Winning Mabel

by Zoe Jane Fox

  I’m going to ask Mabel to go home with me today so I can tell her about my bear and her mom. I hope she’ll accept everything because I’m not sure I could handle it if my mate denied me.

  Mabel sits next to me as we begin digging into our food. Everyone is chatting and having a wonderful time. She fits right in, making digs at Jace like the rest of us. Even Rhys laughs and he hardly ever does that. We finish eating pretty quickly and I take the chance to ask her. She seems shocked at first before turning to her sister then back to me.

  “Don’t worry about Melissa. She can hang out here while you guys talk,” Penny says, saving me from having to beg.

  “If you’re sure you don’t mind,” Mabel tells her.

  We get up from the table and tell everyone bye when Monroe hands me the keys to his truck knowing I didn’t bring mine. I help Mabel in before taking a deep breath and walking around. My bear is nudging me to get this over with. We ride in comfortable silence the few minutes it takes to get to my house.

  “I forgot to tell you last night, but your home is very beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” I say.

  I grab her hand, linking our fingers together as I guide us to my couch. I think about what Monroe and Penny suggested and decide to go with honesty. I don’t think Mabel will faint, but one can’t be too careful.

  “I have something I need to tell you and I don’t want you to freak out on me,” I start while holding her hands.

  “Okay…” she says, looking confused.

  “It might sound crazy, but my family and I are bear shifters. We share our body and soul with them and can change whenever we want,” I blurt out. When she just silently stares deeply into my eyes, I think I might’ve said it too fast and she didn’t understand me.

  “The bear Melissa saw was you?” She asks quietly.

  “Yes.”

  “That’s why your eyes go dark at times and you growl a lot?”

  “Yes, but I’d never hurt you. You, my love, are my mate,” I vow, still touching her, not wanting to lose the connection.

  “What exactly does that mean?” She asks, squeezing my hand and giving me the encouragement I need.

  “A mate is the most special thing in the world to us. Fate gives us the one made for us and it creates a bond, making them feel like they never want to be apart. We live and breathe for our mates; the bond is so strong when one passes away the other follows.” I take a deep breath then, not scenting any fear which is a good sign. Then she asks a question I wasn’t prepared for this soon.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Mabel

  “Are you sure you want to see my bear already?” He asks for the third time since we stepped outside.

  “Yes! If you want me to believe anything you say it’s only fair you show me,” I say with my hands on my hips.

  “Okay, but give me a kiss first,” he tells me with a big smile across his handsome face. He doesn’t wait for my answer, reaching out to sink his fingers into my hair, using it as leverage to pull me closer. His lips land on mine like this would be the last one of our lives. He probably thinks once I see his bear I’ll hightail it out of here, but I don’t think it’s possible to stay away from him. With one last kiss, he pulls back then walks to the grass, making us a good ten feet apart.

  I watch as his body transforms into a breathtaking bear. I thought I’d be scared but I’m not. I can tell from his beautiful brown eyes it’s still the same man I’m falling in love with. Moving toward him, I slowly raise my arm to let him know my intention then reach out to feel his fur.

  “You’re beautiful,” I tell him as I rub behind his ears. He starts nuzzling his head lightly against my stomach, causing me to laugh. He takes a step back then shifts in to the handsome man who’d been standing there just moments ago.

  “How the heck do you not burst through your clothes?” I ask completely confused.

  “No one knows how shifters came to be, however, our ancestors say there was a war in the early days between humans and shifters. People were killing anyone that even remotely looked like a shifter. A coven of witches came up with a plan to help, giving us magic to further protect our abilities.”

  “Do you have more?”

  “You mean aside from the fact I was just a bear?” We both laugh before he adds, “Some can sense their mate's emotions or communicate telepathically. Other than that? No.”

  It’s a little hard to wrap my head around shifters and witches but I’m thankful for what the latter did to protect them. It’d be terrible if someone found out and started doing tests while keeping them locked up in cages.

  “Are you okay with all this? With us being mates?”

  “Yes, I feel this pull I’ve never experienced and want to see where this goes. I still have questions, including how we’ll work this out with me taking care of Melissa,” I admit.

  “We will work through everything, but we still have more to talk about. Let's go in,” he says. It makes me wonder what else he could have to tell me. Once we’re sitting on the couch, he tells me what he’s been up to since he dropped me off last night. Tears of joy start falling instantly knowing she’s coming home. I try to refuse his offer, but he wouldn’t have any of it, saying he will always take care of his mate and bringing her home helps me. It was hard not to agree when he put it like that. I really don’t want to spend another night without him, nor do I want to invite ourselves over, so I don’t say anything as we leave to get Melissa.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Damon

  As I’m driving to my brother’s house, my bear huffs at me, not wanting my mate to leave us and I’m right there with him. I turn off the truck when we arrive but make no move to get out. Turning to Mabel, I look in her eyes, mesmerized by the beauty of them.

