Crawford shook his head. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. She’s not the first to be with a bear shifter.”
“And she won’t be the first to die from it either.”
Crawford stepped away from her. “No. I love her. I’m not going to let anything happen to her.”
“This is why bears should be with bear mates. Look at you.” She ran a hand along his back. He shuddered at her touch. It wasn’t right feeling someone else navigate his body. “You’re a strong, alpha bear. You need cubs. Lots of them.” She circled him. “And imagine the magic between two shifters. Imagine what we could do together. Imagine the power in our two bodies.” She growled low and seductively.
Crawford stepped away from her. “No. I’ve claimed my mate. Find someone else.”
“But it’s tempting isn’t it?” Her eyes were mesmerizing. Little swirls of cobalt blue swimming through faded lavender. “Have you ever thought about being with a she-bear?”
He nodded. “Of course. I’m a shifter, not a damn priest.”
She smiled. “Then why settle for a human when you could have what you always wanted?”
“Because I’m in love with her.” He tried to press his words into the thick air surrounding them.
“Love? How do you know you’re in love when you haven’t even tried a shifter?”
“Stop it!” he roared, his voice echoing off the cave walls.
Instead of scaring her, he had done the opposite. Her breath hitched. “I knew you were powerful.” She licked her lips, inching closer toward him.
Crawford looked around the cave. There were tunnels on either side of him. He didn’t know how he got here, or how in the hell he would get out, but he had to try. He had to get back to Mila.
He listened, hoping he might recognize a sound that would point him to the exit he needed, but instead he heard screaming. His chest seized with panic.
His eyes flashed to Jackie. “What have you done?”
“I thought we could put an end to this if your mate released you. I brought her to you.” She smiled.
Crawford stared in horror as another bear dragged Mila over his shoulder, wrapped in the sheet from the cabin. She kicked, beating her fists against the brute’s back.
“Let me go!” she screamed.
Jackie watched Crawford. “See, lover? She’s weak.”
Mila squealed as the bear deposited her on the floor, she gripped the sheet to her chest and spun in his direction.
“Crawford?”
15
Mila
What in the hell was happening? She had been ripped from the cabin’s porch, lugged through the forest, and dropped on the floor of a cave.
She looked up, her heart warming at the sight of Crawford. Thank God he was ok.
“You’re ok?” she asked.
He nodded, but she could see the look in his eyes. It was the same one he had before a board members’ meeting. It was the one that said he didn’t know what he was going to say, and he was completely unprepared.
Standing next to him, too comfortably close, was a vixen of a woman. She was stunning. And her hands were all over Crawford.
Mila’s eyes narrowed. “What is going on?”
Crawford knelt next to her. “Are you hurt?”
“No, I’m ok. Just freaked out. Where are we?”
The supermodel cleared her throat. “We are in my den.” She glared at Mila. “You are here to release him of his bond to you.”
“Excuse me?”
“He’s a bear shifter. I’m a bear shifter. You are not,” she hissed. “Unless you are prepared to die trying to raise his cubs, I think it’s in your best interest to release him from the bond.”
Mila’s eyes locked on Crawford’s expression. She needed to read his emotions. “What is she talking about?”
He shook his head. “Don’t listen to her. I won’t let anything happen to you. I swear, Mila.” He gripped her hand.
“He can’t make those kinds of promises. Haven’t you heard guys promise things to get into your bed before?” She raised her voice. “Guys will say anything for an amazing night in the sheets.”
Mila tried to block out the words, but they kept coming.
“The problem with a bear shifter is sometimes he’s more bear than man. And what happens if you have four cubs? Or five?” She pressed her hand to her lips in a mock look of astonishment. “I’ll give you the hips, girls. And the ass. No wonder he chose you. But you can’t handle the magic. You’ve got to know that.”
Mila felt the need to pull the sheet tighter and wrap it under her arms. She didn’t like how Jackie sized her up.
