Desired by the Bear - Book 1: BBW Werebear Shifter Romance

by V. Vaughn

  “Yes, sir,” I say as Annie sits next to me and takes my hand. I squeeze tightly as I wait for him to go on.

  “I’m sending you to Isabelle and Jean Luc.”

  Canada? This is not what I expected, and I’m not sure what to think. I grew up with Isabelle and learned to stay out of her way. She’s cold, self-centered, and to put it bluntly -- a bitch. Although I heard she saved Annie’s life, so maybe she’s mellowed since finding her true mate. I paste on a smile. “Thank you. I’m sure that will be nice.”

  “It will be safer than here. But you’ll still be in danger.” Tristan lifts his mug to his mouth and asks, “How do you feel about carpentry work?”

  I fight the urge to frown, because I’d much rather fight. “Ah, I’m sure I’ll adapt to it quickly.”

  I watch the large Adam’s apple in his thick throat bob as he swallows. “Yes,” he says. “You will, because you’re working with the Ouellette clan to build boats. Your contact with humans will be minimal, and plenty of werebear will be around you at all times to keep you safe.”

  Annie gets up from the table, and plates clatter as I say, “Thank you. I’m looking forward to it.”

  Tristan smiles. “I don’t think you are, but once we eliminate this band of hunters you can come home.”

  Breakfast thumps before me, and Annie says, “Isabelle is not who you remember, Nadia. I think she’ll surprise you, and I know the Ouellettes are kind.”

  My fork is slick in my fingers as I lift it, and I say, “I’m sure I’ll be just fine.” All I want to do now is eat and get out of here. After the day I’ve had I’m afraid I’m about to cry or have a hissy fit. Neither would go over well with my alpha, so I focus on filling my belly instead.

  I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me. Now I’m sure when something good happens to me I can count on it being taken away. Like Sven. While our clan was dying around us and we were scrounging for food, we fell in love. We married, and Sven promised to take care of me forever. But it was a lie, because my husband came here and found his true mate. She got his heart, and I got a divorce.

  I glance up from my meal to Darin’s kind gaze, but I avert my eyes. I don’t want his pity. I will be fine. I’ve survived losing my family, near extinction, and a broken heart. Moving to a strange place ought to be easy.

  The back door squeaks open, and I turn to discover Sven. My stomach clenches as old pain is dredged up. He gazes at me with concern, and now I can’t hold back my tears as I recall how he used to hold me and make me feel as if everything would be okay. When he opens his arms I lose any dignity I have and go to him.

  “Nadia,” he says as he hugs me tight. I inhale his scent, and my heart feels as if a vise tightens on it. “I’m so glad to see you’re okay.” I look up at him as hot tears roll down my face. He says, “Come on. Let’s go for a walk.”

  Sven takes my hand and leads me outside. I welcome the dark as my tears continue to fall. Crickets chirp as we make our way over to Annie’s garden, and wood is firm under my bottom as we sit on a bench. I ask, “Where’s Lucy?”

  “She’s home. I told her I had to see you.”

  I nod, and Sven lifts my chin to gaze into my eyes. “I broke my promise to you and never said I’m sorry. You deserve so much better.”

  “Yeah.” I sniff, and the cotton of my sweatshirt is rough on my nose when I wipe it on my sleeve. “You found your true mate. We both know how that works.”

  “I did. And that’s why I know you will find yours too.”

  A dry laugh escapes my lips before I say, “I’m moving to Canada.” I glance at my hands and flex my fingers. “I’m going to build boats.”

  “Beauty queen to builder. You’re a chameleon.”

  “I guess.”

  Sven puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into the crook of his arm. “You’ll make it work, Nadia. Fate puts us where we need to be. You have to trust it.”

  I do trust fate, even though she’s given me a rocky ride. I think about how Sven was my savior when we were trying to survive. We needed each other to hold on to hope, and maybe we were thrown together so we’d make it. My brief career as a model did help me heal, and perhaps my real destiny does lie in Canada.

  I pull away from Sven and say, “You’re right. Instead of thinking of this as being sent away, I should look at moving as an adventure.” I shrug. “Who knows? My true mate might be waiting.”

