“Harder,” Ty moaned, and the deep desire in his tone had her riding him like a bull, bucking furiously as her orgasm began to crash over her.
“Bite me,” he demanded, his hands on her hips and hooded eyes on hers.
Everything felt right this time, and Jordan knew without a doubt that Tyson was her mate. She wasn’t going to stand in her own way anymore, so she reared back, then clasped her mouth on his heaving chest and bit him hard, completing the claiming of her mate and promising to be with him for the rest of her life.
Tyson’s growl filled the room as his seed burst within her, which was all she needed to join him and tumble over the edge.
Jordan rode out her orgasm until it crested, and they were both left panting and trying to catch their breath.
Her head hit his shoulder and she felt him lift the hair off the nape of her neck before he kissed her there sweetly.
“Thank you,” Ty said softly, causing her to turn her head and look at him. “You’ve given me the greatest gift and made me the happiest man on earth.”
“I’m happy too,” Jordan replied, brushing her lips across his jaw. “I’m sorry I’ve put us through such hell.”
Ty caressed her face and was about to reply, when Vicious decided it was time to let his displeasure at having his sleep interrupted be known.
“What the hell is that?” Ty asked, turning his head to the bed where Vicious was hissing.
“My cat.”
Ty’s eyes met hers and she shrugged.
“I was lonely.”
Ty closed his eyes, then said in a resigned tone, “Just keep it away from me.”
Jordan chuckled. Tyson had always hated cats.
“Does that mean we’re going home?”
Dropping a quick kiss on her lips, Tyson grinned and said, “At least you’re already packed.”
Tyson
“I’m so happy for you, brother,” Tyson said to Drake.
They were sitting in a bar with Mika. It was their first chance to get together since Drake had gotten back from his honeymoon.
“I’m happy for you too, man,” Drake replied with a grin, raising his glass of whiskey in a toast. “To you and Jordan finally getting your shit together.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Mika said wryly, and they all raised their glasses before drinking.
“And thanks to you both for not letting shit fall apart while I was gone.”
Ty chuckled and thought that although he hadn’t minded being in charge for a couple weeks, he was glad his friend was home and back in his rightful place as their Sheriff and Clan Chief.
“Oh, I forgot to mention it earlier, but Trinity Snow is back in town and she needs to set up a meeting with you,” Tyson said as he leaned back against the booth seat.
“No shit?” Drake replied. “What about?”
“She’s a shifter,” Ty answered, keeping his voice low so that only Drake and Mika could hear him. “A late bloomer, like me, except in her case, she didn’t even know it was in her bloodline. Found out the hard way while she was living in LA… She came back to start a life here.”
“What’s the issue?”
“She’s a snow leopard.”
Drake’s eyes shot to him, his surprise evident.
“There are no snow leopards around here.”
“There is now,” Ty replied with a grin. “She doesn’t know who her father is. He could have been a drifter, or it could have happened somewhere else… I don’t know the particulars, but this is home to her. Her mom is here, she has friends here, and she wants to start a dance studio.”
“So she wants to stay and set up roots, and is asking for clan approval?”
“Yeah, that about sums it up.”
Mika grunted, and both men turned to see that he was looking down into his glass of amber liquid looking miserable.
“Everything okay?” Ty asked his friend.
Mika’s head lifted, and he looked embarrassed at having his friends catch him brooding.
“Fine,” he said, then got up quickly from the table and grunted “bathroom,” walking toward the back of the bar.
“What the hell was that?” Drake asked Ty.
“He hasn’t said anything, but with the way he freaked when he saw me and Trinity on a date, and the way he was acting just now, I think maybe he had a thing for her.”
“Wait, what? You went on a date with Trinity?”
Tyson filled him in on what had happened while Drake was on his honeymoon, but in the back of his head he worried about Mika. He hoped Mika wasn’t serious about his feelings for Trinity. Different breeds didn’t mix, and although there’d been cases of cross-breeding in the past, none of the ones Ty had heard about ended well.
And the things he’d heard, Ty wouldn’t wish on anyone, especially his friend and clan mate.
When Mika came back to the table, he was back to his normal self, and neither Drake nor Ty prodded him about it. They let it be… for now.
“Well, I need to get back to my bride,” Drake said with a wide smile as he rose from the table. Married life obviously suited him. Of course, he’d known since he was fifteen that Mia was the one for him, so finally having her where she belonged after all of these years had to be a relief. “She texted and said she’s craving mint chocolate chip ice cream, so I’m off to the store.”
“All right, brother,” Ty said, rising to give Drake a clap on the back. “See you at the office tomorrow.”
“Yeah, time to get back to it,” Drake replied, then turned to Mika and asked, “You in tomorrow?”
“I think I’m going to start the Moses case… go out and do some tracking,” Mika replied.
“Sounds good, just check in and let me know if you need anything.”
“Will do, boss.”
They watched Drake walk away, then Ty turned to Mika and asked, “One more?”
“You don’t need to get home to Jordan?”
“Nah, she’s actually out with Trinity tonight.”