“Don’t listen to her.” Crawford took her face in his palms. “Jackie is trying to scare you. She wants her own cubs. She wants me.”
“Of course I do,” Jackie hissed. “There are hardly any true clans anymore. Bears and other shifters. Bears with humans. What happened to pure bear bonds? What happened to an alpha claiming his she-bear?”
Crawford turned toward her. “What you’re doing is anything but conventional. You fucking kidnapped us. What’s alpha about that?”
“I needed to get your attention, but don’t worry. I’ll let your bear take control.” She smiled, her red pouty lips forming a perfect bow. “He wants to doesn’t he?”
Crawford growled in her direction. “I have a mate.”
“But look at her. She’s weak. She can’t possibly understand your bear. What he needs. How you want things. She won’t survive. The cubs are more than any human can imagine.”
Mila tried to focus on Crawford’s hands on her shoulders. The calm in his voice, but it didn’t matter. The panic was there anyway. The doubts and questions she should have had last night surfaced. They surfaced on the floor of the cave while the beautiful she-bear stood over her, watching her heart break.
“Jackie?” She didn’t know what name would fit the beautiful woman, but it sounded strange. “I could die?” The question was barely a whisper.
“She’s a damn lunatic, Mila.” He pressed her head to his chest and rocked her against his body. “You are mine. Don’t listen to her. I’ll keep you safe. I’ll protect you and the cubs. I swear.”
“The cubs?” She almost choked on the words.
His hands tangled in her hair, stroking her against the warmth of her chest. She felt the magic stir between them. There was fire in his touch. There was safety wrapped in his arms. There was love in his words.
The sheet slid from her shoulder. She remembered last night. How she had given herself to Crawford. How she had vowed she wanted all of him. She promised she loved his bear. And now that promise was being tested.
She didn’t know shifter history, but it was clear Jackie was a purist. Crawford’s commitment to his life with her was being challenged.
Mila’s eyes narrowed. She shoved off Crawford’s chest and stood to face the vixen.
“No.”
“What?” Her bluish eyes looked surprised.
“I said no. I won’t release him from our bond. He’s mine. I’m his. Our cubs belong to us.” Her finger landed on the woman’s chest. “Find your own mate.”
A low growl erupted from the woman’s chest, as her eyes slanted to dark slivers.
“Mila, move!” Crawford yelled, trying to shove her out of the way before a claw extended, swiping her shoulder.
She felt the rush of blood ooze down her arm. She staggered to the wall, gripping the sheet against the gash.
She looked up to see what was once Crawford’s body now in the form of a brown bear. An angry, protective bear.
He circled Jackie. Their roars bouncing off the den walls, almost deafening as Mila tried to focus on the battle. Their fur blended into a blur. Mila could no longer tell who was who.
She huddled next to the wall, scared that if she moved it would distract Crawford or bring herself back into Jackie’s focus. So she crouched to the floor, while the white sheet seeped with her blood. While the man she loved f
ought for her. While the bears fought to defend their shifter choices.
16
Crawford
He had never justified his choices before. Crawford always knew he would find a she-bear. He considered himself a traditional man, but with the she-bear’s claws extended and his mate in the corner, he knew there was no turning back. He’d die for Mila if he had to. Jackie wouldn’t touch her again.
He growled in her direction. His eyes hardened with fury.
“I like your foreplay,” she taunted.
“You bitch.” He struck at her, his claws slicing her fur.
She glared at him. “Are you this rough with her?” Jackie laughed. She enjoyed provoking him. He had to get things under control.
“I don’t want to hurt you.” He circled again, making sure to keep Mila behind him. “It doesn’t have to be like this, Jackie. I’m not the only bear shifter out there.”
“You know as well as I do, the clans are smaller than they’ve ever been. The magic is weakening. We need more full bears. Magic with magic.” She rose on her hind legs. “Your cubs won’t be half the bear you are if you keep her.” Her head swiveled toward Mila.