  Sven smiles at me. “I bet he is.”

  I smile back and pretend I believe it’s true.

  19

  Kelsey

  A seagull calls out overhead, and I gaze up at him as I make my way up the stairs. My first week of work was amazing. I’m not sure if I walked around with a grin all day because I love my new job, or because I’m in love with a man who thinks we’re destined to be together. I had to snap out of daydreams of Val’s kiss more than once to focus on the task at hand. I flip through my notes I took today as I walk to my apartment. Paper tears as I rip some out of my journal, and I scratch out a note to Val. I need to run to the store for a few supplies, and I want to let him know where I’ve gone.

  I stick the note in the crack of Val’s door before jogging up to my apartment to grab my wallet. The seagull coasts on a wind current in the blue sky as if he’s soaring with love too. The neighborhood market is only a mile away, and I manage to get my groceries as well as chocolate cake and wine for tonight.

  As I walk from my car to the apartment building a girl comes out of the door on the first level. She smiles as she approaches me and asks, “Are you the new tenant on the top floor?”

  “I am.” I stop moving, and the bottle of wine clinks against another jar as I shift my bag to the other arm. “I’m Kelsey.”

  “Abby.” She hooks her thumb backward. “1A.” She glances at my groceries and says, “I hear you’re the intern. That’s how I got my job.”

  “Cool. That gives me hope, because I really like it here.”

  “Jean Luc is good people.” Abby flips her dark hair over her shoulder, and her blue eyes sparkle as she says, “Hey. I’m off to run an errand, but do you want to catch dinner?”

  “Oh. That would be great. But--”

  “Kelsey!” I glance up at to the second floor, where Val is standing in his doorway. I wave as a flush heats my cheeks, and I say, “I have plans.”

  Val’s feet thud down the stairs as he comes toward us, and Abby frowns as she asks, “Date?” I nod, and she says, “But you’re hu--” She catches herself and offers me what I think is a fake smile. “That’s great. Maybe some other time.”

  Val has reached us, and he takes my bag as I say, “I’d love to.”

  She glances at Val, and her voice sounds automatic as she says, “Yeah. Sure.”

  She leaves us, and I wait until she’s out of earshot to say, “That was strange. Old girlfriend?”

  “No. I’ve known Abby all my life. I’m sure it was nothing.”

  I repeat her words as we begin to walk. “Yeah. Sure.” But I don’t think it was. She doesn’t like the idea of me dating Val, and I wonder why. As we walk up the stairs my phone rings with a bad ’80s song my mother likes. I say to Val, “I should get this. It’s my mom.”

  “Okay.”

  We continue up to my apartment as I talk. My mother and I haven’t been on the best terms lately, but I decide to start off assuming the best. “Mom, it’s so nice to hear your voice.”

  My door clicks open, and Val follows me inside with my food. Mom says, “Yours too, my darling daughter. How is Canada? Have you tried the local poutine yet?”

  She’s making an effort to be cheerful, and I smile as I glance at Val. “No, I haven’t had a chance to taste Canadian poutine.”

  Val winks at me, and I think it means he’ll make it for me as he mouths, “Come down when you’re done.”

  “Tell me about the job,” says Mom. “Is it as fabulous as you hoped?”

  “Better.” I gaze out at the ocean as I tell her about my apartment and th
e things I’m learning at work. When I’m done I say, “I met someone.” My mother doesn’t answer, and I pull my phone away from ear to make sure we didn’t get disconnected. When I see we didn’t I ask, “Did you hear me?”

  “Yes. Sorry, I was -- what’s he like?”

  I can tell when my mother is faking her excitement, and she’s definitely using that voice right now, but I’m too delirious with love to care. I sink into the sofa with a whoosh and say, “His name is Val, he’s got the most amazing eyes, and Mom, I think he might be the one.”

  She gasps, and her voice is stern when she says, “Kelsey.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s so fast. Are you sure?”

  I chuckle before I say, “I think so. I’ve never felt this way, and I bet I have that look in my eye like you do when you talk about Dad.”

  “Oh, honey.” She sighs and then says, “There’s something I need to talk to you about. I’ve been kicking myself over it because I should have told you before you left.”

