Bear's Claim (Bear Heat Book 3)

by Natalie Kristen

  Dr. Faizel crawled to a console and slammed a lever down. He turned to the Black Bears and let out a crazed, maniacal laugh.

  With his face and body covered with blood, Michael turned to them and growled, “Get out! This whole place is going to collapse. He'll bury everything, everyone!” He pointed at Luke. “Take him and get out now!”

  Baxter threw Luke over his shoulder and ran for the exit as a loud explosion went off. As Thor held the narrow door open for them, Dylan shouted into his watch, “We are getting out now! Do not, I repeat, do not approach! Stand down, and stand back!”

  There were other Black Bears standing by, waiting for the signal to move in. Thor growled to Michael, but Michael only smiled sadly at him. “I'll make sure the doctor is buried together with all his research. I don't want him to escape, and continue his terrible, nightmarish work.”

  Thor growled again. Come on, you have to get out!

  Michael seemed to understand him. “No. I won't be leaving. I will stay here. I promised Aubrey I'll get Luke out. I kept my promise. I also swore to serve and protect the city when I got my police badge. Let me do my duty. Go!”

  Chunks of the ceiling were falling all around them. Thor tried to lurch towards Michael, to drag him towards the exit, but a large, heavy slab of concrete smashed down between them. Rocks and metal pieces began to rain down on them. Thor roared for Michael, but an explosion flung him away from the door. He was thrown into the tunnel in a cloud of smoke.

  Scrambling to his feet, Thor rushed back towards the door but the door had sealed shut. Bellowing in rage, Thor rammed his massive shoulder against the sealed doorway again and again. He felt the walls shudder and there was a loud, ominous rumble that was gathering in strength and volume.

  “Let's go!” Dylan yelled. “The tunnel's going to collapse!”

  Thor stared at the crumbling rock wall and turned away. He promised Aubrey that he would return to her.

  Dylan and Paige were running hard. Baxter had already made it out of the tunnel with Luke. Thor turned to look over his shoulder one last time.

  He was out of the tunnel in a matter of seconds. But in just those few seconds, the chamber and the tunnel had collapsed completely. By the time he emerged into the last light of the day, there was nothing but debris and rocks behind him.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Thor opened his bedroom door and walked softly to his bed. Aubrey was sleeping fitfully and she kept crying out in her sleep. He had brought her home and a doctor had come round to check on her. Her cuts and wounds were superficial, the doctor said. No serious injuries or damage.

  But Thor knew that Aubrey's wounds weren't physical. She had seen some terrible things. She felt responsible for Luke, and she blamed herself for not saving Luke and Michael. She was a nurse, a caregiver and she had a natural protective streak. She felt it was her duty to protect Luke and Michael. Michael had been subjected to horrific procedures and experiments, and she wanted to heal him, mend him, restore him to health.

  Thor had broken the news of Michael's death to her as gently as possible. For a long moment, she had just stared at him in stunned silence, unable and unwilling to accept the news even though she knew that he had told her the truth. She just didn't want it to be true. Finally, she had broken down and cried. She had clung to Cora and cried long and hard. Some of the staff at the Black Bears Group had cried along with her. Even Paige had to fight back her tears. Paige was a hard-bitten, decisive lieutenant and leader in the Black Bears Group, but underneath that tough exterior, the she-bear had a very tender heart.

  Luke had been taken to another hospital. The young man had been rushed into intensive care and the doctors were running a whole battery of tests on him. The initial toxicology reports had indicated that he had been injected with a huge dose of bear shifter serum. More tests were needed before the doctors could decide on the best course of treatment. Luke had been conscious and lucid when they told him the test results and he had made his wishes clear. He didn't want to become a murder weapon like Michael. If they couldn't find a cure for him, he wanted them to terminate his life.

  Hope Hospital had been shut down, and a manhunt was on for the Director of Hope Hospital. Dr. Lucien Sanchez had vanished without a trace. He had emptied his bank accounts and escaped, probably with the help of the Mob. Alberto Birns, the Mob boss who had financed the whole harrowing experiment and operation, and a few of his lieutenants had also gone into hiding. Thor was working closely with the new head of C-18 to flush them out. He would have to go deep into the belly of the crime world to track these evil men, but he would not stop until he brought them all to justice. The work he did was dark and dangerous, but now, there was a ray of light in his life. A light that shone pure and bright and true.

