“I’m bathing in the lake, woman, and I’ll be there in plenty of time to take you to the party. I know you’ll look lovely in the dress, so keep it on,” he says into my mind and I realize I’m not blocking him. I receive his sexy laugh for that thought.
I’m nervous in the dress and also nervous to see everyone at once. Nikka and Mandy have introduced me formally to several of the she-bears. Of course, I already know them, but they act as if it’s the first time we’ve met. I haven’t complained because I want peace within my new clan. I like Mandy and Nikka’s friendship. I love Demetria and Patreous. And, I love my mate. At the same time, I realize I don’t need the approval or attention of anyone.
I’m standing in the front room when the door opens. Tyboll takes my breath away. His hair is wet from his bath in the lake. We cut it before anyone saw it long. We cut it every few days because I can’t resist growing it long when I get my hands on it. He’s wearing a suit that I didn’t know he had. It’s dark with a white dress shirt beneath the jacket. The look in his eyes accents the entire package. He’s looking at my legs.
“Turn around slowly,” he says huskily.
I turn.
He growls low in his throat and I fight a smile. “Stay close to me tonight. I will not be responsible for my actions if another male gets too close to you.”
I don’t expect this. “You are my mate. I am meant for no other.”
He stalks close and pulls me to him by my hips. “I know that, but it doesn’t mean I will think about it if another bear is sniffing too closely.”
“Kiss me, mate,” I say as I lean into him.
He whispers against my lips, “If I do, we will never get out of here. It’s your party, so let’s go.”
I would rather skip the party. He smiles and I know he hears my thoughts. I’m always forgetting to turn them off. I hear his most of the time, too. For some reason he’s always reciting how much he likes sex.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Veda
We hear the music before the lights come into view. The party is outside on the large patio at Dmitri’s house. Nikka decorated with white sparkling lights and paper lanterns. The music is unknown to me, which isn’t a surprise. Technology is not my friend and I prefer the peace of the forest.
Dmitri’s voice echoes over the music. “Welcome, Veda, Witch from the line of Josephine, mate to Tyboll, and new member of the bear clan.”
The music shuts off suddenly and I can do nothing but return the formal greeting. “Thank you, Black Demon Bringer of Death, mate of Nikka, Liege to the bear clan.”
A restless mumble from the bears fills the night. Have I said something wrong? Tyboll’s hand tightens on mine. Nikka appears slightly shocked before she steps forward and wraps me in her arms. “What have I done,” I ask her silently.
“You’re fine. He just hasn’t used his full title in centuries,” she replies into my mind
I turn to Dmitri, who looks at his mate with a soft smile. “I am sorry, Dmitri, I meant no disrespect.”
“None taken,” he replies and raises his voice, “Veda is now part of our clan. She is trained in the centuries-old protocol of greeting. If you have a problem with it you are welcome to challenge her.”
I suddenly find myself behind Tyboll. “No, my liege, no one will challenge my mate without facing me first.”
What by the Goddess is he doing? He can no longer fight. A man I don’t know steps forward. His power rolls off him in waves and I realize he is The Kodiak.
“They will first go through me. Veda is now my sister-in-law and a direct member of my family.”
I’m not sure what to do when Honey steps forward. “And they shall go through me also.”
Tyboll breathes against my hair and I feel him relax. At this point, I’m not surprised when Patreous steps forward.
“She is now my mother and I fight also.”
Tyboll hooks his hand around his son’s neck and pulls him close to his side so Patreous and I are held within his arms. Nikka has her hands on her hips and she doesn’t look pleased with her husband. A war is about to break out all because I came to a party.
To my surprise, Dmitri bursts out laughing. “See, witch, you have nothing to fear from this clan. We want you.”
Tyboll’s body completely relaxes. “Damn vampire,” he mutters.
“That was not nice, Dmitri,” Nikka scolds her mate broadcasting her telepathic words to the entire clan. “This is Veda’s party.”
Dmitri tips his head at his mate before turning his eyes to me. They go amber. “I am liege to a stubborn clan of bears. They need to know you are one of us and protected by your family.”
I’m surprised because the vampire knows I do not need the protection of family. I can’t seek out someone to harm, but I can protect myself by any means necessary.
Dmitri speaks into my mind. “Yes, witch, but they do not need to know that. If you want to be accepted, they need to feel your family will protect you.”
This is why my mother taught me that vampires are sneaky. They’re also intelligent and by doing this, he also protects Tyboll. I know about the whispers of Tyboll’s new powers. Patreous is a fountain of uncensored information.
Maybe, just maybe, I can like this vampire.