  “I don’t want you to go home. Why don’t you and Melissa stay the night? I have some clothes Ma and I bought for her to where to school, then we can help your mom with the transfer,” I say, almost pleading.

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to be a burden,” she says staring at her hands in her lap.

  “Love, there is no way you ever could be. I want you with me always,” I tell her in a tone that brooks no argument.

  “Okay, we’ll stay,” she agrees with a smile and I give her a quick kiss before we get out.

  We see Melissa riding on Monroe’s back like he’s a horse and as soon as she spots us, she’s jumping off and running to give me a hug. Penny then does the same with Mabel then whispers, which I can still hear, asking if she’s all right with us being a bear. I’m about to cut Penny off because I didn’t get to the part where she’ll be one after we mate yet, but Penny doesn’t hear me over Melissa’s squeals and shouting that she wants to me to give her a piggyback ride.

  “What?” Mabel asks as she very slowly turns her head my way while giving me the biggest death glare. Monroe takes Melissa to the kitchen to get a snack, so she doesn’t hear anything she’s not supposed to. Penny is trying to comfort Mabel, but she isn’t having it.

  “I was going to tell you once we talked more. I didn’t want to put too much on you at once,” I say in earnest.

  “I don’t even know what to say right now.” Mabel looks hurt, causing my bear to growl at me that I fucked up already.

  “I’m so sorry, love. Please don’t be mad,” I plead while giving her what I hope are my best puppy dog eyes that would get me out of trouble as a kid. It does its job and she laughs before informing me this conversation is on hold since we seriously need to get Melissa to bed. We say our goodbyes and climb in her beat-up car and head back to my place.

  Once we got Melissa settled in a guest room, I lead Mabel to mine on the other side of the house. I give her some of my clothes and let her get ready in the bathroom while I change out here. She comes out with her hands covering her eyes before peeking through a finger as she asks if I’m decent.

  “Yes, you little sneak,” I say, laughing at her adorableness. She climbs in and lays next to me. I doubt I’l
l get any sleep with her sexy ass against my cock which is now springing to life.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Mabel

  I didn’t know what he was expecting, so I just climbed in and snuggled close. I’m trying to get comfortable when I hear him breathing heavy. I know he isn’t asleep yet, so I worry my moving is bothering him.

  “I’m sorry I’m keeping you awake.”

  “Love, there is no way I’ll be sleeping with your ass rubbing all over my cock,” he says, his voice so deep and sexy it causes my panties to flood. It’s then I notice his hardness against my butt.

  “Oh shit, I’m so sorry,” I apologize and try to get out from beneath his arm which isn’t budging.

  “The hell you will,” he says. He turns my head to look at him before his mouth lands on mine and I instantly open for him, eager for his taste again. I moan as I feel his hand squeeze my breast before continuing his journey south, slipping inside his boxers I’m wearing. He glides his fingers through my wet folds then teases my center a bit before returning to my clit. He repeats this process over and over again as he breaks our kiss and then goes straight for my neck, sucking the skin while rubbing my clit in fast circular movements. I buck my hips while moaning his name as I come all over his fingers.

  I’m calming down from the endorphins running through my body when I notice Damon is now leaning on one elbow and smiling at me.

  “You’re so beautiful when you come,” he says with a kiss to my forehead before gathering me close.

  “Um...what about you?” I ask, unsure how this works.

  “Love, as much as I want to take that next step, we still have to talk about you becoming my mate. Plus, I don’t think my bear could handle any more without claiming you. Let's get some rest because we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow,” he tells me while shoving his face in my neck and inhaling me. I don’t think I’ll get any after what just happened but he’s right. I do want to be fully rested when I see my mom. Aside from that, I’m not sure if I’m okay with having the ability to shift just yet. It’s a little scary to think about. Eventually, my mind stops thinking about everything and I finally drift off to sleep.

  It’s been two days and we’ve been so busy getting everyone settled in. I moved most of my belongings into Damon’s house at his request, though to be fair I didn’t want to be away from him after what we shared. We haven’t had a chance to talk any further, but I want to be his mate and plan on telling him tonight. I decided since my mom is doing great and Damon’s lawyer told us we’ll win my mom’s workers compensation case that I can finally quit the studio. It was sucking the passion out of photography for me and I don’t want to lose that. Damon said to quit Ted’s too, both our mothers agreeing with him, but I wanted to give Ted two week’s notice. I love the fact my mom and Melissa are settling in nicely with Natalie and Andrew like they’ve been friends forever. It brings me comfort knowing they’re on board with his family as well. I’m sitting on the couch trying to get caught up on my favorite author’s releases since I haven’t had time to read in four months when there’s a knock. I get up, disappointed someone is interrupting me during an interesting part, and swing open the front door. Penny is there beaming at me. Whenever she gets that look she’s normally up to no good. When we turned twenty-one she had the same beaming smile and we ended up sleeping on the bathroom floor taking turns throwing up in the toilet.

