by Leah Kent
“Where will you go?” asked Barb for the tenth time.
“I told you, to my cabin,” she replied.
“You mean the cabin that no one knows where it’s at, including myself?” she shot back at her.
Melissa smiled, “That’s the one!”
The news that she was six months’ pregnant hit the media first. Melissa had a feeling it was Barb who leaked the story, but she knew that she looked far along now. She had done nothing but interviews since returning and had worn baggy clothing. The media drank it up with speculations about who the father could be since Melissa kept herself distant from anyone in the industry as much as possible. She let the sharks have their fun for a week before announcing her retirement.
Melissa was bombarded by the paparazzi for the rest of her stay in Hollywood, and when she left her condo for the last time, it was three days before her scheduled departure. She left a loving letter for Barb that promised a hefty final bonus if she could take care of all the other details. For the first time in years, she went out in disguise and boarded a commercial plane bound for Alaska. The airport was packed when she landed, and her body was sore from the journey, but she forgot all those problems when she saw Svako standing at the gate waiting for her.
She ran to him and kissed him passionately, “I missed you so much.”
“I missed you even more,” he said.
Stepping away from her, he looked over her swollen body.
“It’s only been a month,” he said in disappointment. “I feel like I have already missed so much.”
She smiled at him. “I am here now, though, for the next month and every one after that. You get to be a part of the best of pregnancy,” she said.
She ran her hand over her stomach and his eyes followed. A thrill shot up her back as she watched him lick his lips in desire.
“Are you ready to go home?” she asked him, her need building inside of her.
He nodded his head as he took her hand. When they arrived at the cabin, Melissa was shocked by the changes. Svako had decided to sell his house in the city to move out to the country with her where they could live freely. He had spent the month turning the cabin into a home. Flowerbeds had beautiful colors springing up, and the inside of the house was no longer sparsely decorated. She could smell freshly-made bread on the table, and the windows were open to let in the summer breeze.
“Do you like it?” he asked her expectantly.
“I have never in my life felt so entirely at home,” she said to him. Tears prickled her eyes, “It’s everything I could have imagined.”
He smiled at her and wrapped her in his arms. She couldn’t resist him any longer as his lips met hers in a warm kiss. She felt her swollen nipples start to tingle almost painfully and her body relax as it prepared for him. Breaking off the kiss, she began to walk to the bedroom, unbuttoning her shirt as she went. It fell to the floor as she turned the corner.
Chapter Nine
When Svako reached the bedroom, Melissa was naked on the bed. Her curvy body was amplified by the protruding stomach and engorged breasts. Svako began to undress immediately as he walked to her. When he reached the bed, he removed his boxers, and Melissa gasped as she always did when she saw his huge member. He climbed onto the bed and kissed her neck, sending shivers through her body. As his mouth trailed down to her sensitive nipples, she moaned in pleasure. Every part of her body was more aroused the longer she was with child.
His mouth sucked on both her breasts for a moment, but she knew he couldn’t last long. The more her body began to swell with each day, the more aroused he became. Melissa pushed him back down onto the bed.
“What’s wrong?” he asked her in a hoarse voice.
“Shh,” she said to him playfully.
She climbed onto him and heard him suck in a gasp. Melissa had never before sat astride him like this. It was thrilling to have the power. His hands ran over her body, and her stomach did a flip at the sensation of his rod resting on her pearl of pleasure. She moved herself above his shaft and moaned as his sword pushed open her swollen, dripping sheath. Svako arched his back in pure pleasure.
“Oh my god,” he whispered with his eyes closed.
She knew why he was so aroused—her tunnel became more engorged with each day. His manhood was being squeezed and sucked into her core like she was a new virgin. Again his back arched as she felt him reach her womb. He was so large that she couldn’t take all of him inside of her. She began to move herself up and down on his shaft and felt the wonderfully painful moment when his rod became ridged. It felt like he was attempting to spread her apart as his climax peaked and brought her own explosion to a breaking point. She screamed out his name as he thrust into her once more. Spent, she laid down on the bed beside him.
“Svako, I love you,” she said to him breathlessly.
He looked at her and smiled, “I love you too, Melissa.”
She closed her eyes to try and sleep. Since becoming pregnant, the child took almost all of her energy. She was looking forward to several weeks of lying around and doing nothing after the chaos that had just ended in their lives. Before she could doze off, she heard the front door opening, alerting her to an intruder. Svako heard it also and rose from the bed. She pulled on the large robe that she had bought before leaving and followed him out. Just as they walked into the living room, she saw a man running from the house with a camera.
“Oh my god! That man just took pictures of us!” she screamed.
Svako didn’t waste any time and ran out the door after the man. As he caught up to him and tackled him, Melissa followed. When she reached the two men fighting, she gasped. Her stalker had returned from jail.