Nikka disrupts my thoughts and speaks into my mind. “We have made a vegetarian meal for dinner. Let us enjoy the food in your honor, Veda.”
The groans are louder now, but there is laughter mixed in. Nikka prepared food I can eat. No one has ever cared before and I feel a tear slip own my cheek.
“No, mate. No tears. This night is your celebration,” Tyboll whispers in my ear as he ruffles his son’s head.
Before we head to the large tables covered with food dishes that smell wonderful, the bears approach one by one. Most shake my hand and introduce themselves. Several of the females surprise me with hugs. I feel no fear or worry from any of them.
The food, the music, and the laughter make it a perfect night. I’m tired after dancing with Tyboll and Patreous. None of the other men ask because if they come near, Tyboll growls. I think they only do it to tease him. Mandy and Nikka have promised to take me to Dmitri’s club after Mandy’s children are born.
“Only if I’m with you,” Tyboll assures me when I look at him in panic. I lived with the humans, but the city is a place I never need to return to. If Tyboll didn’t live in the forest, I’m not sure I could handle it.
Becoming part of the bear clan is wonderful, but I also miss the life I left behind when I burned my cabin.
“Are you tired?” Tyboll asks as we leave the party.
I’m emboldened by the gruffness in his voice. “No. I miss my mate and I plan to be up with him most of the night.”
“I have a place I would rather take you if you’re willing to shift so we can travel faster.” I’m curious and have no problem removing my dress and shifting. Tyboll picks up the dress in his teeth after he’s in bear form.
“I like the dress and may let you put it on later,” he says into my mind.
I laugh as we take off running. Our paws eat up the ground. Within thirty minutes, I’m sure I know where he’s leading me. My heart is heavy. I do not want to see the burned remnants of my cabin.
We finally come out of the woods at the clearing where my cabin once stood. A new, freshly built cabin stands in its place. I shift to human and stare in bewilderment. Tyboll takes my hand as I turn to him. “What is this?”
“Our home. The clan built it for us. It’s larger than your other cabin, so there is room for Patreous and visitors who wish to stay overnight.”
“But I don’t understand.” This makes absolutely no sense.
“I told Dmitri two weeks ago that I would not share our secrets. He trusts me to protect the clan and I also gave my word that I would always do so.” He spreads his arms out. “This is where we belong. We are not only bear, we are witch, and we need a place to grow hair and all the other things you haven’t shown me without th
e eyes of the clan surrounding us. When our son spends time with Mandy and Honey, we will have the cabin to ourselves.”
The pressure behind my eyes is too much. “I love you, Tyboll,” I say through tears. I cover my face with my hands.
He pulls my hands away and holds them within his. “I’m glad to hear that, mate, because I love you. For some reason, the Goddess has placed a great weight on your shoulders and now mine. She has also given us each other. It is time to start our future.” He kisses my fingers tenderly. “I am a gruff man and an impatient bear. With your guidance, I plan to be a good witch and maybe it will push aside some of the tendencies that force you to run from me.” He draws me closer until our lips almost touch. “Know this. I will always come for you no matter how far you run. You are mine and I am yours.” He kisses the salt of my tears from my lips. Unfortunately, he pulls away before the kiss deepens. “I want to show you our home. I’ve been a slave driver to have it finished by tonight.”
He leads me through the door and I can’t help my gasp of surprise. Beautiful pots of herbs rest on every surface. My former cabin was one large room. Now, there is a loft and doors leading to other rooms. Only a clan of shifters could accomplish something like this so quickly. Tyboll grasps my hand and pulls me to the farthest door.
“That’s a bathroom,” he says as he points to a door we pass. “There is another in here so I have privacy after you poison me with mushrooms.”
A large bed takes up most of the room. It’s larger than the one at his other cabin.
“This bathroom is not finished because I had to special order the bathtub. It will be here next week and someone in the clan will deliver it.”
From the size of the empty space and height of the plumbing it will also rival the size of the one at his cabin. Previously, I noticed Tyboll’s continued use of the word “mine” when we were at his cabin. Now he used “ours.” Our son. Our home. Our future.
I say a silent prayer, “Thank you Goddess for the greatest gift of all. My mate. The man I love.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Tyboll
I storm through the woods kicking branches as I go. Damn witch. Will I ever know the truth of everything?
I am bear. Just bear!
The limb I kick this time hurts my bare foot and I growl even louder. Bears are far superior. Why would I ever choose another beast form? The clan will laugh their asses off if they ever find out. It doesn’t matter that we now have cats and wolves in the mix. We are bear.
I didn’t believe her and made her show me. She actually purred when in cat form. It was not sexy because… I do not like sex.
“Your lunch is ready, so stop sulking and come home to eat,” she calls into my mind.
