by Bianca D’Arc
And they did. She realized they had the rest of their lives to share this incredible intimacy. All those days to learn each other and every night to spend in each other’s arms. The future—for the first time ever—looked bright, indeed.
Trevor made love to her gently, but with increasing vigor. He altered their positions multiple times, bringing her to climax over and over again before allowing her that big final orgasm in which he joined her, whispering her name and all sorts of exciting words into her ear as he thrust from behind. Somehow, they’d ended up doggy style, but she wasn’t complaining.
Trevor was proving to be a very thorough and inventive lover, and she had a lot to learn. She already knew she would enjoy each and every lesson.
Later, as they lay together in the aftermath, Trevor realized he still had a few things to clear up with Beth. He’d laid all the groundwork. Now, he needed to tell her what he’d done and make it clear to her that she didn’t have to give up her friends in the pod for him.
“You know, I had a talk with Big John today.” He broached the subject cautiously, not sure how to proceed. He’d take his cues from her responses.
She turned toward him on the bed, putting her hand across his chest and her head on his shoulder. He felt the warmth of affection blossom in his heart anew. Life with her was going to be glorious.
He just had to make sure she realized she had options. He’d spent a lot of time that afternoon trying to set things up. Now, he just had to see which way she wanted to go.
“I also talked to my commanding officer, Major Moore, back in Wyoming.”
“Really?” She yawned and snuggled closer. He forged ahead, figuring, if she fell asleep, at least he could use this as a practice run for when she woke up.
“I live there, you know. In Wyoming. But I have a sense that it wouldn’t be the ideal place for you. Any water we have is frozen a good part of the year. Of course, the skiing is great, but I get the idea you need the ocean.”
“Mm-hmm,” she agreed, nodding faintly against his chest.
“So, I asked John if I could join the guys here in Grizzly Cove, since this is where your pod is based for now, but he came up with what I think is an even better solution.” He wasn’t sure if she was still listening, but he kept talking, anyway. “Major Moore and Big John have agreed to grant me a unique sort of dual-citizenship. I’m still part of the Wraiths, and I can keep my cabin on the mountain in Wyoming for now, but we can live here in Grizzly Cove. Or we can go wherever else you want. I figure you’d like the coast. California? Or Oregon? Wherever you like.”
“I like it here,” she replied, proving she’d been listening all along. She rose up to meet his gaze. “And I love it that you put so much thought into this.” She leaned down to kiss him. “Thank you, my love.” She kissed him again. “But you should know, I would’ve gone anywhere as long as I’m with you. If you really want to stay with your friends in Wyoming, I’m okay with that. We’ll figure it out. And I really would like to learn how to ski, sometime.” She kissed him a little longer this time.
It meant the world to him that she’d been willing to give up the ocean to be with him, but he’d arranged it so she wouldn’t have to. They were both thinking of each other, which meant their relationship was off to a really good start. Love would see them through whatever issues might arise.
*
They held a birthday party for Beth a few days later, attended by all their friends. It was really a combination birthday and mating celebration. They’d gone public—to the surprise of absolutely no one in Grizzly Cove—the day after the battle, to the good wishes of all their friends.
Now that she was of legal age to inherit the property that had been left in trust for her, she was able to begin legal proceedings to fully deconstruct what Jonathan had built. The mated lawyer pair that called Grizzly Cove home—Tom and his mate, Ashley—had already begun writing up the necessary documents. There would be plenty of work for the lawyers and for Trevor, Beth and the team she was building, starting with Ezra.
It might take months—possibly even years—but they’d fix what Jonathan had broken. It was something Beth had vowed to do, regardless of how long it took. She’d also resolved to help her mother and had already sent a shifter psychologist to talk with her mother at the big house on Catalina Island. The preliminary report had confirmed Beth’s suspicions, without breaching patient confidentiality, that Beth’s mother had faced years of abuse, both physical and psychological. It was going to take time for her mother to heal, but at least she had it now. Time and space away from Jonathan and his goons.
Maybe, someday, Beth’s mother would come visit, or maybe even choose to stay in Grizzly Cove, but for now, she had her own demons to put to rest. Beth trusted the people she’d put in place to help her mother with Trevor’s help. The psychologist was someone he knew and who had worked with civilian victims of violence many times. Major Moore had a number of qualified people like that on call because he was one of the good guys, and he didn’t like to leave a trail of traumatized people in his wake.
When the Wraiths rescued someone, they truly rescued them—in every sense of the word.