At the mention of the petite blonde, Mika’s jaw clamped shut and he took his seat.
After they ordered another round, Mika broke the silence and changed the subject.
“So, have you talked to Jordan about the orphanage?”
“Yeah,” Ty replied, leaning back with the grin of a satisfied man. “We’re heading down there this weekend. I talked to Mrs. Kline and got it all set up, so we’ll meet the kids and see what happens.”
“Are you thinking you just want to adopt one at first?”
Ty shrugged.
“We agreed to see what happens. If we connect with one, more than one… I don’t know. I think we’ll feel it in the moment, you know?”
“It’s a good thing,” Mika said, his hands wrapped around his glass, face serious. “Those kids deserve a good life, and no one deserves a family as much as you do. I’m happy for you.”
Tyson looked at his friend and all traces of amusement left him.
“Anything you need from me, Mika, doesn’t matter what or when… I’ll be there.”
Mika nodded and threw back his drink.
“Well, if I’m gonna get on the road early, I need to hit the hay soon.”
They paid the bill and walked out together. Mika left with the promise to let Ty know when he got back to town, and Tyson headed to the home he now shared with Jordan, happy to have had a night out with the guys, but eager to get back to his mate.
Jordan
Her hands were clasped in her lap and her eyes were wide as she took in the rambling plantation house that held the answer to all of her prayers.
She and Ty could have children…
It was hard not to feel like Jordan had wasted a lot of time being stubborn and not trying to find a way for her and Ty to be together, but they’d both agreed to only look forward, not back. Otherwise, they’d waste even more time with “what if’s.”
Happier than ever, she was settled back into their home and at the Luncheonette.
And now? Now they were ready to start the process of expanding their family and making their lives complete.
Jordan couldn’t wait, but she couldn’t deny that she was nervous.
What if they didn’t feel a connection with any of the kids? What if the kids didn’t like her? What if she and Ty couldn’t agree on what they wanted, or worse, what if Mr. and Mrs. Kline decided their home wasn’t fit for children?
There were so many different scenarios and outcomes, and Jordan’s thoughts had been freaking her out more the closer they got to the orphanage. And now… They were there.
“Everything’s going to work out exactly the way it’s supposed to,” Ty assured her, holding her hand in his and pulling her attention from the windshield to his tender brown eyes.
Nodding, she tried to give him a smile, but she knew it came out tight and not quite genuine.
Ty chuckled softly and brought her hand to his mouth, his lips brushing gently across her knuckles.
“It’s going to be fine,” he promised, and Jordan felt her face loosen up a bit. She took a deep breath, and when he said, “C’mon, they’re waiting,” she slipped her hand from his grasp and got out of the car.
His arm came around her waist in a show of support as he led her to the front door where a smiling elderly couple were grinning down at them.
“Tyson, it’s lovely to see you again,” the woman said.
“You too, Mrs. Kline, Mr. Kline,” Ty replied.
“Please, call me Harold,” the tall man said. “And you must be Jordan.”
“Yes,” Jordan replied, holding out her hand in greeting. “Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with us.”
“Of course, dear,” Mrs. Kline replied. “Please, come inside. We have the music room set aside for you, and will have all of the children there to meet you shortly.”
It was overwhelming, and a little heartbreaking, but Jordan and Ty spent over an hour in the music room with a dozen children who were descendants of black bear shifters. They played games, read books, and gave each of the children one on one time with them. The minutes went by quickly, and before they knew it, the kids were ushered out and they were taken into the Kline’s’ office.
“We’ll leave you two alone to talk,” Harold said as he started to shut the door. “We’ll be back in a little bit with some coffee.”
“Thank you,” Ty said, then turned to Jordan when they were alone. “So, tell me, what does your gut tell you?”
“They were all so wonderful, Ty, I feel bad discounting any of them…”
“I know, baby, but we can’t take them all.”
Jordan sighed and replied, “I know.”
“So, did anyone stand out to you?”
“Malik,” she said with a grin. “He reminds me of you.”
Tyson grinned in response and said, “He’s a smart kid.”
Jordan punched him lightly on the arm and agreed with a laugh, “Yeah, he is. What about you?”
“Tomas is really funny. Did he tell you his joke about the bear in the woods?”
“Yes,” Jordan replied. “I almost fell over, I was laughing so hard. He’s pretty special.”
They were both smiling as they remembered the boys, who were six and seven years old. Then they locked eyes and said in unison, “Betsy.”
“She’s so precocious,” Jordan said.
“I think she captured my heart the first time I saw her,” Ty agreed. “And it would be great for her to have two older brothers.”
“So we agree?”
“Absolutely.”
“Oh my God, Ty. Three?”
“Three.”
The door opened and the Kline’s came in with a tray of coffee for everyone. They all sat down together to discuss the next steps in the adoption process. When they left the office, they had a date set up for the children to visit Jordan and Ty’s home, so they could see how they would assimilate to their life there and with the clan.
When they walked outside, Malik, Tomas, and Betsy were sitting on the porch waiting for them.