  Thor pulled the covers up over Aubrey's shoulder and kissed her hair. Aubrey, the light of his life and the mate of his heart. She represented everything that was good and right in his world. She was what he was fighting for.

  Aubrey shuddered and murmured in her sleep. He heard her call his name and he immediately knelt down beside her.

  “I'm here, Aubrey,” he whispered. “I'm right here.”

  Aubrey's eyes fluttered open and she reached out to clasp his hand. “Thor,” she rasped. “Stay with me.”

  “I'm not going anywhere,” he promised.

  “Hold me,” she said plaintively.

  He lay beside her on top of the covers and tucked her into his side. But she pulled him down and made him get under the covers with her.

  Thor wrapped his arms around her and rocked her soothingly. She sighed heavily, and he heard her sadness and regret in that sigh. Thor desperately wanted to cheer her up. He wasn't used to idle chitchat, and he had to rack his brain for lighthearted topics. But he managed. He would do his best to take her mind off all the unhappy things that had happened.

  He began by telling her what the Black Bears had been up to. It was just mundane, trivial stuff, like Dylan's squabble with Baxter over the chocolate cake that Olga, Ethan's night secretary, had baked and brought to the office. “Dylan won the last slice in the end,” he said. “Well, he didn't really win it. He just crammed it into his mouth when Bax wasn't looking.” He was finally rewarded with a muffled giggle.

  Heartened, he continued talking even though he was the least chatty bear in the entire clan. He kept to happy, upbeat topics. He told her that Cora had dropped by to see her while she was sleeping. “Cora said to tell you that you're supposed to go shopping for baby clothes with her this weekend,” Thor reported dutifully.

  Aubrey slapped her forehead. “Oh, I almost forgot!”

  “She said you'd better be dressed and ready by noon. Or else.”

  “Ah, I remember.” Aubrey smiled. “A new fast food place has just opened in the mall. We've been wanting to check out their fried chicken and seaweed-flavored chips.”

  “Sounds awesome.” He grinned. “Oh, and Caleb just called from Boxville, Prisha's hometown. He said that everything has gone really well. Prisha's parents have agreed to give him their daughter's hand in marriage. He's over the moon!”

  Aubrey laughed happily. “That's wonderful!”

  “It is. Caleb said to tell you and Cora that you gals can start planning the wedding. He said they will have a traditional Indian wedding in Prisha's hometown, and they will have another celebration with the whole clan when they're back in the city.”

  “Ooh, we'll make sure Prisha has the most spectacular Black Bears wedding!” Aubrey rubbed her hands with glee. “I've got to rope in all the she-bears in the clan. I'll be the chief wedding planner, since Cora is pregnant,” she declared.

  “Knock yourself out,” Thor laughed. “Caleb will appreciate it.”

  “You sure he doesn't mind?” She narrowed her eyes at him. “I'm not, you know, a Black Bear. I'm close to the clan because Cora is my best friend. Are you sure your Beta won't mind an outsider...”

  “Outsider?” Thor exploded.
“You are my mate!”

  “I...”

  “You are, Aubrey. You are mine, and you're part of the clan.” Thor cupped her face and said, “I love you, Aubrey.”

  “I love you too,” she whispered against his lips.

  He kissed her gently, tenderly at first, then more fervently as she returned his ardor. Aubrey moaned into his mouth and clawed at his shirt.

  He scented her arousal, her burning lust and hunger for him. She wanted him, needed him. It was a mate's fierce need and desire. She instinctively, intuitively sought comfort and pleasure from him, and Thor would answer her need, take her and sate that maddening, consuming hunger.

  He would not deny his mate. Not now, not ever.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Thor savored his mate slowly even as she panted and writhed against him. His mouth moved over hers in a slow, tender, lingering kiss. He felt her quiver in his arms as he gently lowered her onto her back.

