home and her mate and children, Monica couldn’t tell.
By the time they reached the familiar sight of the mountain range, Yolanda was shaking, her human form no match for the cold air at high altitude. But she didn’t complain, and despite Monica asking her if she needed them to land, she shook her head and insisted they flew on.
Her family was calling her home, too.
Monica leaned back against Wyatt, who kissed her neck with his warm lips. He was her home, her family, and as long as they were together, that was all that mattered. This mission was done. It was time for them to get to know each other.
And for their love to deepen.
She jolted forward. Since when did she love him?
Since we first met him, her bear told her smugly. You just didn’t want to admit it.
It was true. Monica had never believed in the insta-love fate gave to shifters. But despite this, she had fallen in love with Wyatt that night on the mountainside when he took her and Jack back to his cabin and protected them through the night. No questions asked, no expectations of anything in return, not so much as a kiss from his mate.
When the small house in the mountains came into view, growing bigger with each beat of Fiona’s wings, Monica’s energy began to wane. It was over, finally over. All she wanted to do was curl up in bed with Wyatt and sleep for a week. Okay, maybe there were other things she’d like to do, too, with Wyatt. In bed.
Fiona slowed, her wings angled so they kept their height but no longer moved forward. Slowly, she descended into the clearing behind the house, where they had set off only hours before, filled with hope, but also conscious of the huge task before them.
Before her huge taloned feet touched the ground, and her wings had folded by her sides, people were rushing toward them.
“Mommy!” Jack’s voice came loud and shrill, and Yolanda tipped to the side as she turned too quickly. Monica caught her and helped her down off Fiona’s back.
“Jack, is that you?” Yolanda stumbled as her feet touched the ground, but Trent reached out for her, and didn’t let her fall. “Trent.” She flung her arms around his neck and hugged him, before kissing Jack a million times.
“We did it.” Wyatt helped Monica down, and then joined her on the ground.
“We did.” She stood close to him, watching the happy scene before them. “We did.”
The air filled with static electricity as Fiona shifted back into her human form. Her family crowded around her. “Are you okay?” Harlan asked.
“Perfectly.” Fiona hugged him, turning to watch Trent and his family. “That’s what it’s all about. Family.”
“And we have new members.” Harlan ushered Wyatt and Monica over. “Any time. You know where we are. We don’t have to be blood to be family.”
“Thank you.” Monica embraced Fiona and then Harlan. “Is it okay if Trent and Yolanda steal your spare room tonight?”
“Sure, what about you two?” Harlan asked.
“There’s this really cute cabin in the mountains. I hear it’s a great place to get away from it all.” She took Wyatt’s hand. “What do you think? Do you have enough strength to climb a mountain?”
“With you. Always.” He pulled Monica into his arms and kissed her. “Let’s speak to Trent and then leave.” Wyatt sounded relieved at Monica’s proposition.
“Thank you. Both of you.” Trent hugged them. “I don’t know what I’d have done if I lost either one of them.”
“We were never going to let that happen,” Wyatt told him, his voice filled with emotion.
“It was Jonas?” Trent asked.
“It was. Somewhere along the road he got screwed up.” Wyatt placed his hand on Trent’s shoulder and squeezed it. “You have to promise me you won’t dwell on this, you won’t let it screw up your life anymore.”
“Only if you promise the same thing.” Trent nodded at his old friend.
“I have something wonderful to look forward to.” He pulled Monica close. “I can turn this around and actually show gratitude toward Jonas. He brought us together. He was the catalyst that sent Monica into my life.”
“So you forgive him?” Trent asked, his forehead creased as he frowned.
“Forgiveness. That might take a while.”
“We’ve got all the time in the world,” Monica reminded him.
“We do.” He kissed her and then waited while she ran into the house and gathered her things. With a last goodbye, they shifted into their animals, and bear and wolf once more traveled over the mountain. Two mates, joined forever. Heading home to the place they’d first met, under the stars, with the mountain breeze ruffling their fur, and love in their hearts.
Epilogue
Monica rolled over and lay for a moment looking up at the stars. “You’re right, this is the perfect place.”