  “I’m listening.” I get up from my couch to pace.

  “This can’t be done over the phone. When is your day off?”

  I think about how Val and I planned to spend my time off together, but my mother’s tone has me worried, and I say, “The day after tomorrow.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  She’s totally got her stern-mother voice working, and my stomach cramps in a knee-jerk reaction as if I’ve done something wrong. “Mom, what’s going on?”

  “Honey, I really need to do this face to face. Text me the address, and I’ll be there in time for lunch.”

  “Okay.” I think about how long the drive is and ask, “Do you want to stay over? I bet I could get Val to make us your beloved gravy-drenched fries.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Good. We’ll have a sleepover complete with junk food and maybe a chick flick.” I pause before I ask, “Mom? Does this have anything to do with why you didn’t want me to come here?”

  “I wasn’t good at hiding that, was I?” she asks. “Please don’t worry. This is on me, and we’ll figure it out. I love you, honey.”

  “Love you too, Mom.” The call clicks off, and I stare at my phone as I wonder what it is she’s been hiding. She didn’t sound happy I’m in love with Val, and I think maybe this has something to do with how she got pregnant with me before she had a chance to start her career. Maybe she’s afraid I’ll do the same thing. But how could she know I’d fall in love here? No. I shake my head. Something else is going on here, and it’s going to drive me crazy for the next two days until I can find out.

  When I step outside I realize mist has rolled in, and a foghorn lets out its sad moan in the distance. The moist air chills me as I walk down to Val’s, and when I get inside I walk over to him and let him warm me up with his embrace as he asks, “How’s your mother?”

  I have no idea how this man can be such an inferno. “She’s fine. She’s coming to visit on our day off, and I promised her you’d make us poutine.”

  “I’d be happy to. It’ll be nice to meet your mother.”

  “You’ll like her.” I step away from Val as I frown. I say, “At least I think you will. She didn’t sound happy when I told her about us, and she’s coming because she has something she needs to tell me.”

  Val hands me a goblet, and I swirl the wine in my glass. The red liquid splashing up the sides make me think of blood as Val says, “I hope it’s nothing too serious.”

  “Yeah. Me too.” I shake off my broodiness and smile. “She said not to worry, so that’s what I’m going to do.” I notice Val is the one who looks concerned now, and I walk over to him and rise up on my toes for a kiss in an attempt to distract him as I ask, “What’s for dinner?”

  He nibbles on my lips and whispers, “You.”

  My insides tingle as he kisses me deeper, and the worries I have slip away.

  20

  Tally

  For the first time I can remember, I’m not happy to see Marcel coming toward me. I like my privacy, and until I was being guarded night and day, I took it for granted. Maybe if I ignore him he’ll go away. My scissors snip as I cut a sprig of mint, and the odor fills my nose as Marcel hovers over me. His hulking frame blocks the sun, and I say, “Who needs sunscreen when you’ve got a Marcel.” Any other time I would have been flirting, but today sarcasm drips from my words. I glance up at him. “What?”

  He steps back and holds up his hands. “Sorry. I was just coming over to--“ He shakes his head. “I’d ask if you missed me, but I think I know the answer.”

  A werebear named Xavier has been assigned as my protector, but today he had another obligation, and some other guy took his place. While Xavier does a decent job of letting me go about my business without interruption, Jace doesn’t. I sigh. “It’s not you, Marcel.” I glare at Jace, who is two steps away with his arms crossed and a look on his face that reminds me of the queen’s guard at Buckingham Palace. “This bodyguard thing makes me feel trapped.”

  Marcel nods. “Jean Luc is trying to keep you safe.”

  “I know.” I hold up my hand. “Help me, please? Every single part of me hurts.” Izzy’s plan to whip me into shape just might kill me. Yesterday she taught me how to lift weights, and I am now painfully aware of muscles I didn’t know existed.

  “What happened?”

  I grunt as I stand. “Isabelle De Rozier Ouellette, the warrior trainer from hell.”

  “Oh.” Marcel’s brow knits in concern. “Would you like me to massage out some of the lactic acid?”

