by Fox, Piper
I stand in the doorway in shock. Goosebumps skitter up my spine. I can’t believe he ran. Aggression makes a man run for cover? I’ve never witnessed a scared-ass look on his face. For years, I let everyone run over me. I stood up for myself and it frightened him. It’s a brand-new me.
But I’m curious about why I have a growl in me that sounds like a wild animal. A grizzly bear, to be exact. I guess if you get angry enough anything can spill over.
I get back to the bathroom to check my pregnancy test. But as I stand in front of the mirror, I notice an orange glow around my irises. I gasp and lean in closer and pull my eyelid up to get a better view and yes, it’s glowing a burnt-orange color. It doesn’t hurt, but what does it mean?
Okay, now there are too many freaky things happening all at once. Now for the final reveal. My hands tremble so badly I can barely hold the test in my hand. But there it is: two lines. I double-check the instructions to make sure. And just as I suspected, two lines mean positive.
What am I supposed to do now?
Jared
I awaken to a pulsating buzz in my head. Facing the television, I flick it off. I want to hear better, make sure it wasn’t a dream. A few seconds go by and I lower my head to the pillow and close my eyes. There it is again, a fizzing noise with a constant pulsating in my head. I take in a deep breath and force myself upright. What the hell is going on?
I look down at my phone. It’s 8:24 a.m. I don’t have to work until this afternoon and I certainly don’t want to be up this early. However, I can’t get away from the sweet scent of Kaitlyn. Not that I want to. But the scent is so potent.
Kaitlyn has a death grip on me. I’m lovesick and can’t do anything without thinking about her. I’ve got to shake this addiction. Wish she would stay out of my dreams.
I shake the sheets and slide the comforter over my head. Exhausted is an understatement. Without proper rest, I can’t work. I have to respect her wishes, but one more text won’t hurt. No, I’ll leave her alone. But I’m sweating like I’m going through withdrawal.
My mouth waters thinking about that juicy pussy shooting her sweetness into my mouth. I lick my lips at the thought of her big ass in her tight jeans.
The chanting rings out, knocking the vision of Kaitlyn riding me like a stallion out of my head. It’s an ancient clan chant usually spoken by deceased clan members. I’m hallucinating about the dead.
Rolling over in the bed, I land on my phone as it buzzes. Shit, is it Kaitlyn? I snatch the phone from beneath me only to see a text from Lance. Burglary on Cherry Street. Out of frustration, I toss the phone across the room. I’m not mad at Lance, I just wish it were Kaitlyn.
The ancient clan chanting seers through the room again. I hop to my feet. Her scent penetrating my soul, the buzzing, and the ancient clan…I have it. It took me a while to figure it out because it’s never happened to me before.
This changes everything—I need to get to Kaitlyn. I race to my car with one destination in mind. The burglary will have to wait. Lance is the second in command I’m sure he can handle it. Besides, I’m not scheduled to work until three.
Long hair appears on my arms as my bear tries to take over. Calm down or you’ll shift into a full grizzly bear. Every time I’m nervous my bear appears like a protector. The trembling of my hands decreases. Then I notice the hair on my arms retreat.
My heart continues racing as I drive across town. But I’ve calmed down a tad. Excited to say the least. Nervous about how she’ll take the news. Or does she already know? She can’t, she would’ve told me. It’s like she’s a figment of my imagination. She came in like a thunderous storm and swept me off my feet. Without warning, she vanished out of my life.
I want to see her. She can tell me to my face she doesn’t want me. That her life was better without me. I’ll express my feelings and if she still doesn’t want me, I’ll leave and go on with my life.
I flip the radio on to listen to some music. Maybe a distraction courtesy of the radio will release my mind from Kaitlyn. “There has been a rash of robberies leaving dead animals on the lawns of elderly residents in our community. Bella Simmons remains missing.” I flick the radio off.
Now is not the time to listen to the tragedies happening amongst my town.
At last, I swerve into a spot in front of Kaitlyn's house. I don’t understand why I’m so nervous to see her. The information could be tragic for her, but either way, it’s better that she hears the information from me.
With my hand trembling, I grab the car door handle and place my boot on the mushy snow. I get too nervous and pull my foot back in and close the door. A wise man would call first. It has been two months. What if she has a new boyfriend? I’ll look like a fool coming to tell her my truth and express my love.
I lean back in the seat and stare up at the ceiling of my squad car. This will be harder than I thought. Just imagining her with another man brings jealousy to my heart. I haven’t seen another woman because I know she’s my soulmate. The person I should grow old with. I know she feels the same.
What do I have to lose? Here goes nothing.
I press the doorbell and exhale as my heart rate increases. After standing there for several minutes, I press the doorbell again. I lean my ear against the door and narrow my gaze to her car in front of the house.