Jordan looked at Mrs. Kline questioningly. The older woman gave her a nod and tilted her head toward the waiting kids, indicating they should go talk to them.
Ty sat down next to Malik, and Jordan next to Betsy, with Tomas sitting in the middle of them all. The little faces swung from one adult to the other, all holding a myriad of emotions. From fear, to happiness, to terrified hope, Jordan knew that they were all feeling the same exact things as she and Ty, and that only made her feel closer to them.
“Next Saturday, you guys will come to our house. How does that sound?” Ty asked.
“Sounds good, sir,” Malik answered quietly.
“Where do you live?” Tomas asked, his wavering tone betraying his nerves.
“In Spring Creek, a couple of hours away from here.”
“Do you have cookies?” Betsy asked softly.
Jordan brushed her hand gently over the little girl’s hair and replied, “Absolutely.” Then she leaned in closer and whispered, “And no peas.”
Betsy looked up at Jordan with a happy grin, causing Jordan’s heart to clench in her chest.
Her eyes caught Tyson’s over Betsy’s head, and she knew they’d made the right decision. They both felt it.
Epilogue – Tyson
Tyson looked around his house and felt something he’d never felt before: absolute peace and contentment.
His home was as full as his heart.
Mia was in the living room, her three newborn babies all sleeping soundly in their mobile playpen, looking happy to be involved in an adult conversation with Trinity.
Trinity had gotten the approval she needed from Drake and the clan, and was getting the space she’d rented ready to open up her dance studio.
Drake and Mika were in the kitchen eating chips and salsa and drinking beer while they discussed the football game they’d watched the night before.
Tyson smiled as his gaze landed on Malik and Tomas, who were playing the latest NBA video game on their new Xbox One, laughing together as they talked smack about whose team was going to win.
Finally, he looked to his left, where his new bride was sitting next to him on the sofa, cradling Betsy in her lap as their youngest child read happily in her mother’s arms.
It was one month after their wedding and three days since the children had officially moved into their new home. They’d invited their friends over for a welcome home celebration and had spent the day entertaining friends, family, co-workers, and clan mates. Their core group was all that was left, and they were all happy, but exhausted.
The boys erupted in laughter as Drake joined them and said something that only the two of them could hear.
Tyson’s gaze caught Mika’s, and his heart warmed as his friend looked pointedly at the laughing children, then back at him, and raised his beer.
He knew Mika was happy that Ty had everything he’d ever wanted, and Ty couldn’t help but hope his brother of the heart would find the same thing.
But when Mika’s gaze flitted over to where Trinity sat smiling at Mia, Ty knew Mika had a long, painful road ahead of him.
“The day I married you was the best day of my life,” Jordan said in his ear as she leaned up against him, “But this is a real close second.”
Tyson smiled down at his mate and brushed his lips gently against hers before replying, “I look forward to making every day better than the one before it.”
Jordan’s eyes welled with tears as she replied, “If anyone can do it, you can.”
The End.
Second Chance Shifters Series
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Other Books in the Second Chance Shifter Series
Loyal To The Bear
Carly Tate lost her father to a shape-shifter when she was five and has hated the shifter world since.
In college, she meets her true love, Henry and her life seems to be perfect. U
ntil she finds that he is a bear shifter and despite what her heart tells her she leaves him without saying goodbye.
Henry still longs for her four years later, and he moves to Boston to be closer to Carly. When he shows up at her apartment she pushes him away, breaking his heart. But his bear knows something is wrong and stays close to protect her. When his back is turned a serial killer takes Carly captive. Henry must race against time to save her life.
Loyal To The Bear is a STANDALONE in the Second Chance Shifter Series. It contains a serial killer, a protective bear, and a relationship that can’t be stopped.
Excerpt:
“Carly, wait!” Henry called after her. Shit, she thought, as she stopped short in front of her door. She felt his strong presence behind her and gripped the door handle to make sure her knees didn’t give out.
Henry’s breath fell against Carly’s neck, sending goose bumps spreading across her body. Carly knew she needed to put space between them, but a part of her didn’t want to. She hated how he made her question herself.
As she felt Henry’s strong hand encircle her wrist, a pulse coursed through her, and she longed for the relationship that they once had. Things had been so easy between them. They just clicked. Then it all went to shit.
Henry gently tugged on Carly’s wrist, and Carly slowly turned around to face him, but she couldn’t look into his deep brown eyes. She knew that if she did, she would lose all of her strength. She heard Henry clear his throat and wondered if this was as hard for him as it was for her.
Amazon
Her Bear for Life
Drake knew that Mia was his mate when he first laid eyes on her at fifteen years old. The last thing he ever expected was for her to be taken away from him and for her not to return to their small Montana town until twelve years later.
Mia loved Drake with all of her young heart, but when all of her letters went unanswered, she assumed her parents were telling the truth when they said he'd moved on. Now, her mother's in the hospital and she's forced to return to Spring Creek, Montana and face him after all this time.
Her Bear To Keep (Second Chance Shifters 5) Page 6