  His touch was soft and gentle as he caressed her belly and thighs. Aubrey arched her body to press her ample breasts against his chest. “More,” she panted. “I need more. I want...you.”

  Thor shredded her t-shirt with his claws and stretched her arms over her head. “You're so beautiful, Aubrey,” he said, kissing his way down her face. When he slipped a pebbled nipple into his mouth, she moaned and writhed beneath him. He could scent the delicious rush of moisture between her legs as he suckled her. She whimpered as he laved his tongue across her stiff peaks, inflaming and stoking her lust and desire.

  She cried out when he ripped her panties off. Her pink folds were wet and glistening, and Thor latched his mouth onto her sweet, hot pussy with a growl. His mate tasted heavenly on his tongue. Thor sucked and licked her thoroughly before pushing his stiffened tongue into her slit. Her breathing quickened as he began to fuck her with his tongue. She was so wet, so ready, and he could feel her channel tighten and ripple. When he rubbed her swollen clit with his thumb, she let out a cry and her body shook as a powerful orgasm took hold of her.

  Thor shed his clothes and covered her shuddering body with his. She blinked up at him and gasped as he entered her with one smooth stroke. She raised her hips to meet him as he began to thrust.

  He gripped her wide, round hips and drove deep into her body. Her lush breasts bounced as he took her harder. There was a light sheen of sweat of her dark skin, and her sweet, angelic face was flushed with pleasure. It was the most beautiful, breathtaking sight he had ever seen.

  Thor moved his hands down his mate's soft, luscious body, savoring every feminine curve. Her body was perfect for him, and they fitted together like a dream. Thor was a big male, towering and packed with hard, bulging muscles. He'd had tiny, skinny females in his bed before but he had been too afraid of hurting them to take much pleasure in their bodies. He needed a woman with enough meat on her bones for him to hold and enjoy. He wanted a female who could give as good as she got. Aubrey was strong and brave, generous and protective. And she had a body that he would never get enough of. Womanly, luscious and sinfully, irresistibly hot.

  Thor pinned her hands to the side of her head as he surged into her. Aubrey wrapped her legs around his hips and urged him deeper into her body. Lacing his fingers through hers, he bent and kissed her on the mouth. Then he pulled back and gazed deeply into her eyes as he made love to her. She looked up at him with so much love and trust that he thought his heart was going to burst.

  She was his. Forever.

  Thor roared his claim and sank his teeth into her shoulder as he pounded into her. Aubrey jerked and cried out as she shattered and fell headlong into a swirling vortex of heady, drowning pleasure. Thor marked his mate with his teeth, his scent, his body. His release was violent and explosive, and he held her tight as he hurtled over the edge with her. He kept moving inside her even after he was spent. She felt so amazing, so warm and so right.

  “You are mine,” he growled possessively. “My mate.”

  Aubrey rolled him onto his back and straddled him. There was a gleam in her deep brown eyes. Without warning, she jabbed a finger in his chest and declared, “And you are mine. So—I think I'm going to have to put a ring on it.”

  Thor rubbed his chest and repeated, “A ring.” Then he grinned.

  “What are you grinning at me like that for?” she demanded, narrowing her eyes suspiciously at him.

  “I think you're going to be real busy, Aubrey.”

  “Huh?”

  “You won't be planning just one wedding. You'll be planning two!”

  Aubrey blinked twice at him before gasping. She raise her hands to her lips and squealed, “A double wedding! You mean...really? Are you serious? Are you...” Her voice quavered.

  “Of course I'm serious.” Thor got down on one knee and said, “Will you marry me, Aubrey? I love you, and I will love you, cherish you and protect you forever. I don't have a ring right now, but I will most definitely put a ring on it.”

  “I don't need a ring...” she began.

  “A ring,” he said firmly. “I want you to wear my ring. But...” He swallowed nervously. “You haven't given me your answer.”

  Aubrey blinked back happy tears and whispered, “Yes, Thor. My answer is yes!”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Aubrey stood beside Thor and watched Prisha and Caleb recite their vows and say their 'I dos' before a minster. Prisha looked beautiful in a long-sleeved wedding gown that had a satin sash across the shoulder. Prisha's designer had incorporated the design of a traditional Indian sari into Prisha's wedding gown. It was an elegant, exotic design, and Prisha had exclaimed excitedly that she couldn't wait to see her daughter in her wedding gown.