No sound from the inside, but I know she’s here. Her car is parked in front. Did she peek outside her window and view my squad car then decide she doesn’t want to be bothered with me? I didn’t travel an hour to beat on the door. She’s going to see me.
I slide my phone out of my pocket and text her. I’m outside open the door. Paying attention to the time, I see it’s 10:20 a.m. Knowing Kaitlyn, she’s still sleeping.
A few moments later her footsteps are audible. Now my adrenaline is rushing. The closer the footsteps, the more intense the swirling of nerves in my abdomen.
“Who is it?” her sweet voice questions.
It is music to my ears, and a rush of calm flashes across my body.
“Jared.”
A momentary silence and then three clicks of her unlocking the door. She swings open the door and her beauty stands before me. Her hair is up in a bun and her robe is tied tight around her thin frame. Her breasts are busting through the opening of her robe. I want to taste her breasts in my mouth. My penis gets harder just looking at her.
Kaitlyn
Grumpy and half-asleep, I drag myself to the door. I didn’t expect Jared to be there. Internally, I burn with passion. It’s hard to control my feelings for him. That’s the reason I want to keep distance between us. I stand there with my gaze stuck on his face. No matter what I told him before, I want to be with him.
“Are you going to let me in?” he questions.
“Sure, come in,” I respond.
Now that I’m not afraid of Carl anymore, I can breathe. Maybe we can be together and raise our child. He walks past me and I get a whiff of his cologne and stare at his broad shoulders. Someone help me. The amount of sweat racing down my back should be illegal.
He’s been dominating my dreams for two months, ever since I had to call it off with him. I thought he moved on with his life. Even went back to his ex-girlfriend. But here he is.
I follow him into my apartment and he takes a seat on the sofa he purchased for me. I feel so stupid for allowing Carl to dictate my life. He takes off his coat and places it on the side of him. I try not to stare but it’s hard.
“How have you been?”
“I’ve been well.” I swallow nervously. So much to say. Where do I start? But my words are stuck somewhere in my throat. What if he rejects my attempt to be with him? Peering down, I notice the constant shaking in my legs. I inch further toward the edge of the sofa, terrified. However, this is my one true love.
“Kaitlyn, there’s something I have to get off my chest.”
I brush the curly strands of hair off my shoulder and put on a grin that is a smidgen of excitement and nerves.
�
��Go ahead and say what you need.”
I can handle it, I think. If he says he hates what I did and he never wants to see me again, I couldn’t blame him.
From the pitch of his tone, it was if he were slightly angry and I hope me telling him I’m pregnant want send him over the edge. I should keep that secret to myself. I’m not convinced I even want to have a baby.
“First, I have to know why you dumped me. What did I do?”
I bite my lip, not wanting to tell him it was because of Carl.
“I-I was just in too deep.”
“What do you mean?”
“I fell hard for you in one night.” Redirecting my gaze to the floor, I can’t tell him about the pregnancy.
“Look at me,” he demands.
Hesitantly I narrow my gaze to him.
“I love you.”
I want to embrace him and tell him the truth. The real reason I broke up with him. And I’m pregnant with his baby.
My abdomen shifts and I place my hand over my belly.
“What’s wrong?” He moves closer to me with panic laced in his voice.
“Nothing, I just ate something bad.” My butt is glued to this sofa. I can’t get through this alone. I can’t see myself as a single mother. What’s life without love?
“There’s something I have to say.”
“Wait, I have to say something.” I wince, dreading the truth.
“Okay, you first,” he offers.
“No, you said it first.”
He takes in a deep breath. “I came to confess my love to you.” His hands tremble and he covers his face.
I grab his arm. “It’s okay. Whatever you have to say we will be fine.”
My love is before me. I can’t say I love him. I’m terrified of moving forward, and that he will hurt me. Change on me and turn into my ex-husband.
“Do you want to be with me? I need to know.” He lowers his hands from his face. A flash of despair mingles with his handsome features.
Suddenly I realize that even though I’m finalizing my divorce on Friday, Carl is still controlling me in my life. So I let my guard down and dive right in. My lips quiver as fast as my shaky voice. “Yes, I want to be with you. I love you so much.” I exhale and leap into his arms, trying my best not to cry on his shoulder.
The embrace is welcome, and he grips me firmly.
“You’re pregnant.”
It exits his mouth, and the tension rolls off my shoulders. I’m relieved but puzzled. How did he know?
I push away from his chest and give him an intense stare.
“How do you know?”
“I was told by the ancestors.”
What? All this is strange. Who talks to ancestors and how?
“My hearing is sharp, my vision’s so much better. I don’t need my glasses. Tell me who the ancestors are. What is going on?” My mouth is moving a hundred miles an hour. I have so many questions.
“The ancestors are shifters who crossed.”
“Shifters?” My mouth shoots open.
“Yes, shifters.”
His green eyes turned brown and an extreme amount of furry brown hair consumes his arms.