Wyatt lay next to her on a thick blanket he’d carried up the mountain, along with pillows and a picnic. “Happy anniversary.”
She giggled and turned her face from the brilliant display above and looked at her mate. “We’ve known each other a week.”
“I know. But it’s been the best week of my life.” He kissed her lips, sending shivers of desire through her entire body. From the tips of her fingers to the deepest part of her soul “I love you.”
His words stopped her thoughts in their tracks. “I love you, too.” She looked into his eyes, which twinkled brighter than a million stars. “More than anything in this world.”
He smiled, and her insides turned to liquid fire. It still amazed Monica how a look or word from her mate could make her tremble with desire. They were right for each other
. Fate hadn’t made a mistake. Although Monica would have appreciated a less stressful first meeting.
But we learned how compatible we are, her bear told her. We learned to trust each other.
We also learned we can each look after ourselves, Monica said.
But it’s so much more fun when we look after each other, her bear reminded her.
Enough talk, Monica replied and reached for the buttons of Wyatt’s shirt. A toned chest like Wyatt’s should not be covered in fabric, not when her hands wanted to explore the contours of his body.
As she opened each button, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his skin. Wyatt groaned, and did a little button undoing of his own, slipping her shirt off her shoulders and kissing her soft skin. Monica pulled away from him and shrugged her shirt off.
“Dammit.” She stripped off all of her clothes and Wyatt did the same. They didn’t have time to undress each other slowly, not when the urge to make love under the stars was so great.
Naked, the cool breeze caressing her skin, she lay back on the blanket, and Wyatt moved to hover over her body. He kissed her lips, his hands stroking her breasts, while Monica kissed his chest, closing her mouth around his nipple. She sucked hard, her tongue torturing the sensitive bud, and his hard length stiffened against her thigh.
Curling her fingers around his cock, she stroked her hand up and down, with just the right amount of pressure. She’d learned what he liked, how he loved to be touched and kissed. Wyatt slipped his hand between her thighs. He was an expert in giving her pleasure, too.
They fit together perfectly. And as his finger and thumb tweaked her nipple, she decided it was time for them to do just that.
Rolling Wyatt over onto his back, she moved to straddle him, kneeling up and angling her body so she sank down on his hardened length. Slowly, incredibly slowly, her control was formidable, despite the urgency in Wyatt’s words.
“I want you, Monica,” he breathed, his hands on her hips as he thrust upwards.
“Patience.” She leaned forward, her long loose hair falling forward to brush his chest as she kissed his lips. His tongue ran along her lower lip and she let him plunder her mouth, as she slowly lowered her body down onto him.
He filled her, stretching her inner walls. They might be older, and wiser, but their passion and their need for each other was new, unique, and made her feel young again. Their passion bloomed like a flower, opening its petals to the sun. Monica basked in the love he showered on her.
Ever since they had reunited Jack with his parents, they had spent the days exploring the mountains and the nights exploring each other.
As her orgasm raced to meet her under the night sky, she etched the moment in her mind forever. Tomorrow they would leave the mountain. She would fulfill her promise to look after her pop princess. Wyatt would come with her, and they would take the next step in their lives together.
The bear and the silverback wolf were ready for the next chapter in their lives. A life filled with love, a life where the past was behind them and the future glowed with the promise of a million stars.
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Harmony Raines Newsletter
Other Books By Harmony Raines
Other Books By Harmony Raines
Visit Harmony Raines Author Page On Kindle
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Hero Mine
Bear my Fate (Hero Mine Prequel Book 0)
Hero Mine - Kurt
Bear Bait (Hero Mine Book 1)
READING ORDER FOR
Bear Creek Clan and Bear Bluff Clan
Complete Box Set
Or available individually
suggested reading order
(each can be read as a standalone
but why not start at the beginning and get to know all of the characters?)
Rescued by the Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book One)
Finding Her Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Two)
Tamed by the Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Three)
Snowbound With The Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Four)
Biker Bear Billionaire (Bear Creek Clan Book Five)
Bound To Her Bear (Bear Bluff Clan Book One)
Doctor Bear (Bear Bluff Clan Book Two)
Stranded With Her Bear (Bear Bluff Book Three)
A Bride for the Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Six)
Home Or Her Bear (Bear Bluff Book Four)
Fated To Her Bear (Bear Bluff Book Five)
Lonely Bear (Bear Bluff Book Six)
Wolf Valley Raiders
Complete Box Set Out Now!