I want meat, too. My stomach flip-flops at the thought and I know it’s as big of a lie as not liking sex. I love sex. I love my mate. Hell, I even love being a witch, though I refuse to admit it. If she would just stop turning my world upside down. She’s taught me to use the great texts. They confound me. I keep my nose to the books because it makes her happy. When she’s happy, I like sex even more.
I storm into the cabin and the delicious aroma of my new favorite meal makes me stop to inhale deeply. Veda holds up a spoon dripping the best spaghetti sauce in the world—made from tomatoes I created.
The woman can cook. “Have a seat and I’ll bring your plate over. I prepared the bread you like, too.”
She’s doing it again—deflating my anger. I can’t stay mad at her because she makes my life so wonderful. She’s incredible with Patreous. She spends hours with Mandy’s new babies and is the only person who has any control over Demetria at all. The devil child is enthralled with my mate. There is a steady stream of she-bears coming to our cabin asking her for help. They bring the young ones with them now. They pay attention to what we need and make sure Veda feels like clan. The male bears haven’t asked me to share my new talents, but they have no problem pushing my buttons. Life is great.
And I now have the ability to shift to different beastkind species. I won’t do it!
“Doesn’t matter, you can. You had to know.” Her annoyance drips from the words.
I stand up and walk over before she can bring my plate. My hands go to her skirt-clad legs and I push the material up as my lips trail over her neck. I’m finally able to feel her skin and the electrical charge travels from her flesh to mine and back. I turn, slip one hand around her waist, and turn off the burners.
I need to heat up my mate and maybe, just maybe, she will purr for me again.
The beginning…
D’Elen Gets Real,
It was wonderful to revisit the bear clan and give Tyboll a run for his money. I don’t know what it is about a big burly man with attitude that I love so much but I do. Maybe because my husband has lots of bear clan characteristics. I’ll say nothing else about that, though.
I’ve had lots of comments on social media about the Epilady scene. Nope, I could not have written it without suffering the pain myself. I lasted about six months with that damn thing before throwing it away. Worst investment ever! It was kind of fun to put a man through it, though. *slaps hand* bad writer.
For those of you who haven’t made the leap to my dragon series, Tyboll and Veda have a short scene in book III, Dragons Don’t Forgive. Please read the dragon books in order—it’s a must. Book I Dragons Don’t Cry is 99 cents for the eBook.
Special thanks…
To Dinah deSouzaGuedes VanHoose for naming Veda. The name belonged to Dinah’s late mother. Both of these women, fictional and real, have feisty in common. I was honored to give Veda such an awesome name.
To the team of remarkable ladies who touch up my stories and make them shine…
Michelle, Pat, Elaine, Hannah, and Kathie thank you so very much!
Peace and love,
D’Elen
Author Bio:
D’Elen McClain is the U.S.A. Today Best-Selling author of the Fang Chronicles and Fire Chronicles. She also writes as Suzie Ivy, her police side, and her spicy side as Holly S. Roberts, the USA Today Best-Selling Author of the Completion Series and Club El Diablo Series.
Connect with D’Elen at:
www.wickedstorytelling.com
http://twitter.com/mywickedstories
http://facebook.com/delenmcclain
[email protected]
Bibliography
Writing as D’Elen McClain
Fang Chronicles – Paranormal Romance
Amy’s Story*
Emily’s Story
Zenya’s Story
Mandy’s Story
Dmitri
Ivan
Tyboll
Fire Chronicles – Paranormal Romance
Dragons Don’t Cry
Dragons Don’t Love
Dragons Don’t Forgive
Dragons Live Forever
Writing as Holly S. Roberts
Completion Series – New Adult Romance
Play
Strike
Kick
Slam
Pass (coming soon)
Crimson Series – Vampire Erotic Romance
Crimson Warrior
Crimson Brothers (coming soon)
Club El Diablo Series – Kinky Romance
One Dom at a Time*
Piercing a Doms Heart
Touched by a Dom
Domination in Pink (short and kinky sequel to One Dom at a Time)*
Two Doms for Angel
Bad Boy Dom (Bad Boys of Rock)
Loving Two Doms (Bad Boys of Rock)
Caught by Two Doms (sequel Two Doms for Angel)
Temporary Dom (Bad Boys of Rock)
Writing as Suzie Ivy
Bad Luck Detective Series – Police Humor/ Inspirational
Bad Luck Cadet & Officer
The Forever Team
Free ebook at most outlets*
Table of Contents
Dedication
Chapter One
&nb
sp; Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Note from the Author
Author Bio
Bibliography
Fang Chronicles: Tyboll Page 10