“How did you do it?” she asked softly.
“Do what?” he asked, reaching to pull her into his arms. His skin felt warm against hers, and she smiled.
“How did you even find a ring for the proposal?”
“I have to admit I had some help from Juno,” Bash said. “She was in on the whole thing. I know the ring might not be exactly what you want. We can trade it in later, but it was hard to get one so last-minute. Especially the way things are in the world lately.”
Lily looked down at the giant oval sparkler on her left hand. “It’s perfect,” she said. “I could never imagine anything better.”
Bash smiled. “I’m glad you like it. I’m still in awe that you said yes. I can’t believe you want to spend the rest of your life with me.”
“I can’t imagine anyone I’d rather spend it with,” Lily said. And she meant it. He was amazing. Perfect. Hers.
He let out a growl, then pushed her down onto the bed. Bash straddled her legs with his, letting his erection push into her stomach. Lily moaned at the feeling of it, so strong and hard. He kissed her neck, massaging it with his tongue and nibbling at it with his teeth. Then he moved down to her breasts and did the same to her nipples. She let out a long, satisfied moan as he took each nipple between his teeth and nibbled, chewing harder and harder until the perfect, beautiful pain was more than she could take.
“Bash,” she cried out. “I want you.”
“I’m yours,” he said, then positioned himself right above her and slid his long, hard dick deep into her body. She was so wet from her desire for him, and he slid in easily, filling every part of her. He slid in and out. He moved slowly at first, sweetly. Then, gradually, he increased the intensity. The hot, tingling heat filled her body, and the pressure mounted in her core. She thrust her head from side to side, trying to make the moment last as long as possible. It was hard to hold back very long, though. He sent such a wave of pleasure through her with each movement of his body, and it didn’t take long for her to go tumbling over the edge. She screamed out his name, and then found her release.
Her inner muscles clenched around him over and over. Each wave of pleasure was like a tsunami dragging her under, deeper and deeper. There was no escaping him, and why would she want to? He let out a roar as she came, and then thrust harder before stiffening and coming into her as well. She trembled underneath him, lost in the moment. He leaned down to sweetly kiss her forehead before collapsing onto the bed next to her. They were a sweaty, sticky, perfect mess, and they loved each other like two people who had saved each other’s lives and lived to tell about it.
Lily could not possibly have asked for more. She snuggled into his arms, truly safe and happy for perhaps the first time in her life.
Chapter Thirteen
The next day was a blur of activity. News of Bash’s proposal spread quickly. Juno, of course, already knew what was happening, and was eager to hear the results. No one was surprised that Lily said yes, but everyone was full of congratulations and whoops of joy. Lily got more hugs that morning than she had in perhaps the entire six months before. Her heart felt so full. She had a family again! True, she would always miss her family that she lost to the bear flu. Loved ones lost can never be replaced. But sometimes, if you’re lucky, an aching heart can find solace in the love of another. Lily had found a group of people who loved her, and she sometimes forgot to even think of them as shifters.
She realized how awful and unnecessary the war on shifters had truly been. It had nearly brought about the end of humanity, and it had driven a deep divide between the shifters and the humans. That divide needed to be repaired, because no matter their differences, they were all one in this experience of living.
The sun rose bright and hopeful in the North Carolina sky that day. The news networks, which rarely had anything new to say these days, all tuned in for a special address from the President of the United States. Juno, Wyatt, Calum, Mia, Lily, and Bash all stood behind the President, along with members of the President’s advisory team. The crowd was completely quiet as the President began speaking.
“My fellow Americans, it is with both a heavy and hopeful heart that I come to you today to announce that we have found a cure for the bear flu that has plagued our nation and our world.”
Gasps of surprise spread across the crowd, and the President paused before continuing.