  Caleb had teased his bride by quipping, “We're just married, and already you're thinking of our daughter!”

  “Well, aren't you?” Prisha challenged.

  “Yeah,” Caleb conceded with a grin. “Actually I am.”

  Aubrey glanced up to meet Thor's adoring gaze. “You look beautiful,” he whispered, touching her gloved fingertips to his lips. Aubrey blushed and ran her hand down her strapless, mermaid style wedding dress. The dress hugged her abundant curves snugly and showcased her ample hour-glass figure. She did feel beautiful, and so, so happy and blessed.

  The whole Black Bears clan was here, and her best friend, Cora, and all the she-bears were dressed in similar lilac bridesmaid frocks. Everyone wanted to be the bridesmaid, even Olga, Ethan's austere, no-nonsense secretary. Prisha and Aubrey didn't want to leave anybody out, so that's how they ended up with close to a hundred bridesmaids. It was the first double wedding in the clan, and everyone was jostling for a bigger role in the celebrations.

  As soon as Caleb finished planting a loud, long kiss on his blushing bride, the Beta of the Black Bears bounded up the stage and winked at Thor and Aubrey. Everyone laughed as Caleb hustled the smiling, affable minister off the stage and cleared his throat.

  “Well, I couldn't officiate my own wedding. But—I didn't get myself ordained over the internet for nothing! After officiating our Alpha's wedding, I did announce that henceforth I would be officiating over every single wedding in the clan. Except my own.” All the Black Bears hooted and broke into applause and laughter.

  “So, Thor and Aubrey, are you ready to do this?” Caleb grinned at them as the clan cheered. Prisha was looking on delightedly at her groom while the minister stood beside her and chuckled.

  Caleb beckoned Thor and Aubrey forward with a flourish. When Thor said, “I do,” Aubrey felt her heart skip a beat. He said it with love, conviction and pride, and Aubrey knew without a doubt that this was where she belonged. By his side, in his life, forever.

  “I do,” Aubrey answered in a strong, clear voice.

  “I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride!” Caleb's booming voice carried across the lavish ballroom.

  Aubrey opened her eyes and smiled at her mate after he released her from the searing, breathtaking kiss. The Bla
ck Bears whooped and wolf-whistled as they crowded around the newlyweds, slapping the grooms on the backs and embracing the two beautiful brides.

  Aubrey finally disentangled herself from the raucous, unruly bears and walked towards a young man who was standing in a corner with his hands in his pockets. He smiled shyly at her as she approached and offered his hand. “Congratulations, Aubrey,” he said, straightening up.

  Instead of taking his hand, Aubrey pulled him into a bear hug. “Thanks, Luke. I'm so glad you could make it.” He looked thinner and his eyes no longer sparkled with humor, but other than that, he looked well. Well enough for a man who had climbed out onto the hospital window ledge when the doctors refused to terminate his life. Thor had climbed out to the ledge and grabbed the young man around the waist before he could fling himself to his yearned for death.

  After a while, Luke Keller finally put his arms around her and hugged her back.

  He pulled away and looked down. “Well, yeah, I had to come.” He pushed a hand through his hair. “You did say you'd hate me forever if I didn't turn up for your wedding.”

  Aubrey wagged a finger. “I wasn't joking.”

  “I know.”

  Aubrey linked her arm through his. “How are you, Luke? Come, I'll introduce you to my clan. I'm sure you'll like the Black Bears. They're...”

  “I...I've already met them.”

  Aubrey stopped in her tracks. “You have?” She frowned and canted her head at him. “All of them?” she said slowly, suspiciously.

  Luke nodded. “All of them.”

  Aubrey turned to see Thor and Ethan striding towards them. “Hey Luke,” Thor smiled.

  “Hey, congratulations, man!”

  Thor clasped Luke's hand and clapped him on the shoulder. “We've decided on your mentor.”

  Aubrey rounded on her mate. “What mentor?” she demanded. “What are you guys talking about?”