I leap from the couch and step back until I hit a wall. I can barely cover my screams with my palms.
Bushy hair busts through his plaid shirt and denim jeans.
“Don’t be afraid,” he requests.
His teeth become elongated and sharp. He is turning into an animal before my eyes. My face flushes with sweat. I can hardly breathe.
Claws break through the fur, and his nose protrudes. Within moments, he turns into a full grizzly bear. Sitting on my furniture.
“Who…what are you?” I croak as anxiety twirls around inside me. Should I run or scream?
“Breathe,” he responds.
It’s Jared’s voice coming from a huge, unattractive bear. I’d expect him to squirm in his chair or at least be uncomfortable. Instead, he’s cool as a cucumber.
We remain quiet for several minutes. The silence only prolongs the despair. But even in his bear form he still gazes at me with love.
He folds his paws and looks at me. “I hope this doesn’t change anything.”
I nod my head yes and avoid eye contact. How could I be okay with loving a shifter? Or having a child with him?
I love him more than anyone, but I will not be with him anymore—at least that’s what I keep telling myself. It all makes sense—the growling, the raw steak. Shivering with disbelief, tears roll down my cheek.
“I can’t have this baby,” I say. The thought of it makes me gag with rage.
“Why not? We are in love.”
“Yes, I love you. Not a shifter.”
“Please come sit.”
Hell no, is he crazy?
“I won’t hurt you. My bear is a part of me. I would never hurt a hair on your head.”
Trusting my instinct, I take a seat on the couch next to him. I’ve never felt fear around him.
“Our blood has intermingled within a child. You are half bear too,” he explains.
Jared
I wish she would tell me she understands. Accept me for the bear I am. Besides, it changes nothing.
“I’m still the man you fell in love with.”
The fear of death is written all over her face. She has to get used to me.
“Since you are pregnant, there will be no problems with the clan.”
“But what about your ex and my husband? He will make life difficult.”
“If he so much as drives past this house, I’ll hurt him.” I grab her with my paw and pull her close. This time she doesn’t resist.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were a shifter?” she questions.
I knew she was my mate the day I laid eyes on her. “I didn’t want to scare you.”
Kaitlyn beams and nods. She combs her fingers through the fur on my arm without success. My fur isn’t silky and straight, it is textured.
Shifting back into a human, the stress slides off my back. A warm sensation fills my chest. I lean in and kiss Kaitlyn on the cheek. I want to plant a wet one on her lips, but that would be premature.
She blushes as a gold aura encircles her face. It’s the pregnancy glow. All the shifter women wear it proudly. I hope Kaitlyn will too. The million-dollar question pops into my head: will she keep the baby? But I keep my lips tightly sealed. I won’t pressure her into this lifestyle.
“I love you.” She gazes into my eyes. “I don’t care what you are.”
That’s all I need to hear. Our tongues wrestle for minutes. I guess this means she wants to be with me too.
My legs are tired and screaming at me, but that doesn’t stop me from carrying Kaitlyn to the bed.
I think about the baby, and I don’t want to hurt it. But Kaitlyn has a magic pussy that is calling my name.
Gently I place her on the bed. I’m already naked and erect, but I have to ask her.
“Are you going to have my baby?”
She gives me that look that sparkles in her eye. Her gaze sweeps my body, stopping at my penis. “Of course, I will have your baby. I can’t get enough of you.”
I part her legs, and she doesn’t resist. She shivers as her chest rises and falls. Lowering myself to the floor, I kneel in front of her and pull her to the edge of the bed.
I caress her thighs with my tongue. She moans for more, grabbing my head. Her sweet scent drives me wild. I tease her, flicking my tongue against her clit then stopping. Pressing my lips against her vagina, I kiss her.
Thrusting my tongue in and out, I make her scream like the house is on fire. I slide my finger in her vagina while licking her clit. Before I can insert my fingers three times, she creams, squirting her liquid gold down my mouth.
Epilogue
I sit under a tree reading my romance novel as Jared plays catch with Justin on a warm July afternoon. Staring down at the two-carat rock on my finger, I smile. I finally feel whole. We needed a break from all the rehabbing being don
e at Jared's old house. I’m making a home in this insignificant town in the mountains. I finally feel accepted by the clan. Especially since they discovered Bella went to jail in another state for dealing drugs. Jared is no longer a suspect and neither am I.
Jared walks over and takes a seat next to me.
“How is my baby?” He questions.
“I’m fine.” I blush.
He slides his hand down to my belly and rubs. “What about my other baby?”
“She’s fine too.”
“How do you know it’s a she?” he asks.
I want a girl so bad. Having a sizeable house full of testosterone is draining.
Justin races over and I grab the basket to make sandwiches. He’s only three and loves meat.
I make both my men a sandwich.
“Thank you, baby. I love you for life,” he boasts.
“I love you too, husband.”
THE END