“Scientists are working overtime right now to manufacture doses to send out to every corner of our country, and to export overseas so that people everywhere can finally live in health once again. My joy at this cure is tinged with sadness, however, because I have discovered some disheartening news. The bear flu was originally created by Hook Labs as a rogue virus that was intended to destroy shifters. This was not sanctioned by my administration, nor by any government entity that I know of. Hook Labs took it upon themselves to manufacture a virus that would kill off all shifters, and in doing so they unintentionally created a virus that killed off full humans. Ironically, shifters were immune to the virus. The group of shifters standing behind me right now discovered this shifter immunity. They could have used this information to let humans die off while they remained and took over the world. And who would’ve faulted them for doing so, after we hunted, imprisoned, and killed their kind? And yet, in perhaps the greatest act of selflessness that this country has ever seen, this is not what they did. Instead, they fought to find a cure. They saved the life of this young woman, Lily Young, standing behind me. And they fought to bring the cure to my attention, and to the attention of the scientists in our nation, so that now the world and humans can be saved through their selfless act of service. I have come to understand that shifters are not the dangerous creatures we once envisioned. Rather, they are fellow members of our society, contributing great things and wanting the same things we all do: to live at peace and in happiness with our friends and family, in a world free from the devastation brought on by diseases like the bear flu. It is thus with a heavy heart that I announce today that our war on shifters was a grave mistake. All shifters in prison camps will be freed immediately. The use of shifter-detecting scanners will be abolished as unnecessary and divisive. Shifters will be reintegrated into society. Instead of being feared, they will be celebrated for the unique contributions that they make. A new bureau has been created to govern shifter affairs and improve relations between shifters and humans as we move forward. Shifters who lost loved ones, property, or jobs due to the war will be compensated as best we can. And we will hire shifter ambassadors to ensure that each shifter is treated with respect, and that human-shifter relations flourish as they should. My fellow Americans, I am filled with joy and hope for the future. Despite this dark period in our history, we have overcome. We will rise again, and not only our nation but also our world will once again move forward. You’ve already heard Lily’s story thanks to the amazing reporting efforts of Susan Jones. Today I would like to introduce you to Juno, the scientist you briefly saw during Lily’s news interview. Juno formulated the cure for bear flu, and I would like to present her with the Presidential Medal of Honor for saving the world, quite literally.”
Lily watched in amazement as the President gave Juno the medal. None of the shifters seemed jealous or angry that they were not the ones being honored. They seemed to understand that this was a joint effort, and that when one of them was honored, they were all honored. Lily’s heart swelled with pride as she looked on, and Bash put his arm around her. He kissed the top of her head, and when she looked up at him she saw tears forming in his eyes.
“You’re crying,” she said.
He shrugged, and whispered in her ear. “I know it’s not very manly, but what can I say? Even a tough bear shifter like myself can’t help but be moved to tears watching one of my best friends save the world. And some of these tears might also have something to do with the fact that I found you, and my own world was saved as well.”
Lily’s own eyes filled with tears and she tilted her head up to kiss him on his lips.
“I love you,” she said. And although I’m not happy with what I lost, I feel lucky for what I gained. I have you, I have a new family, and, perhaps most importantly, I have the courage to always keep going no matter what.”
Bash smiled at her. “You always had that courage deep within you. I’m just happy this all brought it out. You will always be my beautiful, courageous lifemate.”
Cheers rose from the gathered reporters as Bash finished speaking. True, they were cheering for Juno’s medal. But Lily pretended they were cheering for her and Bash, and for everything wonderful that was to come.
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About the Author
There are bears walking among us. Sloane Meyers is devoted to telling their stories.
Sloane thinks we could all use a little escape in our lives. And what better way to shake up the ordinary than to transport yourself to the mysterious world of those who have an animal within them, roaring to be let out. Sloane brings you hot shifter males, and spunky, spirited heroines—with NO cliffhangers! Each book can be read as a standalone.
When she’s not busy crafting bear tales, Sloane enjoys a good glass of wine, preferably shared with good friends. She loves reading (duh!) and spending time in the great outdoors.
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Courage in a Fur Coat (The Fur Coat Society Book 5) Page 9