by Zoe Chant
On the other hand, so far every bear shifter had made up for the powerful nature of their inner animal by being a welcoming, warm host. And the home of Logan and Lily was no different.
“Sorry, there’s still a few boxes in the new annex,” Lily said apologetically as she poured Carrie more coffee. “And I’ve been meaning to order new curtains for weeks now. We put up the old curtains as a temporary thing, but then we got three new ponies. One had a colic straight away, which means we had to walk him all day, and—”
“No, it’s perfect,” Carrie said. “Honestly, have you thought of renting it out? It’s exactly the sort of place I would’ve booked for my holiday. If my boss hadn’t set me up with that cabin by the lake, that is.”
“We were actually thinking of hosting families with children who want to help out with the rescue animals and learn what life on a farm is like.” Lily beamed at her. “Not as a business—we’re busy enough with the animals as is. But we were thinking that this way we could get some help—just with the easy tasks, of course—and a few kids from the city would get to spend time with animals.”
“That sounds amazing,” Carrie said. “You’ve built such a beautiful home here. And now here I come along and endanger all of that...”
She swallowed when she realized that even now, a stranger could be out there in the forest somewhere, searching for her.
“Don’t,” Lily said gently, and reached out to squeeze her hand. “You’re family now. I’m not actually a shifter myself—but I know how it goes. You’re Darrell’s mate, which means you’re part of Logan’s clan. We’re all family out here. Though I have to admit, you’re the first cat shifter I’ve known. How exciting! It’s all bears out here.”
Carrie laughed softly despite her worries. “Thanks! And I don’t know how exciting it really is—I didn’t even know I could shift until I met Darrell. But I guess it could be useful if we ever have a mouse problem...”
Darrell grinned at her, joining them at the table with a plate piled high with pancakes. “I didn’t know you were quite that practical.”
Carrie grinned back as she quickly snatched one of the pancakes from his plate. “I’d like to be useful somehow. Right now I’m just—sitting around. Waiting not to be assassinated.”
Then she grimaced. “That sounds bad, doesn’t it? Whoever it is has probably lost the trail by now... right?”
“Perhaps,” Darrell said thoughtfully. “In Linden Creek, with the tourists and hikers, it’s difficult to figure out if someone new is hiding in the area. But here—the farmland is all Logan and Lily’s. If we catch the scent of a stranger, we’ll know someone has followed us. If we don’t...”
“If we don’t, it means he’s given up,” Carrie finished. “Because there won’t be any need to assassinate me once they’ve arrested my boss.”
Darrell sighed deeply. “Actually, Chris called earlier. No sign of your boss. He vanished, just as we thought he would.”
“The bastard’s probably sitting on a beach in Thailand right now, sipping one of those cocktails with a little umbrella,” Carrie muttered. “Damn.”
“Chris had your car recovered, though. And all the documents that survived the accident are with the police as well.”
“So,” Carrie said slowly, “once the investigation starts, there won’t be any need to kill me anymore, because all the secrets are already out?”
Darrell nodded. “That’s what we’re hoping.”
“Great.” Carrie released a deep sigh. “So it’s exactly like I feared. I just have to wait...”
“Hey.” Darrell’s arm wrapped around her shoulders once more. “No need to look so disappointed. You’re safe out here, I promise. We’ll know if someone gets close. Which means you get to have the vacation you’ve deserved all along.”
It turned out that the little farm was really everything Carrie could have hoped for in a vacation. There was a herd of tiny goats which she fed together with Lily, learning quickly how to escape the eager, horned heads that came relentlessly pushing at her hands and pockets.
Afterward, she and Darrell took a walk along a path that meandered by little meadows and fields. There were several horses and ponies out for pasture, and Carrie ended up doing more petting than walking. Lily had given them a bag of carrots, which eventually attracted even the most wary of the horses, a giant white mare that had eyed them with obvious distrust, eyes rolling as she watched the ponies eagerly mill around Carrie for her treats.
Just in case, Carrie had held back a carrot. And when the old horse finally came forward, Carrie held out her hand, the carrot on top.
She didn’t move. Darrell likewise had frozen next to her. Patiently, they waited.
It took several minutes, the horse coming closer only with slow step after step, her ears close to her head. She looked as if she was listening for a reason to balk and flee.
Carrie remained patient. And eventually, she was rewarded by the gentlest of touches, the mare’s muzzle briefly touching her hand as she took the offered carrot. The mare’s skin was warm and soft. For a moment they looked at each other as the mare crunched the carrot between large, yellow teeth.
Then she blew out air through her nose and quickly moved off, only stopping once she was at a comfortable distance once more. But now, she looked more relaxed. Her eyes were no longer rolling in her head, and her ears were pointing forward with curiosity.
“Poor horse,” Carrie sighed. “I wonder what made her so afraid.”
“She might be an old racehorse,” Darrell said. “I don’t know much about horses, but she has the looks of someone who knows how to run. And I know that Logan and Lily rescued several from a racing stable that was forced to close down.”
“She’s lovely,” Carrie said quietly. “And I’m glad she has a real home now. It’s terrible, not having a home.”