  “The what?” The idea acid is flowing through my body sounds right, because it would explain my agony. “Yes. Whatever it--ow, ow, ow!” I hold my breath as a muscle in my stomach cramps up, and I bend over.

  “Breathe, Tally.” Marcel hunches down so that he’s in my face.

  I pant as I take shallow breaths in an attempt to keep the stabs of pain away. “I can’t. It hurts.”

  “Planks?”

  I nod as I attempt to straighten up again. “She’s pure evil, that one.”

  “I know.” Marcel has my arm, and he massages my bicep gently.

  It feels nice, and I close my eyes. “Oh. I like that.”

  “Yeah? Let’s go inside, and I’ll work out the rest of it.”

  My mood is definitely improving, and I even manage to let Jace come with us instead of slamming the door in his face. Which is a good thing, because I’m sure something would have cramped up if I’d used much effort.

  Marcel leads me to my couch and tells me to sit down. He gets on the floor and gazes up at me as he removes my garden clogs. “Besides the pain, how is training going?”

  The warmth in his eyes makes me melt, and any ounce of annoyance I had is gone. I say, “I am now able to fight off a small child and win.”

  The strong grip of Marcel’s fingers is heaven as he works on my calf. “That’s good. You never know when one of those brats will attack.”

  “See? That’s what I told Izzy, but she’s convinced I need to work up to adults.”

  He chuckles as he works his way up my leg. My stomach begins to quiver when my mind moves his fingers up much further. I say, “You have magic hands.”

  “Um-hm.” Marcel shifts his position on the floor and moves to my other calf before he gets into dangerous territory. “I’ll have to get you a roller stick so you can massage these muscles yourself.”

  I lean my head back and sigh. “Who needs a roller stick when you’ve got a Marcel?” I’m suddenly aware of Jace, because he coughs. Damn it. I can’t even get away with a good fantasy these days. It’s too bad Marcel isn’t my bodyguard. But he’s too high up on the warrior food chain to guard someone like me. Although, Xavier is too. Huh.

  I whimper when Marcel stops massaging, and the couch sinks next to me as he sits on it and says, “Let me do your shoulders and back now.”

  I twist so he can reach easily and say, “This might earn you an extra-good tarot reading.
”

  “I thought last week’s was pretty good.” He leans in and sniffs my hair. “The idea my dream girl is right under my nose appeals to me.”

  I let myself pretend for a moment I’m Marcel’s fated love. The truth is my tarot cards don’t have a clue about Marcel’s true mate. They don’t work that way, but I enjoy Marcel’s company so much that I make something up to keep him coming back. I say, “You’re shameless, but as long as you promise not to stop massaging me, I’ll let you sweet talk me any way you want.”

  As Marcel works the kinks out of my shoulders with his gentle hands I glance at the piece of red sea glass on my windowsill. The sun is shining through it, and it glows, but not as it did when it still had a message for me. I still can’t figure out what the vision my spell gave me meant, and the girl with the red hair continues to puzzle me. I think about how Marcel is a seer and ask, “When you have a premonition, what is it like?”

  “It’s a thought that pops into my dreams, and it stands out because it doesn’t fit. And unlike most dreams you forget, this one stays with me.”

  “Like the one you had about me. Have you had any more?” When he doesn’t answer I turn to face him. “Marcel?”

  His face is pale. His eyes dart toward Jace and back to me. “You’re still in danger, Tally.”

  He’s scaring me, but my role as the clan medicine woman means I never show fear. The werebear look to me for answers, and I refuse to fail them. I smile and tilt my head toward my bodyguard. “That’s why I have Jace.”

  Marcel takes my hand. “And you have me.”

  Oh, how I wish that were true. While I know he cares about me, Marcel can never be mine. It would be a mistake I’m not willing to make. One day his true mate will come along, and no matter how much he might love me, he would love her more. I don’t think my heart could take that. I pat Marcel’s hand. “Thanks. You’re a good friend.”

  He stands up and turns to Jace. “You take good care of her.” Jace nods at him in his stoic way. Marcel says, “I’ve got to get back to work, but I’ll stop by again tomorrow.”