Or available individually
suggested reading order
Redeem the Wolf
To Catch A Wolf
Reclaim the Wolf
Awakening the Alpha
Biker Bears
Forbidden Bear
Secret Bear
Christmas Bear Brothers
Complete Box Set Now Available
Or available individually
suggested reading order
Santa Paws
Christmas Catastrophe
Bear Humbug
Fated and Mated
Love at First Site
Her Scars To Bear
Her Choice To Bear
Her Russian Bear
Who’s the Daddy?
Complete Box Set Available
Or available individually
suggested reading order
One Bear and a Baby
Her Bear and a Baby
Second Chance Bear and a Baby
Baby Protector Bear
Return to Bear Bluff
Complete Box Set Available
Or available individually
suggested reading order
The Bear is Back in Town
His Bear’s Necessity
Black Bear Down
Who Bears Wins
When Bears Collide
Wish Upon A Bear
Cowboy Brother Bears
Complete Box Set Available
Cowboy Bear Blues
Cowboy Bear’s Mate
Cowboy Bear’s Fate
Return to Bear Creek
Daddy Bear
Mountain Bear
Honey Bear
Forever Bear
Storm Bear
Silverback Dragon
P.I. Bear
Doctor Daddy Bear
Bad Boy Bear
Silverback Bear
Ranger Bear
Christmas Bear
Hero Bear
Undercover Eagle
Single Daddy Dragon
Secret Baby Bear
Silverback Wolf
Silverbacks and Second Chances
Cursed Bear
Lucky Bear
Fated Bear
Christmas Bears
Sleighed
Claused
Wrapped
Shifters Prime Sleeping Lions
Complete Box Set Now Available
Living a Lion
Freeing a Lion
Fighting a Lion
Chosen by the Karal
Complete Box Set
Or available individually
Deceit
Love
Power
Hunger
Devotion
Warriors of Karal
Stranded
Found
Taken
Hunted
Allies
Sci-Fi Romance
The Princess and her Alien Rogue
The Princess and her Bounty Hunter
Her Dragon's Bane Serial
Soul Of The Dragon
Blood Of The Dragon
Heart Of The Dragon
Love Of The Dragon
Fate Of The Minotaur
Mate Of The Dragon
Bound To
The Flame - A Virgin For The Dragon
When the dragon egg hatches for Trinity she becomes the Dragon Princess and must remain pure until the dragon comes back to claim her as his mate on her twenty first birthday.
An Heir For The Flame (Dragon Fantasy Romance)
The elder dragons have predicted that Trinity will conceive the new dragon child tonight. So she mates with ShanRohit under the full moon.
Waiting For Curves (Curves For Her Wolf) (BBW Erotic Romance)
Curves For Her Wolf Doctor (The Greystone Wolves - BBW Paranormal Erotic Romance)
Mistaken Curves (Her First Time With A Wolf) (BBW Erotic Romance)
Sold To The Wolf (Auctioned Curves For The Werewolf) (BBW Erotic Romance)
Curves For The Lone Wolf (BBW Erotic Romance)
An Auction Of Curves (BBW Erotic Romance)
Anna (Curves in the Family (BBW Erotic Romance))
Heated Curves (Curves For Her Firefighter) (BBW Erotic Romance)
Words Unwritten (Curves For Her Soldier) (BBW Erotic Romance)
Christmas Curves (BBW Erotic Romance)
Winning Her Curves (previously titled Virgin Curves)
Returning For His First Love
For The Love Of The Wolf (Erotic Romance Fairy Tales)
Marianne : Unmarked (His) (Paranormal Shifter Romance)
Bred By The Unicorn (Virgin Paranormal Erotic Romance)
The Escort Box Set
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The Escort Series
The Escort (The Escort Series Part One)(Free in some regions)
The Escort (The Escort Series Part Two)
Silverback Wolf (Return to Bear Creek Book 17) Page 13