The mare held her gaze, blue eyes watching her. And then, a heartbeat later, almost as if the animal had heard what she had said, the horse’s tail lifted high and the mare reared up. Her whinny was loud and joyful, like a trumpet, as she raced off for the far reaches of the meadow, her mane and tail fluttering in the window like a flag of white silk.
“I’ll be back tomorrow!” Carrie called out to her with a laugh, petting the ponies once more before she took hold of Darrell’s hand.
“It’s good to have a home,” Darrell quietly agreed.
Through the bond between them, Carrie could feel his love for her flow, and she laughed again in pure joy. The new connection was overwhelming. After a childhood where she’d continuously felt like she didn’t belong anywhere, this was almost too overwhelming.
“Is it possible to be so happy?” she asked, leaning against him. “It almost feels like it’s too much. Like it shouldn’t be possible to be so happy.”
Darrell gave her a surprised little laugh. “Feels like it, doesn’t it? Sometimes I think about what might have happened if I’d been too late—or if that accident—”
“Hush,” Carrie said lovingly. “I’m right here with you. That isn’t going to change, not ever.”
She reached up to take his face in her hand, leaning up to demand a kiss, and Darrell eagerly obliged her.
“Not ever,” he agreed when they finally parted.
Carrie shivered happily when she felt his emotions come pulsing through the bond, that special, intoxicating mix of love—need—protectiveness that was all Darrell.
“We’ll soon be back home,” he promised. “I wish Chris could’ve just arrested them all, but that’s not how it works, apparently.”
“That’s really not how it works.” Carrie sighed. “Believe me, I know. They have to keep all information under wraps until their investigation is done.”
“The special knowledge that comes from working for an accountant?” Darrell grinned at her.
Carrie giggled. “The special knowledge of someone who regularly binges on complete seasons of CSI.”
Darrell laughed and tightened his arms arou
nd her. “Either way, useful knowledge to have. So what I understand is that they’re having to keep it all secret until they’ve had a chance to lock up those mobsters behind it all?”
“Costa. And his bosses, I guess—Costa can only be a small number in it all.” Carrie shivered instinctively. She’d never liked Costa—but then, all the glib, slimy businessmen she’d known in her line of work were like that.
Darrell nodded seriously, his hand sliding down her back. “Chris promised me it won’t be long. A day or two of hiding out here. I think the usual way of doing this would be to offer you witness protection.”
“I’d rather take an entire clan of bear shifters protecting me, thanks.” Carrie smiled up at him. She should probably feel more worried—but with the new mate bond pulsing between them, she felt as giddy and excited as a new bride on her honeymoon.
Which I guess I am now...
“So how do shifter weddings work?” she asked, as much to change the subject as because she was genuinely curious. “There’s still so much I don’t know.”
“Among our clan, this is it, basically. The most important thing is the mating.”
“Not just the sex,” Carrie said slowly, flushing a little as she remembered the ecstasy and the overwhelming rush of emotions, “but—it was more. It was like when you taught me how to shift. Like... like trusting with all my heart. Opening all of myself to you.”
“Sharing my soul with you. Sharing my heart,” Darrell said softly, taking hold of her hand to press it against his chest.
Carrie shivered again as she felt the strong thuds of that powerful heart against her skin—and there, deep inside of her, she could feel an echo of it through that special connection that bound them to each other.
“Usually, in times of peace, there’d be a large feast. Lots of food, music, dancing—”
“A real wedding,” Carrie said in relief.
Darrell nodded. “We’ll still have that. I promise, you’re not missing out. You’re getting a real, human wedding, with a ring and a dress and lots of cake. And all your friends and family.”
“I want my friends to come,” Carrie said, warmth rushing through her as she thought of introducing her sexy new husband to her three best friends.
Husband... I guess that’s what he is! My mate. My husband.
She couldn’t stop herself from smiling.
“And I want to invite my foster parents too,” she said more slowly. “Just... don’t be surprised if they don’t make it. It’s a long drive for them, and we were never that close.”
“I’m sorry,” Darrell said throatily and pulled her close.
Gratefully, Carrie nuzzled into his embrace.
“Don’t be. They weren’t bad foster parents, you know. I always felt safe. I had a home and a bed and food, and I got to go to school every day and had new clothes when I needed them. It’s a lot more than some kids get. But they weren’t the parents a lonely, scared child yearned for in her bed late at night. That connection just wasn’t really there. They had a lot of work, and there were always more children... They’re more like distant friends now. I don’t visit for Christmas, but I make sure to call, you know?”
Darrell nodded, holding her close. She could feel the heat of his breath against her throat. Through the bond, his love came flowing, like a warm, comforting blanket she could wrap herself in.
She was loved. She was held. She was not alone.
That was what she’d been yearning for, all those years ago.
A family. We’re really a family now.
“I didn’t have the best childhood either,” Darrell finally admitted after a long moment of silence. His voice was rough, as though he was remembering unpleasant memories as well.