Crawford saw Mila. Her eyes were closed. Her hand slipped from the gash on her shoulder as her head rolled to the side. He had to get her out of here.
When he glanced back at Jackie, she ambled toward him ready for battle. But he was faster and stronger. He pinned her to the ground, despite her thrashing. His teeth clamped at her neck. All he had to do was bite through the fur and she would be dead. This nightmare would be over. Jackie would be gone.
But he pulled back for a second. Her eyes filled with panic, and he released her. He debated shackling her to the wall, but she rolled from underneath him and ran out of the cave.
Crawford shifted into his human form and stooped to inspect Mila’s injury. The blood was starting to clot. He gently lifted her in his arms, hugging her against his chest.
“Hold on. I’ve got you, baby,” he whispered as he searched for the exit.
He ran along the tunnels, pivoting at each dead end. The paths were damp and musky, but he retraced his steps until finally they emerged in the overcast drizzle. He pulled the sheet against her body.
He wasn’t on Highland property, but other than that he wasn’t sure where Jackie had taken him. He sniffed in the air for her scent. He could follow her out of the woods and maybe he’d end up near the hunting cabin or the main house.
He caught a whiff of her perfume. It smelled like flowers mixed with the dark odors of the cave. It was quickly evaporating in the air, but it was enough to lead him away from the den. He walked, holding Mila to him. Her breathing was steady, but with each minute he wandered through the woods, he worried she would need more medical treatment than he could give her.
His ears perked. He heard running water. It was the stream. He picked up his pace. He was on the other side of the fishing lake. He sighed. Highland property was in front of him.
* * *
He filled the bathtub in his suite with hot water and carefully placed Mila in the tub. Her shoulder was red and puffy. He washed the wound, and let the warm water penetrate the marks Jackie’s paw had made. She stirred slightly, and he thought she would wake, but then she dozed back to sleep.
He lifted her, wrapping a towel around her, then carried her from the bath to his bed. There were bandages in the hall closet. He returned with an ointment tube, tape, and a roll of gauze.
He wrapped the top of her arm, hoping it wouldn’t leave a scar. The drizzle outside turned to rain, and he heard the drops pelt the windowpane. Even though he had let her soak in the tub, she still felt cool. He jogged downstairs to load his arms with firewood.
He topped the logs with kindling and lit a match. Within a few minutes his master suite glowed from the warmth of the fire.
He wondered where Jackie fled. He wanted to track her, but he couldn’t leave Mila. He wouldn’t. He would alert his brothers there was an unstable she-bear nearby. They would need to find her.
Mila slept and he waited for her to wake.
17
Mila
Mila felt a stab of pain in her arm. She tried to sit forward. The room was warm and dark, except for an orange glow from the fireplace.
“Don’t move.” Crawford’s words were urgent. He pressed her on the bed. “The cuts will heal, but I don’t want you to reinjure yourself.”
She winced at tinges of pain. “Are you ok? Did she hurt you?” She ran her eyes over his body.
“Nah. I’m fine.”
“But she scratched you.” Her fingertips circled a swollen line on his chest.
“It’s nothing. It will be gone by tonight. Promise.” He smiled. “I heal quickly.”
“How long have I been asleep?” She recognized she was tucked in Crawford’s bed. She was naked under the sheets, but her skin felt clean and warm.
“A few hours.”
“A few hours?” It didn’t feel like she had been asleep that long. “And you did this?” She eyed the wrap on her arm.
“I did. It’s not as deep as I thought. You bled a lot though.” His eyes softened.
“Where is she?”
He shook his head. “She’s gone. I’m not sure. But I don’t want you to worry.” He moved closer to her, and she felt instant safety.
“I’m sorry.” She lowered her eyes.
“What are you sorry about?” he asked.
“I provoked her. I shouldn’t have. The fight is my fault.”
Crawford chuckled, brushing long strands of hair from her neck.