That was certainly true in Beth’s case. Trevor had come into her life and rescued her from a future without him in it. A future in which she would have continued to be afraid of every little change.
Come to think of it, she probably would’ve been captured by one of those bounty hunters and sent back to Jonathan. That was no future at all, as far as she was concerned.
Instead, with Trevor in her life, Beth had finally come into her own. The problem with her stepfather had come to a head and been dealt with once and for all. Her inner predator had finally made peace with her previously wimpy human half, and not only was she in better harmony with herself, but she was in better harmony with all those around her who had put up with her whining for so very long.
Beth was well and truly rescued, and Trevor continued to be a source of love and delight in her life as they worked through the residual issues left by Jonathan’s actions. She was surrounded by friends and the man she loved more than life itself, celebrating a birthday she almost didn’t live to see, in a place she intended to call home for the foreseeable future.
Life couldn’t get much better than this.
Just as she had that thought, Trevor returned to her side and took her into her arms.
“I stand corrected,” she whispered as he swept her into a slow dance on the beach where they’d set up party lights and had music playing. Her party was for land and sea shifters alike and was taking place in a venue both groups could easily enjoy.
“What’s that, my love?” Trevor whispered near her ear as they swayed to the music.
“I was just thinking things couldn’t get any better, and then, you took me into your arms. You proved me wrong. It did get better—just because you’re here.” She reached up and kissed him gently. “I love you, my mate.”
“I love you too.”
They danced the night away under the stars, surrounded by friends in a place of peace and harmony. Grizzly Cove had made Beth’s dreams—even the ones she hadn’t really dared to dream—come true.
*
Thanks for reading Badass Bear (Grizzly Cove #9). If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review.
A complete list of all of my books, separated by series, follows the excerpt. You can also check out my website at BIANCADARC.COM. Or you can sign up for my new release list to be alerted when new books are released.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bianca D’Arc has run a laboratory, climbed the corporate ladder in the shark-infested streets of lower Manhattan, studied and taught martial arts, and earned the right to put a whole bunch of letters after her name, but she’s always enjoyed writing more than any of her other pursuits. She grew up and still lives on Long Island, where she keeps busy with an extensive garden, several aquariums full of very demanding fish, and writing her favorite genres of paranor
mal, fantasy and sci-fi romance.
Bianca loves to hear from readers and can be reached through Twitter (@BiancaDArc), Facebook (BiancaDArcAuthor) or through the various links on her website.
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OTHER BOOKS BY BIANCA D’ARC
Paranormal Romance
Brotherhood of Blood
One & Only
Rare Vintage
Phantom Desires
Sweeter Than Wine
Forever Valentine
Wolf Hills*
Wolf Quest
Tales of the Were
Lords of the Were
Inferno
Lone Wolf
Tales of the Were ~ The Others
Rocky
Slade
The Jaguar Tycoon
Tales of the Were ~ Redstone Clan
The Purrfect Stranger
Grif
Red
Magnus
Bobcat
Matt
Tales of the Were ~ String of Fate
Cat’s Cradle
King’s Throne
Jacob’s Ladder
Her Warriors
Tales of the Were ~ Grizzly Cove
All About the Bear
Mating Dance
Night Shift
Alpha Bear
Saving Grace
Bearliest Catch
The Bear’s Healing Touch
The Luck of the Shifters
Badass Bear
Guardians of the Dark
Half Past Dead
Once Bitten, Twice Dead
A Darker Shade of Dead
The Beast Within
Dead Alert
Gifts of the Ancients: Warrior’s Heart
Epic Fantasy Erotic Romance
Dragon Knights
The Dragon Healer
Maiden Flight*
Border Lair
Master at Arms
The Ice Dragon**
Prince of Spies***
Wings of Change
FireDrake
Dragon Storm
Keeper of the Flame
Hidden Dragons
The Sea Captain’s Daughter Trilogy
Book 1: Sea Dragon
Book 2: Dragon Fire
Book 3: Dragon Mates
Science Fiction Romance
StarLords
Hidden Talent
Talent For Trouble
Shy Talent
Jit’Suku Chronicles ~ Arcana
End of the Line
King of Swords
King of Cups
King of Clubs
King of Stars
Diva
Jit’Suku Chronicles ~ Sons of Amber
Angel in the Badlands
Master of Her Heart
Futuristic Erotic Romance
Resonance Mates
Hara’s Legacy**
Davin’s Quest
Jaci’s Experiment
Grady’s Awakening
Harry’s Sacrifice
* RT Book Reviews Awards Nominee
** EPPIE Award Winner
*** CAPA Award Winner