“I know what it’s like to be lonely. For the longest time, I thought life was just meant to be that way. That it’s all just rivalry and paranoia and constant suspicion. But then, when I grew up, I knew that there had to be more. No one’s meant to be lonely. Everyone deserves a home—a real home. That’s why my clan and I ran from that life. I’m not a fighter. I’m more than that. We all deserve to be more than that. I’m strong—but I want to be strong for my family. I want to fight for something that’s worth fighting for, not just a cruel alpha’s greed. And in Linden Creek, we found that. All around me, people have started to settle down and found families. And I promise you that I’m going to try my best to make sure that you’ll never be lonely. And all our cubs will always be loved.”
Slowly, Carrie ran her hand down his back as she leaned against his strong chest.
She couldn’t even imagine the life he must have led. At least her life had been normal. Feeling lonely was one thing—but constantly feeling threatened and afraid?
“I think we’ll do just fine together,” she said softly, looking up into his gorgeous, brown-gold eyes. “We can learn together.”
“So far, we’ve done rather well,” Darrell murmured, his voice a deep, sexy rumble against her chest. “What do you say... want to check out the hayloft?”
Carrie laughed softly, heat spreading through her at the way he looked at her. As if she was a delicious treat he wanted to eat up.
“I warn you, we’ll end up with straw in uncomfortable places,” she said, and then quickly took a step back and winked. “Race you!”
Chapter Twelve: Darrell
It was late afternoon on the next day that another call came.
“We’ve got Costa,” Chris’s voice came through the phone. “I’m not supposed to tell you this, of course, so don’t breathe a word to anyone. They’re moving into place now to apprehend a couple of mobsters, too—which is going to be the difficult part. You’re lucky I still have friends in the big city, because this is all highly classified. You never know who’s on the mob’s payroll.”
“How much longer?” Darrell asked, giving Carrie a reassuring look.
They were back in the barn. It was looking like rain, and so they’d volunteered to feed and brush the ponies, who were all too eager for any sort of human interaction.
“A few hours at the most, I’d say,” Chris said. “These guys move fast—they have to. I wouldn't be surprised if they intervene as we speak. With this sort of criminal, it’s usually best to catch them at a club or restaurant—you’ve got all of them and their minions gathered in one place, which means that news can’t leak and make them run.”
“Let me know as soon as you hear anything,” Darrell replied. “Once the entire ploy is out in the open, their hired man won’t be a danger anymore.”
“He wouldn’t get paid with their assets frozen, for one thing,” Chris said and laughed. “And of course, with the secret out, there’s no need to kill Carrie to keep it under wraps. If anything, I wouldn’t be surprised if those mobsters immediately went after her boss instead. Since he’s the one who tried to play everyone. Anyway, the trial will show that Carrie’s been set up, and believe me, those mobsters care a lot more about being betrayed by someone working for them. If I were her boss, I’d be very, very worried. Carrie, on the other hand, won’t have anything to worry about.”
Darrell released a deep sigh. “I can’t wait for that,” he muttered. “I want to go home and just... do peaceful couple things.”
Whatever those are. I don’t exactly have much experience with that...
His bear laughed in his head.
Let’s go for more runs in the forest, his inner animal suggested.
Thanks, Darrell said dryly. I’m sure that’s just what she’s been hoping for.
He pushed his phone back into his pocket to protect it from the ponies, which had apparently decided that everything a human held was a treat.
Out loud, he said, “Chris hopes we can return home tomorrow. He’ll let us know as soon as he’s got definite news.”
Carrie nodded slowly. Then she took a deep breath, and when she looked up at him, there was determination in her eyes.
“So. What do we do now? I’m not going to let these people ruin my
vacation.”
Another pony came forward, greedy and eager. Its small, hard head shot forward, hoping for one final treat—and instead hit Darrell’s knee from behind.
With a sound of surprise, Darrell found himself tumbling forward right into Carrie’s arms when his knees gave out.
A heartbeat later, flailing and laughing, they fell into the stack of hay they’d just spread out for the ponies. Darrell had landed on top of Carrie, although he’d managed to get his hands under him just in time to keep himself from crushing her.
Right now, her generous curves were vibrating against him as she giggled helplessly.
“I think the ponies have decided for us,” she said breathlessly, her face flushed and her eyes sparkling. There was a smudge of dust on her cheek, and bits of hay stuck to her hair.
Darrell had never wanted her more than he did right now, his need for her hitting him with the force of a tornado.
Her eyes widened, something nearly like awe in them, and then her own need for him came back to him, mirrored through the mate bond.
“It’s traditional,” Darrell murmured hoarsely, “for the mated couple to retreat for a few days. Exactly because of this, I guess.”
If he’d thought that after they were mated, the force that pulled him towards her would relent a little, he’d been wrong. He wanted her more than anything now—and the knowledge of just how good it would be to claim her and make her cry out against him only fanned his desire.
Carrie moaned, eyes unfocused. “Shifter honeymoons must be quite a thing...”
“That’s why it’s traditional, I suppose,” Darrel said, his shaft throbbing eagerly against her thigh. “I always thought it was mainly just teasing of the new couple, but...”
“I can see why you want to give the mated couple space.” Carrie pressed herself against him, her hand sliding up his chest. “Because I promise you, my mate, that if you don’t claim me right here and now, I’m going to go crazy with need for you.”