“I know what you are you, freak,” he screamed at Svako. “I am going to make sure that everyone knows it too!”
As Svako tried to restrain him, the man reached into his pocket and pulled out a small weapon. He shot Svako with it before he could react. Melissa watched in horror as the dart that emerged from the gun did what it was meant to do. Svako fell off of the man, and his eyes rolled back into his head. The gun was a tranquilizer that had knocked Svako unconscious. Melissa knew it wouldn’t last long, though. His metabolism was twice that of a normal person, she just needed to stay alive long enough for him to wake up. She saw the stalker climbing out from under him, and she bolted for the house.
Chapter Ten
Melissa screamed in horror as she felt the man grab her hair and pull her back on the hard ground. Her large stomach had made it almost impossible for her to run very fast. She protected her womb as she fell.
“I can’t believe you let that animal into your bed! Yet you won’t let me! A man who loved you, you bitch!” he screamed at her.
For the first time, he noticed her pregnant stomach, “Oh my god, you’re carrying that thing’s baby too?”
Melissa watched in hopeless terror as the stalker pulled out a real gun from his bag. She began to cry, knowing that no one could help her. She wrapped her hands around her stomach once more. Praying that at least her child could survive.
“I’m sorry. If I can’t have you, no one can,” he said as he pulled back the hammer on the weapon.
Melissa saw her partner, the man she loved, coming up behind the intruder. Svako had him in his claws before the stalker even knew what hit him. She heard the gun fire into the ground beside her and jumped up, running to the porch. She watched in horror as the bear came down onto the stalker a second time with a sickening thud. The bear moved away from the intruder before he paused, making sure that his job was done. He looked at Melissa, and she nodded her head before she watched him run off into the woods. She didn’t need him to shift back into his human form to know that he would be back. She stepped into the house and made the frantic call to the local police.
Soon after the attack, the police arrived along with the coroner. It was an open and shut case. She had walked outside for a breath of fresh air when he came at her with a gun. Out of nowhere, a wild bear
had attacked and killed the intruder while she fled inside her home.
When the police left, she stayed outside on her porch swing. She rocked back and forth while she heard footsteps walking through the house. She wasn’t afraid of footsteps anymore, though. Melissa looked up just as Svako emerged, dressed once more.
“You would never believe what just happened,” she said to him with a smile.
“Oh, I don’t know. I have seen some pretty crazy things around here lately. I heard a crazy man claimed some guy could turn into a bear,” he replied as he sat down on the swing next to her.
She put her head on his shoulder just as the first pain shot through her body. “Ouch!” she cried.
He looked at her with concern, “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know,” she said.
They wasted no time driving to the hospital as the pain grew stronger and stronger. When the doctor came in, they looked at him with fear in their eyes.
“Well, folks, it looks like you’re going to have a baby today!” he said happily.
She looked at him with fear, “It’s too early, though.”
The doctor smiled at her, “The stress started contractions a little bit early, yes. Your boy, though, has a strong heartbeat and is fully developed. He’s only coming a few weeks early. Babies do it all the time.”
Melissa looked at Svako and smiled, “It looks like you’re going to be a father today.”
* * *
Six months later Melissa looked out into the living room in awe as her husband played with the small cub on the floor. She had learned so much in the past several months. The combined DNA of a bear and a human meant that their son, Dante, was already the size and speed of a four-year-old. Much like bear cubs, he would slow down the growing process in a few short years. She had everything she could ever ask for.
Shortly after Dante was born, Melissa and Svako wed in a small ceremony. She finally had the family she’d always wanted, plus some. It turned out that all of the men in Svako’s family were shifters. She would never be alone again. Dante ran from his father and shifted into his human form before hiding behind his mother. They heard the car pull up and looked outside.
“Candy! Candy! Candy!” yelled Dante as his favorite cousin came through the door.
Melissa smiled at the little girl as she hugged her son.
“Aunt Melissa! Why didn’t you tell me!” said Candace.
Melissa looked at her in confusion, “Tell you what, honey?”
“That you’re going to have another baby!” she said excitedly.
Melissa felt the color drain from her face as she looked at Svako. He had the same look of shock. Snapping out of the shock, she began to laugh as the tears fell from her face.
“Another baby!” said Svako excitedly as he picked up Melissa and swung her around in circles.
She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck, “Oh, how wonderful! Are you happy, my love?”
Svako smiled at her, “I have never been happier in my entire life. I love you so much, Melissa.”
“I love you too, Svako,” she said.
As he set her back down, they followed the two young children outside and watched as they played in the yard. Melissa’s dream had finally come true. She had everything she had ever wanted out of her life, and she was happier than she’d ever imagined anyone could be. Her husband wrapped his arm around her, and she smiled as the kids laughed joyfully. Finally, her life was perfect.