“What’s so funny?” She couldn’t believe he was laughing. She had been mauled and he had been attacked by a woman ready to have his cubs on the spot.
“You’re apologizing for standing up to a she-bear. I thought it was pretty badass myself.”
She blinked. “You did?”
“Mila, she could have ripped you in a half if she wanted to, but you stood up to her. You’re stronger than any she-bear I’ve ever met.” He smiled.
“I couldn’t stop myself. She pissed me off.”
“I could tell.”
“I don’t care what she said, Crawford.” She shook her head. “I promised you. I swore my body to you. I meant every word. Every breath. Every…”
“Shh. I know.” He kissed her forehead. “We don’t have to talk about it now. But I understand if you want to release me from the bond. I didn’t think about the danger to you. Now it’s all I can think about.”
“What?” She sat up. To hell with the bandage.
The sheet fell away and her breasts hit warm air.
“Jackie was trying to scare you away from me. She was trying to scare me right into her den. But she might have had a point. We can’t ignore it. We’re going to have to talk about it.”
“We did talk about it.” Mila’s finger landed on his lips. “I’ve made my decision. I don’t want there to be any regrets.” Her voice was firm and definite. “She didn’t scare me.”
“But, Mila…” His eyes filled with worry.
She saw the doubt. The fear. This man had claimed every ounce of her soul. Finally after a year, they were together and she wasn’t going to let him slip away because of some stage-nine she-bear clinger.
“I love you. And your bear.”
She had to make him remember how they felt skin against skin. The words he whispered in her ear. The way he felt sliding inside her body.
She shoved his chest, pushing him back. Her eyes locked on his gaze. He had to know without a doubt what her intention was. To hell with shifter drama and spinster she-bears. This bear was hers.
She turned from him, so that her back faced him. She lowered her hands to the headboard, ignoring the pain from her arm. The ache for him would hurt worse if he never took her again.
“What are you doing?” he groaned. “You can’t.”
She wiggled her hips backward and planted her knees wide, sinking them into the mattress. She knew he
liked it this way. His bear needed her like this. She lifted her hips in the air, swaying her bare ass. The deepest part of her was ready and pulsing for him.
“Take me, Crawford. Make me yours again.”
“No, Mila. If I do there’s no going back this time.”
Though he protested, his rough hands cupped her bottom, massaging her smooth skin. She knew they were drawn to each other as his fingers continued to knead her flesh. His palms rubbed her curves until his fingers spread her wide and she was wet and panting from want. If only he would touch the heat he created. If he’d just touch her they’d both be lost. She rocked her hips, urging his hands downwards.
“Please, baby,” she coaxed. “Take me like you did. I need you.”
“But we can’t go back,” he groaned.
“I don’t want to go back. I want you to be yours. Take what’s yours, Crawford.” She offered herself to him. “I’ve always been yours. You know that.”
“But your arm.” She could hear the pain in his voice.
“I’ll do this.” She lowered her right shoulder to the pillow, taking the pressure off her arm. The movement lifted her hips higher in the air.
“Fuck, I want to taste you. I can’t stay away from you.”
“Ohh,” she gasped as his hot tongue suddenly plunged between her legs. Her hips bucked as his fingers pried her slick folds. He stroked her nub, parting her wider.
“Ohh,” she breathed into the pillow. She was careful not to move her shoulder, but her body was already shaking from his touch.
He was so thirsty for her. She could feel his need building as he sucked and licked, commanding her body to give in to him.
His tongue flicked and licked at her entrance. Her hips sank against his mouth, rocking toward him. The scruff of his beard chafing the inside of her thigh with heat.
“Like that. Please,” she panted. “Oh, I feel it already,” she gasped. Her body was responding to him faster than it ever had. It was as if the fear of having him ripped from her heightened everything. She couldn’t exist in a world where there was no Crawford.
The Steel Bear: A BBW Bear Shifter Romance (Highland Brothers) Page 7