  “Oh no, what brilliant idea do you have now?” I ask after she steps inside. I shut the door then return to the couch, ready to get this conversation over with before I agree to something I’ll regret later.

  “It won’t be like last time, I promise,” she says as she picks up my Kindle to see what I’m reading. “You’ll love this one, it’s super steamy.”

  “Okay, tell me why you’re here then,” I tell her while snatching it away from her before she spoils it for me.

  “I wanted to talk to you about being Damon’s mate, to tell you it’s not as bad as you think to be a shifter.” She seems nervous and it never occurred to me she can shift too until now.

  “What’s it like?”

  “The first time was pretty crazy. I was being held captive by a vampire named Eric when out of nowhere I felt a change coming. The next thing I know I’m a bear, ripping his head off,” she blurts out nonchalantly

  “What the hell do you mean by a vampire? And oh, my god, you ripped someone’s head off?” My voice raises in volume toward the end and I feel sick to my stomach at the thought I’ll turn in to some horrible monster like everyone around me. I scoot away from Penny when she tries to reach out.

  “Don’t touch me!” I scream at my best friend before running to the bedroom. I lock the door as soon as I shut it and do the same once I’m in the bathroom. I can’t believe I was going to agree to mate with Damon tonight and let myself turn into a monster that can rip heads off. Oh shit, my mom and Melissa are stuck in a house with those people. I’ve got to come up with a plan to get us out of here.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Damon

  Now that I’m off, all I can think about is going home to be with Mabel. I’ve felt like we’re getting closer to mating the last few days. It’s not about the sex, though I know it’ll be amazing, but my bear wants us to give her the claiming mark so all will know she’s ours. Normally I go for a run before eating dinner and going to bed, but now that Mabel has been around I haven’t wanted to shift and leave her alone. As I’m pulling in the driveway, I see Penny on my porch and she looks upset. I’m out of my truck and beside her in a flash.

  “What’s wrong? Where’s Mabel?” I ask, wondering why she’s not inside with her best friend.

  “I’m so sorry, I messed everything up!” She says on the verge of bawling.

  “Penny, I’m going to need you to explain.”

  “I was trying to talk Mabel into being your mate, only I stupidly let it slip there are vampires and that I bit Eric’s head off. She ran into your room and locked herself inside.” I move around her and, by the time she gets the last word out, I’m rushing in to find my mate.

  “Mabel, are you okay?” When she doesn’t say anything I try to turn the handle but it’s locked. I could break it down but that’d scare her even more. Reaching above the door frame, I grab the key I keep there to unlock it. It’s empty so I move to the bathroom and knock.

  “Mabel, please come out so we can talk,” I say in what I hope is a soothing voice.

  “Leave me alone!”

  “Love, listen and believe me when I say it’s not like that. Yes, there are vampires but they’re like humans, some are good and others aren’t.

  Unfortunately, Penny was kidnapped by a bad one and he planned to kill her. She had to do what needed to be done to protect herself. I promise on my life we’re not monsters, no one in my family has killed anyone.” I’m leaning against the wall, hoping she’ll come out or continue talking to me through the door. I won’t be able to survive if my mate rejects me.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Mabel

  I’ve been in the bathroom for over two hours now, trying to find a way to get my mom and sister out of the Knights’ home. So far I haven’t come up with ideas, mainly because I haven’t bothered to think of anything at all. A part of me doesn’t want to leave but another is scared. Finding out shifters and witches are real is one thing, but vampires? I don’t know how to wrap my head around that. Damon’s knock scares the crap out of me and I yell at him to leave me alone, but he starts talking instead. I listen to what he has to say and he’s right, Penny had to protect herself. However, I’m still freaking out wondering if I’ll end up hurting someone I care about, like Melissa or my mom. What my best friend did is frightening, but also comical if you think about her size. I can’t seem to get my thoughts in order, like a ping pong battle is happening inside my head. I think about everything Damon has done since I met him and know he’d never hurt me. In fact, he’s done everything in his power to better my life and help my family. I take
a deep breath then open the door. Damon straightens quickly and watches me, giving me the time and space I need to make the first move, which proves my heart made the right choice.

  “I’m sorry I freaked out,” I whisper.

  “I understand it’s a lot to take in.”

  “I love you, Damon,” I tell him, unable to hold it in any longer.

  “Mabel, I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you standing in the parking lot.” I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around him as tight as I can. He pulls back, looking at my face for a split second before placing a kiss on my lips. I gladly open for him, allowing his tongue entrance. I stretch on my tiptoes to get closer and loop my arms about his neck. He lifts me, my legs encircling his waist as he carries me to the bed where he proceeds to kiss me as if our lives depend on it. I lift my hips to rub against his hard length, trying to get the painful throb in my clit to go away. Damon breaks the kiss and starts pulling my clothes off as fast as he can.

  “Damon, I ache,” I pant breathlessly. With a growl he pushes my legs up as far as they’ll go and dives in, licking until I scream his name.

  Chapter Eighteen