The Lion’s Bond
Candice Parker
Island Cove Publishing © 2016
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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious or used fictitiously. Any similarities to any people living or dead, is purely coincidental and is not intended by this author.
The use of stock photos in the making of this book no way implies that the models condone, endorse or participate in the fictitious conduct that is within this book, by implication or expressly. The person(s) depicted are models and used for illustrative purposes only.
The book is for sale to only mature audiences. It may contain sexually explicit content with vulgar language which may be considered offensive to some readers. Please be responsible with where you store this book.
Chapter One
"Are you really going to wear that?"
Victoria had spent the last two hours getting ready to go out. She's scrubbed down and shaved herself smooth in the bathroom, careful to be thorough. She's dried and styled her hair just right, letting her auburn locks fall in dreamy curls over her shoulders. She'd done her makeup carefully, making sure everything was tasteful and modest. And then she'd slipped into the little dress she'd bought just for that night. It was an arresting emerald green color, the straps sitting low on her shoulders and plunging downward to create a low neckline. Tied off beneath the bust with a bow of the same color, it highlighted her curves in all the best ways. Big breasts, big hips, big butt, and curvy thighs. The skirt fell midway down her knees and billowed out beneath layers of tulle. It made her feel cute and attractive, but Peter didn't seem to agree.
"I bought it for tonight. Don't you like it?"
Peter looked her over with a critical eye, his lips pursed tightly together.
"You shouldn't wear something so short and tight," he said stiffly. "I can see how fat your thighs are like that. Have you even been sticking to the diet we agreed upon?"
The words stung. Victoria turned away from the full length mirror in the bedroom they shared to look at him. Peter was seated upon the bed, already dressed in black slacks and a button down shirt. He was tall and scrawny and never had to worry about his weight; Victoria watched him eat nothing but junk food all day and yet he never seemed to gain a pound.
"I have," she insisted.
"It's not really doing much, is it?" Peter said. He shook his head and stood. "Whatever. We're already running late as it is, and if I had to wait for you to change into something that would do a better job at hiding your body we'd lose our reservation. Come on. Let's go."
If Victoria hadn't spent so long perfecting her makeup she might have shed a few silent tears at the attack, but she'd worked too hard to ruin her face now. Instead she swallowed and held back her emotions, trying to soften the blow. Peter only wanted her to look the best she could. He deserved a girl who was skinny and pretty, and he believed in her and how beautiful she could be once she lost weight. Once she was skinnier he wouldn't have to be mean to her anymore.
Together they left the small apartment they shared and walked through the downtown streets. Night had fallen long ago, but the restaurant patios and store windows were lit up and welcoming. The air had cooled considerably since that afternoon, and although she didn't need a jacket, Victoria found it fresh. Fall was on its way; she could almost taste it on the air.
The Ambrogio was busy despite the advanced hour. The patio that spilled forth onto the downtown sidewalk was crowded. People came from miles around to see for themselves what the city's finest Italian restaurant had to offer, and Victoria knew firsthand how difficult it was to get a reservation. She'd called three months in advance to book a table, and even then the only time slot they had available was at half past nine. It was lucky they'd gotten in at all. The struggle was worth it; tonight was her second anniversary with Peter, and he deserved all of her effort. Not many guys wasted their time with a curvy girl, and Victoria found herself co
nstantly needing to prove to him just how grateful she was he'd agreed to look past her weight.
The inside of the restaurant was just as crowded as the outside. Waiters and waitresses milled to and fro, weaving around each other as they served food and drink alike. The hostess at the podium looked unfazed by the rush and smiled at them as they entered.
"Welcome to the Ambrogio. Do you have a reservation?"
"Yes," Peter said. "Under Victoria Wilde."
The hostess flipped through her reservation book, searching for confirmation. As she did, Victoria took a look around the restaurant. The lighting was dim and romantic. The tables were small and crammed close together to maximize floor space, but that was the only flaw to an otherwise beautiful atmosphere. Candles in beautiful glass dishes lit each table. The design was rustic but elegant. White strings of lights were woven through a latticework that stretched across the ceiling, vaguely mimicking grapevines. Tens of different soft conversations melded together to bathe the place in a dull roar of activity. The waiters and waitresses who tended to the tables were tall and slender, all of them beautiful. Victoria felt like she didn't belong here, and yet she never wanted to leave.
"Oh, right. Table for two at half past nine. Let me show you two to your seats."
And just like that they were off, picking their way through the crowded aisles to a table near the back corner of the establishment. The walls there were set with wine racks, and the dark necks of bottles with white and red seals glimmered beneath the flickering candle light. The waitress set two menus down upon a small wooden table, candles already flickering and lively in their glass jars, and moved a little further down to give them room to sit.